RX3: Garage Pro Travel Trunk Installation
 

Today I removed the stock trunk, and installed a large, Garage Pro Travel Trunk I had purchased from J.C. Whitney.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/garage-pro-...7&&filterid=u0

Using a 20% off coupon, and free shipping, you can purchase this travel trunk for less than $40, delivered. :) This travel trunk locks to the luggage rack on a steel mounting plate. Therefore, you can remove the trunk from the bike and take it into your motel room, tent, et cetera, at the end of the day. You can also remove the trunk if you wish to lighten the bike for daily rides. :)

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psnj4cbnm3.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psr2pkooa5.jpg

I attached the Garage Pro mounting plate to the luggage rack using the same three bolts which attach the stock trunk. Therefore, if I wish, I can switch back and forth from the Garage Pro Travel Trunk to the stock trunk, by merely removing the three bolts. :) I placed three washers under each of the two front bolts of the mounting plate to provide a tighter fit between the trunk and mount. ;) I used 1/4" fender washers.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psatcmue8c.jpg

The Garage Pro (GP) Travel Trunk comes equipped with a foam mat to place under the mounting plate. You can place this foam mat upon the luggage rack as a template to mark the bolt holes. After placing the foam mat on the mounting plate, you can easily transfer the location of the bolt holes to the mounting plate itself. ;)

Here are a few more photographs of the RX3 with the GP Travel Trunk installed.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psgswrxwu7.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...pspbyjnbzd.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps1jc5betu.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psrvrfhg1x.jpg

Here are a few photographs of the RX3 with the GP Travel Trunk removed.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps1a2ngobs.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...pspx5acds6.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psem31fd6w.jpg

You can learn more about the features of the GP Travel Trunk by reading the review at the following thread. ;)

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=14279

Good Write up Spud.....our bikes look scarily Similar :)

Thank you, Huck. :) Great minds think alike. ;)

:hehe:

That new trunk needs a little Zong orange.

Wow... you actually have paved roads where you live? I wouldn't have guessed based on all your prior pics! :D

That top box looks nice on the bike.

Cheers!

Nice job Spud. I had originally installed the JC Whitney trunk that I've had on various bikes over the years, but it didn't hold up well on rough terrain and lost a hinge spline. Not so much the fault of the trunk, but more a reflection on its age and general abuse over the years. It has served me very well.

I also had a smaller Coocase, 28 liters, that had not seen a lot of service and installed that. It's large enough for a full face helmet, but I do miss the capacity of the JCW trunk.

:lol:

Thank you. :)

Thank you. :) Yes, the J.C. Whitney/Garage Pro trunks will eventually wear out. ;) However, they take a lot of abuse, and last a very long time. I think they are excellent cases for the money. :tup: If you also want a large case to complement your medium case, you can currently purchase the large, GP Travel Trunk for less than $40, delivered. :)

The new Zong Orange is hard to match. ;) I think the best color match might be Shimrin Sunset Pearl.

http://www.houseofkolor.com/images/s...apes/PBC32.jpg

http://www.houseofkolor.com/speedsha...es_shimrin.jsp
http://www.66autocolor.com/House-of-...-spm-pbc31.htm

I just followed Spud's lead and mounted a Garage Pro plate on my new RX3's stock rear rack. I already have a Givi bag but couldn't get Givi fittings to fit the RX3 rack. So for me, best thing about Garage Pro is the plate. I am a bit concerned that the plate is light duty. The rear mount in particular is just sheet metal tack welded to the base plate. I intend to treat this carefully. Pushing the button on the case when mounting rather than just pressing down might reduce stress on the mount. In short, it fits and works, and it's a bargain basement way to expand luggage space. I just hope it lasts.

I wouldn't worry too much about babying the trunk, I've had mine for many years and it finally gave out at a hinge. I'm guessing it's cost me about $5/year amortized over the time I've had it - a bargain anyway you look at it.