Touring or commuting? Hard luggage could transform your ride
1 Asimple solution
If you’ve got a second bike for commuting, or an older model without the option of factory boxes, a universal topbox kit provides a cheap and secure luggage solution. This Oxford Products kit (£59.99) includes everything you need to mount to an existing luggage rack. Before you begin, have a good look at the instructions and familiarise yourself with the job.
2 Safe and secure
Next you need to make sure that the existing luggage rack is secure and up to the job of securing the universal topbox. Give the rack a thorough visual inspection, checking for cracks and damage. Then check the tightness of the mounting bolts individually, ideally by using a torque wrench set to around 28Nm.
3 Meet the nylock
When you are fitting weight-bearing accessories such as hard luggage, it is essential to use the correct fasteners. This kit comes supplied with brackets, bolts, washers, and nylock nuts – these fastenings have a built-in nylon bush that absorbs mechanical vibration and stops the bolts from working loose as you ride down the road.
4 Square it up
Before you attach anything, offer up the topbox baseplate to the rack to see where the fasteners line up. You also need to ensure that the baseplate can be fitted evenly and symmetrically on to the rack, with the same amount of overhang on both sides as well as front and rear, then make a note of the position before moving on.
5 Get ayourself wide base
Refer to the kit instructions for guidance on how to fit the mounting brackets to the baseplate. These need to be positioned so they are as far apart as possible because having a wide mounting point on the base will reduce the possibility of the topbox moving around.
6 Attach the brackets
Position a bracket underneath the rack and then push the bolts through from the top then add the supplied washers. The elongated holes in the universal brackets will allow a degree of adjustment. Don’t tighten
