Turned my solo cowl into a hinged/latched trunk

[Russtang]

OK, due to popular demand, I went out & snapped some quick pics.

Here's an outside shot of the cowl.  Notice the shoddy fill job on the stock hole.   The flash makes it look worse than in real light.  Looks a lot better than the huge screws that used to be there.  But, just wait till you see what's next...the work gets even shoddier!  Just please, try and hold your laughter till the end.  



Here's a shot under the seat.  The front two riveted tabs used to be L-brackets, bolted directly to the seat frame.  I sliced them off at the knees & bolted the hinges in their place.  They were just a couple of cheap brass ones I had laying around, hence the overly long length.



Here's a shot with it open.  You can see my clear shield, toasty gloves, and small tool kit stuffed in there.  Still a bit of room left!



Here's the magnetic catch that holds the top down.  It's just a magnetic cabinet latch from the hardware store (Lowe's).  Double magnet version.  And yes, those are cable-ties helping hold the magnet frame in place!  



This was the tricky part.  Getting the proper placement and angle on the magnetic catch.  I took lots of measurements and got it nearly right on the first try (took a few minutes of bending to get it perfect.  It's just a piece of galvanized iron sheet metal I had lying around epoxied to the underside of the cowl.  Doesn't seem like it will go anywhere soon.

The magnet is strong enough to hold the cowl down and also keep it from sliding around from side to side.  It isn't so strong that I feel like the cowl is gonna break when opening it though.



This shot has nothing to do with any of the previous shots.  I just didn't have any recent shots with my new screen & turn-signal mirrors.     I think I went thru 4 screens (thanks again Rob for screen number 2!) before I finally fell in love with this Suzuki SV screen.  Got a screaming deal from azmotorsports ($48 on closeout).  Here's a link:
 SV Flyscreen  

Stock cross bracket is black, but I sprayed it silver to match the frame.



Not my finest work by any stretch... It would look a lot better if anyone but I had to look at it (under the hood), but definitely a very functional mod.

Phew, any questions?

Russ

[magicGoose]

Well done Russ!      
So, you have the silver frame, dual front discs, snappy new flyscreen, and now secure on-bike storage. I am green with envy.
If you can believe it, I have been planning on the same cowl thing. I have my cowl off, and the rivets drilled out of the brackets, just waiting for a burst of motivation to finish the project. I was wondering if the cowl would be structurally ridgid enough without the metal mounting bracket, but it looks like yours is fine.

[Russtang]

Well done Russ!      
So, you have the silver frame, dual front discs, snappy new flyscreen, and now secure on-bike storage. I am green with envy.

Thanks for the kind words.  All the bike needs now is a wash!  

If you can believe it, I have been planning on the same cowl thing. I have my cowl off, and the rivets drilled out of the brackets, just waiting for a burst of motivation to finish the project. I was wondering if the cowl would be structurally ridgid enough without the metal mounting bracket, but it looks like yours is fine.

Yeah, the part that took the longest time was the thinking.  Actual physical work on the bike only took a couple hours (and it shows ).

Yes, the cowl is pretty rigid back there.  Took it up to triple digit speeds a couple times to test it, and it didn't budge.  Go for it!

Russ

[magicGoose]

WooHoo!
There is now a second bandit with semi-secure, on-board, under-cowl, magnetically-latched storage!
This works a treat, anybody with a rear cowl should give it a try. It's great to have a small storage space available.
BTW Russ, try using an old sock (washed) for storing your spare helmet shield. It'll do a better job protecting it than that plastic sleeve!
 
Steve

[Russtang]

Yeah, it comes in real handy.

Good tip on the sock.  Thx Steve.

Any pics?  

[magicGoose]

Any pics?  

 

[Russtang]

Very clean Steve.  Puts my ghetto job to shame.  Hehe.

 

[jomed]

nice work sirs,
now i get an idea and will personally do it here in the philippines.

ride safely!