I have just been looking on E bay, out of interest i tapped in Aluminium boxes in search, it came up with a lot of options.

I found Aluminium boxes / cases of all shapes and sizes, i saw some DJ's CD Aluminium case holders, one that caught my eye held 520 CD's, dimensions 475(L)308(D)203(H), cost including postage £40.00. The company selling the item states that it guarantees to protect from dust moisture shock and scratches, they should be water and dustproof as there designed to hold the DJ's tools of the trade, ie delicate compact discs

I thought it would make a good top box, it's got handles hinges and locks etc, and if somebody take's a liking to and steals it when your away from your bike it is not much money to lose

Why are these advertised boxes so much cheaper than the ones 'Purpose built' for motorbike's perhaps somebody from the industry could write in and explain, after all there only metal boxes, a set of two boxes cost more than a hi tech PC

Maybe the advertised boxes can even be adapted to make panniers, OK they open from the side like a suit case and not from the top like the purpose bult ones, but at a hundred and twenty pounds for a set of three, i am sure that these minor inconvenience can be overlooked.

Has any body out there tried adapting boxes like these?, and if you did, did you come across any problems?...if nobody has i guess i am gonna be the pioneer!

Adios amigos

Type "alu box" into German Ebay and you get even more options for half the price...

About using them as panniers: having used side-opening plastic panniers before I got my alu panniers I have sworn never again. Top loading panniers are so much easier to load. When I had to find something in my Krauser or Hepco panniers I always had to remove them.

The advantage of side-opening panniers is that you can put things on top and still open them, sort of...

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Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.

Sorry late on this but i had mine custom made by a welding firm ... with locks... cost £70...by the way i'm riding a Yamaha1100Dragstar... so they was custom made ... there phone number is ////01235 820821... down near Oxford ....