buying a used trunk....

[borto1990]

...what to look for? Yea, I don't have a nomad yet, but at least I know it's the bike I will get when I find her. I figure I want to start looking for some accessories at the same time. I want to have a decent sized trunk.. even large at that I guess with a back rest. .. if I find a pre owned one, what besides the obvious cracks ect is there to look for? I searched tour paks on ebay. I see top halfs, or bottom halfs, or both halfs but no back pad or comes with "no hardware".. Or a top half and a bottom half and a pad, but a long A$$ crack and still carrys a $400 tag. Are scratches easily fixed by whom ever I find to paint it to match? or are cracks mendable? I plan on buying brand new, or within a year so I don't want to get crap. maybe it's better to just bite the bullet and get new? thanks for any help....

[borto1990]

also.. if I find a trunk without a pad, can most pads be mounted or adapted to fit a different trunk, or is it best to search for same make/year as trunk..

[redeye]

Search E-Bay for "voyager trunk" & "venture trunk" for a few more choices...

[VulcanE]

The largest trunks out there that you'll find are the Harley Tour Packs. From '96 up all the accessories are interchangeable. From '96 up to '05, the trunks are made of fiberglass. '06 and up, they are made of the ABS plastic. The only parts that are not interchangeable are the back rest on the king, to/from a chopped tour pack. (chopped is the same size as a king, only not as tall). I think the Venture trunks matches the lines of the Nad better, but the Harley has an endless supply of add-ons.
What damage I would shy away from, is a large crack near a hinge, or somewhere in the bottom (most stressed places in a trunk). If you can work fiberglass or plastic, there's not much that can't be fixed. If you are going to recolor it, scratches should be no problem to take care of. I hope I was of some help

[phenrichs]

I got a trunk from an 83 venture. Lots of cracks in the bottom. I got it for $20. If the trunk is made from abs plastic the cracks are a sinch to fix. In fact after the cracks are repaired with abs cement the bottom is stronger than it was with just the original plastic. Mine did not come with a pad. I had to search for one. That cost me $45.
If you get a Harley trunk most are pretty square and a good upholstery shop could fabricate a pad for it. The venture trunk is molded for the pad and the pad is backed in plastic that fits into that molding so it would be harder and would cost more but I am sure it could be done.

All in all from what I will have spent to repaint, upholster and fix cracks I could have bought one new but I couldn't find one new that I liked. The old venture trunks, like the 83, are big enough to hold 2 full face helmets. The trunks off of really old harleys, 78 or so, are also bigger than the ones you see now.

Something to look for that is really valuable on a trunk is whether or not it comes with keys. Mine did not. Some are old enough that you cannot get a replacement lock mechanism. I found a locksmith who was able to make me a new jey to fit the lock, $15.

[radco]

First WELCOME to The Group,, and before you buy anything for the Nomad ask here first,, we know where to get discounts on alot of goodies :),,,, I agree Fibeglass is fairly easy to work with,and hold up.. never repaired ABS,,, but it also sounds easy to repair... Alos on E bay look a Bates trunk,,( no not the master series ) :). ..
The Bates are 70s /80s era.. maybe 90s.. BUT the lines flow real well with the Nomad,and doesnt look oversized... I had 1 on my 1100 Honda Sabre, I will redo for the Nomad... ALSO you will NEED a LUGGAGE rack like the one Scootwork sells... or make your own like several did here..Someone here sent me the mounting plate template.. and Gadgets site is a must read.. His trunk section
http://www.gadgetjq.com/trunks.htm
Gadgets site
http://www.gadgetjq.com/gadgetsfixitpage.htm
Rich

[oldbikers]

To give you an idea as what they look like you can see VulcanE's trunk and here is mine his came from a Harley and mine from a Venture, hope this helps.

[lomax]

...I am mounting a newer version of Venture trunk like oldbikers. These models are bigger than the early 80' s units. But, like OP says, I could have almost bought a new one for what I have invested in it. I wish I had done that. Trunks sure do look good though and are very functional. Good luck finding your new bike!! :)

[redeye]

http://www.scootworks.com/shop.cgi/p...D=PUT_SID_HERE

Not to confuse the issue any more, but this may be another choice. With Scootworks sale pricing you can have a new trunk w/ wrap around back rest for under $700.

[borto1990]

thanks for the tips everyone.. Yes, I saw the scootworks supertrunk but it's 13" tall were others are like 20". do I need one that big.. honestly I am not sure.. maybe I should go around and measure some. I like taking my photo gear though when I ride so more room the better. thanks again...

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Redeye

http://www.scootworks.com/shop.cgi/page=partstrunk.htm/SID=PUT_SID_HERE

Not to confuse the issue any more, but this may be another choice. With Scootworks sale pricing you can have a new trunk w/ wrap around back rest for under $700.

That "sale" price has been on there for at least a year. Not everyone has a black bike, so add a couple hundred more for a professional paint job and another $180 or so for a rack to mount it on. You're up over a grand by now.

[rickyboy]

Originally Posted by radco

First WELCOME to The Group,, and before you buy anything for the Nomad ask here first,, we know where to get discounts on alot of goodies :),,,, I agree Fibeglass is fairly easy to work with,and hold up.. never repaired ABS,,, but it also sounds easy to repair... Alos on E bay look a Bates trunk,,( no not the master series ) :). ..
The Bates are 70s /80s era.. maybe 90s.. BUT the lines flow real well with the Nomad,and doesnt look oversized... I had 1 on my 1100 Honda Sabre, I will redo for the Nomad... ALSO you will NEED a LUGGAGE rack like the one Scootwork sells... or make your own like several did here..Someone here sent me the mounting plate template.. and Gadgets site is a must read.. His trunk section
http://www.gadgetjq.com/trunks.htm
Gadgets site
http://www.gadgetjq.com/gadgetsfixitpage.htm
Rich

Hi welcome....The trunk will be the best mod you'll ever do IMO
radco's advice is well said. Hit the Gadget sites to help decide what you need/want.

[borto1990]

can anyone help me with venture trunk dimensions? I've seen the big tour paks saying 24x20x20. I assume that's outter trunk size. anyone know what the older venture trunks are approx.??? thanks

[lomax]

....borto
Measurements for the older Venture trunks are 14 x 22 wide (approx) inside and about 12 height. :)

[borto1990]

thanks for the dimensions.. now to decide if that's big enough!!! holy decisions