Can I Mount A Touring Trunk Without Drilling Holes

[Bubba]

Hi. This place seems friendlier than the other FJR site.

I just took delivery of the adaptor bracket that is used to fit the accessory touring trunk to the FJR. I was disappointed to find out that I'm supposed to drill a couple of holes in my rear fender to mount it.

Has anyone figured out a way to mount it without drilling holes?

I'm thinking maybe something like a bracket that slips under the stock luggage rack along with shorter screws that don't reach the fender.

Has anybody drilled the holes and later found water intrusion into the rear under-seat compartment?

Has anybody had the stock luggage rack off to see how strong the front mounting points are?

Thanks!

 

[smitty141]

I drilled mine. You can always use a sealer, but it can get messy. But the two bolt are needed, Just get the old step drill out...and start drillin.. smitty

 

[Woodstock]

Get a Givi, they mount w/o drilling holes.

I continue to find it facinating that a 3rd party can design a no-drill mounting system for the FJR, while Yamaha doesn't.

 

[04fjr]

I mounted my factory trunk without drilling holes. From where the holes on the bracket are I used two pieces of flat stock,one for eack side. Heated and bent them to slip into the groove in the front portion of the rack.

I think it is probably a little stronger than their mount, due to a wider mount base. Been all over with the wife on the back no complaints.

Alan

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

I mounted my factory trunk without drilling holes. From where the holes on the bracket are I used two pieces of flat stock,one for eack side. Heated and bent them to slip into the groove in the front portion of the rack. I think it is probably a little stronger than their mount, due to a wider mount base. Been all over with the wife on the back no complaints.

Alan

Pictures please?

Not that they will fill in my holes :blink:

 

[Bubba]

I wanted the best possible color match so I ordered the Yamaha trunk when I bought the bike.

Thanks for the idea, 04fjr.

Pictures would be great. If you could at least provide some more words, that would be good. I've got to get the thing on my bike soon and if I can avoid drilling holes, that's what I want to do.

What material? Aluminum?

What size?

Where is the hole relative to the edges of the material?

Did you tap the hole or did you use a washer and nut on the bottom of the material?

I'm glad to get this feedback. I was on my way out to drill holes. Now I'll hold off and try this. Your response about the long term stability is much appreciated. It sounds plenty beefy!

Chris

 

[04fjr]

Bubba,

I used a couple scrap pieces of stainless I had about 1"wide 5" long, allen head stainless bolt and nylock nut.I will get some pictures taken this week and send them to your e-mail, I dont have a place to host pics.

Orangevale,

You can see it for yourself next week in Yosemite!

Alan

 

[OrangevaleFJR]

Bubba, I used a couple scrap pieces of stainless I had about 1"wide 5" long, allen head stainless bolt and nylock nut.I will get some pictures taken this week and send them to your e-mail, I dont have a place to host pics.

Orangevale,

You can see it for yourself next week in Yosemite!

Alan

sweeeeeeeeet...we are getting excited about the ride and meeting everyone!

 

[deanw]

I wanted the best possible color match so I ordered the Yamaha trunk when I bought the bike.

a- If you're riding the bike, you can't see it, so it could be screaming pink and you woldn't know.

b- Givi does make bags that color match the '04 FJR. The current V46 has "skins" that attach to the lid so you can make it a different color for different moods.

The only issue I have with the Givi is that it doesn't take the FJR's 3rd lock cylinder.

 

[Bubba]

Zip ties!

I needed to get the thing on my bike this weekend to carry my briefcase today. I mounted it and found that the single bolt through the stock luggage rack made it really stable and thought to myself that the main reason for more fasteners is safety -- I.e., it's about what happens if there is a single point of failure. I have some plastic zip ties that will hold 200 lbs easily (ignoring plastic creep). So I looped one of them through each of the front bolt holes in the adaptor plate and around the respective corner uprights of the stock luggage rack.

I don't know if this is permanent or not. It seems like brackets like Alan made are more substantial and they just seem more permanent. So I think I'll make those when I get your pictures. But for now, this works pretty well.

I don't particularly like the way the bike handles with the trunk on and loaded -- it's a big moment of inertia relative to the cg of the bike. But if it allows me to ride pretty much regardless of how much work I need to haul around, it's still better than the alternative.

Thanks for the advice about Givi. I guess my reasoning for getting the stock accessory was faulty. And yes, I shouldn't be so vane. I'll tell you what, if you want me to come over and paint your FJR with some housepaint, we can do mine at the same time. How about taupe? Hehehehe.

I put the big (Yamaha accessory) windshield on too. It made a big difference. It really takes the pressure off my shoulders in the down position and significantly reduces the noise relative to the stock windshield in the up position. I recommend it to anybody with a long torso. There is a little more pressure on my back at 70-85 mph with the thing in the up position.

Chris