to bpdchief

[alantf]

[attachment=0:9ui59y3f]b13.jpg[/attachment:9ui59y3f][attachment=1:9ui59y3f]b9.jpg[/attachment:9ui59y3f][attachment=2:9ui59y3f]b5.jpg[/attachment:9ui59y3f][attachment=3:9ui59y3f]b4.jpg[/attachment:9ui59y3f]bpdchief pm'd me & asked for some pictures of my top box, as he's trying to get some ideas before he buys. For some reason I couldn't get the pictures to upload on the pm, so I'm posting them here, for him, where I know they'll work. :) Don't forget, the box hinges at the front, to open, so it has to be fitted to a rack without a sissy bar. I had to remove the sissy bar, & make a couple of spacers to replace it.

[bpdchief]

Thanks Alan, I was considering using the base of the pillion since I don't "two up". That way I could get a box with a backrest pad. I like the box you have though... food for thought, time to study them more.

Thanks again, John

[alantf]

I could get a box with a backrest pad.

My missus rides behind me, & she says that the box (without a pad) is more comfortable than the padded cissy bar.

[Water Warrior 2]

I could get a box with a backrest pad.

My missus rides behind me, & she says that the box (without a pad) is more comfortable than the padded cissy bar.
Lynda also found the box itself was fairly comfy when she rode pillion on the Vstrom. The jacket back armor worked very well and did not take up near as much space as a padded backrest on the box.

[bpdchief]

All good info - thanks. Found what I thought should be an inexpensive tail rack ... flat 1/4 inch steel plate, nothing fancy, glossy black paint. Thought it looked good until I saw that he wants $200. Drew up my own, cut a template, going to a metal shop tomorrow to see what the cut and weld will cost. I'll do the cleanup, grinding and painting myself.
http://s8.postimage.org/52cvg565t/GZ250_rack.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/52cvg565t/)
Can you believe anyone would pay $200 plus shipping for this????

[alantf]

If it's ¼" thick, I reckon it's going to be HEAVY. I think thinner plate would work well, & still give you the rigidity & strength required. The side plates on the shop bought rack are only 1/8", and they're way strong enough. :)

[CMS]

All good info - thanks. Found what I thought should be an inexpensive tail rack ... flat 1/4 inch steel plate, nothing fancy, glossy black paint. Thought it looked good until I saw that he wants $200. Drew up my own, cut a template, going to a metal shop tomorrow to see what the cut and weld will cost. I'll do the cleanup, grinding and painting myself.
http://s8.postimage.org/52cvg565t/GZ250_rack.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/52cvg565t/)
Can you believe anyone would pay $200 plus shipping for this????


The factory rack [Suzuki] with back rest costs more than $200.00. I bought a used one and cut off the back rest, then atached my Givi top box ,works/looks great. In the US Suzuki doesn't do much for accessories on the GZ or the TU 250X. Terry

[Water Warrior 2]

All good info - thanks. Found what I thought should be an inexpensive tail rack ... flat 1/4 inch steel plate, nothing fancy, glossy black paint. Thought it looked good until I saw that he wants $200. Drew up my own, cut a template, going to a metal shop tomorrow to see what the cut and weld will cost. I'll do the cleanup, grinding and painting myself.
http://s8.postimage.org/52cvg565t/GZ250_rack.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/52cvg565t/)
Can you believe anyone would pay $200 plus shipping for this????
Looks good Chief. A welding shop won't break the bank either. Gotta agree with the comment on 1/4 inch plate steel. Way too heavy for the intended purpose but may help doing wheelies. :lol:

[jonathan180iq]

Can you believe anyone would pay $200 plus shipping for this????

All you have to do is slap the word "motorcycle" in front of any generic product name and the price increases 75%. It's really ridiculous.

That's what makes homemade stuff and How-To's so awesome ;)

[bpdchief]

Welding shop wanted $185 to make mine, so, the search continues. Going to check salvages or go alternate route. Which brings another question for anyone willing to answer. Fancy box like alantf has which looks nice OR 8 gal Rubbermaid Action Packer which is utilitarian and looks good on a bike like Water Warriors. Pictures in new post

[Water Warrior 2]

Rubbermaid products are pretty decent for the price. I have a really big one in the back of my Ranger.
I could have saved a pot full of money with Rubbermaid on my bike but I didn't know any better at the time and bought the whole Shad setup for the Vstrom. Live and learn.

[alantf]

bought the whole Shad setup

You're lucky to have the alternatives. Shad's just about the only boxes sold over here.

[Water Warrior 2]

bought the whole Shad setup

You're lucky to have the alternatives. Shad's just about the only boxes sold over here.
That is probably because Shad is a Spanish product. I have read that Givi is also Spanish but they have probably priced themselves out of the local market.

[Water Warrior 2]

All good info - thanks. Found what I thought should be an inexpensive tail rack ... flat 1/4 inch steel plate, nothing fancy, glossy black paint. Thought it looked good until I saw that he wants $200. Drew up my own, cut a template, going to a metal shop tomorrow to see what the cut and weld will cost. I'll do the cleanup, grinding and painting myself.
http://s8.postimage.org/52cvg565t/GZ250_rack.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/52cvg565t/)
Can you believe anyone would pay $200 plus shipping for this????

http://s18.postimage.org/gknbg8v0l/rack_001.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/gknbg8v0l/)

http://s15.postimage.org/mjdj9lipz/rack_002.jpg (http://postimage.org/image/mjdj9lipz/)

Just had a flash of real cheapness. May not be pretty but it would work. A sheet of 1/8 metal with 2 bends in it. Drill 4 holes and install over the pillion seat and fender. You get more rack for less $. Just do not cut along dotted line.

[alantf]

Even simpler, two lengths of 1"x1/8", with two bends (up, across, down) with holes for fixing to the fender bolts, then a flat plate, or even strips of 1"x1/8" between them at the top. Or you could even fasten the box directly to the two straps.

[Water Warrior 2]

Neat idea Alantf. I can almost picture that in my mind. Can you do a paper/cardboard mock-up to clear my foggy mind? I'm geeting a couple conflicting images in my imagination. Both involve a little brute force with a hammer for bending the metal strips at home so it would be fairly cost free.
Oh, here's an idea. Years back a friend wanted strips of aluminum but balked at the cost. He just bought a couple of cheap aluminum yard sticks for less. Didn't have to measure to find the correct length for cutting, it was just too easy. :2tup:
Aluminum might be a good alternative to metal.

[alantf]

[attachment=0:14lwr6dk]img069.jpg[/attachment:14lwr6dk]

Something simple like this just needs the bar holding in a vice, then hammering to 90º. The width between the two down bars to match the width of the rear fender mounts, & the height to clear the top of the fender. I've found that aluminium might be rather brittle for a 90º bend, but steel works fine. A rattle can of primer, then one of top coat will give it good protection from rusting. Like I said, the box might fit straight to the brackets using nuts & bolts.

[Water Warrior 2]

[attachment=0:1ot0khtj]img069.jpg[/attachment:1ot0khtj]

Something simple like this just needs the bar holding in a vice, then hammering to 90º. The width between the two down bars to match the width of the rear fender mounts, & the height to clear the top of the fender. I've found that aluminium might be rather brittle for a 90º bend, but steel works fine. A rattle can of primer, then one of top coat will give it good protection from rusting. Like I said, the box might fit straight to the brackets using nuts & bolts.
That is just too easy. I won't even try to describe what my mind conjured up. A hard case mounting plate might work perfectly and also allow the case to be removed at any time. Or the Rubbermaid just solidly bolted on top of the home built brackets. Either way it would be functional. I'm sure the Rubbermaid could be less than $30 fully finished.

[bpdchief]

Actually I saw that idea somewhere online and they used a nylon cutting board out of the kitchen for the top plate and mounted their Rubbermaid Action Packer tote to the cutting board. Total cost = $37.00$17.00 for the metal and cutting board (including new fender bolts) and $19 and change for the tote.
I'm liking that idea.

Am I the only one who catches a load of crap from the wife about a box on the bike? She wants to know why I can't just use my backpack !!! I asked her if when it's 100F degrees would she want to have a backpack on in the sun? her answer " Hell no, but, I don't have to - I have an air conditioned car"

[Water Warrior 2]

Just tell her you will be getting a box big enough to transport a body. :lol:

[bpdchief]

I might have to make a run for the border... you got an extra room where i can throw my bedroll?

[Water Warrior 2]

I might have to make a run for the border... you got an extra room where i can throw my bedroll?
Just a balcony 2 ft off the ground. Or set up camp down by the river. We actually have a community of homeless there all year round. Fishing is good and there are lots of Eagles to watch.

[alantf]

She wants to know why I can't just use my backpack

You mentioned, once before, that you needed the box for groceries. Well..........when I go shopping, the box gets filled first, then one of the saddle bags (the other's full of waterproofs, bungee cords, nets etc) then the tank bag, sometimes things then need netting to the rear seat, & finally my backpack. I really do cram a week's groceries onto the bike, & just taking a back pack wouldn't hold a fraction of the stuff. :2tup: