[themlruts]

I really wish we could make it quick release. Like mount a givi mount on the H Bracket and some how mount something. On the trunk. Quick release. I would pay.

 

[rrogan]

The top case is held on with 4 bolts under the carpet. There are two connectors under the seat that need to separated. Then you can pull the case back and off the H-bracket. There are 4 bolts holding the top case H-bracket to the rear frame. There are 2 more in the grab rails that go into the H-bracket. The top case can be removed in maybe 5 mins with the proper tools. I use a 1/4” Impact driver and a T30 & T40 Torx bit.

This will leave a gap behind the seat that needs to be filled. I made a cover from sheet metal and covered it with vinyl. I put on a BMW Roundel from my local BMW auto dealer.

Removing the top case will trigger a bulb out fault every time you apply the brakes. I used a couple LED bulbs and made a harness with bullet connectors to plug into the barrel under the seat. The LED’s will act like the top case lights as to not trigger a fault. You must have the polarity correct or the lights will not work.

There is a member of the K1600B Facebook page who has done this a few weeks ago. A couple of these pics are his and some pics are mine.

So of course nothing goes smooth for me. I can’t get the 2 bolts out of the grab rails that go into the H frame. They just spin. Anyone else have this issue?

 

[d martin]

Spinning insert?

https://www.k1600forum.com//threads/gt-luggage-carrier.108713/#post-1402033

 

[SB Ahn]

Can you make me one? PLEASE!


My bike looks so ugly

Me too! I'd even pay you (am overseas, away from my shop).
soongbumahn@gmail.com

 

[SB Ahn]

Can you make me one? PLEASE!


My bike looks so ugly

Me too! I'd even pay you (am overseas, away from my shop).
soongbumahn@gmail.com

 

[jpeltier]

Try this:... Top case removal, brake light fault fix and a custom back rest and I show how to do it...

 

[jpeltier]

If you want to make a very nice rack for the top case of a Grand America, buy a black Harley touring luggage rack, cut 2.5" out of the middle of it and put it back together and mount it on the case. I think it looks great. If you cant Tig-weld, place metal rods in the pipes and JB weld it together. That's what I did and covered it with anti-slip tape so items won't move in the rack. You can get a rack for about $65 in Black... Joey

 

[SB Ahn]

nice

 

[kwheels]

So of course nothing goes smooth for me. I can’t get the 2 bolts out of the grab rails that go into the H frame. They just spin. Anyone else have this issue?

I had the same issue, so I drilled them out and replaced with a bolt/nut of same size. Easy fix.

 

[Crash-Law]

I would purchase a kit to allow a clean removal/re-install.

 

[Olistoys1]

If I was to convert the GA to a B I would want the lower grab handles the B seat and I would build a closure piece with a third brake light in it for that hole back there. For me it would have to look exactly as the B came back there or better 👍

 

[Stryker]

Seriously, if someone could make these covers they could sell a lot of them to us GA owners who want the option to run "topless".

Apologies if I have not read down through here far enough and if someone already answered this question but has anyone explored ordering the stock back piece directly from the B to cover the hole vs fabrication? I too have an obsession to remove what I believe to be the cause of the infamous wobble and bane of my existence after spending $25,000. And I digress...

I looked up the part at the dealer based on the vin from a B (not a GA) and pulled up what I believe to be the back round cover the standard B uses for about $80. If it bolts in place that might be a cleaner option assuming it goes up far enough given the shorter GA seat. Anyone tried this. Thoughts?

 

[jpeltier]

Unfortunately, to replace the back panel of a "B" onto a GA you have to takeoff the bags, the hand rails and a few other bolts. Huge pain in the ass and time consuming. And if you have a GA seat it does not fit, with the "B" panel, the seat looks and does not really fit because it's longer and wider then the "B" seat.. The set up I made takes 6 min to change from top case to backrest. I switch it out all the time. Its easy and quick and I have yet to have some say it looks "weird".. BMW should make a quick replacement kit, but my guess is they won't because they will never sell another "B". Why would you buy a "B" if the GA is the same with a quick top case replacement kit.. Joey

 

[Stryker]

Unfortunately, to replace the back panel of a "B" onto a GA you have to takeoff the bags, the hand rails and a few other bolts. Huge pain in the ass and time consuming. And if you have a GA seat it does not fit, with the "B" panel, the seat looks and does not really fit because it's longer and wider then the "B" seat.. The set up I made takes 6 min to change from top case to backrest. I switch it out all the time. Its easy and quick and I have yet to have some say it looks "weird".. BMW should make a quick replacement kit, but my guess is they won't because they will never sell another "B". Why would you buy a "B" if the GA is the same with a quick top case replacement kit.. Joey

Great info! Good to know it’s been attempted. Fabrication it is! Love the simple solutions. Thanks!

 

[Olistoys1]

I have done the conversion from a GA to a B. It was a bit of work and a little bit of expense on buying parts I bought a B seat and grab rails and rear facia the wife and I like the B seat better than a GA seat it is also s an inch and a half longer giving us more room but you do lose the width on the passenger seat a little bit but I do like the K 1600 logo stitched in. I’m doing this conversion with the new B seat the top case will need to go back on the H frame a bit so I drilled new holes through the top case bass the front two bolts now go through the H frame with nylon lined lock nuts under the bottom of the H frame The two other hole down bolts are threading back into their original holes of the H frame. With the new holes through the original top case base I am using fender washers the carpet covers everything when removing the top case I made a plate with a third brake light integrated under it so I did not trigger the message center that I had a brake light out with that plate I can put whatever I want on it. When riding that bike solo it looks more sporty And much less weight and wind drag Back there I can feel the difference riding the bike solo with or without the top case I definitely prefer it without the case when I’m by myself unless I have to have the storage but I just did a 2500 mile ride without it and the soft bag I had up on top was enough with the side boxes. I have some photos of the items I used But if more photos Are needed in specific areas under the H frame or under the carpet of the top case let me know. The plate I made I had Powder Coated black

 

[EastSider44]

I have done the conversion from a GA to a B. It was a bit of work and a little bit of expense on buying parts I bought a B seat and grab rails and rear facia the wife and I like the B seat better than a GA seat it is also s an inch and a half longer giving us more room but you do lose the width on the passenger seat a little bit but I do like the K 1600 logo stitched in. I’m doing this conversion with the new B seat the top case will need to go back on the H frame a bit so I drilled new holes through the top case bass the front two bolts now go through the H frame with nylon lined lock nuts under the bottom of the H frame The two other hole down bolts are threading back into their original holes of the H frame. With the new holes through the original top case base I am using fender washers the carpet covers everything when removing the top case I made a plate with a third brake light integrated under it so I did not trigger the message center that I had a brake light out with that plate I can put whatever I want on it. When riding that bike solo it looks more sporty And much less weight and wind drag Back there I can feel the difference riding the bike solo with or without the top case I definitely prefer it without the case when I’m by myself unless I have to have the storage but I just did a 2500 mile ride without it and the soft bag I had up on top was enough with the side boxes. I have some photos of the items I used But if more photos Are needed in specific areas under the H frame or under the carpet of the top case let me know. The plate I made I had Powder Coated black View attachment 148037 View attachment 148038 View attachment 148039 View attachment 148040 View attachment 148041 View attachment 148042 View attachment 148045 View attachment 148048
I am just looking into doing this same thing on my GA. I really like the plate that you made for the top of the H frame! Would you be willing to share the specs on that plate? I could send you some Architectural money through Paypal if you want.

 

[Olistoys1]

I am out of town but I should be home Saturday I can take some measurements for you and give you the particulars That plate actually came in handy on another bike as well my tiger 1050 that bike already had an S & W Plate for a top box but they’re not very big so I bolted this plate to that one So that I could install a soft bag worked out well Plug the third brake light in to that bike as well

 

[Olistoys1]

I’ll post some photos for others but I will send a PM to you EastSider44. Now my plate could move forward towards the handlebars but may require a different shape against the seat if I was to use the GA seat And GA passenger grab bars. since The wife and I are at this point only going to use the B seat for various reasons ( wife didn’t like how the GA seat had the hump ) that’s how I have it set up especially if I ride solo I take the top case off and keep it low profile , sporty , I guess if I was going to be on the bike for a week and I needed the extra clothing then the top case would obviously carry more than most soft bags. For those that bought the B and were thinking about buying a top case from BMW for the grand American It was very expensive all the parts where close to five grand at least that’s what the Steeler told me the day I was making my decision And writing the check.....it would be much better to buy it off of a wrecked bike then to go to BMW but that’s what sold me on getting the GA over a B To start with

 

[Stryker]

Great info! Good to know it’s been attempted. Fabrication it is! Love the simple solutions. Thanks!

So, had some time to kill today motivated by my desperation to remove the albatross....this is what 2hrs of work with a $10 piece of ABS, $14 Heat Gun and $19 hot knife and a few rivets looks like. Missing the BMW emblem but that’s coming later. Didn’t get them ordered in time. Thanks to everyone for giving me the inspiration and initial solution set to work with. I didn’t take a photo but grabbed a small $4 LED tail light from Oreillys and plugged it in under the seat to eliminate the error. Tell you what, this bike is so easy to work on. The bags are easy to remove and most everything is easily accessible and well engineered.

Oh forgot to mention the Brentune that came for Christmas as well. Wow—Completely different bike. Exactly as it should have been from the factory! I’m an Amsoil dealer so grabbed a few bottles of wholesale Octane to get me into the 93 club.

With Carbon Fiber Wrap:

 

[Garyrose11]

Hello...

I searched with a few different terms but got nothing back. So apologies in advance when someone tells me there are a zillion (technical term) threads on this topic.

Anyway, how quick is it to remove the top case and reinstall as needed? This is the first bike have ever thought I could actually live with a "trunk". I'd use it for the longer trips but would prefer not to have it on every day.

I can't help it, I still like to strap some things onto the bike when going for a long ride...call me nostalgic I guess. If you know what I mean. I love the technology and engineering but still need to have that sense of hand-rigging...just more satisfying to me.

Hello...

I searched with a few different terms but got nothing back. So apologies in advance when someone tells me there are a zillion (technical term) threads on this topic.

Anyway, how quick is it to remove the top case and reinstall as needed? This is the first bike have ever thought I could actually live with a "trunk". I'd use it for the longer trips but would prefer not to have it on every day.

I can't help it, I still like to strap some things onto the bike when going for a long ride...call me nostalgic I guess. If you know what I mean. I love the technology and engineering but still need to have that sense of hand-rigging...just more satisfying to me.

I did it. Got 2 seats, one GA one Bagger. 2 plastic fender cowls, one GA on Bagger and a bunch of nuts and bolts