Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Custom Corner top case / cargo box

Have been considering going to a solo set up with a cargo box. Like the idea of having some place to store my helmet & jacket also. I usually have a tool bag strapped to the back seat for work. Would like to be able to carry that and maybe more but these things don't fit or carry well in my saddlebags. End up taking my riding gear in the store with me when working as weather and theft are concerns in some areas. Picked up a low cost top box. Fabbed a version 1.0 rack for it and took it for a shakedown ride today. Still bare metal that would be powder coated when or if I feel comfortable with it. Will "test" it for a bit to see if modifying to version 1.1, 2.0 or going a different direction all together is needed. Here is a pic from the phone today.

Not sure if it looks bad or just different. Did get some double takes today from other motorcycle riders.

Looks like it might make a decent backrest as well.
Any chance we can get a close-up of the rack itself.
All-in-all, I really like it.

Hey it's your ride. As long as you like it. It's not different.

Looks pretty good to me. If there's one thing I miss about my Gold Wing, it's the versatility of the trunk.

Your's looks like either a Givi or one of the many knockoffs. I use one on my scooter and the ease of removal from the base plate is a big plus! I mounted my smaller Givi to the luggage rack of my America once, but because of the backrest, had to pull the box off to open it. Not a good solution, but it gave me the waterproof/prying eyes protection I needed that day.

I think you're on to something good here!

I mount a Givi on my luggage rack for touring but it's handy around town too. Your mount location is interesting too.

How was your Santino's grinder? Or did you fill up with gas at the Circle K?

BTW mounting the cargo box on your 1.0 rack, is a much better center of gravity position than mounting on the oem luggage rack. From what I've heard, wheelies won't be so easy because of it.

The other thing is I need to be able to remove this mount and go back a passenger seat. This current set up leaves just 2 bolts to remove to return to a 2 person ride. My girlfriend was questioning that today! She is a good passenger and likes to ride along but we just don't seem to do the weekend rides very often.

Version 2.0 hooks on the saddle bag support and bolts to the backrest strut support piece. Still needs work but I like the idea.

Have done some interstate runs. I'm used to the drag / air brake effect of my saddlebags and backrest. Even in disturbed air the wind drag I feel with the box up close is less than the saddlebags. Will improve the mount and be on the lookout for a backrest pad.

I have been working slowly on this top case bracket idea. Life and weather can sure complicate things . Version 2a is going to a powder coating person soon. Have just a bit more fine grinding & cleaning to do. Ended up with this for a top case cargo bracket that replaces the passenger seat and leaves the saddlebag brackets in place.

It is held in place by the front fender strut/saddlebag point, rests on the rear strut/saddlebag point and is fixed at the seat bolt point.

Would like to get some hard bags for storage for a closer match of the storage compartments. Made a crude modification to my leather bags strap, will dress & strengthen it up with some stitching or something.

Gives me some usable bags for now as I'm used to using the bags and strapping stuff to the rear seat to get to & from work and groceries on the motorcycle. Here is the fitting before powder coat and finish.

I like the look.

Excellent job, I think all in all it looks pretty sharp.

Looking at you latest set up I see now you went from two bolts to three bolts for mounting. The back of the front holes could be slotted so you wouldn't have to remove those bolts ( just loosen & slide off), but still keep a solid mount there. Also instead of through bolting the box you can drill and tap or weld a nut on the bottom so you don't see the bolt. It looks good by the way and should serve your purpose just fine.

Don't forget to post some pics when you get them back.

Got parts back from the powder coater, only 3 are going back on at this time. These two home made experiments by a very amateur, beginner metal bender & welder

The top case/cargo box bracket



and a tool bag bracket. Wondered about reducing the airflow to the oil cooler with the bag up front but looks like plenty of air will get by.



I also had my trimmed sprocket cover done. But I dropped it on the floor moving a table and damaged it. Disgusted with myself I did a quick rattle can coat of black on it. Will have to revisit some day.
Put things together and have this right now.







and at rest after a nice days ride on some county 2 lane highway and a bit of interstate for a shake down run



Will likely get better pics in the future, preferred camera's batteries were dead today