OP
@luthorhuss avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
R.I.P. ----K.I.T.T.500, Agent Orange (400)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2673
Location: Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
 
Ossessionato
@luthorhuss avatar
R.I.P. ----K.I.T.T.500, Agent Orange (400)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2673
Location: Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
UTC quote
Hi folks,
I got another round of pics and a simple mod for ya. First off, here's the 'history' of this mod:

I bought a 37L Shad case with color matched plate. I love it! It looks factory! However, there's not a specific mount for the 500(that I know of) and even if there were, most mounts from Givi, Shad, etc cost over $100 minimum. I originally had made a mount out of bolts and threaded bar from Lowe's, but that was my impatience catching up to me and also because I "needed" the topcase secured the day I got it home Razz emoticon. Oh well, my loss is your gain because I'm gonna try and show some basics on fixing scratches to the powder coated luggage racks and also install a MUCH MUCH better version of my 'el cheapo' DIY rack. This rack is great because basically it creates a raised, sturdy platform that can be drilled out and allow for the install of ANY topcase that has a basic bracket. As for parts, I used Metric bolts that were 6X1.0 X 75(longest they had), with some "fender washers"(the larger ones) and a few metric washers. The risers are Steel spacers that are 3/4 X1.5 inches...I tried 2 inches but didn't leave enough thread contact. I used multiple washers to not only distribute the weight/pressure, but also to add height and fill in the 'gap' between the spacers and bolt head to allow for snug tightening. Trust me, I could sit on this set up and it wouldn't budge. The metal is 1/8 inch thick steel, and believe me, getting the cutting done was the only long,hard part. The drilling went fairly fast, but cutting the steel made me realize how much I need a Rotozip or Die grinder. Enjoy...I hope this saves someone the $80++ bucks it saved me .
The damage done by the scraping/falling apart of last setup. Notice RUST!
The damage done by the scraping/falling apart of last setup. Notice RUST!
Note RUST in crack!  This is NOT from the previous set up!  It's behind rubber washer!
Note RUST in crack! This is NOT from the previous set up! It's behind rubber washer!
Used brass wire brush to clear off paint/rust
Used brass wire brush to clear off paint/rust
Stripped by brush
Stripped by brush
Next, sanded with 320 grit to smooth transition
Next, sanded with 320 grit to smooth transition
Sanded
Sanded
Applied Epoxy paint..great stuff...self priming, weather proof, rust resistant
Applied Epoxy paint..great stuff...self priming, weather proof, rust resistant
Prepping cannot be rushed
Prepping cannot be rushed
More blocking
More blocking
After 2 light 'mist coats', did medium coat, sanded with 2000 grit, then last 2 mist coats...
After 2 light 'mist coats', did medium coat, sanded with 2000 grit, then last 2 mist coats...
Piece of steel for top rack
Piece of steel for top rack
Risers/spacers
Risers/spacers
Rack painted and bolted on
Rack painted and bolted on
Up close of riser/washer setup. Notice how washers 'pinch' steel and also create base on plastic
Up close of riser/washer setup. Notice how washers 'pinch' steel and also create base on plastic
Four painted black 'pan' head bolts attach bracket to steel. Washers and nuts underneath
Four painted black 'pan' head bolts attach bracket to steel. Washers and nuts underneath
Shad bracket came with a nice little "vanity" plate to conceal bolts.  Also why I used pan heads.
Shad bracket came with a nice little "vanity" plate to conceal bolts. Also why I used pan heads.
All finished and awaiting topcase to snap on.  Rides very sturdy and no shaking.
All finished and awaiting topcase to snap on. Rides very sturdy and no shaking.
@sushiman007 avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
She's an I-talian $$-burning machine
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1859
Location: America, The Beautiful
 
Molto Verboso
@sushiman007 avatar
She's an I-talian $$-burning machine
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1859
Location: America, The Beautiful
UTC quote
very nice!
You finished off beautifully! Clap emoticon
@bohemian avatar
UTC

Hooked
2009 MP3-500 Black
Joined: UTC
Posts: 366
Location: Amarillo, TX
 
Hooked
@bohemian avatar
2009 MP3-500 Black
Joined: UTC
Posts: 366
Location: Amarillo, TX
UTC quote
Very nice! I love to see the detail care you took to make it nice and professional looking.
@oldspice avatar
UTC

Hooked
'12 BMW R1200RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 375
Location: iowa city, ia
 
Hooked
@oldspice avatar
'12 BMW R1200RT
Joined: UTC
Posts: 375
Location: iowa city, ia
UTC quote
Looking good, luthorhuss!

I'm thinking about doing something similar, but extending some pieces off and down the side of the bike to see if I can't fashion some homemade side case mounts. Still haven't quite figured out how..... must do some tinkering in the garage.
@ramblerdan avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2009 MP3 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2008
Location: Saratoga, N.Y.
 
Ossessionato
@ramblerdan avatar
2009 MP3 400
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2008
Location: Saratoga, N.Y.
UTC quote
Nice work, Luthorhuss. Looks very spec.
OP
@luthorhuss avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
R.I.P. ----K.I.T.T.500, Agent Orange (400)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2673
Location: Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
 
Ossessionato
@luthorhuss avatar
R.I.P. ----K.I.T.T.500, Agent Orange (400)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2673
Location: Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
UTC quote
oldspice wrote:
Looking good, luthorhuss!

I'm thinking about doing something similar, but extending some pieces off and down the side of the bike to see if I can't fashion some homemade side case mounts. Still haven't quite figured out how..... must do some tinkering in the garage.
Yeah, I also wanna do the same. I'm thinking about ordering these:

http://www.binetto.com/SHAD-Motorcases/SHAD-SH-43-Motorcase-Side-Cases.aspx

They match my top case. When I do, I'm gonna call the Binetto guys and see if they have anything for the 500. If not, I'll likely copy this:

https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic36634?highlight=hard+side+case

(look about 3/4 way down). Lex500 did a great job at making his by drilling out some dogbone risers and then cutting the ends off, creating drill threads and tightening.

My theory is that I'll order th cases, see what brackets they come with and how these affix and then figure something out from there. I think it'll be easier to custom make them once I have them in hand than trying to make a 'universal' one like for the top case.
OP
@luthorhuss avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
R.I.P. ----K.I.T.T.500, Agent Orange (400)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2673
Location: Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
 
Ossessionato
@luthorhuss avatar
R.I.P. ----K.I.T.T.500, Agent Orange (400)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2673
Location: Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
UTC quote
More pics with case on...
Here's some extra shots so you can see the side profile and clearance from racks and back of seat as well...
Seat opens and I can reach fingers under if need be too
Seat opens and I can reach fingers under if need be too
back
back
side
side
back/rear
back/rear
@sushiman007 avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
She's an I-talian $$-burning machine
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1859
Location: America, The Beautiful
 
Molto Verboso
@sushiman007 avatar
She's an I-talian $$-burning machine
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1859
Location: America, The Beautiful
UTC quote
Magic!
Work of Art! Clap emoticon
OP
@luthorhuss avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
R.I.P. ----K.I.T.T.500, Agent Orange (400)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2673
Location: Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
 
Ossessionato
@luthorhuss avatar
R.I.P. ----K.I.T.T.500, Agent Orange (400)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2673
Location: Muscle Shoals, AL 35661
UTC quote
Re: Magic!
sushiman007 wrote:
Work of Art! Clap emoticon
Thanks! . If I get the side cases, I'll put a "How I did this..." up as well. Then I'll just have to rig up lights to both
@sushiman007 avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
She's an I-talian $$-burning machine
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1859
Location: America, The Beautiful
 
Molto Verboso
@sushiman007 avatar
She's an I-talian $$-burning machine
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1859
Location: America, The Beautiful
UTC quote
Great!
Yeah, and after you've rigged everything up and write about it, I would be the first to nominate it for the Technical Library!
@old_as_dirt avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22810
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@old_as_dirt avatar
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22810
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
UTC quote
good job luthorhuss. looks real nice. great pics and a good write up.
@stickyfrog avatar
UTC

Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22659
Location: Nashville, Indiana
 
Moderatus Rana
@stickyfrog avatar
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22659
Location: Nashville, Indiana
UTC quote
you are amazing!
@jerryw avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
MP3 500, Honda PCX
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1123
Location: Dallas, TX
 
Molto Verboso
@jerryw avatar
MP3 500, Honda PCX
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1123
Location: Dallas, TX
UTC quote
Cool job. I'm sure your bike is happy you are its owner.
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