I want to install a top case on my 2008f, and just want to get a sense of what my options are. I don't have welding skills, so I'm assuming making my own custom rack is not an option. A Givi case would work, but I prefer Pelican cases for both looks and capacity. I was wondering if it would work to install a Motech rack and drill 3 holes in the bottom of a Pelican case to match the 3 holes on the Motech rack, then just bolt them together. Would this be stable enough? I plan on using either the 1550 or the 1620 size for the Pelican case. Here's a link with a picture of the Motech rack, and the 3 hols I'd be drilling the case to match:

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/238/78/


I've also heard of people bolting cases directly to the passenger grab bar. Would this be stable enough?

No a case mounted to the grab handle only would not work, the frame cross member it bolts to is not heavy enough to carry a case.  I have a Suzuki luggage rack on my 02 GS that mounts where the grab handle was mounted and when I added a Givi E33 case it began bouncing and cracking the frame cross member and I had to add a couple braces.  I made a rack out of aluminum angle and ss screws for my 97 GS that mounted to the grab handle and carried soft luggage only for many years.  No welding on either.



That Motech rack might work since it bolts on 4 places under the bodywork but it would be a bit springy I think, saw a couple on a B-12 with a big Givi case on a Motec rack and it sprang way back when she leaned hard on it.  Probably hold up though.  If I had another GS I wanted to mount a case to I'd just make my own no welding rack and save a hundred bucks, sketched this up a few years ago combining the rack mounted to grab handle idea from my 97 with the bracing struts down to the fender from my 02:

Thanks for the reply. I had actually come across an earlier post of yours about this rack, but assumed you had welded it rather than using screws. This looks like something I could pull off. It should work as well with a Pelican as with a Give case. Instead of drilling the 4 holes for the Givi base plate, I would just drill them to match holes that I drill through the bottom of the Pelican. I wouldn't have quick release that way, but I don't really need that feature.