So I like my OEM topbox. It works for my uses - mainly commuting to work and school so that I can stow my helmet in the box on the bike or haul beer and groceries.
I have always wanted an Altrider rear rack so that I can lash more stuff to the rear when I get out for over night adventures and I like the little space below the rack to be able to stow away a custom first aid kit that I am building along with some tools. I found a used Altrider rear rack here at the forum and bought it- thanks FredZ! But I quickly realized that the AltRider rack would negate my use of the OEM topbox.
So my MacGuyver mind and KLR roots went to work on how to make a quick-release mount that would allow the OEM topbox to securely mount to my new AltRider rear rack. I was able to fab up a front connector for the two tabs out of a piece of aluminum angle stock that I bought at Lowes. The problem was what to do for the release latch that secures the box to the rear rack. I kept looking at the old OEM mount that I took off and considered how I could make it work. I figured I could cut the part out that I needed and mount it to the AltRider. But I did not want to destroy my OEM rear mount. So a quick ad here at the forum sourced another OEM rear mount for the cost of shipping. Thanks again FredZ!
So the pix below are what I came up with. It is not done. I am going to figure out some other way to add more attachment bolts to the OEM release piece so that it is not jut a single bolt holding it on. I am also going to remove the front bracket that holds down the tabs on the box and file all rough edges down and then paint the entire assembly with some rattle can black. But all in all... it seems like a system that is going to work just fine.
I have always wanted an Altrider rear rack so that I can lash more stuff to the rear when I get out for over night adventures and I like the little space below the rack to be able to stow away a custom first aid kit that I am building along with some tools. I found a used Altrider rear rack here at the forum and bought it- thanks FredZ! But I quickly realized that the AltRider rack would negate my use of the OEM topbox.
So my MacGuyver mind and KLR roots went to work on how to make a quick-release mount that would allow the OEM topbox to securely mount to my new AltRider rear rack. I was able to fab up a front connector for the two tabs out of a piece of aluminum angle stock that I bought at Lowes. The problem was what to do for the release latch that secures the box to the rear rack. I kept looking at the old OEM mount that I took off and considered how I could make it work. I figured I could cut the part out that I needed and mount it to the AltRider. But I did not want to destroy my OEM rear mount. So a quick ad here at the forum sourced another OEM rear mount for the cost of shipping. Thanks again FredZ!
So the pix below are what I came up with. It is not done. I am going to figure out some other way to add more attachment bolts to the OEM release piece so that it is not jut a single bolt holding it on. I am also going to remove the front bracket that holds down the tabs on the box and file all rough edges down and then paint the entire assembly with some rattle can black. But all in all... it seems like a system that is going to work just fine.
)