Tutorial: Yorkshire Topbox

[Paul the 6th]

Been looking for a decent luggage 'solution' for a while so I decided this would be the most cost effective route for my needs. Looked at the cost of 'proper' topboxes but they're a fortune! £80 quid for a givi rack and then you have to buy the box as well. So, here is the "Yorkshire Topbox" (as us northerners are meant to be stingy apparently?)

You will need:
A top box.... Cheapo non branded box from ebay will do. This one was £26 delivered and came with a basic mounting kit (some m6 bolts & nuts, and 2 brackets).
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/SktOKu1ij4I/AAAAAAAACEI/FbCiNG5-r9U/s400/IMG_0946.JPG

A spare pillion seat on which to mount it. I got a pillion seat with my SV1000 k5 but still had the one from my 650 k5, they're both the same fit.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/SktObB-PcKI/AAAAAAAACFY/AHofMyjnqs8/s400/IMG_0966.JPG

And some 70mm M6 bolts and nuts (or suitably sized to suit your requirements). These were 84p from b&q (the silver ones on the left)..
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/SktOL5h7-gI/AAAAAAAACEM/1aWcBDoYcDs/s512/IMG_0947.JPG


Step 1:
Offer your topbox onto your pillion seat so you can position it where you'd like it to be fixed. Make sure it's not too far forward and able to touch your back whilst riding otherwise it'll be a right pain the back (literally). Once you're happy with the positioning, make a subtle mark as a reference point...
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/SktOMpQYSWI/AAAAAAAACEQ/aTiwHi4NEWo/s512/IMG_0948.JPG

Step 2:
Now mark the bolt holes on the pillion seat..
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/SktOOOxAaeI/AAAAAAAACEY/Ov7f0xiKQZM/s512/IMG_0950.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/SktOQH6EF6I/AAAAAAAACEg/esWxOzT6y_o/s512/IMG_0952.JPG

Step 3:
With the topbox mounting holes marked on your seat, drill through the seat sponge and the plastic on the underside.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/SktOR9CJPVI/AAAAAAAACEk/qsJpcnAdIAc/s512/IMG_0953.JPG

Holes drilled on the underside of the seat
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/SktOSRi8qqI/AAAAAAAACEo/Jw6UOFyuiEI/s512/IMG_0954.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/SktOSqDPXjI/AAAAAAAACEs/EU3utngFmno/s512/IMG_0955.JPG

You can also remove some of the seat padding from the centre (but not the sides) to allow the seat to 'bed in' slightly more if needs be. This isn't completely neccessary but I like to be special..
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/SktOTh6LmnI/AAAAAAAACEw/zc-JXoe0LwY/s512/IMG_0956.JPG

Step 4:
Now to mount the box to the seat. I used the washers and mounting brackets which came with the box...
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/SktOUqmgrMI/AAAAAAAACE0/G--DmhW-yUQ/s512/IMG_0957.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/SktOWkxM4YI/AAAAAAAACFA/kF2VoGUH8yc/s400/IMG_0960.JPG

The topbox fully mounted on the pillion seat.. Mine came with a bit of material to line the box, which seems like a good idea as there are other unused mounting holes where small items could fall through..
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/SktOXOZB5gI/AAAAAAAACFE/meJ6Osi-VoI/s400/IMG_0961.JPG

Step 5:
Now to fit the seat & topbox unit to the bike. When you're first fitting it, just double check that the bolts don't foul anything underneath your seat. In retrospect, maybe I could have used smaller bolts but I couldn't be bothered going back to B&Q.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/SktOXokSgVI/AAAAAAAACFI/VlJQ4YLRAi8/s512/IMG_0962.JPG

Final Fitting:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/SktOFxgeYMI/AAAAAAAACEA/au0E4_3Fho8/s512/IMG_0944.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/SktOJDNa_8I/AAAAAAAACFc/bN2c4i6i4Sw/s400/IMG_0945.JPG



Job done. It's very secure and I'll be using it for the annual rideout :)

Total cost:
£26 for topbox
4 x M6 Bolts from B&Q £3.36
Time taken - around an hour

Next job - respray to match the bike:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_c5nU_S1VtbY/SktOaQE_mnI/AAAAAAAACFU/NyBjb-K98V0/s400/IMG_0965.JPG

[Alpinestarhero]

i want an SV1000.

oh, and er, good show old bean

[vardypeeps]

Ya Cheap Git lol.
Only thing is you didn't factor in the cost of a spare pillion seat!

[Paul the 6th]

Ya Cheap Git lol.

Yorkshire through and through :) and I prefer "Industrious git" if you please :razz:



Only thing is you didn't factor in the cost of a spare pillion seat!

For my particular fitting I had my pillion seat leftover so it was theoretically free :)
they're cheap enough though aren't they? Coupla quid or beer tokens should see you get one from a fellow orger


Forgot to say though, this is no good if you carry pillons (which I don't)

[hovis]

richie numbers did this a few weks ago

[Owenski]

nice1 pt6

[FG1]

I did it ages ago. And I am from Yorkshire.....

Mind you, I bolted the mounting plate to the seat so the box can be taken off leaving the seat in place.

Here's mine.....

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e90/tonyw2000/RIMG0100.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e90/tonyw2000/RIMG0102.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e90/tonyw2000/RIMG0107.jpg

[custard]

does this double up as a whippet holder?

[FG1]

Aye 'appen.

[neilhatch]

Job done.

I have inherited two top boxes (don't ask) but no backets and I also have a spair seat (ripped)...so now I have the solution to fitting.

One question though, is the seat locking mechinism strong enough to take a fully loaded top box? I'd only use it for commuting which is lots of traffic weaving.

Wouldn't want to loose my lunch.....laptop is fine to go...but not me food :chef:.

Cheers,
Neil

[custard]

something else to consider.

get some bolts ( i used 6 2 on the front and back and one on each end) and stick them round the lid so the ends are protruding - perfect for attaching bungy net. very useful for carrying things like roll mats when camping or flat caps.

[FG1]

Very true Custard. That was going to be my next addittion.

[FG1]

Neil, I had the box very very tightly packed for a week in Halifax and it stayed put with no worries at all. TBH, the box weighed a sodding tonne when it was loaded.

[neilhatch]

FGO, What top box are you using, GIVI?

I've got two Givi boxes to choose from (will just need the mounting plate). Both are the Monkey or Moonkey style but one is a Maxima and probably tooooo big. Though having sized them both up to the seat I do worry that they'll both maybe too big, or at least the fixing pate will be.

Cheers,
Neil

[Paul the 6th]

Forgot to add, there are probably better ways to do this in terms of mounting/final finish etc but this is just how I did mine the 'locost method' :)

It's a 27 litre box btw

[FG1]

If I remember rightly mine is a Givi E450

[Dan]

Why on earth did you put the spreaders inside the box?

[Tim in Belgium]

Can someone please mount a BBQ insider their topbox and use it?

I will then finally be impressed by top boxes :D

[Paul the 6th]

richie numbers did this a few weks ago

aye it was richie who inspired me :)


Mind you, I bolted the mounting plate to the seat so the box can be taken off leaving the seat in place.


unfortunately this one didn't come with a mounting plate otherwise I'd have adapted it to fit. I do have a bit of 5mm steel plate but couldn't be bothered hacksawing for hours and it would have been waaay over the top :)

does this double up as a whippet holder?

whippets, pigeons and greyhound puppies will all fit in this box (though not at the same time)

One question though, is the seat locking mechinism strong enough to take a fully loaded top box?


Well it would normally take a pillion although a pillion isn't "hard bolted" into the seat so I guess you wouldn't normally get lateral forces on the locking mechanism, but I've done the "waggle" test and it feels very secure :) I'd be more than confident carrying a small 2 man tent, a proper camping sleeping bag, pillow and maybe my other pillion seat so I don't have to constantly ride with the topbox once camp is set up :)

[Paul the 6th]

Why on earth did you put the spreaders inside the box?

where would they normally go? No instructions with this box as it was so cheap.

I thought it made sense to put the spreaders inside the box seeing as on the other side of the mounting, the pillion seat plastics would be strong enough to take the pressure of bolts & washers, where the base of the topbox might split if the bolts are overtightened...

[Holdup]

Bodgetastic :thumright:

Why does it look like your LH exhaust is missing?

[Paul the 6th]

I was being nostalgic pretending I had a 650 :razz:

[Holdup]

–noun
1.a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one's life, to one's home or homeland, or to one's family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time: a nostalgia for his college days.
2.something that elicits or displays nostalgia.

I had to google it xD

So what you done edited the pic or cut it off?

[Paul the 6th]

Sv1000 has bolt on exhausts where as the 650 is welded. You can easily remove & refit sv cans by undoing 4 bolts on each side. I had intended to take the rear wheel off as I need a new tyre, only to find that I don't have the right socket (36mm!). Taking the left can off gave better access but it was a waste of time in the end as neither halfords or b&q had a 36mm bit :(

[xXBADGERXx]

Aaaah another one seeing the benefits of a Top box . I got the mickey taken out of me this weekend by loads at the GM II until they saw the benefits . Gracie liked the fact that I could shovel all my stuff into it in seconds and click it into place with no faffery , Dave Preston liked it cause he could lean back into it with a cracked rib as I taxi`d him to Tyndrum a few times with spare lids in it , and everybody liked the fact it could hold £50 worth of Beer and JD ;)

Top Box Terrorism is spreading

[Paul the 6th]

Can we please get married now badger?

It'll do me for the AR & various other short trips :)

[wizurd]

Thanks for this post. Makes it look simple fitting one of these. Would never have considered a top box but strapping a tail bag on everytime i want to go somewhere is turning into a right pain in the ass. Will be keeping eye out for spare seat and cheap top box.

[Paul the 6th]

this top box is identical to mine:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Universal-Fit-Top-Box-Luggage-Motorcycle-Scooter-38-L_W0QQitemZ220446063116QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motor cycle_Parts?hash=item33539bfa0c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1689|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

33 mins to go and ending in the middle of a hot sunnday weekday - you could have that for 15 quid!

and sv650/sv1000 seats: http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/_W0QQ_dmptZUKQ5fMotorcycleQ5fParts?_nkw=sv650+pill ion+seat&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=sv1000+pillion+seat&_osacat=0

alarmingly expensive at around 25 quid but still prolly cheaper than a top box. You could always post in the wanted section (http://forums.sv650.org/forumdisplay.php?f=114) on here :)

[dizzyblonde]

this top box is identical to mine:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Universal-Fit-Top-Box-Luggage-Motorcycle-Scooter-38-L_W0QQitemZ220446063116QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motor cycle_Parts?hash=item33539bfa0c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1689|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

33 mins to go and ending in the middle of a hot sunnday weekday - you could have that for 15 quid!



yeah but its in the land of Nether, so you may wait a while to get it.
All this talk of top boxes and seats.......




.......no, no, no la lal allalalalalalalala I'm not listening its wrong:smt019

[wizurd]

this top box is identical to mine:

33 mins to go and ending in the middle of a hot sunnday weekday - you could have that for 15 quid!


Gotta wait till Pay day. But will take a look at whats around then. Good to know the prices are so low :-) Cheap is good

[Paul the 6th]

yeah but its in the land of Nether, so you may wait a while to get it.
All this talk of top boxes and seats.......




.......no, no, no la lal allalalalalalalala I'm not listening its wrong:smt019

come join the party dizzee :D secure locking luggage which clips on and off your bike in seconds.... mMMMMmmmMMmmmm yummy

[dizzyblonde]

I did it ages ago. And I am from Yorkshire.....

Mind you, I bolted the mounting plate to the seat so the box can be taken off leaving the seat in place.

Here's mine.....

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e90/tonyw2000/RIMG0100.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e90/tonyw2000/RIMG0102.jpg

http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e90/tonyw2000/RIMG0107.jpg

I prefer this way, so you can get rid of the box alone, rather than the seat tooo.
After seeing Badgers and Northwinds this weekend I can thoroughly understand the reasoning behind topboxes. I suppose its better than scratching rear plastics with bungees for tailpack.
I do have two spare seats but I haven't had either on a bike for two years as I have seat cowls on both bikes, but on a rideout weekend I could be almost persuaded by this idea...considering I have a rentec for extra luggage room too.

[dizzyblonde]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/19-x-MOTORCYCLE-TOP-BOXES-BRAND-NEW_W0QQitemZ260439308175QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Mot orcycle_Parts?hash=item3ca364778f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1689%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

Org group buy:confused::king:

[hovis]

Can someone please mount a BBQ insider their topbox and use it?



that would be awsome, and is quite do-able

I will then finally be impressed by top boxes :Dsteady on, lets not get carried away

[xXBADGERXx]

Can we please get married now badger?



:sigh: ................................... NO

[custard]

gotta say it, i love top boxes! ugly as but "click" and your off. waterproof, resonably secure, bung lids in them when you get to your day out... awesome.

only thing i have found comes close is the venutra stuff but not as secure or waterproof.

[Dan]

this top box is identical to mine:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Universal-Fit-Top-Box-Luggage-Motorcycle-Scooter-38-L_W0QQitemZ220446063116QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motor cycle_Parts?hash=item33539bfa0c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1689|240%3A13 18|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

33 mins to go and ending in the middle of a hot sunnday weekday - you could have that for 15 quid!

and sv650/sv1000 seats: http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/_W0QQ_dmptZUKQ5fMotorcycleQ5fParts?_nkw=sv650+pill ion+seat&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=sv1000+pillion+seat&_osacat=0

alarmingly expensive at around 25 quid but still prolly cheaper than a top box. You could always post in the wanted section (http://forums.sv650.org/forumdisplay.php?f=114) on here :)


It is well worth spending a few extra quid on a top box with a removable baseplate so you can click-on/click-off. Also well worth removing the foam from the seat and spraying it body-colour a la Richie.

[21QUEST]

where would they normally go? No instructions with this box as it was so cheap.

I thought it made sense to put the spreaders inside the box seeing as on the other side of the mounting, the pillion seat plastics would be strong enough to take the pressure of bolts & washers, where the base of the topbox might split if the bolts are overtightened...
Using the spreaders inside the box is fine/does make sense.

Personally, I would have gone for slightly larger washers/plates underneath the seat.


Ben

[walkaboutandy]

Amateurs.........I can get a BBQ in my top box!!

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh301/deathUK2003/SV108736.jpg

[Paul the 6th]

is that a f***ing suitcase?! You legend!

[FG1]

PMSL, I was wondering when you were going to join in Andy.

Having seen this set up I have to say it is legendary.............

[northwind]

It's not just yorkshiremen that are cheap, we're known for it too ;) Though mine is slightly different, I have a cheap (£15) used givi box and wingrack but I don't like the rack, it's ugly and it carries the weight in such a bad location. So instead I got another mounting plate and fitted it to a pillion seat (I took the cover and foam off them just bolted it on, 4 M8 bolts so it's very secure).

In some ways it's better than the proper bracket, it's not as strong (the lock mechanism is a weakspot I think, I might adapt it so I can bolt it to the subframe) but it carries weight far better. You still know it's there but it doesn't knacker the handling to the same extent. No high-speed interference either, with the standard rack the SV goes a bit horrible when you really stretch its legs.