Mounting a Givi top case on a R1100R question???

[wombaticus]

Just bought a 1999 R1100R. I want to mount a Givi Monokey top case to it and don't have a clue how. I called Givi and they don't sell a mounting plate for it anymore.

Any ideas out there??

Thanks in advance.

JD

[jcridge]

Get the BMW tail rack, new or used. Mount the rack in place of the grab handle and then get the Givi E181 or the E180 adaptor to fit the case. Check Twisted Throttle, they have a good selection and good prices.

[myr1100r]

I can get you new one, GIVI brand. Check your PM please.

[Redhawk4]

Hi everyone, new to the forum.

I bought a 99 BMW R1100r with just 3,000 miles back in April. My first BMW in 30 plus years of riding, I looked at all sorts of new bikes but just couldn't find the right one. Somehow this showroom condition R1100r just had my name on it and so I took the plunge. To say I just love everything about it would be an understatement.

My only complaint, and what brings me here is, it isn't the easiest bike to find information on compared to other BMW's and especially other bikes I own/have owned.

My bike came with the factory side cases, but no rack or top case. I managed to get a really nice used OEM rack off ebay. I almost didn't buy it because I read info. saying you had to have the adjustable height rear seat option, but any way it went on perfectly without a hitch. So now I'd like any advice on top cases and mounting plates to work with the OEM rack. I found this thread and two suggestions for Givi E180 and E 181 plates, can any one tell me how these look/fit with the rack as they don't seem to be the suggested model for the R1100r, that seems to have been discontinued if there ever was one. Are there any other brands/combinations anyone has tried? Anything new? Any information and/or pictures would be greatly appreciated.

[daytonaredeye]

Here are a few pix to show you what it will look like after you get it installed. It took me about an hour or so to mount mine and had to do the cannisterectomy (removal of the exaust emmisions cannister) to get it installed. Its been about 10 years since I did it and I downloaded the instructions off the internet from some ??? source at that time. If you order from GIVI I would hope they would send you complete mounting instructions and no special hardware is required to remove the cannister - just some rerouting of drainage tubes.

http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/1391772/

http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/1439580/

http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/1439592/

[Redhawk4]

Thanks for posting the pictures, I have the factory rack so I guess it will look a bit different. Which model top case are you using and what size? Yours looks a good balance for the size of the bike.

[daytonaredeye]

I have the E 45 Monokey by GIVI. Word of caution: when I was last on the road using it in a long distance trip, my key broke off in the case lock. Couldn't use it. Fortunately some other folks in our travel party were following with their Suburban and they transported it back for me. I was able to get a locksmith to remove the broken part which was stuck in the key hole and there is a 2nd key which comes with the case and have been using it. I assume you can order key replacements from GIVI I just haven't taken the time to do this yet. Not sure the material they used for the keys was true case hardened or tempered steel as the entire key metal was brittle. I cringe every time I use the spare key now as I don't have another. Guess I should see about having a locksmith make me some more duplicates or check with GIVI and see if they offer replacements.

If you want to see more details about how I mounted it as well as other details of how I set up for long distance travel, use the search box at the top of the page and enter "touring set up" and you will see a long thread with lots of pix re: the GIVI details and other gear I use with long distance touring. Wish I knew how to link that page but its there under the search tool.

Good luck,

d

[Redhawk4]

Thanks daytonaredeye, I appreciate the information.

[boxermoose]

I had the 46ltr mounter to the factory rack with a givi adaptor plate

Be aware that the factory rack is expensive, if still available, and the cheap pot metal will crack when the give plate is bolted on

[Redhawk4]

Thanks Boxermoose, that gives me a good idea of the setup. I've heard before about cracking the factory rack, I guess the fact it's curved, in addition to the material used that causes the issue when tightening down. I assume if you manage to fit it without incident it works fine otherwise?

[boxermoose]

Thanks Boxermoose, that gives me a good idea of the setup. I've heard before about cracking the factory rack, I guess the fact it's curved, in addition to the material used that causes the issue when tightening down. I assume if you manage to fit it without incident it works fine otherwise?

I had no issues fitting it up - it was a while later that I saw it broken. i just used a 1/2 tube of JB weld to stabalize the break

If you look at the tail of the rack, rearward from the support you can see that bit of the rack is on an angle - that is where it breaks

That was quite a while ago and I no longer have the bike - but if you go to the hardware store and buy some of the nylon spacers to slightly raise the mount so it doesn't lever arcoss the bow of the rack - it may work. IIRC there is a rubber sheet that sandwichs between the rack and the steel Givi sub-plate but it's not enough

[Redhawk4]

If the JB weld held out, I assume it was a case of once the stress was relieved it was OK. I was thinking of using something as a spacer or spacers to negate the curve of the factory rack - it sounds like that is essential.

Did you top case impinge on to the rear seat? ones I've looked at seem rather large to fit on such a small rack, but I suppose it's the mount that dictates where it sits.

[boxermoose]

If the JB weld held out, I assume it was a case of once the stress was relieved it was OK. I was thinking of using something as a spacer or spacers to negate the curve of the factory rack - it sounds like that is essential.

Did you top case impinge on to the rear seat? ones I've looked at seem rather large to fit on such a small rack, but I suppose it's the mount that dictates where it sits.

Kinda a crummy pic - the top case sits back from the pillion a bit - enough to make an OK backrest

[Redhawk4]

Many Thanks - just what I was looking for.

[Witch Doctor]

I would suggest looking for the GIVI bracket, should be able to find one either NOS or used. It is a better mounting system than the stock Beemer pot metal.