RCinNC
Well-Known Member
I do a lot of two-up multi-day touring, and it’s always a struggle finding a place to put all our gear (especially if we plan on camping), even though we’re both pretty disciplined when it comes to packing. I decided to make a sort of a “tour pack” for those sorts of trips that would give me more room. I’ve never really liked the bulbous Givi style top cases, plus they (and the big square top cases) make it more difficult for my significant other to get on and off the bike. I already use the large size Duratool cases as panniers, so I figured I’d get another one and make that into a top case. However, knowing that there is a tendency to overload a top case when you have more room, I knew I wanted an additional support system so the stock plastic rack support wouldn’t get overloaded. I didn’t want to attach anything permanent to the bike, though, so this is what I came up with. The aluminum support arms carry some of the load down to the crossbar on the HT racks, so the stock luggage rack support and rear frame don’t support the full weight of the top case. To remove the case, all you have to do is pull the two quick release pins and flip the quick release lever, and the case comes off. The support arms can stay on the bike when the case is off, but they come off with just a spin of the knobs when the tour is done and it’s time to remove the tour pack. The support arms then store in the case when it’s not being used. When you take it off, there is no hardware left behind on the top rack or the side racks.
The case is very solid when its on the bike. It’s nice to have the extra room, and the case is big enough to hold bigger items like my tent, so I don’t have to strap it to the outside of the bike. It’s only about an inch and a half higher than my usual top case, so my SO can still get on and off the bike in her usual way.
Feel free to use or adapt the idea to your own gear. Here is a link to my photo album that has more pictures: http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=83
If you're interested, here is a link to my homemade pannier quick release system, designed to work with Happy Trail racks. I have it set up with Duratool cases, but it would work just as well with Pelicans, or even aluminum panniers. Just loosen one knob on the outside of the case, and the whole case comes off.
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=74
The case is very solid when its on the bike. It’s nice to have the extra room, and the case is big enough to hold bigger items like my tent, so I don’t have to strap it to the outside of the bike. It’s only about an inch and a half higher than my usual top case, so my SO can still get on and off the bike in her usual way.
Feel free to use or adapt the idea to your own gear. Here is a link to my photo album that has more pictures: http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=83
If you're interested, here is a link to my homemade pannier quick release system, designed to work with Happy Trail racks. I have it set up with Duratool cases, but it would work just as well with Pelicans, or even aluminum panniers. Just loosen one knob on the outside of the case, and the whole case comes off.
http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=74
