Factory Luggage Rack thoughts

[StromFlyer]

I was out in the garage pondering my luggage options last night and wanted to get some thoughts. The stock luggage is "adequate" for my purposes and I probably won't change anything this year, but I can see where some different boxes might be useful if I start camping with the bike.

I like the zuk mounts. They are nice looking without the back cross bar and seem rather tough. The latch system, however will likely not work for mounting Pelicans or some other luggage. However, I noticed that all of the attach points can be removed with normal tools leaving a relatively flat, unobstructed mounting location.

I am thinking about finding some type of fastening system that, while not perfectly simple as one key twist on/off, might involve hand knob type bolts or another type of mounting system that would make install/removal a relatively simple matter. I am thinking of simply having a nut and lock washer on the back of the frame, then run a bolt, with knob, and a fender washer with rubber washer from the inside of the case through the frame. Two on the bottom, one on the top would make for only a couple of minutes per side to remove and install and still leave them relatively water tight.

Thoughts from anyone before I go and waste money?

[trainman]

I run Givi's on both of my bikes, but I only purchased Givi's because the name is COOL. Oh, they do hold all I want to carry with me on trips, I guess that's the second reason I bought them.

[StromFlyer]

Tom, great idea and very easy to pull off. I was worried how they would hold up, but if you load those up on a KLR, they must be doing okay.

Another thought I had last night was to rivet a piece of channel to the bottom of the box (openside down) and another piece bolted to the frame (open side up), then something like you have for the top. The channel would distribute the weight very well, making it a tip on/off set-up.

[fredellarby]

Tom, great idea and very easy to pull off. I was worried how they would hold up, but if you load those up on a KLR, they must be doing okay.

Another thought I had last night was to rivet a piece of channel to the bottom of the box (openside down) and another piece bolted to the frame (open side up), then something like you have for the top. The channel would distribute the weight very well, making it a tip on/off set-up.

You can do this with angle iron on top and Z channel on the bottom. Put hole at the end of the top m ount for padlocks.