My trunk project.

[John Schmidt]

I blew into Daytona about 11:00am this morning. BLEW being the key word, I only live about 50 miles away but the headwind sucked up close to a half tank of gas!! Went straight to the Sunshine Mall and had the Mountainman add some art to my trunk. I was looking for an affordable Uni-go one wheel trailer, but they're just too proud of them. So I opted to start looking for a Valk trunk...again, too expensive. Then it struck me, the GL1100 Wing trunk had some good features such as the last model that had a flat lid. From the 1200 on up they all have a hump in the lid for the passenger backrest. Second, they are removeable and come with a handle. So I bought the trunk mount and trunk off ebay, it took some modification to adapt the mount to the Valk. I now have it sitting right over the rear fender, and with a twist of the key I can take the trunk off. And, six small bolts removes the mount. I'll only have it on there when traveling, which is the only reason I got it. I had the trunk repainted, kid did a lousy job...but passable for what I want. I couldn't find a replacement gasket to keep it dry inside so came up with my own adaptation. Then added the handle off a 1500 Wing trunk and the rack on the lid. The lid didn't come with cable restraints so I made some for it, keeping it from going past 90 degrees open. After all was done, I decided to have Mike Lamborne(Mountainman) add a bit of art to match the rest of the bike.

To adapt the mount to the Valk involved using my die grinder with a cutting wheel and removing everything below the top rail. I also had to shorten the length forward since I wanted to mount it over the rear fender...I ride solo. I removed the cruiser bar and welded a couple pieces of strap metal to the bottom....they're bent in an "L" so I could bolt it to the sissy bar brackets. The front is supported by a couple mirror extensions for a truck. They're in turn bolted to a curved piece I cut off the original 1100 mount. I drilled it large enough so it would fit on the front rear fender bolt and I just leave it in place. It has a plate nut on the back side and the curve moves it out far enough to clear the fender rails. So, to install/remove the mount involves the four bolts on the sissy bar brackets, and a single bolt(same size) in front on each side. The vertical straps clamped to the mount stay on the mount, not the bike. You can't see the curved piece unless you look down behind the lid. And yes, you have to use I/S hinges on the lids. So, here's what it looks like. The trunk is 25"long, 12"deep front/back, 11" high. Plenty big enough for those long trips when you pack at least two pair of shorts and socks, extra jeans, and shaving gear. I know I'm forgetting something. The third picture down gives a good insight as to how the trunk attaches. Note the square parts protruding on either side and the holes near the camera. The trunk bottom has two hook-like devices that hook into those square parts. You then slid the trunk toward the rear and press it down to latch it in place. Those latches are spring loaded so when you turn the key to remove it, it unlocks the pins the springs are mounted on and the trunk pops up. You push it back to disengage the hooked feature and lift it off. Rather handy I'd say. And, it is SOLID. A person could just use the trunk mount and strap on a rather large load if desired...that was one of the things I considered before getting the trunk.

[JerryB]

Looks real good John........JerryB.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Nice

[Tundra]

Looks good John Looks like you've got the oak tree problem too I thought I was the only one See ya Saturday. (now I can buy more stuff in Daytona & you can carry it)

[John Schmidt]

Looks good John Looks like you've got the oak tree problem too I thought I was the only one See ya Saturday. (now I can buy more stuff in Daytona & you can carry it)

Trees....have we ever. One in the middle of the front yard, which is nice because we have a large wooden swing under it. We'll take our wine glasses out there in the evening and watch the world go by. Many neighbors stop to chat as well. Plus, we have another oak on either side of the driveway. As you know, in Fla. the leaves fall in the early Spring, followed by yellow pollen and whatever seeds the tree may have. I washed the bike yesterday and the yellow just rolled off.

Re. Saturday, are you coming through Orlando? If so, do you want to hook up at the same rest stop and ride over?

[Tropic traveler]

Looks great John!
You always hit a home run with your projects so I'm not surprised.  

Make sure you have the trunk on when you ride to Duffs, I want to check it out in person.
See you guys there.  

[T-Bird]

Looks great  my trunk project is coming along slowly, I have an IS trunk that I'm working on, that will have a HD quick disconnect mounting system.

[KW]

Hey John! We have those same type of leafs in our Florida yard. And, the stinking things get about a foot deep every year!

Oh. . . and Inspector Gadget; I can’t help but notice there appears to be just enough room on your handlebars for two very small gauges. You’re slipping brother!  

 

[donaldcc]

Man . . . . what are all those gauges, Motosens??  

[Tundra]

Re. Saturday, are you coming through Orlando? If so, do you want to hook up at the same rest stop and ride over?   
  John, That sounds good. I'm meeting up with Grumpy & Murphy @ Macintosh  Road & I-4 on Sat. Then press on and meet up with you?
  Bill said he would be contacting you. Looking forward to it, should be a beautiful day.

[jaxpalmtree]

Looks good John, hope to see it in person soon.  Diane

[John Schmidt]

Man . . . . what are all those gauges, Motosens??  

Donaldcc, the small ones are the Autometer C-2 model, they have a blue LED backlight(fuel, temp., oil press.). So, I rigged the OEM ones with a blue LED license plate bolt so it would shine on the face and make them blue also. Putting a blue LED inside didn't do the job, this does. I've since added small speakers on the outer end of the fairing....about the same size as the small gauges. Small but very effective and less than $150 with a 300w amp.

[dreamaker]

I blew into Daytona about 11:00am this morning. BLEW being the key word, I only live about 50 miles away but the headwind sucked up close to a half tank of gas!! Went straight to the Sunshine Mall and had the Mountainman add some art to my trunk. I was looking for an affordable Uni-go one wheel trailer, but they're just too proud of them. So I opted to start looking for a Valk trunk...again, too expensive. Then it struck me, the GL1100 Wing trunk had some good features such as the last model that had a flat lid. From the 1200 on up they all have a hump in the lid for the passenger backrest. Second, they are removeable and come with a handle. So I bought the trunk mount and trunk off ebay, it took some modification to adapt the mount to the Valk. I now have it sitting right over the rear fender, and with a twist of the key I can take the trunk off. And, six small bolts removes the mount. I'll only have it on there when traveling, which is the only reason I got it. I had the trunk repainted, kid did a lousy job...but passable for what I want. I couldn't find a replacement gasket to keep it dry inside so came up with my own adaptation. Then added the handle off a 1500 Wing trunk and the rack on the lid. The lid didn't come with cable restraints so I made some for it, keeping it from going past 90 degrees open. After all was done, I decided to have Mike Lamborne(Mountainman) add a bit of art to match the rest of the bike.

To adapt the mount to the Valk involved using my die grinder with a cutting wheel and removing everything below the top rail. I also had to shorten the length forward since I wanted to mount it over the rear fender...I ride solo. I removed the cruiser bar and welded a couple pieces of strap metal to the bottom....they're bent in an "L" so I could bolt it to the sissy bar brackets. The front is supported by a couple mirror extensions for a truck. They're in turn bolted to a curved piece I cut off the original 1100 mount. I drilled it large enough so it would fit on the front rear fender bolt and I just leave it in place. It has a plate nut on the back side and the curve moves it out far enough to clear the fender rails. So, to install/remove the mount involves the four bolts on the sissy bar brackets, and a single bolt(same size) in front on each side. The vertical straps clamped to the mount stay on the mount, not the bike. You can't see the curved piece unless you look down behind the lid. And yes, you have to use I/S hinges on the lids. So, here's what it looks like. The trunk is 25"long, 12"deep front/back, 11" high. Plenty big enough for those long trips when you pack at least two pair of shorts and socks, extra jeans, and shaving gear. I know I'm forgetting something. The third picture down gives a good insight as to how the trunk attaches. Note the square parts protruding on either side and the holes near the camera. The trunk bottom has two hook-like devices that hook into those square parts. You then slid the trunk toward the rear and press it down to latch it in place. Those latches are spring loaded so when you turn the key to remove it, it unlocks the pins the springs are mounted on and the trunk pops up. You push it back to disengage the hooked feature and lift it off. Rather handy I'd say. And, it is SOLID. A person could just use the trunk mount and strap on a rather large load if desired...that was one of the things I considered before getting the trunk.

John, You did a super job and I think it looks better then the Valk trunk.  If you try to buy a Valk trunk, they charge it like it is the holy grail for sale.  If you don't mind I may go that route myself. Great job!!!

Dan

[John Schmidt]

Dan, go for it, I don't mind a bit. You know what they say...."imitation is the greatest form of flattery" or something like that. If you need any input on what I did, shoot me a note, be glad to help out. Just the trunk and mount I didn't break $100 on ebay, and that was buying two trunks to make one decent one. The chrome stuff was extra, along with repainting it so I still only have about $250 total before the artwork. You'll notice mine isn't set up for a corider so keep that in mind if you don't ride solo.

Good luck,
John

[dreamaker]

Question !! What is that tube that goes from the sissy bar bracket to under the seat?  Also on the locks of the trunk and the mount locks, do they have key numbers on them.

Thanks

Dan

[John Schmidt]

Question !! What is that tube that goes from the sissy bar bracket to under the seat?  Also on the locks of the trunk and the mount locks, do they have key numbers on them.

Thanks

Dan

That tube is the Rivco grab rail. I have a centerstand and it came with a matching tube on the left to help raise it onto the stand. I bought the one on the right for balance of appearance, plus it makes a nifty attachment point for bungee chords. As for the keys, I can't say because the keys that came with the different parts are aftermarket. They are the same style as my ignition key so I could get them both rekeyed to match the bike, then only worry about one key for everything. I don't plan on doing that however, but I am going to get the trunk and the mount key matched.