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Thepod
| Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 - 01:12 am: |
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I wanted to add a top case to my scg, but I didn't like the thought of having to buy a $300+ GIVI and $200+ ventura rack. I did a little looking around and found a cheaper alternative at jcwhitney for only $84 shipped. It is lockable and came with a universal mounting bracket. I managed to hook it up to my cheesegrater pretty easily. Had to drill three holes through the aluminum, but otherwise it was a snap. Only took about an hour. Here is the link for the case http://www.jcwhitney.com/MATTE-BLACK-TRAVEL-TRUNKS /GP_2010969_N_111+10211+600014603_10111.jcw You can check out the pics here http://picasaweb.google.com/Adam.Mirarchi/TopCase I've got an auxiliary turn signal/brake light on the way because the case blocks the brake light and the rear signals http://shopxr.com/showproduct.aspx?siteid=13&produ ctid=11701&CategoryID=27&gvid=55745 I added the Versa-light by GYB products. As you can see in the pics, it wasn't working properly. I emailed them, told them it was defective and they are sending me a new one. That's customer service! (Message edited by thepod on July 29, 2008) |
Diablobrian
| Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 - 01:57 am: |
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It doesn't look bad, but 2 questions: 1)is it waterproof? (not their claims, real world) 2) how rugged are the mount and the case? the latches and the general construction I only ask because JCW does not have the best reputation when it comes to selling high quality parts. |
Thepod
| Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 - 02:20 am: |
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I haven't tested it in the rain, it's summer in Portland and it doesn't rain here until November. At which point it will rain everyday for 6 months. I'll get back to you then. The comments on JCW from other buyers seem to indicate that it is waterproof. I looks like it should be waterproof for rain, but I wouldn't dunk it in a pool. Regarding question number 2, I have only had it for a few days now. It is not the quality of a GIVI case for sure, but again the JCW comments seem to say that it holds up OK. For the price of one GIVI I can buy 4 of these. The latches are plastic and somewhat cheeply made, but it is keyed. The mount is solid, I am not concerned about it. If I like the concept, but don't like the case, I may switch to a GIVI in the future. I figured this would be a reasonable $80 experiment. |
Cityxslicker
| Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 - 02:42 am: |
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Come north to Seattle, we will have rain for you on short order |
Swordsman
| Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 - 08:56 am: |
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Motorcycle luggage is WAY overpriced, especially the hard stuff. Molded plastic is NOT that difficult to manufacture... the markup has to be outrageous. This one looks much more reasonable. ~SM |
Steve_mackay
| Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 - 11:26 am: |
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Molded plastic is NOT that difficult to manufacture... Nope, it's not... But to do it right, that's another story. |
Diablobrian
| Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 - 02:57 pm: |
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And what would you know about it mister injection mold maker? |
Werewulf
| Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 - 05:04 pm: |
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you might want to consider a brake light like this. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/359807.html every little bit helps.. |
Blasterd
| Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 - 05:25 pm: |
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I have one of the JC Whitney trunks and it works great. I ride everyday in the rain (Florida) and it is holding up well. Here's a link to get the large trunk for under 50.00, follow the directions! http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29 4434 |
Packrat
| Posted on Friday, July 18, 2008 - 07:06 pm: |
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I've used that same case on my '03 Kaw Concours....is an excellent piece, especially at the price, mine never leaked a drop!! The mount is IDENTICAL to a Givi, in fact the case itself is an imitation Givi--very nice job on your mounting. |
Riggs
| Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2008 - 09:23 am: |
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Thepod, is your case the larger or the smaller of the two cases that JCWhitney offers? |
Thepod
| Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2008 - 11:34 am: |
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The larger one. Holds a full face helmet, riding jacket and riding pants if you pack them well. |
Diablobrian
| Posted on Saturday, July 19, 2008 - 04:46 pm: |
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Sounds like quite a deal then. Thanks for alerting your fellow Buellers to it! |
Arctic_firebolt
| Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2008 - 01:18 pm: |
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For $80.00 and only three simple holes in a component that could be replaced, I think it was a smart move. Besides, honestly folks, 30 seconds and a crow bar in the hands of a thief, would any plastic motorcycle luggage really be safe? The waterproof issue and how much weight you can put back there are more important. |
Thepod
| Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 12:59 am: |
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I added the versa-light. I uploaded some more pics http://picasaweb.google.com/Adam.Mirarchi/TopCase It took me about two hours to do. It would have taken me less time, but I had to scrounge for the right sized wire. when I finally got it all hooked up, it wasn't working properly. The only thing that worked was the left turn signal. After I cracked it open and looked at the circuit board I noticed some of the copper wire had flaked from the circuit board. I jumpered across this and got it working, but when I reassembled it, I think another short must have occurred. You can see that in the pics some LEDS are bright and some are burned out. Anyway, I emailed GYB products and they responded within two days. They scolded me (appropriately) for opening the unit and voiding the warranty. But then were nice enough to exchange it for a new one. Mine is in the mail now to them. GOOD customer service! |
Arctic_firebolt
| Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 09:26 am: |
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When you know something about electronics, it's really, really hard not to investigate. Especially when you might be able to fix it in 5 minutes and not have to wait for a replacement. :-) Warranties are there to protect vendors from our own knowledge. However, always remember, it is easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission. LOL! Nice job. |
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