Diamond Plate Toolbox Saddlebags

[jazzrat2000]

EXCELLENT! What a cool look, perfect for an XS!!!

[TopCatGr58]

Thanks Doc,

But I was thinking I might have to change it's name to "Redneck", or "BUBBA" !! Almost looks a little backwoodsy? Not the most aerodynamic design, but then I can always take them off for speed trips!! The thick rubber seal between the lid and base really helps to keep them quiet, no rattling!!
T.C.

[jazzrat2000]

I wish I was a little bit (or a lot!) handier, I would try to come up with something creative like this!

[chevy45412001]

nice TC

looks good ,but are you sure thats not your version of the catterpillar bike from occ? just kidding,looks like they will haul the goods,can't wait to see the 1/4 steel trunk you make to go with the bags. should pull wheelies a lot easier.....

[xssiveone]

I thought I had enough clearance, and didn't realize the heads of the signals were going to end up right in front of the latches! DOH!

TC, you can get a bracket that will allow you to mount the turn signals on the licience plate mount. Or, you can fab one up pretty quickly. It's just a piece of flat stock with a 90 bent on each end with a hole drilled in to mount the turn signals. Put it under the plate, and then mount the plate... same bolts hold both on. I had to get one when I mounted my saddle bags. Will try and get a pic up later.

[TopCatGr58]

You MIGHT be a REDNECK if you have Diamond Plate saddlebags/trunk?

Hey folks,

As I have said in the posts I've put up today, I've been a little busy!

After running my saddlebags for a while, I realized that I still needed some extra storage space, like a luggage rack mounted box! It took me quite a while before I was able to find a Diamond Plate box in the right dimensions! This one is appx. 21" wide, 13 inches deep front to back, and about 9" high. It took me a little while to fabricate the rack between the saddlebag supports, and I also wanted to redesign the back rest....it was too funky looking, and didn't slide properly!

Then, after putting the box on, I wanted to mount some extra LED brake/tail lights, but didn't want to cut big 2" x 6" oval holes into the sides of the new box, so I had some spare Diamond Plate material left over from my trimming of the saddlebags.....I DON'T THROW AWAY ANYTHING!

I cut it up, bent it, etc., and was able to mount the 2 extra brake lights in to those extra plates and mounted them to the outside of the trunk box! Okay, I'll shut up, here are a few shots of the trunk/backrest mod!





YEE HAW!!!

[HobbyMan]

Close encounters of the third kind? NICE JOB! You are really handy with that welder. I have only welded aluminum twice. YOU HAVE GOT SKILL! Wow! I can only imagine the effert put in to make those. I never got past my motocycle trailer.

[prometheus578]

"Alright T.C., you gone too far this time."

(But actually, not far enough)
But first, I must state... "a good job, as usual."
Now, to finish the job.
Let's see just how creative you really are.
(Obviously, without doing any permanent, long-term damage....)
Build a diamond-plate slip-on cover for the fuel tank, new side covers, and bend some strips for the fenders.
Right now, this looks like a green bike with a few lunch boxes strapped to it.
But step back, and take another long look. Visualize, if you will, what it would look like if the whole bike was diamond plate!
Black seat, black tires, aluminum engine, aluminum body...
(I know you have already thought about doing this... you just needed a little encouragement)

[Pat Kelly]

How about a diamond plate replica of a Pacifico fairing with lowers?
Why make a cover for the tank... just make a diamond plate tank.

[Wayne]

Gessh guys, by the time your done with TC his bike is gonna weigh 2 tons!

Well ok, while he's at it he should just go ahead and get the right apparel to match...




BTW Nice job on the project TC.

[jazzrat2000]

handy for the man whose woman walks all over him...

[fredintoon]

While you are at it - - -

- - - lose the stock rear turn signals and fit amber LEDs to match the top box lights.
Fred Hill, S'toon.

[jazzrat2000]

I for one would like to see a helmet made out of that...

[TopCatGr58]

Re: While you are at it - - -

Originally posted by fredintoon
- - - lose the stock rear turn signals and fit amber LEDs to match the top box lights.
Fred Hill, S'toon.

Hey Fred,

One step ahead of you. I had converted my turn signals years ago to LED....have you seen my MOD Tech Tip on LED turn signals?

This was the LED inside the OEM Special housing, but they were rather beat up, and Maximan sent me a set of XJ signals which take a different stalk. I put the LED guts into them, and was able to make the mounting stud and welded them to the saddlebag supports.

BTW, the license plate is also being lite with LEDS!

Wayne, fortunately this stuff is ALUMINUM diamond plate, each saddlebag only weighs about 5 lbs, the luggage box same.

Hobby, thanks, yeah welding those tool boxes back together was fun. The trunk box was already a BOX, just bolted it on!

I thought about making the side covers after seeing XSChops photos, but that stuff is rather expensive, and I do like SOME color on the bike. The extra shiny stuff on the rear helps the visibility, but IF I had it up front, the sun would probably blind me shining off the tank/fairing!
T.C.

[fredintoon]

LED signal conversion

TC sez:-
One step ahead of you. I had converted my turn signals years ago to LED....have you seen my MOD Tech Tip on LED turn signals?
Hi TC,
OK, I didn't connect that particular makeover to your current project but now that I see it, neat work. But I was concerned with the aesthetics of the lighting cluster, not with what lamps are used.
The signals are still round things on stalks no matter how elegant their innards. They should be frenched in round ended oblongs like the rest of the rear light display. If you're gonna do a thing, go all the way. Hey, do you even need to keep the stock rear light? It don't quite match those added top box stop/tails neither.
And it's so much easier for me to nitpick your project than to fix my own, right?
(My XS11SG has stock signals on the left side and no signals on the right because those are on the sidecar, differently shaped and pulse at a different rate)
Fred Hill, S'toon.