From May 2008:
I'm so happy, I could pee.
I took hubby's cruiser to RiderCoach today so he could work on my SW Motech rack and Pelican case install. Taking the V-Star was a tough sacrifice to make, but I did it for the good of the world. :
Unfortunately, I'm an idiot and had my motorcycle key with me, so he couldn't take the seat off the bike til I got home. LOL Dork! (Seat needs to come off for the rack install.)
First, I have to mention hubby. He RAWKS, along with his wrenching abilities. He remains my knight in shining armor. And he accused me of taking pictures so I could say look what "we" did, so this is my disclaimer that I did absolutely nothing but take pictures and bug the sh*t out of him. LOL
I came home from RiderCoaching this afternoon and tried to make an effort to help him, but...I have NO patience when it comes to mechanical stuff. It's not my gift. I can be as patient as can be with newbie riders, but put mechanical stuff in front of me, and I turn into Ms. Impatient. LOL While I was standing there, he couldn't get the racks to install quite as needed. Instead of continuing to ask 1000 questions, I decided that was a good time for me to take a shower and clean up from RiderCoaching all morning. LOL I don't think he objected to me leaving. he he he
He later came in the bathroom and declared that he thought the Pelican 1430s were too small for the racks and I wouldn't be happy with them. So he needed a consult before he went any further. LOL
I went outside and here's what I saw. Wheee! Racks installed!! Holy wide racks!
From there, a discussion ensued that he sees absolutely no benefit from hooking up the Pelicans, because they were too tiny...and were shorter than the racks themselves. He had already pulled out the ammo cans from the deep dark recesses of our garage, in preparation to sell me on installing them (again). LOL He even had two sizes for me to choose from. LOL
I almost wavered, but then I remembered why I didn't want them in the first place...they are *really* heavy and a little wider than the Pelicans. After a rather long discussion
, the Pelican install ensued. LOL
Let me just mention a few things about the SW Motech racks first. I LOVE these things. Yeah, they are a little wide, but even *I* can take them off easily. There are 4 points of attachment to the bike, and they are all connected by one piece that is kinda like a screw/lock thingy. All I have to do is take a flat screwdriver and right tighty or lefty loosy for 4 bolts on each side, and the racks are off. SCHWEET!
Here's a picture of one of the screw locky thingies. This is K installing a lock nut on it so I don't even have to worry about losing the screw locky thingy. (Yes, that IS the technical name of it.)
For an extra little fee, you can buy locks for the system that turns one of the screw locky thingies into a key locky thingy. There is one of these on each side. Also very easy to install/uninstall.
Ok, now to the Pelican install....
To show this is an authentic install..LOL.
EEKS....Drilling!
The bolts are tight enough (to hopefully prevent water getting in) that they had to be screwed into the box before a fender washer and nut was put on the interior of the case.
Inside view of one of the bolts (there are 4 on each box):
(continued)
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