'05 Top Box

[exskibum]

Bought a top box as a part of my deal when I picked up my FJR on my birthday April 15, 2005. It was back ordered and I picked up the boxes a couple weeks later. Never had occasion to mount it (or even unwrap it), since the side cases and tank bag handled my packing until now. (Note that I'm hard as hell on paniers and have scratched up both sides already.) I pull the top box out of it's cardboard box tonight for the first time, almost a year after it was delivered, and the ******* thing is silver!!!!!

I need the top box for my trip to see my Dad next week. So, I'm heading up to the dealer tomorrow (along with my errands to AAA for maps for the trip) in Carson City. No way they can get this fixed before I take this trip, so I'm thinking that providing me with a pint or so of Galaxy Blue and a pint of Clear would be a reasonable compromise. (I think I might leave the center part of the top box silver to match the side panels, but the damned sides of it MUST be blue -- it's WAY too much silver now.

Does Murphy's law infect EVERYTHING?

 

[GalaxyBlue]

Dang, A year??? :haha:

I think your on the right track painting it. The solid blue is pretty, But the added silver stripe would accent the bike better IMO.

Post pics after you do it!

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

As much moving as you've done, it doesn't surprise me to hear you left a few boxes closed for a year. What a bummer! Maybe a Galaxy Blue Yamaha Logo over the silver would look kewl.

 

[Flint]

My silver top box from the 2003 is currently in the body shop getting a shot a Galaxy Blue shot on it. Funny you should mention leaving the silver stripe down the center cuz thats the way I am having mine painted. LOL I also have a pair a HJC's in silver that are getting a coat a the blue down the outside to match the topcase. While they are there I am having them squirt the other three helmets in the same blue paint so I will have a handful of helmets (5) that will match the two bikes. By the by the wing is almost xactly the same color blue as the FJR.

A pint of paint and their clear coat and a quart of fixer costs me $175.00 from Color Rite.

Flint

 

[exskibum]

Well, went up to Michaels in Carson City and talked to the service manager. Admitting that someone screwed up, he was unwilling to do anything, except to trade me straight across for a blue top case that was damaged in shipping. How generous! When I declined, saying I'd rather paint the one I have, he got kinda strange with the "just trying to help you out" ****. Whatever.

I asked if instead, he could get me some paint at their cost and he told me that it would cost them more than it would me to buy it. Really?!? I mentioned Color Rite, and when he realized I knew about them, he said something to the effect that they used to be the paint supplier for Yamaha, but again said that it'd cost them even more than it would me to buy from them. Then I asked about the required 6 mm and 20 mm drill bits. "Oh, everyone carries them -- try Kragens, they have them." Yeah, right. I've neer come across metric bits, but I'm sure they exist -- just that I've never seen theim in almost 40 years of being around tools. Went everywhere -- same reaction: "****, never thought about it, but no, I haven't seen them either." Finally, I was directed to a Gibson Tool and Supply Company (specialty tool store), where I got a 6 mm bit and a 25/32 bit. Still kicking myself for not getting a Givi and doing Toecutter's mod.

This is going to be a really expensive top box, but not as expensive to me as to Michaels Cycle Works in Carson City and Reno. You see, they just cost themselves any chance of selling my GF a Kawasaki 250 or 500. I don't expect much under the circumstances, but an unwillingness to halp a customer out with anything but a BS trade of a pristine silver top box for a damaged blue one, when that customer has spent in excess of $16,000 with them in the last year isn't going to engender my loyalties. I can and will go elsewhere. This isn't the first incident of shoddy work or excessive tightness that I've seen outta these guys. Big Valley Honda in Reno is the best dealer around here, IMO, but the Kawasaki dealer up there has been helpful, as well. Guess where GF will be buying her Kwak?

I've scratched up my side cases, so when I get the Galaxy Blue paint and clear from Color Right, I'm going to be doing the side cases and the top case. Fortunately, this is something I can do myself, so it's just the cost of the paint. With another move on the horizon, however, it may be next winter.

 

[weekend rider]

Exskibum: Maybe you should give it some thought of introducing them to a couple of friends of yours. And their names are mr.Smith and mr. Wesson and cousin colt, than they might understand on how to maake a deal. Just a thought, no action required on your part.

disclaimer: theis has been a public service announcement :haha:

good luck

 

[HaulinAshe]

I know you are in a tight jam for using the box. Just a suggestion...

A sign shop could run you some large vinyl that color matches the Galaxy Blue. Probably cost you about $15 for two large pieces. That would allow you to slap some G-Blue on the box to make it presentable for the ride.