Panniers for my 1991 FJ1200

[NotSo]

Hello everyone and a very Merry Christmas to all.

I am looking for panniers and brackets for my 1991 FJ1200, in good condition, not sure about a top box yet.  

Shane

[aviationfred]

Have you considered looking at brand new? Used hard luggage rarely is available and is immediately snatched up.

Fred

[NotSo]

Hi Fred, yes I am leaning towards Hepco & Becker http://www.hepco-becker.com.au/ as the price is fair and they look sturdy. Bro seems to think so too  .
I will look at them more in the new year and hopefully they will be on by the Australian Rally ... 

Happy New Year
Shane

[NotSo]

I now have them just waiting for the brackets to come from Germany. 

[aviationfred]

Great looking bags. 

Can't tell from the view, did you get the 30L or the 40L size?

Fred

[NotSo]

40 litres, that should hold a few bottles of scotch. 

[X-Ray]

Gees they would look nice on my bike  

Ooohh, here's a tip. Get some 303 Aerospace Protectant and it will keep those panniers looking new for years. I'm going to give my Givis a rub with some now 

[movenon]

Love the luggage Shane! About ready to pull the trigger on some GIVI E 41's or Kappa K 40's.
George

[NotSo]

Thanks George. Have to wait for the brackets to come yet, early Feb they said.

Hey little Bro, You just leave my luggage alone and go out to the shed and polish your gold wheels. 

[93fj1200]

An excellent selection of bags are available at www.motomachines.com.  I bought (Hepco & Becker Journey model) 40 liter side bags and a 52 liter trunk for my VMax and are transferable to FJs or many other bikes as well. They are literally the best bags I have seen.  Have put a full case of 24 beer in each side and at least 36 in the trunk with ice.  They come off in seconds to bring into the hotel with you if you like.  You can also purchase inner fabric bags for them as well as a backrest and tray for the trunk if you like. 

Have tested them all over Canada, U.S. and down to Guatemala through all of Mexico.  Worked superbly.  Very high quality construction and locks are tough.  They also have a failsafe closing mechanism that prevents your bags from opening if you forget to lock them or close them properly. Even the keys are high quality.

They also have many other styles and sizes of hard and soft luggage.

[NotSo]

  Well I finally have the brackets now so I set about fitting them. I had a bit of trouble to start with as they just didn't look like they would fit which ever way I held them ... Someone told me (not sure who) that they attached to the muffler bracket ? Anyway I put the brackets together loosely and had them mounted over the bike, then I realised,after a couple of hours, that they mounted to the rear foot pegs. 
I kept on going with the setting up the brackts and loose fitting them, to no avail. They were too far out of shape with a right hand bend and one side just about touching the dovetail and loads of room on the other.
After a cuppa and thinking about it I realised that the tab on the right side up under the top side panel has been rewelded and was bent out of shape. After a few trial fits I finally have it sitting square and equal. 
A little adjusting to the lock tabs on the rear and all is good, just about anyway. The upper side panels need a little modifying which I will do on the weekend when I go to Bros.

The product looks sturdy and well made, the panniers and brackets, and fitting would have been straight forward if the mounting tabs on the bike were not bent.
All I need to do now is take it for a good ride and check all the bolts again, any excuse for a ride. 

I should be right now for the Australian Rally and looking forward to it too ... 

[X-Ray]

Gees you've been busy. New headlight protector, new screen, sheepskin seat cover AND Hepco- Becker luggage. You are obviously spending far too much money on this bike so it might be better to just drop it back to my place and leave it here  

[NotSo]

might be better to just drop it back to my place and leave it here  lol

Patience Bro, all in good time ... 

You forgot to mention that I also now have a chain alignment tool, it arrived today ... 

Yes it is starting to look OK, with a bit more love and care and some good rides under my belt, but no I am not chasing you (Bling King) 

[oz.fj]

It's looking good Shane
See you at the rally
Darran

[NotSo]

Thank you Darran for you comments.   
My first Australian rally, and I am so looking forward to it and meeting everyone.