Hard side cases on the cheap

[jlmoulto]

So start with a couple cheap top cases from J C Whitney (medium for like $60.00 each?).  Fabricate side rack ($4.00) and voila:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/themoultons/2608685774/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/themoultons/2607858709/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/themoultons/2607861635/

Not sure if I have them angled right or not, but they will definitely be functional.

[Red01]

Looks good with the bags on. 
Now let's see & hear how you fabbed up that $4 rack! 

[jlmoulto]

OK.

First, I had a rack installed for the topcase on the bike from SHAD.  This left me with two mounting points on the top.  The front one I bolted the mounting plate directly to that came with the JC Whitney cases.  On the top rear I used a scrap piece of flatbar to bend out a bracket to the plate.  Then on the rear bottom of the plate I used a straight piece of bar to extend backwards so I could run a threaded rod across the back joining the plates on each side together.  I think the picture on the rear might give some idea.  If I get a chance, I'll take a picture with the cases off.

The threaded rod cost $2.00 at Canadian Tire while the flatbar I had lying around the garage.  I also purchased a couple washers and a few bolts.  So perhaps closer to $7-8.00 but definitely way under $10.00.

Not necessarily "pretty, but I only use them on long trips and the way it is designed I remove two bolts on each side and the rack comes off.

Make sense?


Also, does the angle of the bags look ok or are they too low on the front?

[Red01]

Angle looks fine to me from the pics.  Looks like you've matched the line of the pipe.

I think I understand what you're saying, but some pics w/o the cases on would help.

When you get the chance, of course!

[jlmoulto]

Here you go.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/themoultons

[Vidrazor]

I don't know about anyone else here, but i really couldn't see much there, so I opened them up for you:









Hope this helps. Nice job, BTW...