Hi, I am new to this forum... My first post. I recently bought a
pulsar 180 and i'm loving it! I am interested in fitting a top box
tho, for convenience. But I have found that they don't readily fit the
pulsar. I basically just need some secure storage for my jacket and
boots for the day. I'm a student so cant really afford an expensive
one. Has anyone found an affordable solution? Also, what are saddle
bags? How much can they store, and is this an alternative to a top
box?
Thank you

Hi Mika,
At a certain point I also considered installing a topbox and if you go
through the older posts you will find various suggestions by other members.

Basically to install a topbox you need a "rack" which is easy as most boxes
come with the matching rack but the problem is that the rack need to attach
to the bike somehow. Most scooters have a bracket which you can easily
attach the rack to, and some popular bikes have aftermarket "brackets"
available, basically one end attaches to the bike and the other end to the
rack, and the topbox sits on the rack. Very neat and tidy.

Unfortunately there are no bracket systems designed to fit our Pulsar's. You
need to custom make one. It was too much of a hassle for me so I just paid
Cycle Craft Yamaha here in Durban to do it for me. It was many months ago so
I can't remember the exact price but it was approx R900.00 for labour and
material (to make the bracket), and an STLun topbox and matching rack. They
would have given me a GIVI topbox but I don't like the "round look." I've
attached some pics of my setup.

Please go back though the posts as you will find one by "niffobti" who is in
Jozi and he got it done for R500.00! If you're in GP that would work out
best for you but we don't have many options here in Durbs :(

About the box: well I always carry my EasyOver riding pants and a
rain-jacket in it and when I park the bike off to go into a shop or the
office etc. I leave the helmet in the box. That's about as much as it can
fit which is fine by me. You can squeeze a bit more in if you don't mind
carrying your helmet with you when you leave. It locks well but don't keep
anything valuable in there as any determined thief won't beak a sweat
busting that box open.

Regards,

Kiran

P.S. The leather saddle bags won't look good on a Pulsar, much better on an
Avenger. I've seen a dude riding past me on a Pulsar with saddlebags made
out of denim (it looked like that, but could be any other material) that was
quite thin and matched the look of the Pulsar. But the practicality of it...
Can you leave it unattended? How much can you really carry? Looks vs.
Practicality...

2009/6/14 Mika <rashmikaramp...@gmail.com>

tpbx_side.jpg 106K Download

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tpbx_back.jpg 53K Download

Hi Mika
      Welcome to the group. If you look at files on this group, you
will see pictures
labeled with rack in the name. I bought this rack from Herman last
year and
use it daily for commuting and for the odd shoping trip. It works very
well and
you may still be able to get the pack? The rack was made by Herman8,
he no longer rides a Pulsar but may have the details if you would like
to build one.
Let me know if you would like more info.
Terry

On Jun 14, 3:25 pm, Mika <rashmikaramp...@gmail.com> wrote:

hello Mika,

you don't say where you're from but I'm in Cape Town and had LDV fit a
bracket to the bike. Kiran's rack looks pretty neat, my box is situated
lower and metal arms fitted to it. could take pics if needed.

I was recommended to go for a min 42l box. sounds big but it's fabulous as I
can fit my helmet, over trousers and jacket in the box when I need to.

good luck. go for the box, you won't regret having your own mini boot on the
back of your bike!!

cheers
Vanessa

On 6/17/09, avianoak <te...@avianeco.co.za> wrote:

Hello Mika,

Welcome to the "club" hope you have many hours of safe biking. Where do you live? I know that LDV cycles in Gardens, Cape Town have fitted top boxes before. Not sure of the cost. I think a top box would be safer than saddle bags and can probably hold more, including helmet.

Good luck

Best Regards,
Dave 

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2009/6/17 Vanessa Fisher <fisher...@gmail.com>

You like my "rack?" *blushes* LOL! :-)

Hi guys

Wow! I'm impressed with the quick responses from u guys, thank u :)

I did read thru the old posts, and was quite jealous that the GP guys
can get a top box fitted so cheap! Unfortunately, i'm from Stanger
(bout 45min outta Dbn). Kiran, your top box looks great! Where is
Cycle Craft exactly? And is this the cheapest you have found in durbz?

Terry, Hermans set up does look great. However I think I do prefer the
topbox to a tailpack... Thanks for the help tho. I'm curious, why did
u choose the tailpack? What advantages does it have over a topbpx?

Vanessa, a 42l does sound big! Was actually thinking of something a
little smaller than Kirans. I usually lock my helmet to my bike, and
would use the box just for  my jacket and boots. Does the huge topbox
not hinder your riding in any way?

Thanks
Rashmika (**,)

Hi Rashmika,

2009/6/18 Mika <rashmikaramp...@gmail.com>

[?]

[?] No wonder! j/k [?] I'm also from the north coast, La Mercy to be exact, so
about +- 15mins away from you.

Kiran, your top box looks great! Where is

Thanks, you can find Cycle Craft at 67 Price Alfred Str, click here for
directions.<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=67+Prince...>

I phoned lotsa companies and the lowest I got was 700.00 at Tidal
Motorcycles I think. Problem was I was very frustrated with my bike at the
time (still am actually, you can read about my probs on this forum) and one
day while passing Cycle Craft I saw some delivery bikes parked outside and
decided to go have a look at their boxes. Made a U-turn (I know, I know, its
a one-way str.) and drove straight into their workshop, spoke with the
people there, nice chaps who said they can do what I wanted. The rest is
history.

Does the huge top box

Actually in litres everything sounds huge but it isn't really. Hinderence?
Depends on the bike and the rider. Our Pulsar are relatively small bikes so
the biggest hinderance to airflow would me us, the riders. I'm *big* (at
least that's what I see in the mirror :) )  so the top box is hidden behind
me when I ride. In your case, I would suggest go for the Givi's they seem to
be more aerodynamic.

Kiran

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Ok I think I managed to upload the pics... Labelled RackSide,
RackBack, Glossbox, and Glossbox2...
Let me know what u think :)

Cheers!

Hey guys!

Update : So i finally sorted out my topbox :D and I am very pleased...

Phoned around every bike shop I could find in Dbn, and I think they
wer seriously ripping me off!! In order to fit a generic topbox
(cheap, not a givi etc), of around 23L capacity, the cheapest quote
was R950 and the most R1400! :-o
Being the cheapy student that I am ( :D ) I decided to find other
means...

Eventually, got the local Jonway dealer here in Stanger to sell me an
adventurer topbox for R550. This is the cheapest decent box I could
find. Apparently it doesnt come in black tho, but the nice guy sprayed
it a glossy black for me at no extra charge :) Think it matches my
bike perfectly :)

I spoke to the guys at an engineering place in Stanger, showed them
Kiran's topbox pics... And they made and fitted an awesome bracket for
me... at no cost at all! :D They did it really well, it looks super
neat and tidy and is very strong...

So all in all, after all the trouble, I am a very happy camper! :D
I have a lovely glossy black topbox that matches my bike perfectly, at
a total cost of R550...

Now if I could figure out how to post up the pics... Hmmmm....

Thanks guys for ur help!
Mika (^^,)

Hey what pics????

Best regards

Bill and Chris Bower
16 Herron St
Atlasville Ext 1
Boksburg 1459

tel     011-973-3059
Fax  011-973-3059
mob 082-940-6619 Bill
mob 082-417-3536 Chris