Triumphrat

Cat_Daddy · 04-23-2008

This is a follow up to my post last week about building hard bags out of Pelican cases.

See that thread here....

http://www.triumphrat.net/twins-tech...ard-cases.html

Well, I wasn't happy with the finished result when I got done with it.

So, I started to research my options more fully. All that is really available for our Bonnies are the Hepco and Becker bags like Orpheus uses on his bike.

But, I did notice when looking over Norman Hyde's website that he offers a set of brackets to mount GIVI bags on our bikes.

I emailed Brent at NewBonneville and told him I wanted to have him order me a set of them next time he imports from Hyde. He returned the email right away. He actually had a set of them on his shelf. (Note to Brent, update your website to include these tasty tidbits that you can sell us.)

I placed the order at 2 o'clock one day and had them in my hand the next morning at 10 am. That's good service !

When I got to looking at the Hyde racks, two things became obvious:
1) They would not work with my Renntec rack
2) They were flimsy when installed

So, since I'm so attached to the Renntec rack and I can't have flimsy stuff on my scoot, I had to take matters into my own hands.

By cutting and welding, I was able to modify the Hyde brackets to fit with my Renntec rack, and as an added bonus, the end result is anything but flimsy.

One other quirk about the Hyde brackets is these little arms that stick out behind to relocate your turn signals to. Not for me thanks.

So, I modified a set of Lucas signals to fit the stock taillight, but tucked in real close so they would clear the mounts and not have to use those alien antennae looking things on the back of the Hyde racks.

I know the stock taillight is not as sexy as the Lucas I had on there before, but the stocker fits better up in there, and it is brighter, so I used it.You can't really see it too well anyway except from behind, tucked up inside the back like it is.

More in next post....

Cat_Daddy · 04-23-2008

I got the bags from Twisted throttle. Price right, great service...

They are GIVI 36 liter bags. Waterproof, lockable, and my favorite feature, with the turn of a key, the bags come completely off the bike to take inside with you.

It's a great deal, pack the bags as you wish, then carry them outside and lock them onto the rack with the key. Awesome setup.

My baby does got back now though.

Quite the learning lesson, but I'm finally happy with the results.

lindsayt · 04-23-2008

Very nice. Just out of curiosity though, as it seems the H&B bags would do exactly what you need, why did you not just get those? They're a little more, but none of the welding and so forth. Was it about cost, or some specific feature they lack (interested because I'm always tossing around getting the H&Bs)?

Do you change the preload on your shocks much? I change it quite a lot, and it looks like your brackets would make it really hard to do that.

Also, I think the back looks great, but you should cut off those relocation stalks if you're not using them - they ruin what would otherwise be some pretty smooth lines.

Anyway, give us updates on how you like this setup as you use it.

truax · 04-23-2008

Have you encountered any problems with the exhaust melting/weakening the cases? A friend of mine melted some pelican cases that he mounted-- the exiting exhaust melted the bottom of his cases over time.

tc_dick · 04-23-2008

it's probably just me, but those bags seem kinda far back..

meercat411 · 04-23-2008

Off topic, but - what windshield is that?

I've ordered the CooCase V28 trunk from Twisted Throttle, expect it in mid-June, am assuming it will fit the Renntech rack. Might be a good addition to your setup?

DBMike · 04-23-2008

Good looking installation and I like your idea to keep the rack also. Hope you enjoy the convenient bags. Much better look than the pelicans. Thanks for the photos.

Mike

tc_dick · 04-23-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by meercat411

Off topic, but - what windshield is that?

I've ordered the CooCase V28 trunk from Twisted Throttle, expect it in mid-June, am assuming it will fit the Renntech rack. Might be a good addition to your setup?

remote keyless entry? seriously?

Orpheus · 04-23-2008

Technically speaking, any H&B bags can mount to the H&B rack for our Bonnies. I'm actually considering getting aluminum top-loaders, but I'm concerned about how they will look on the bike.

Too bad I don't know anyone around here with H&B aluminum panniers. :/

Cat_Daddy · 04-23-2008

Meercat, it's a GIVI windshield, but I don't know which one. I bought it out of the classifieds here last week from another member.

Orpheus, I think aluminum panniers are the way to go for your bike. You've got the tank to pull it off better than most. I'd dull the tank to a machined finish to match the panniers and your skid plate.