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Are all top boxes compatible with all racks?

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byke95
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Joined: 25 Mar 2004
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PostPosted: 09:23 - 28 Jul 2021    Post subject: Are all top boxes compatible with all racks? Reply with quote
Hi all,

Bit of a noob question perhaps...

On an older 94 cb500 with a Honda rack, will any top box fit?

Many thanks
Phil
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martin734
Spanner Monkey



Joined: 28 Aug 2019
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PostPosted: 09:33 - 28 Jul 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
No, not all will fit. Givi, for example use specific mounting plates for their boxes. There are some boxes that say universal fit but I have found that they don't fit as securely as ones fitted to a plate designed for that box.
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Evil Hans
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Joined: 08 Nov 2015
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PostPosted: 10:24 - 28 Jul 2021    Post subject: Re: Are all top boxes compatible with all racks? Reply with quote
byke95 wrote:
a Honda rack


Is it just a rack, or does it incorporate a mounting plate for a top box?


Most 'universal' plates will fit on 'most' racks (sometimes with a bit of drilling / filing / fettling required)

Branded plates usually require a specific rack, because they make more money that way. But with a bit more drilling, filing and fettling, anything is possible.

I fitted a universal plate onto my Triumph rack (after removing the Triumph plate) with only a small amount of faffing.

Edit - note that 'universal' plates are 'universal' for any bike - but they still only fit the top box they come with, they are all different.
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ThunderGuts
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Joined: 13 Nov 2018
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PostPosted: 11:42 - 28 Jul 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
Top box fittings are a whole world of pain, even within manufacturers there are variations (e.g. GIVI's monokey and monolock).

My experience; I have a genuine Honda RACK (not topbox mount) on my VFR (it came with it). I then fitted a universal GIVI monokey mount to it (which required some fiddling, as above). This now takes any GIVI monokey box.

Check the existing rack load ratings (Google) and general condition too. Because the topbox will sit further back than the rack mounting points, a fair bit of force can be on those points if you've got anything significant in the 'box.
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Polarbear
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Joined: 24 Feb 2007
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PostPosted: 13:57 - 28 Jul 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
Going by the Honda branded topbox rack fitted to my friends old Deauville, one of the Givi boxes fits it but which type I have no idea.
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byke95
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Joined: 25 Mar 2004
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PostPosted: 20:58 - 28 Jul 2021    Post subject: Re: Are all top boxes compatible with all racks? Reply with quote
Evil Hans wrote:
byke95 wrote:
a Honda rack


Is it just a rack, or does it incorporate a mounting plate for a top box?


It's just the rack, no mounting plate.

Although I've been riding some 20 years, I've stuck to soft luggage options for the reasons mentioned - it seems a right faff!

Still, as this will be a second bike for my commute to work, I'd like to make use of the rack.

Very helpful stuff, thanks all! Very Happy
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byke95
World Chat Champion



Joined: 25 Mar 2004
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PostPosted: 20:58 - 28 Jul 2021    Post subject: Re: Are all top boxes compatible with all racks? Reply with quote
Evil Hans wrote:
byke95 wrote:
a Honda rack


Is it just a rack, or does it incorporate a mounting plate for a top box?


It's just the rack, no mounting plate.

Although I've been riding some 20 years, I've stuck to soft luggage options for the reasons mentioned - it seems a right faff!

Still, as this will be a second bike for my commute to work, I'd like to make use of the rack.

Very helpful stuff, thanks all! Very Happy
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byke95
World Chat Champion



Joined: 25 Mar 2004
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PostPosted: 20:59 - 28 Jul 2021    Post subject: Re: Are all top boxes compatible with all racks? Reply with quote
Evil Hans wrote:
byke95 wrote:
a Honda rack


Is it just a rack, or does it incorporate a mounting plate for a top box?


It's just the rack, no mounting plate.

Although I've been riding some 20 years, I've stuck to soft luggage options for the reasons mentioned - it seems a right faff!

Still, as this will be a second bike for my commute to work, I'd like to make use of the rack.

Very helpful stuff, thanks all! Very Happy
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ThunderGuts
World Chat Champion



Joined: 13 Nov 2018
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PostPosted: 21:29 - 28 Jul 2021    Post subject: Reply with quote
No worries.

No worries.

No worries.

Wink

Wink

Wink
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Old Thread Alert!

There is a gap of 338 days between these two posts...

jserv
L Plate Warrior



Joined: 19 Jun 2022
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PostPosted: 22:00 - 01 Jul 2022    Post subject: Reply with quote
I have had a GIVI Monolock come off my very first bike some years ago. Maybe I didn't latch it properly, but after it happened I drilled through the bottom of the box and bolted it to the rack with an additional plate underneath and it never happened again. Finding compatible parts helps, but I'd also be prepared for a bit of customisation if it's needed.
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