RFC: Removable trunks?

Lately I've been considering adding a removable trunk to my bike's luggage rack. I need to make it more useful as a small grocery getter, take-out food getter, etc., and I often need a place to carry some extra items to work and back that won't fit in my backpack. However, since they are so... :sick: fugly... I want to be able to remove it easily when not in use.

So, I've been considering one of these trunks that I found on J.C. Whitney:

Trunk 1
Trunk 2
Trunk 3

...I hope the links work...

Anyway, I'd like some advice and comments from those of you who use trunks or have thought of doing so. Some of the thoughts/questions I had are:

Is a carrying handle important?
Does size matter?
Are these really as easy to remove as they describe?
Do they stand up to the rigors of the road and vibration?
Etc...

Thanks in advance for any tips and suggestions...

A fellow old bike enthusiast here has many "fastbag" easy on/off trunks for sale, all new, they are very nice streamlined units, several colors. I'll U2U his email if you are interested.

I have a locking trunk on the back of my bike that I find invaluable. I primarily use my bike to commute to and from work and also for the occasional grocery grabbing run, trip to the hardware store, etc. It's great to be able to throw things in it and not have to worry about them being strapped down good or not having a backpack on restricting movement. It's also real handy to toss your helmet and gloves into instead of carrying them around with you in the store. Mine is so handy I leave it on all the time. One thing to consider is how the trunk will affect the visibility of your brake light. You might consider a trunk with lights that you can hook up to your existing brake light circuit. I did this with mine and added a brake light modulator to the trunk lights.

Lowbuck - Yes, please. It's good to have options. Do you have a pic of the trunk?

Vter Bob - Thanks for the advice. I take it that since you've got it all wired up, it's not easily removable? And you don't think that's an important feature of a trunk? I was thinking of maybe wiring in a light with a quick-release plug or something....

Here's a link to some pics:

www.kazumamotorcycles.com.au/FastBag.htm

The guy that has 'em, was the midwest distributor at one time, I believe. I think they retailed for over $300.00, he's selling them WAY cheaper than that. Check your U2U.

:blush: Oh ya, I knew I forgot to mention something. I did use a quick disconnect plug like you suggest. I didn't think I'd be leaving the trunk on but it turns out I've never taken it off. :dry:


Oh ya, I got mine on fleabay dirt cheap...

Post edited by: Vter Bob, at: 2006/04/09 22:11

Biquetoast: One option is eBay. Same trunks JCW has are available cheaper from a seller called objetek. Objetek's eBay trunks have metal mounting brackets, which will probably be better than the plastic ones.

I have a similar matte black ABS trunk. It came off at 40MPH a few months back & cracked a bit, so I'm looking to replace it when I'm working again.

Hey Lowbuck, you mind U2Uing that info to me as well?

Thanks,
-Kit

Kit, it's on its way. I'll foward email to anyone else interested, I just don't feel comfortable posting someone elses info.

BTW all, he has about 30(!) of the fastbag systems left, in several colors. You can get a killer deal, I'm sure.

KitNYC wrote:

...I have a similar matte black ABS trunk. It came off at 40MPH a few months back & cracked a bit, so I'm looking to replace it when I'm working again...

Whoa... which model is that? Why did it come off (wind/bump/vibration)?