Went to the Harley dealer today

[mike58]

I stopped by the Harley place today to check out their tour-pak trunks and look for a trunk rack. I'm working on a Mutazu knock off of the tour-pak and to my surprise the Harley wasn't all that much better. The plastic was just as thin and flexible, the latches looked and felt the same right down to the heavy plastic parts that are used to lock it shut. The wrap around back rest didn't have thick padding but was leather not vinyl like the Mutazu. I priced a new backrest $240.00 maybe next year. What i couldn't see was the plate that they use on the interior to bolt down the trunk. I have never seen this part only read of it on the internet and i am going to have to make one. Can someone tell me if it is the size of the trunk bottom or just a small square plate large enough to catch the bolts? Even better if anyone has a picture please post it here. Thanks

[minst7877]

The plate in the bottom of my Pak covers the entire bottom.

DC

[ringadingh]

Here you go, its 17 3/4" X 13" made of heavy sheet metal, 1/16" thick.

[minst7877]

Originally Posted by ringadingh

Here you go, its 17 3/4" X 13" made of heavy sheet metal, 1/16" thick.

That looks like mine

DC

[mike58]

Thanks guys that's what i needed to see. Their sure are a lot of holes in it.

[VulcanE]

The ones around the perimeter with the nuts are the ones that secure it to the trunk (nuts are on the outside bottom when mounted) and 5 of the other holes are for securing the trunk to the OEM rack. The other holes Steve must have drilled for his mounting. On mine, I used the 5 factory holes. BTW, my trunk is from an '02 Ultra and is fiberglass, very sturdy. When I got mine, Harley hadn't switched to the plastic trunks yet.

[VulcanE]

This pic shows how I mounted mine, and you can also see the nuts I was talking about.

[mike58]

That's a great close up, i have the holes around the perimeter but didn't know what they were for. That will keep the whole thing from flexing that's why I'm adding a layer of fiberglass in certain areas as a preventive maintenance measure. From what i read these plastic units tend to crack after a while. Thanks

[Framer]

Mine came off an 03 ultra and is ABS. It has no cracks and seems to be made very well. This pic is when I was tearing it down. None of the hardware is plastic it's all cast metal.

[mike58]

When i was at the dealership the hasps looked and felt exactly like mine the only reason i thought mine were chromed plastic is because a magnet will not stick to them. Does any one know if a magnet will stick to cast metal? I believe it is sometimes called pot metal or white metal does that sound right?
The plastic part i seen on the Harley was on the interior were the metal hook on the lid catches a heavy plastic part on the bottom half.

[glwilson]

Originally Posted by mike58

I stopped by the Harley place today to check out their tour-pak trunks and look for a trunk rack. I'm working on a Mutazu knock off of the tour-pak and to my surprise the Harley wasn't all that much better. The plastic was just as thin and flexible, the latches looked and felt the same right down to the heavy plastic parts that are used to lock it shut.

The wrap around back rest didn't have thick padding but was leather not vinyl like the Mutazu.

Given these two statements; I am wondering if you were looking at a stock HD TourPak. I am familiar with HD's, and have never seen any HD's latches made of plastic. They are always metal. Even their cheapest stock latches are made of stamped steel. But not plastic; unless I misunderstood your statement.

Secondly, I have never seen any HD backrest made of leather either. The only ones I am aware of are made of a manmade vinyl product. Even the CVO's come with "pleather" seats and backrests. If the backrest you say had leather, I suggest it was added to the bike later.

For what it is worth, both my Ultra's trunks were simply bolted onto the brackets the trunk sits on. There was not a plate under it. However, both trunks had molded grooves where the brackets fit into to keep the trunk from moving any direction. The bolts simply kept it fastened-down to the brackets.

Good luck on your project. You will love having a trunk once the project is completed.

[Framer]

Originally Posted by mike58

When i was at the dealership the hasps looked and felt exactly like mine the only reason i thought mine were chromed plastic is because a magnet will not stick to them. Does any one know if a magnet will stick to cast metal? I believe it is sometimes called pot metal or white metal does that sound right?
The plastic part i seen on the Harley was on the interior were the metal hook on the lid catches a heavy plastic part on the bottom half.

That piece is plastic

[mike58]

It could very well be pleather it was soft and easy on the eyes what i would expect from a Harley. The bike was a used bike in the lot so maybe after market parts. The latches weren't stamped steel they were cast. Darn it now i have to go back to the dealer and pretend I'm ready to drop 20 grand and check out there trunks on more bikes. Ha Ha
I had a gold wing before this and i really miss the trunk i didn't know a trunk could be added until i met some members in New Hampshire during your rally. Never new about VBA until then either. Since then I've been determined to get a trunk on this season.

[Snake Ranch]

Originally Posted by mike58

When i was at the dealership the hasps looked and felt exactly like mine the only reason i thought mine were chromed plastic is because a magnet will not stick to them. Does any one know if a magnet will stick to cast metal? I believe it is sometimes called pot metal or white metal does that sound right?
The plastic part i seen on the Harley was on the interior were the metal hook on the lid catches a heavy plastic part on the bottom half.

It could be a long shot that they would do this , but stainless steel is non magnetic, except one grade. I don't remember which one it is. It could be 17-2, which is slightly magnetic. Somebody else might more info on that one.

[ringadingh]

The latches are made of some die cast metal of some sort, they do break or the threaded bolt holes corrode & strip out occasionly after a few years, Ive had to replace a couple latches over the years.