Top Box question

[Notty]

I am thinking of buying a Shad top Box ( blue cover) , getting fed up with carrying my helmet around when on a ride out. I really like the chrome rack in the pic. I am a complete numpty with regards to top boxes - My question is, do top box base plates bolt to a rack or do I have to fit an ugly bike specific kit? 

[gsxbarmy]

Can depend on the Top Box Notty. For a Givi top box, you'd have to fit one of their plates.

You also need to consider the size of the Top Box you are fitting and whether the rack can take the weight / size of it. I'm not sure that the chrome rack in your piccie would be big/strong enough for a one helmet top box

[Boa]

Can depend on the Top Box Notty. For a Givi top box, you'd have to fit one of their plates.

You also need to consider the size of the Top Box you are fitting and whether the rack can take the weight / size of it. I'm not sure that the chrome rack in your piccie would be big/strong enough for a one helmet top box

But it's a lot more sightly than the Givi plate Dave. If there's a way to use the one illustrated, it will be aesthetically more pleasing to be sure (went a bit Irish there). I've got the Givi pannier  system, which also requires said plate. Had to relocate the indicators, but happy with the outcome apart from that lump of plastic.

[Irish in Oz]

To be sure Snapey is the expert in the wee racks, I remember carrying a Shad box half way around Australia because the rack broke and it wasn't my rack.

[Batkwaka]

I have 2 Givi racks, one for only the Top Box which mounts on the rear pillion grab rail. The other is the Panniers & Top Box which requires moving the indicators.
The Top Box is a 46 litre which takes two medium standard helmets but only one modular helmet.

[DP1400]

Notty, why ruin the look of your bike with a top box for helments when the standard helment lock will comfortably take two full face helments when parked up?

[Notty]

Notty, why ruin the look of your bike with a top box for helments when the standard helment lock will comfortably take two full face helments when parked up?

good point but my Schuberth helmet has an in intercom with a  retail price of £200 and its easy to remove 
@DP1400

[Mick_J]

Shad do a rack for their top boxes for the 1400, I have one on mine, it don't look fantastic but it does the job.

[Snapey]

Shad do a rack for their top boxes for the 1400, I have one on mine, it don't look fantastic but it does the job.

If only I could find my photo's of the roadside repairs Irish & me did to Sweaty's broken Shad top box rack. Unfortunately it's not only Shad but Givi and Ventura racks also leave a lot to be desired when it comes to breakages.

[Irish in Oz]

I had my GIVI rack tig welded on the point that cracks, bit of a prick of a job because the brazing in there makes it harder to weld.
Pete I think the pics might be on this site somewhere.

[Snapey]

I don't think it's brass Jeff but bloody silver solder.

[Notty]

Shad do a rack for their top boxes for the 1400, I have one on mine, it don't look fantastic but it does the job.

I think it was you that prompted me to look at Shad Mick. I like the bit of colour you can add rather than having a big black lump on the back. just don't like the bike specific racks 

[Hooli]

I've seen Givi plates mounted to racks before. Probably just with a couple of plate bars of metal under & bolts through from the plate mounting holes.

Gives you both worlds that way if you want to leave the rack on. I agree the Givi/Kappa stuff is bloody ugly. I'm just so used to it on mine i don't notice it anymore & doubt it'd come off without breaking anyway.

[BlueDragon]

I bought a SW-Motech top box "rack" from one of the members here and use it with a SHAD SH39 topbox.  Added the back pad to it for my wife.  No, she doesn't lean back on the back pad all the time, but is helpful for when I pin the throttle when over taking.

I've not had any problems with it at all.

That said, I ended up getting hold of some cheap Givi V35 side panniers through ebay for $400.  Almost brand new condition, so previous owner took really good care of them.  Tried to buy some givi racks for them, but the ones I wanted weren't in stock. I wanted the pannier rack that didn't need the Givi top box rack - but not available.  So ended up buying a brand new full Givi rack system for the side panniers and top box.  But its only going to be used when my wife and I go touring. Otherwise, I like the SW-Motech better.  Sleek and nice looking, doesn't stick out at all and looks part of the bike.  So I leave it on all the time.

Don't have pics of it on my bike, but have pics from the previous owners bike..

[Bigger Birdie]

That SW Motech plate is a very tidy solution.
Looks much nicer than the Givi rack which Bertha wears. Mind you the box never comes off, and its been there since dot so I don't notice. Or at least I don't until I see a bike without one!
My top box is a performance enhancement measure, as it stops the wife leaving through the back door if I get enthusiastic when we're out together! had to ride much slower before we got it on there