Several weeks ago I mounted Krauser's K-wing luggage rack on my 2005 GS500F for use with Krauser's K5 case. I thought I'd throw up some photos and my thoughts. Both are available through Twisted Throttle, the rack (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/538/210/) costs $220 and the case (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/59) is another $300. The whole ball of wax shipped to your door will set you back $561. 

The K-Wing rack is really quite solid, anchoring in 4 places: the 2 grab bar holes, and the 2 holes in front of the license plate. All 4 holes are in metal, and the two lower ones are connected by a supplied metal bracket. When you mount this rack, you need to THROW AWAY the 4 "M6 x 20 flange screws" that mount the silver K-Wing to the black rack. Replace these with Steel / Zinc plated M6 x 20 hex head bolts (available at Home Depot for about a dollar for all 4). The problem is that the threads on the rack aren't clean, and will strip the threads on those aluminum screws. I had to use a screw extractor to drill out those babies, even the ones that I had oiled up.

The K5 case is also really solid and well built. It comes with two buckling elastic straps to secure your cargo. It appears to be quite water-resistant, I wasn't able to get it to leak when sprayed with a hose. The case has a metal socket that slides on to the K-Wing, and locks on. It is removed from the K-Wing by pushing a button and sliding the case rearward, which can only be accomplished when unlocked. I really like the case, except that I wish I could latch the case closed without locking it. It's just kind of annoying to have to unlock / lock it every stop, when you have nothing that needs securing. It's a minor inconvenience, however.

I've uploaded 12 photos on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/29423454@N07/sets/72157610028552480/) for your viewing pleasure, but here's one small sample:

it may sounds silly but can a 1 gallon milk jug fit standing up in there?

Absolutely, in fact I measured a gallon jug of milk before I bought the case, because that was the most crucial cargo. It's now a really fast blue grocery cart.     It measures 22.4" Wide x 16.5" Deep x 12.2" Tall.

Quote from: Eric_in_OR on August 10, 2008, 08:53:46 PM
Absolutely, in fact I measured a gallon jug of milk before I bought the case, because that was the most crucial cargo. It's now a really fast blue grocery cart.

Very cool. I considered getting that rack, but Twisted Throttle said it would take 6 to 8 weeks to get one to fit my '94....

Quote from: fred on August 11, 2008, 09:26:09 AM
Very cool. I considered getting that rack, but Twisted Throttle said it would take 6 to 8 weeks to get one to fit my '94....

That's what they told me as well, but it was sitting on my porch only 5 weeks later.

If anyone is interested, there is a pair of Krauser K5 cases with K-Wing adapter plates for sale on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110336296233
I have stopped bidding (I don't really want 3, but for the right price...), so feel free to grab them if they interest you. You will still need racks, such as the SW-MOTECH Alu-Rack ($135).

 
Awesome post. Thanks for the 4-1-1 and the photos.