Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Equipment Reviews
Equipment Reviews Post YOUR REVIEWS of ANY Motorcycle, Camping or Travel Equipment and accessories. Tell us what worked and didn't work for you!
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 3 Nov 2005
Wheelie's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
Home made top case - secure and lock?

I am concidering making my own top case for my vespa to save some money, either from welding one from scratch, or by using ammo cans or something similar (I have made a post regarding the ammo cases on "posts that don't fit anywhere else").

A plane lockable case seems easy enough... However, I have problems sorting out how to make some sort of device that would allow for the box to come on and off the scooter luggage rack in a snap. Also, I want to be able to lock-secure the case to the scooter.

I have done a lot of searching, but I am yet to find what I am looking for.

Any ideas? Pictures? Plans? Comments?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 3 Nov 2005
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
A while ago I made pannier boxes for my enfield. I made them from 1mm sheet steel and they were very strong. I cut out a template in cardboard first to make sure they 'worked' then followed the template in steel. I folded the sheets by clamping the steel between two bits of angle iron along the part I wanted to fold, secured by g-clamps and then secured in a vice and pushing the steel over with my hands. I then finshed off the fold with VERY light taps with a rubber mallet. Work along the fold with light taps then start again at the beginning. If you try to fold one end right over while the other is only partially bent you'll stretch the steel making getting a flat fold very hard.
I then pop-riveted the whole thing together (dont forget to add flaps for this in your design!) as I reckoned this was far preferable to my rather ham fisted welding! Bathroom sealant in the joins made the boxes watertight. I then had the boxes powder coated. A keyed alike padlock on a standard case latch either end secured the lids. They were not quick release though, but bolted to standard after market frames using u-bolts. Total cost for the 2 boxes including powder coating, latches and locks was about £40.
You could easily do something similar with 'half-hard' aluminium, I'd suggest 2mm.
Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 3 Nov 2005
Matt Cartney's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
Sorry, just noted you are from Norge! From memory £40 is about 440NK.
Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 3 Nov 2005
Wheelie's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
Thanx for the folding the metal tip... I was concidering purchasing a separate tool for this, I'll try this out if I go for the home made version.

And yes, 40£ are about 440 NOK...

Anyone got any ideas for "quick release" and locking the box to the rack?

[This message has been edited by Wheelie (edited 03 November 2005).]
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 4 Nov 2005
sa6 sa6 is offline
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: from uk/ living in oslo norway
Posts: 12
hi may i can help you have a metal work shop near th center of Oslo made some box for my africa twin . drop me a line if you want some help.
Regards
Andy
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 5 Nov 2005
Wheelie's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
Thanks, sending you an e-mail right now.

Still interested in comments and ideas from the rest of you.

Tanks...
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 5 Nov 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Flagstaff, AZ, 86004
Posts: 39
Aluminum Picnic tables also work as decent sheet metal benders. You drop the sheet between two "planks" in the table top and fold your piece of sheet metal over. You have to get a little creative to make a box, but it can work. The bonus is you don't have to buy the table or find a place to keep it.

In regards to securing to the Vespa, if you have a few tabs under the bottom to slide the box onto the rack, just having one or two pins drop down from the inside will keep it from sliding off again. You have to open the box to take it off (open the lid, pull the pin(s), slide the box off), but it is a cheap and simple solution.

Matthew

[This message has been edited by mmclaughlin (edited 05 November 2005).]
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 5 Nov 2005
Riq Riq is offline
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Edmonton, Canada
Posts: 246
I recently mounted a pelican box on the back of my triumph. After finding that the factory box was over $800.00.

I used I bolts and cross bolts to wind up with a box I can install and remove in seconds. You can also instal a lock instead of the hair pin clip that I use in order to gain a more secure situation.

I am sending you an email with pictures.

cheers
Rick
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 6 Nov 2005
Wheelie's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
Clever, clever, I can really work with this... Thanks

Still interested in hearing/seeing other peoples ideas...
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 6 Nov 2005
ozhanu's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Izmir, Turkiye
Posts: 794
Riq, could you also send me the pictures to: ozhanu[at]hotmail.com

thanks in advance

------------------
ride safely
ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ozhanu.com/gezi
__________________
ozhan u.
website under construction
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 27 Feb 2006
Hindu1936's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Yongin, South Korea
Posts: 327
hello riq
could you please send me a photo of your pelican top box? I know you posted in last november, but if you have the photos I would appreciate seeing the idea.
thanks

joe

hindu1936@gmail.com
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 27 Feb 2006
Riq Riq is offline
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Edmonton, Canada
Posts: 246
Will do Joe.

I am at work at the minute however I will send you some pictures this evening.

Rick
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 28 Feb 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: sunny England
Posts: 790
hi
you should be able to buy proper topboxes for a reasonable ammount, look on ebay.
or did you want to make your own?

------------------
dave
__________________
dave
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:20.