1st mod! Fitting a top box..

[Flatbadger]

I have a new top box thanks to my folks, a Dr Bike 24l one which seems adequate, but I have to create a mount for the accompanying base unit..

Can anyone suggest a type of bracket I can use to attach to the rear bolts holding the grab rails? They have about 2mm of give so 2mm thick (or I could use washers on the front bolts if thicker is needed), and strong enough to resist the force of wind pushing on the top box without shearing or cracking. The bolts are 8mm.

The pic shows the area of the bike and the plastic around the grab rails which means I might have to file down the corners of the brackets as well.

https://s8.postimage.org/4x9jdvrat/1031.jpg

I envisage attaching the base unit either directly to the brackets, or bolting on some metal and attaching it to that. I've found this bracket for door frames which looks ideal, but I don't want to be inspecting them for cracks all the time!

The rear of the base unit can rest on a bit of 'Dual Lock' velcro stuff and a bit of wood in between if required, to keep the thing level.

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome! (I might regret those words)
____________________
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[Islander]

Buy or fabricate a proper rack and bolt it to that.

[Nick_Giles]

You need a rack and possibly a bottom plate to fit it to.

Look here :- https://www.renntec.co.uk/suzuki_motorbike_accessories.html


Nick
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Peter Cook: "I have learned from my mistakes, and I am sure I can repeat them exactly".

[Flatbadger]

[Bikermice]

wood? That will rot unless you coat it with creosote, and that would look bad. Can you not get a factory bracket for your bike? Also, try to find the brackets you want at toolstation or screwfix, far cheaper than the likes of Wykes or B&Q. I just had to spend £60 on a luggage bracket for my CBF but although pricey it's less hassle than making one up yourself.

[Flatbadger]

Well this is the post-xmas mess I'm in.

I mentioned to the folks that I could do with a top box for going to work etc, but not to worry as I need to figure out a rack first. Cue major procrastination after finding that a rack costs over £100 and they're non-existent elsewhere.

Come Christmas I'm presented with the fait accompli topbox. My parents are coming over (rare event) on Sunday with it and I just need to show them I have a working 'luggage system' so they can go home happy.

If it actually works that's a bonus. If not I'll remove it and get round to a proper rack later. I'll stick with bag and bungees.

I'm getting this galvanised steel which I'm going to bend and drill so nice and cheap, which is good as I'll need a hacksaw, a file, a chisel..
____________________
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[Islander]

Yep, that's fabrication but how stable and strong it'll be I wouldn't like to say.

Knowing how much instability a top box can cause, I'd be seriously considering a properly manufactured one if it were me though.

[Flatbadger]

[Nope.]

I'd just fabricate one and use it. So long as you give it enough strength and bracing it'll be fine. Can always use the pillion pegs for extra support/strength if you feel you need it.

If you can weld and have some spare steel lying around then it'll be reasonably easy, if you have to buy stuff in and can't weld then it'll be a bit harder but certainly not impossible. Just use bolts to hold it together and when its all together locktite all the threads so it doesn't vibrate loose and bobs your uncle.

Unless your going to be putting a LOT of weight in the box then it doesn't need to be incredibly strong, look at the manufacturers one and if it looks reasonable try to copy it. Most top box racks look like they would break if you put a twix on them so I really wouldn't worry too much.
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Former: Derbi GP1 50, Sachs XTC 125, Suzuki GSXR 400 GK73A, Kawasaki ZX7R, Suzuki DR250, Yamaha RD350
Current: 2011 Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré, 2003 Yamaha YZR-R1 5PW (In Build), 2009 Kawasaki ZZR1400

[Vincent]

If you don't want to splash out on a new rack, it may be worth looking for a used one that could be modified to fit without too much effort.
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Space Is Deep

[Skudd]

Ebay is full of them, just need to find something with similar mount points to your bike.
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Famous last words of Humpty Dumpty. " Stop pushing me "
Petty Anarchists look at "1984".............. The Visionary looks at "Animal Farm".

[Flatbadger]

Bah, just when I'd settled on a course of action - more ideas!

In fact I would really like to learn a bit of welding. If there was an evening course nearby and I got to make a rack there, that would be the best result. I'll have a gander.

But for now, more procrastination. And I mean right now.
____________________
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
You're in ISIS

[Bikermice]