Surplus Top Case

mikesova · September 18th, 2010, 12:11 PM

I added some waterproof lockable storage to my bike via a hardcase that used to hold nightvision goggles.

This is how it looked inside when I got it:

I gutted the bottom portion of foam so there was about 3/4" of foam lining the bottom.

bob706 · September 18th, 2010, 12:50 PM

Put a little padding for a back rest and you would sell a million of 'em

Looks really nice.

Alex · September 18th, 2010, 01:03 PM

Nice!

mikesova · September 18th, 2010, 02:51 PM

It's funny you say that, I'm planning on cutting up a foam seat pad and attaching it the back...
Posted via Mobile Device

mrlmd · September 18th, 2010, 08:14 PM

Where'd you get that case? A good find, looks good. You just through-bolted some eyebolts that lock to the hooks on the rear?

mikesova · September 19th, 2010, 06:32 AM

The case came from a military surplus store. I just drill holes in the bottom of the case and used the eyebolts on the luggage hooks. I stole that idea from the people who mounted the action packers that way. I thought this would be a little better set up for not much more money than an action packer. The case was 29.99 + 8 bucks in eyebolts, fender, lock, and rubber washers. Last night, I picked up some drawer pulls to mount on the top of the case for tying things down.

mikesova · September 19th, 2010, 09:42 AM

I found some clearance drawer pulls at Meijer to use as tie down points if I want to have a duffel on top of the case. I used some neoprene plumbing washer to keep it watertight.

I stopped at the local Chinese Import Shop (dollar tree) and found a couple little pencil bags that would be good to bolt to the top of the case. I just used the same holes as the drawer pulls use. Oh, and I got one of those little led stick on lights. Who knows how long that will stay there, but we'll see.

I am pretty happy with the setup. It's very utilitarian (ugly) to some, but to me, I enjoy the look. Plus, I just need to loosen 4 nuts and its off the bike completely with no trace of it ever being on it.

JeffM · September 20th, 2010, 07:31 AM

Great DIY top case! Drawer pulls as tie-down hard-points is epic outside the box (pun intended) thinking.

mikesova · September 20th, 2010, 08:44 AM

thanks for the kind words

I'm still pondering how I want to run power into the box. I would be running it from one of the 2 auxiliary power supplies on the bike, but I want it to be quick connect, waterproof, and cheap.

Alex · September 20th, 2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikesova

but I want it to be quick connect, waterproof, and cheap.

...so that rules out a portable nuclear generator back there I guess.

sugarbear · September 20th, 2010, 11:52 AM

Looks great!
Nice touch with the ADV sticker too

kkim · September 20th, 2010, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugarbear

Looks great!
Nice touch with the ADV sticker too

why hide??? I'm an ADV member, too, although maybe one of these should be added to the case as well?

http://www.cafepress.com/ninjette_org

mikesova · September 20th, 2010, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

why hide??? I'm an ADV member, too, although maybe one of these should be added to the case as well?

http://www.cafepress.com/ninjette_org

I might have to order one of those. I wish it would be reflective like the ADV ones.

Today I did thinking and decided to wire up the box with some pieces I already had. I took the male plug that I had cut off the pigtail that I use as an outlet for the bike and ran that through the box using a little plastic bushing:

Then I wired that to another outlet that will be inside the box.

Although, possibly the coolest thing I added:

Bottle opener for soda or beer (only when camping or parked indefinitely)

kkim · September 20th, 2010, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikesova

Although, possibly the coolest thing I added:

Bottle opener for soda or beer (only when camping or parked indefinitely)

necessity is always the mother of invention.

which will you wear out sooner... your tires or that opener?

mikesova · September 20th, 2010, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

necessity is always the mother of invention.

which will you wear out sooner... your tires or that opener?

hopefully the tires

. I actually don't drink that much. I've been out of college for about 3 years, so it's pretty rare that I am drinking much anymore. I could see myself bringing a six pack of micro-brew on a camping trip though and this would come in really handy. BTW, I'm drinking a Sam Adams right now, because I had to try it out!

kkim · September 20th, 2010, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikesova

hopefully the tires

. I actually don't drink that much. I've been out of college for about 3 years, so it's pretty rare that I am drinking much anymore. I could see myself bringing a six pack of micro-brew on a camping trip though and this would come in really handy. BTW, I'm drinking a Sam Adams right now, because I had to try it out!

lol... I've been out of college so long, I can't even remember how many years it's been, but I still enjoy a brew or two... or 3 or 4.

My opener would surely wear out well before my tires, though I don't use the bike as much as you likely do.

great project. I like it when people adapt things to their needs and do it in an innovative and well executed manner.

props to you!

JeffM · September 20th, 2010, 06:34 PM

Freeking Swiss Army Knife of top-cases. Well done.

Bleak21 · September 25th, 2010, 08:10 PM

Nice job! I've been peeking around stores for a case just like this to do a project....just like this lol

ScorpionNinja · October 2nd, 2010, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikesova

thanks for the kind words

I'm still pondering how I want to run power into the box. I would be running it from one of the 2 auxiliary power supplies on the bike, but I want it to be quick connect, waterproof, and cheap.

Heres a Link to a local Michigan company i found out about, @ Stockbridge, Mi. during the "All-Day" Sept. 18th Bike event!

"Powerlet"
Warren, Mi. 877-752-7835

www.coliant.com

www.powerlet.net

They make over 350 products that power off 12v source for motorcycles!
You name it!

September 18th, 2010, 12:11 PM	#1
mikesova ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Gladwin, MI Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2002 XR200r Posts: 128	Surplus Top Case I added some waterproof lockable storage to my bike via a hardcase that used to hold nightvision goggles. This is how it looked inside when I got it: I gutted the bottom portion of foam so there was about 3/4" of foam lining the bottom.

September 18th, 2010, 01:03 PM	#3
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Nice! __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

September 20th, 2010, 07:31 AM	#8
JeffM Mr. 988 Name: Jeff Location: Sandy, Utah Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	Great DIY top case! Drawer pulls as tie-down hard-points is epic outside the box (pun intended) thinking. __________________________________________________ "I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life, the way I want to" - Jimi Hendrix Cancer

September 20th, 2010, 11:52 AM	#11
sugarbear ninjette.org member Name: Carol Location: Roseville, MI Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R, 2004 BMW 1150RT Posts: 144	Looks great! Nice touch with the ADV sticker too __________________________________________________ 2 fiddy = Street pounding, BMW eating, twisty killer Love machine Don't knock on Death's door. Ring the doorbell and RUN!!! He hates that....

September 20th, 2010, 06:34 PM	#17
JeffM Mr. 988 Name: Jeff Location: Sandy, Utah Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	Freeking Swiss Army Knife of top-cases. Well done. __________________________________________________ "I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life, the way I want to" - Jimi Hendrix Cancer

September 18th, 2010, 12:50 PM	#2
bob706 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Mary Esther, FL Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.	Put a little padding for a back rest and you would sell a million of 'em Looks really nice.

September 18th, 2010, 02:51 PM	#4
mikesova ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Gladwin, MI Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2002 XR200r Posts: 128	It's funny you say that, I'm planning on cutting up a foam seat pad and attaching it the back... Posted via Mobile Device

September 18th, 2010, 08:14 PM	#5
mrlmd ninjette.org sage Name: Marc Location: Crawfordville, Florida Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Suzuki S50, 2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250F, 1990 Honda PC800, 2000 Yamaha TW200 Posts: 848	Where'd you get that case? A good find, looks good. You just through-bolted some eyebolts that lock to the hooks on the rear?

September 19th, 2010, 06:32 AM	#6
mikesova ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Gladwin, MI Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2002 XR200r Posts: 128	The case came from a military surplus store. I just drill holes in the bottom of the case and used the eyebolts on the luggage hooks. I stole that idea from the people who mounted the action packers that way. I thought this would be a little better set up for not much more money than an action packer. The case was 29.99 + 8 bucks in eyebolts, fender, lock, and rubber washers. Last night, I picked up some drawer pulls to mount on the top of the case for tying things down.

September 19th, 2010, 09:42 AM	#7
mikesova ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Gladwin, MI Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2002 XR200r Posts: 128	I found some clearance drawer pulls at Meijer to use as tie down points if I want to have a duffel on top of the case. I used some neoprene plumbing washer to keep it watertight. I stopped at the local Chinese Import Shop (dollar tree) and found a couple little pencil bags that would be good to bolt to the top of the case. I just used the same holes as the drawer pulls use. Oh, and I got one of those little led stick on lights. Who knows how long that will stay there, but we'll see. I am pretty happy with the setup. It's very utilitarian (ugly) to some, but to me, I enjoy the look. Plus, I just need to loosen 4 nuts and its off the bike completely with no trace of it ever being on it.

September 20th, 2010, 08:44 AM	#9
mikesova ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Gladwin, MI Join Date: Apr 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2002 XR200r Posts: 128	thanks for the kind words I'm still pondering how I want to run power into the box. I would be running it from one of the 2 auxiliary power supplies on the bike, but I want it to be quick connect, waterproof, and cheap.

September 25th, 2010, 08:10 PM	#18
Bleak21 ninjette.org member Name: Dan Location: JerZ Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 05 Ninjette Posts: 131	Nice job! I've been peeking around stores for a case just like this to do a project....just like this lol

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