Installing a trunk for my XJR's junk.

As the weeks have progressed since I first purchased the XJR, I have been keeping my eye out for cheap ways to accomplish the list of projects I came up with for the bike. The bike is a 1996. I'll be transferring back to the States sometime in 2022. That means I should be able to take it back legally and get it registered for the road. Bikes 25 years old and older don't have to meet all of the same regulations that newer imports do. My current list of projects is mostly about functionality and comfort. If I decide to keep the bike, I'll then switch my projects to making it as mechanically sound as I can. This post's project is to help with my commuting and in the future, my longer trips. Follow along as I install a top box on the XJR!

Top boxes, front baskets, saddle bags and all manner of other ways to carry stuff on a bike can be found over here in Japan. Thanks to the tiered licensing structure and overall higher cost of operating a full sized car, many people exist with only a 50cc scooter. I have seen people carry a family's worth of groceries, small furniture and toddlers on these smaller bikes. My bike came with this small rack already mounted. The paint on the rack has marks indicating that there was a top box mounted back here at least once. It is rated for only 3 kgs or about 7 lbs, but I think that is an overly conservative rating. Eventually I also want to get my wife on the pillion and having a box on the back  will make her feel more secure.

Here is the box. I have never heard of the maker. I got it at a used auto parts store, brand new for only $28. it came with two keys and is one of those boxes that can be removed from the bike with just the push of the button leaving the mounting plate still attached to the bike. The box came with a full instruction sheet, good thing there were easy to follow pictures. My motorcycle Japanese reading is getting there. Between my recently acquired literacy and the drawings I figured it out pretty quickly. I also have experience doing this on my old V-Strom. 

As I mentioned, the box was still brand new, never been used. It was fully complete with all the hardware needed for a wide variety of applications. With the design of my rear rack, I figured it would be a pretty easy deal to mount when I checked it out at the store. I pulled out my tools and cleared an hour from my weekend schedule to do the project. I ended up with extra time. It was a being a bit chilly so I was thankful I didn't have to spend too much time outside messing with the install. After some careful positioning and a couple of mock-ups, I picked out the correct wrenches and started turning.

At the front end of the box, I ended up using two of the "m" shaped brackets on the bottom to span the distance across the larger diameter holes in the rack. On top I used the slotted, square washers set in the waffle plastic of the mounting plate. The square washers fit perfectly inside the waffle holes. The hardware was good, stainless steel hardware with a 5mm Allen head bolt and a nyloc nut on the bottom. At the back, I used two of the square washers, one on top and one on bottom since the mounting plate lined up perfectly with a smaller mounting hole. Once I knew all of the hardware was straight and true, I gave it all a few good 'oomphs' to ensure the proper torque and added the box to see how it turned out.

One of the main criteria for the box was that it hold at least one full sized, full face helmet. I like keeping my helmet locked up when I take a riding break. It is also nice to be able to pack a weekend's worth of stuff when heading out for a longer overnight ride. Having the ability to remove the box when I just want a day ride is also important. With this box I don't need to include side bags or other extra luggage. One thing I want to do is go to the MotoGP race at Motegi. If we don't make it a family trip then I may make it a bike camping trip for the ultimate adventure. This box would hold the majority of my things I'd need for the that kind of trip.

And here it is. It definitely isn't the prettiest with that bulbous box back there. It is a functional look. I've got plenty of room to swing my leg over without knocking the box. I haven't yet gotten the bike out on the freeway to see how it feels at higher speeds. Another functional accessory I might add would be a small windscreen depending on how the turbulence is over the OEM gauge pod. I took it out on a short ride last weekend and it worked just fine. I forgot that the box was there until it was time to stop for a snack. Locking my gloves and helmet up made shopping for tasty treats more pleasurable.

While I am writing this post, I'm also working on at least two other small projects. I was waiting for parts to come in the mail which they finally did. I am also hunting for something that seems to be interestingly hard to find so far in Japan. I am taking some more time off and I hope to get out for more rides and to finish at least one of these projects. The weather is chilly here, but dry most of the time. I am getting more comfortable in cold weather riding. If you're able, get out and ride safe friends!

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