[DonBenito]

As I posted here a few days back, I had a devil of a time getting the top allen bolt out of the left passenger peg mounting bracket to install my rear Cycleracks rack.



Thanks to all for the suggestions, the advice really came in handy as you can see!

I got a new impact driver and rotary dremel-type tool out of it (already had the vice grips and safety glasses)

And even though the pic is a little fuzzy, I think you can see that the offending bolt was thoroughly punished for it's unwillingness to cooperate

I didn't have time the last few days to try and work on that bolt, but I did make a point of putting a few drops of Break Free penetrating oil on the bolt every time I walked by the bike.



Today I started by cutting a slot for a flathead screwdriver through the head of the bolt. I whacked on it with the impact driver for about 5 minutes but I made no visible progress.



I used a few adapters to put the impact driver bit on the end of a breaker bar and tried that, but it just wanted to walk out of the slot.



Then I cut two sides off of the head of the bolt so I could get a secure grip with the vise grips, and WHAMMO! The bolt finally broke free and I was able to back it on out!



After all of that the actual mounting of the Cycleracks only took about 3 minutes, and I couldn't be happier with the fit and finish.



Now I just have to figure out what I want to do for a cheapo topcase!

 

[Loppy]

Congrats on the win. I'm currently using a milk crate strapped down with bungees.

 

[flingwing1969]

As I posted here a few days back, I had a devil of a time getting the top allen bolt out of the left passenger peg mounting bracket to install my rear Cycleracks rack.



Thanks to all for the suggestions, the advice really came in handy as you can see!



After all of that the actual mounting of the Cycleracks only took about 3 minutes, and I couldn't be happier with the fit and finish.



Now I just have to figure out what I want to do for a cheapo topcase!

Great. Here is an old DeWalt drill box that I used on mine. It doesn't hold too much but it's easy to swing my leg over it, unlike the tall boxes or milk crates and I can stack crap on top and strap it down if I need more space than my short box and bags can handle. I used a putty knife, heated with a propane torch, to carve out the inside dividers and make a simple box. I like the DeWalt boxes because they use metal latches.

 

[DonBenito]

Great. Here is an old DeWalt drill box that I used on mine. It doesn't hold too much but it's easy to swing my leg over it, unlike the tall boxes or milk crates and I can stack crap on top and strap it down if I need more space than my short box and bags can handle. I used a putty knife, heated with a propane torch, to carve out the inside dividers and make a simple box. I like the DeWalt boxes because they use metal latches.

Yeah, I like that low-pro topcase look myself. I'm gonna be searching the thrift stores for an empty power tool case to give a similar treatment.

 

[flingwing1969]

Yeah, I like that low-pro topcase look myself. I'm gonna be searching the thrift stores for an empty power tool case to give a similar treatment.

Just make sure you get the metal latches, the plastic ones just don't last. This the exact one I used, a bit costly though - I got mine and a drill (nice corded one) for $20 at a yard sale.



http://www.ebay.com/itm/DEWALT-DRIL...t=Tool_Boxes_Storage&var=&hash=item3a6bd699f3



Oh, I added a swipe of black RTV along the top of each latch to give the hook more bite, and I added a hook to the front to keep it closed on the whoop-de-doos.



If you're in the market for a corded drill and a case for a box, check this out.



http://tucson.craigslist.org/tld/3184407758.html

 

[Wingnut]

DonBenito...glad it finally released its hold! I have looked on the Cycleracks website, however I cannot find the dimensions of that rack.



Could you tell me the dimensions of the platform? in particular the width? Thanks.

 

[DonBenito]

DonBenito...glad it finally released its hold! I have looked on the Cycleracks website, however I cannot find the dimensions of that rack.



Could you tell me the dimensions of the platform? in particular the width? Thanks.

18.5" wide x 11" long from the outside of the outermost bars.

 

[Wingnut]

18.5" wide x 11" long from the outside of the outermost bars.

Thanks for the quick response!

 

[joedirt1970]

[quote name='Flingwing' date='28 August 2012 - 03:19 PM' timestamp='1346192364' post='54228']

Great. Here is an old DeWalt drill box that I used on mine. It doesn't hold too much but it's easy to swing my leg over it, unlike the tall boxes or milk crates and I can stack crap on top and strap it down if I need more space than my short box and bags can handle. I used a putty knife, heated with a propane torch, to carve out the inside dividers and make a simple box. I like the DeWalt boxes because they use metal latches.





Not sure if you looked into the pelican cases, but they were amazing too. A bit more expensive, but bullet proof.



http://tw200forum.com/index.php?/topic/241-the-famous-storage-tube/page__hl__storage__st__30

 

[DonBenito]

Not sure if you looked into the pelican cases, but they were amazing too. A bit more expensive, but bullet proof.



http://tw200forum.com/index.php?/topic/241-the-famous-storage-tube/page__hl__storage__st__30

[/quote]



I've heard nothing but good things about Pelican cases, but I just don't think I have the stomach to take a drill to a $90 wonder box.



I might change my mind if my initial cheapo experiments fail, but after buying the Cycleracks itself I gotta save some money for gas too!

 

[TrailWhale]

Now I just have to figure out what I want to do for a cheapo topcase!

I use an American Tourister "train case" or "cosmetics case". It's plastic or fiberglass, and has a 3 tumbler lock. Just big enough to carry things home from the store or the flea market. Big enough for a half helmet, or a jacket, or bottles of water and my iphone, etc., etc. Cost me $12. Comes off with just 4 interior screws (I have a wood rack) so I can easily switch to various other boxes, etc.

- - - Happy Trails, Jim