Modern Vespa

I am hopefully getting my GTV ordered this afternoon. I'm thinking that I'll hold off on a topcase for the moment. I haven't heard of a ton of people having luck getting a matching Vespa case in Ivory just yet, and I'm kinda waiting to see what happens with the various folks here trying to get leather Vespa replica cases made.

But I will need some form of storage, preferably using the rear rack. I like the ability to carry a lot of crap on my scoots if I want to. But since I may possibly be paying a few $$$ for a really nice case in the future, I'd like to do something temporary and (hopefully) inexpensive. Is there anything out there that's just as useful as a good old milk crate, but that looks much better on a GTV? I may be dreaming, but I'd like to shoot for something $50 or less.

I'm thinking my backup plan might be the small tan Prima roll bag. It's not the cheapest or the best, but it would work, and I could always use it again later on a front rack.

I just bungee a daypack on my rack.
functional? check.
classy? well, no.

Regards
Harvey

the bags or rolls are nice cause you can take them off with ease. you can look at m/c accessory shops and catalogs for what is used on regualr bikes also and adapt to your needs

Beemers and More in Ft Collins...The Wolftail pack made by Wolfman in Boulder. $114

https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic24645?highlight=diy+top+case

I also have an ivory vespa, but as a poor student there was no way I could afford the $300 topcase... but it was impossible to find anything generic in the proper ivory color. I figured since my seat was black and every accessory on my scooter was black, that it would be ok to buy a black topcase. Not the BEST looking, but it works. I bought this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-49cc-50cc-125cc-150cc-Motor-Scooter-Trunk-Storage_W0QQitemZ360094638780QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item360094638780&_trkparms=72%3A1234|39%3A1|66%3A2|65%3A12|240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

I have a top case on order, but in the meantime I am using the black Prima milk crate. It is nicer than a regular milk crate, and I dont look like a chinese food delivery guy with it on the back of my scooter. http://www.scooterworks.com/Milk_Crate_Metal_-_Prima_P6588.cfm

TwoDollarBills, you wrote about a $50 top case from eBay. That sound like a good deal if it will hold up. How does the quality seem? Does the plastic seem thick enough? Will a helmet fit inside?

Thanks
Dave

I think it is what it is for $50... It isn't flimsy or anything, but it isn't amazing. I would like it better if it had like a gasket type thing in between the top and bottom rather than closing plastic onto plastic. but the lock works well and it holds stuff..like my purse and such.

I had never put my helmet in it so I went out and tried it and took some pictures. I took a picture of my helmet in it, it was able to close. I also took a picture of my helmet in my "pet holder" so you could get an idea of the size of my helmet.

Hey Witch (tough name), try boating websites for Duc(?) canvas bags and the like, tough as nails cotton canvas, comes in a variety of colors (natural is cream colored), can be dyed if you like, waterproofed etc. Also, try tool carriers for workman, they can come in a tan heavy duty ballistic Nylon canvas, many are reinforced with tan leather. Both usually very reasonably priced, fit neatly on a rack, are easily carried with extremely sturdy construction. Sailors, Carpenters and the like don't generally tolerate poor quality products well.

Thanks for the tips, folks. Got several ideas now.

Here's what you really want to do! Get one of these "Big Blue Bags" from Ikea. They are huge, but fold up very small when not in use, and are ridiculously strong. There are long straps for your shoulder, and short straps that clip perfectly into the bag hook on the legshield when the bag is resting on the floorboards. I have fit up to about 9 bags of groceries in one. I took off my rear rack a while back (for the look) and have never been lacking in storage space thanks to the bag!

Oh, I forgot to mention, they are only 59 cents!! Plus, it's so much better to have your load lower to the ground and centralized front to back on the bike. Ride-wise, topcases have about the worst position possible, except maybe for a load mounted on top of your head.

I kid you not, I have carried EVERYTHING with those bags on my scoot. Everything from PC's and speakers in the footrest area, to large amounts of DIY materials strapped to the side over the cowl. They are awesome. Works well with a few straps etc to tie down where appropriate etc.

Me too. I use those Ikea bags for everything. You can carry so much in them.

Andrea