vtrider1000

Hello All,
New to the forum and looking to buy a Blackbird following my off on my SP1 last Sat L (just awaiting the insurance payout!). I’ve seen a 05 with official Honda panniers. My question is; can I install a top-box as well as keeping the official Honda panniers. E.g. something like the GIVI monorack? From searching the forum and analysing the pics of other bird setups it would appear that the GIVI monorack uses the same fitting points as the OEM panniers.
Has anyone managed to install a hard top-box along with OEM panniers?
Cheers
Phil

CanadianBird

Yes.

jclaude

short but effective CB
Welcome from Oz Dr Phil i'm pretty sure the Givi wingrack will fit

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Forgive CB, VTRIDER but you did ask if it was possible and not HOW it was done....

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CanadianBird

Oh ya, never ask me HOW, only IF.

vtrider1000

Many thanks for the welcome and advice. To confirm if it’s possible (and if so how... ) I have e-mailed Givi directly. To help future forum visitors I will post their response once received.
Now that I’m looking for a new biked I’ve narrowed it down to two models; the Blackbird or VFR800 Vtec – I’m a bit of a Honda fan having had some form of Honda for the past 12 years (started on a MT50 then upgraded to a Firestorm swiftly followed by the purchase of my now rather broken SP1 ).
My girlfriend and I are looking at doing our first motorcycle tour around Switzerland this August and see no reason why a Blackbird wouldn’t do the job perfectly bar the issues with fitting a top-box. As you are all probably aware, the VFR panniers are more or less identical to the Blackbird’s but Honda supply a top-box for the VFR as well. So the deciding factor will boil down to how much of a pain it will be to fit a top-box to the Blackbird as both bikes are more than capable of completing the job in hand.
As mentioned, I will post my response from Givi once received.
Cheers
Phil

rlew

Take a look at the SW Motech rack for the Blackbird. The onlt attachhment points are at the rear grab handle (which ends up coming off the bike anyway). It's clean and unobtrusive and much better looking than the Givi rack and will accomodate a Givi topbox with their plate. The nice part of it also is that the plate easily comes off the rack with an effective quick release system that makes the rack even more unobtrusive. Just installed one this past weekend and very pleased with it. Well designed and constructed.

CanadianBird

Also check www.superblackbird.co.uk If you plan on touring with your GF go for the Bird. In fact, go for the Bird regardless.

Nutter67

G'day from Oz.

Cant help with the top box question, but the bird will be more suited to touring than the viffer.

Also, if there is some way of keeping the front end of the SP1 (if it is not damaged), then this can be fitted to the bird as well.

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Paul

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wtrussell

Gotta ask, cause I haven't seen this question asked/answered yet. I just ordered the OEM Panniers and Mounting brackets for my 2002 BB. They are shipping from David Silver in the UK.

Will the UK brackets provided work AOK on my US based 2002 model BB? Please say yes. Pretty please....

suicidalDreams

Hi, I would like to change my monorack to a SW-Motech setup but loosing the grab rail seems that my gf would not be able to grab herself like she usually does. How do your pillions grab?

nybryan

with the honda panners what do i need to add a givi top box what are the mounting plate options

SW moto rack is out of stock at twisted throttle. if that is what i need to use with the honda panners. Anyone know where i might be able to get one in stock in the States?

Grutok

Using the SW-Motech racks myself. Brilliant!! Small, strong, unobtrusive, the mount with the adaptor plate off looks almost like a wing!!!

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CanadianBird

Why not e-mail Givi for Q & A? Or Motech?

shewie

Yes. There are two or three of us here with the very items installed on our '02 North American 'birds. Slick and simple install and the bags are top quality. You'll probably find that the shipping is startlingly fast, as well.

The only issue you may encounter is that the indicators need to be relocated. My kit included some brackets and wire extensions and I bought some LED indicators to mount on them as my bike came with nothing but a Clear Alternatives combination tail light/indicator and the factory units were absent.

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heisti

last week i sent a mail via givi-page.
2 days later they asked for more precise infos about my problem.


now:



italian silence.




just as an info...

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wtrussell

This is comforting. The bike is outstanding and I can't believe I waited so long to get it. The bags are still in the box, cause the wife wanted to get me something for my birthday. Next week I can get them installed and see how it works. Hopefully the blinkers and "winker brackets" will be somewhat interchangeable. I appreciate the feedback!

rlew

Good point. I've never had a pillion on the Bird but....seems that the pillion could reach back and grab the rack (without the top plate installed) and still get a good grip.

The other thing I saw somewhere is this sort of belt like contraption that you put around the rider's waist that have handles protruding and the pillion grabs onto these. I wish I could find a link for it. Sounds really wacky but it made sense when I saw the picture and apparently is very stable for both the rider and pillion. Anyone know what I'm talking about and have a link?

rlew

Just found a link. Something like this:

Pillion Gripper Belt With Handles [ELUGPIL] - £12.67 : EquinoxMC, Home Of Quality Motorcycle Accessories

I'm sure there are different manufacturers of this same type of device. Anyone use this type of device and does it work well?

suicidalDreams

I was aware of those devices but they are not really practical to someone carring a pillion to work everyday. I guess I will stick with my GIVI monorack

Grutok

Commonly refered to as "Love Handles".........
Personally prefer when the boss's arms are wrapped around me....better idea of where she is, and as a result better control!

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TigreST

Yes they will. The kit will work with all of the bikes imported to the USA/Canada,...with only small mods required for the install to the early 1997-1998 model years. To give you a preview of the install check out the link. Note: this is to a 1998 model...the install to the 2002 model will require no mods..just a rather simple (once you understand what your doing) install of the parts as per the instructions. Opps...I tell a lie. The rear turnsignals will not mount in the fashion as shown in the insturctions. This is because the U.S. spec bike and the Euro spec machines run different turn signal housings at the rear of the bike...the Euro spec housing is a slim unit as compared to the U.S. spec version. You will need to source different set of signals...or custom fab a mount for the stock U.S spec units the moves them rearward to enable the leading edge of the housing to clear the rear of the hardbags. Here's the link, which in cludes pictures, and a full set of install instructions, if memory serves.

Hard saddlebags

edit: more info here:

Honda panniers

Tony

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wtrussell

First of all THANK YOU for responding and providing some additional info. I'll check it out in detail a little later. I was afraid that the 'winkers' would need to be modified. Never fails - but I guess that just makes for another project to work on.

TigreST

I sourced a set from Baja Designs which worked with the "as provided" signal relocation bracket. Only thing I did after that was put an electronic flasher in to slow the blink rate back down to stock. You can have DSS send out the stock OEM Euro spec signals (you'll lose a leg or arm in the process as they are rather pricey) or find there "partern parts" for the Bird on DDS site and check out the aftermarket Euro style signals...I think there about 29.00pounds each side (stockers are about 65.00pounds ea) and they would fit the bill. And while your at it..order up the panner liner bags...they make using the hardbags a treat!

picture of the signal light below:

Tony

Attached Images

P33650MBBE31_large.jpg (49.8 KB, 8 views)

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wtrussell

So I understand completely, it isn't the rearward positioning of the blinkers as much as it is the mounting of the blinkers on the brackets - correct? So either come up with different mounts, or European blinkers.

shewie

X1Rider has a thread on another site that illustrates his solution to the indicator problem: CBR XX stock panniers - Sport-Touring.Net

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Misipi97

Help me out here please. Are you saying the front end from an SP1 (RC51) will fit on a bird?

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TigreST

The Honda package is designed for the Euro spec bike which therefore includes the turnsignals of the short fore and aft design. If you have Euro turnsignals there is no problem. To get around this issue for a North American spec install...you can a) source Euro signals (for the total Honda fit and finish) b) source smaller/shorter/different signals that will fit the intended application (as TigreST did) or, c) change/modify/re-fabricate a new turn signal "relocation mounting bracket" that would allow the stock N.A. spec signals to be used. This would include the need to extend the bracket so as to place the stock signals that much more rear ward,..maybe another inch or so.

Note: The Honda bag mounting kit comes with the "turn signal re-location brackets" (x2) that move the signals rearward out of the way of the hardbags normal mount locations. The re-location brackets are designed/sized to fit the Euro spec turn signals, which allows them to move rearward on the chassis, yet stay tucked rather close to the back of the hardbags when the bags are attached to the bike. It's a rather sanitary install actually.

Hope this helps

Tony

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wtrussell

Excellent. I'll probably go with the Euro Signals, as I'm trying to maintain a stock appearance for the most part. I appreciate the input