top case rack for gs 1996

[sparkk13]

Hi all,
I read all of the post, but i still don't know what to do.

i'm looking for a topcase and a case for my bike

the Givi top rack for this bike has been discontinued.

so what i have to do?

can i buy the one for the 1997 or there are big difference so i will have to do a lot of work.

another options could be a five start rack, thet is 179 $
and if I will change bike it will not fit the new one.

any suggestions?

the krauser rack will fit only the krauser luggage!!!!!

what i have to do??

[Jay_wolf]

i thought all 89-00 models where the same , apart from in 1996+ where they changed the brakes and things ,

I would think anything from 89-00 would fit all models.


its only the new design/facelift from 01+ that has changed the look

Jay

[Kerry]

I have mounted the same Five*Stars rack to a '96 and a '99 (see my old [Riderhaus page]) and to an '00.

Works good! 

[sparkk13]

ok, so the five star will fit different model...

do you need any other pieces ?

i read a post where one guys mounted a Rear Rack - GS500 Code: 99950-70267
that needed some work to fit a gs 1996.


i just don't want buy something too expensive, but also i don't want loose the case on the road!!!!   

[gsJack]

Have no idea why the same Givi rack doesn't fit all models from 89 thru 2000.  The 2001 and later models all take another rack.  I really like having the top case lower and more forward from where the Givi racks put it.

I already had the Suzuki rack for soft luggage when I decided to get a hard case.  Got a E33 model Monolock case that comes complete with the base plate and just clamped it on the Suzi rack and used it that way a couple weeks till it was noticed the case was bouncing up and down more and more.  The frame was cracking where the Suzi rack bolts on in place of the grab handle so I added the braces.  Been solid like that for about 4 years and 50k miles now.  But the Suzi rack 99950-70267 has been discontinued.  My 02 GS setup:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/GiviRackPics.jpg

That Five stars rack looks nice but kinda pricey.  The Krauser rack fits all 89-00 models and looks like the Givi base plate could be mounted to it but still kinda pricey I think.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/ezimagecatalogue/catalogue/variations/3714-500x600.jpg

If I got another GS500 I would not buy another rack for the top case, I'd just make one similar to the one I made for the 97 GS to carry soft luggage. But for a Givi Monolock topcase with mounting base the rack would be much simpler with fewer pieces.  The base plate would be bolted solidly to it and be part of it.  Would have bracing struts similar to the 02 setup.  My 97 GS rack:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/gsrackpics.jpg

My 02 GS500 Givi case has never been off the bike except to carry it into a motel a couple times.  Wouldn't leave home without it, even for just a local ride.

[gsJack]

ok, so the five star will fit different model...

do you need any other pieces ?

i read a post where one guys mounted a Rear Rack - GS500 Code: 99950-70267
that needed some work to fit a gs 1996.


i just don't want buy something too expensive, but also i don't want loose the case on the road!!!!   

I tried my 02 GS500 rack 99950-70267 on my 97 GS500E and it bolted right on OK.  Just touched the body parts lightly where it reached out from the frame mounting cross member.  Never used it on that bike but could have.

[sparkk13]

the krauser rack is pricey, i could buy it,
the prblem is i'm not sure it will fit the givi case,
like the said here

https://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/533/101/

and the krauser luggage are way too expensive compared to teh givi!

damn it~

[gsJack]

the krauser rack is pricey, i could buy it,
the prblem is i'm not sure it will fit the givi case,
like the said here

https://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/533/101/

and the krauser luggage are way too expensive compared to teh givi!

damn it~

You would have to mount the Givi base plate to the Krauser rack to mount the Givi case.  Looks to me like it could be done but an expensive way to do it.  I'd just make a simple frame to hold the Givi base plate that would bolt to the passenger grab handle in the front like my 97 GS rack does and with the rear struts reaching down to the top of the fender like on my 02 GS.  That rack for the 97 cost me about $15 for aluminum angle and stainless screws and nuts and I used it for years to carry soft loggage.  I paid less than $100 dollars for the Givi E33 case complete with mounting base plate.  The base plate just clamps on most tubular racks.

[Kerry]

ok, so the five star will fit different model...

do you need any other pieces ?

Yes, that particular model should fit any GS500E from '89 to '00.

It's funny that you should ask about "other pieces".  I bought two tail racks and one pair of side racks back in 2002, for a two-GS500 [trip to British Columbia] with my brother.  He used the full Five*Stars setup (with Givi-compatible Kappa bags) on my '96 GS500, and I used a "Frankensetup" with a pair of NonFango luggage bags that I had bought before I knew what questions to ask.  Check out the "Tuesday" section of the [Preparations] page to see the home-fashioned steel bars that made the "Frankensetup" possible.

It never occurred to us to mount a bag on the tail racks, because we were just using them to A) attach the side racks to, and B) serve as extra support for air mattresses / tents / etc that we strapped to the seat.  It wasn't until months AFTER our trip that I dug through the stuff I had received from Riderhaus and found the extra "buttons" and lockplates for mounting to the tailracks:



I can't remember if I had to order that hardware separately (I think so) or whether it came with each rack.  In any case, that was almost 6 years ago and "all things Riderhaus" have been turned over to TwistedThrottle ... so I would definitely bring it up if you decide to place an order.

By the way, make sure that you get the right kind of Givi (or Givi-compatible) luggage bags.  The Five*Stars racks accommodate the MonoKey-style bags and NOT the MonoLock-style bags.  (See comparative photos [HERE].)

[gsJack]

By the way, make sure that you get the right kind of Givi (or Givi-compatible) luggage bags.  The Five*Stars racks accommodate the MonoKey-style bags and NOT the MonoLock-style bags.  (See comparative photos [HERE].)

One look at your FiveStars rack and I figured a Monolock case base plate would clamp right on it like it did on my Suzuki rack so I checked it out and TwistedThrottle states:

"This chrome plated, tubular steel luggage rack is compatible with Givi Monokey lugggage cases (using optional hardware kit) and Givi Monolock topcases (using universal Givi plate included with topcase.)"

Good news, that rack is a quality item but FiveStar top and side racks plus 3 Givi Monokey cases would cost more than many pay for their GSs.   

Call me cheap (thrifty would be nicer) but I'd get a Givi Monolock case and mount it to my GS for about $20 if I didn't have a Suzuki rack to work with.  My labor is free to me.   

[Kerry]

One look at your FiveStars rack and I figured a Monolock case base plate would clamp right on it like it did on my Suzuki rack so I checked it out and TwistedThrottle states:

"This chrome plated, tubular steel luggage rack is compatible with Givi Monokey lugggage cases (using optional hardware kit) and Givi Monolock topcases (using universal Givi plate included with topcase.)"

I stand corrected!  I guess I should have said "with the hardware that I have".    I guess Riderhaus simply included hardware to match the bags that I bought. 

Call me cheap (thrifty would be nicer) but I'd get a Givi Monolock case and mount it to my GS for about $20 if I didn't have a Suzuki rack to work with.  My labor is free to me.   

Awesome!  If you ever find yourself actually making one of those racks, be sure to post photos, dimensions ... the works! 

[gsJack]

Wow Kerry, looks like you have a machine shop at your disposal to work on your bike.  http://www.bbburma.net/Trips/Canada_2002/Preparations.html

I made that rack for my 97 GS sitting in my recliner in the living room in front of the TV using hand tools, drill motor, hacksaw, old wood mitre box, etc. Great way to pass a couple of winter evenings, we live in a small apartment and my garage is across the street behind another building and has no heat or electrcity for lights.  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/gsrackpics.jpg

That's a good pic of the Givi Monokey/Monolock plates you linked above and I saved it for future ref.  After looking at it I revised my rack sketch above to make it shorter so it would stick out less, not so visible.  Further developement would require hardware in hand and permission to use the living room for a machine shop again.   

[Kerry]

Wow Kerry, looks like you have a machine shop at your disposal to work on your bike.

Half of my basement is outfitted as a woodworking shop, but I rarely seem to get myself down there to make anything.  I spend too much time with my nose in a book or my fingers on a keyboard. 

I made that rack for my 97 GS sitting in my recliner in the living room in front of the TV using hand tools, drill motor, hacksaw, old wood mitre box, etc. Great way to pass a couple of winter evenings

Wow - sounds idylic all right! Wanna trade?    Seriously, kudos for showing that this stuff really CAN be done with "what you have".

we live in a small apartment and my garage is across the street behind another building and has no heat or electrcity for lights.
[...]
Further developement would require hardware in hand and permission to use the living room for a machine shop again.   

Well, if it ever happens, you know what to do.... 

[sparkk13]

hi all,
thank you for your reply.
i was thinking about the problem, but i'm not confortable, and also i don't have the instrument to make my own rack!

if you want to sent me one, i will be happy to try it!!!!!! (or buy??)

the only closest combination at the things that i'm looking is a rack for the gs 89-90 but i don't know if it will fit on the 96.

groan..

still no rack

[gsJack]

The RevsPerformance rack fits all GS500E up to 2000 like the Krauser racks do but it has a grab handle sticking up on it that would have to be cut off.

http://www.revsperformance.com/renntec/sports_racks.htm

The Give racks for 97-00 can't be too different from the 96 and earlier ones, could be just a minor mounting part difference.  They just stop listing things for older bikes after a certain cutoff point.

Only way we'll ever know for sure would be for someone to get the 97 rack and try it on the 96 to see the difference.  Wonder if they are returnable if they don't fit?   

[sparkk13]

jack, did you try one of those?

do you think they are good?

in one of the old post someone said "forget" about those...
thank you again

[sparkk13]

hi guys, i read about a RENTEC RACK?? is this a brand?