6th Gen Hard Bag Mounting Conundrum

Greetings, Looking for some people with experience!

I bought some used hard bags for my 2007, which "didn't include everything".. :frown: .. Since i was ignorant, I didn't know what to ask for specifically!

I am missing the grab rail spacers, and also the different fender bracket, and the underseat bracket "C". (Generic Picture attached).

So my question is, thinking about ordering the underseat bracket from that OEM Parts company in a post by DIMford, but what would be the consequences of trying to mount the racks without that piece? I assume there is some weight-bearing reinforcement involved there?

And can I re-use my existing License plate fender bracket instead?

Also, Do the bolts that mount the grab rails now get re-used (are they long enough) to go down through both the grab rails and the rack tops?

(The picture from the OEM Parts company seems to imply that there is a set of bolts included with that kit/group.)

So basically, how much can I get away with, by just using what I have, and not using the underseat re-inforcement, and can I mount the grab rails without the spacers as well?

Thanks in advance, and I hope all of that makes sense! Let me know if I should post this somewhere else.

 

What you have posted does make sense to me, but you aren't going to like my answer: you need the underseat bracket, and I believe that you do need longer bolts and spacers. Once they are in place and loaded up, there's quite a bit of torque on the bag rails, and I'd put all the steel in place.

 

You probably aren't going to like my answer either - but there are some workarounds. I ran in to the same issue, though I was fortunate enough to have the grab rail spacers. For the underseat bracket, I fabbed up the piece from some flat stock - a Dremel tool, bench vice and a drill was all that was required, then I rattle canned it black. If you don't have any flat stock, go to a Lowes or Home Depot and ask a clerk where they have "Simpson Strong Ties" - they are the brackets house framers use to tie joists and rafter together. They have flat pieces about the size you'll need for under $1. On the inside of the fender where the license plate mounts, the replacement "rear fender plate" (I think that's what you meant by 'license plate bracket') is made from heavier stock than OE and I did not have it. AFAIK it's only available with the kit. So I fabbed up an angled brace to supplement the OE bracket. I had my hard bags jammed full on a 2,000 mile trip last summer and had no problems. Here's a pic of the 2 brackets



This was probably overkill, but it was winter and I didn't mind a small project to work on. Honestly they're probably not necessary but I figured what the hell.

Here's the part you won't like. AFAIK, the rubber grab handle spacers (maybe gaskets is a better term) - if that's what you meant - are not available separately - at least not from Honda - if there's another source, there are probably several out there that would like to know about it. I had them, but one had a small tear so I asked when I was in the local Honda dealer if they were available and they said 'no'. If there's no domestic source, you might try a UK dealer. You do need slightly longer bolts - just add the thickness of the hard bag bracket to the length of the OE bolts to get the length you need. I get stuff like that at a local hardware store - they have them in black. If you don't have the spacers and don't like the look, one workaround is to get the top box while you're at it - then you won't use the grab handles and the mounting rack has its own built in rubber cover over the hard back mounting bracket. Besides, IMHO once you have the top box you'll use it way more than the side bags. :smile:

 

Thanks Guys,
You've confirmed what I was thinking - I am pondering both options.....
Here's a link to where it looks like you can order the parts from:

OEM Motorparts - Honda - VFR800 - 2006 - 35 LITRE PANNIER KIT SWORD SILVER MET

Number 11 seems to be the rubber spacer, but so does number 12 - which says "discontinued"...! I am going to contact them and find out.

However they are in the Netherlands, and the price/shipping seems a bit prohibitive - So - I think I am going to try mounting with what I have first.

Otherwise at least I know the grab rails and racks can be mounted without the rubber spacers right?

 

You can mount the racks / handles without the rubber spacers - though in the rain water will probably get under the seat and you may not like the look. If you follow the contour of the underseat pan, it's all downhill from the handles to the battery/main fuse block, so it would probably be good to have a weather seal on there.

There are a number of inconsistencies on the parts fiche - for one Sword Silver was the color for 2008 rather than 2006, at least in the U.S. The odd thing though is that as you point out #'s 11 & 12 in the diagram are the rubber spacers you need underneath the handles, however #11 in the list is titled "Spacer L" and #12 "Rubber Seal Kit". Number 10 is "Spacer R", but is a slightly different price. While it looks like you would be in to these well over $100, if these are available, eventually they will not. Anyone that has these is very unlikely to part with them so if available, it would be opportune to pick them up if you think you'll ever want 'em. Please post up what you find.

 

I'm having some of the same trouble.
Recently bought a 2007, where the full set of OEM bags were installed, but no other hardware came with.

Wanting to use the bike with no bag holders under normal use, i studied the fiche, and ordered passenger grabs, bolts, seals, and those sweet little hatches you use to conceal the holes when all is away from the bike.

It all looks good at the moment, but since the vacation as coming, I started planning, and decided i want to set up the bike with the side bags only. And leave the big ugly top Box rail off.

So, as the threadstarter, i'm missing those rubber spacers, to go between the grab rail, and the frame/fairing when sidebag holders are installed to the bike.

Came across this thread today, and tried the link in one of the above posts. It still Works!
Just ordered #10 and 11, as the name "spacer" seems to be what im looking for.

Not 100% sure what I'm actually getting, but i'll be sure to comment when tha mailman comes around some day.

 

UPDATE:
Thanks for the thread bump!
I did end up installing the bag mounts and passenger grabs without the rubber spacers. There's a bit of a gap, but it's not a big deal. Water seems to drain right through and I have not noticed any problems because of that. (Me and my bike don't get out in the rain all that much).
But now that you have discovered which parts to order, I might order them.
Do you mind saying how much it ended up costing including shipping?...

Oh, I just noticed you are in Europe. Oh well.... Such is life. Hope you are doing well!

 

Just under 57 euro including shipping to Norway.

 

Well, this was no success.
After a quite long wait, I got an email saying the spacers are discontinued, and can't be delivered.
So the only top tip here, is that OEM Motorparts, is yet another webshop that can not help.

 

Australia was the last place to sell the 6th gen, through 2012 or 2013 or something. It's possible you can get them from a dealer there, though it would be expensive. Did you try US retailers, like Partzilla or RonAyers?

 

Actually, I sold the bike during summer. Replaced it with a VFR 1200X Crosstourer.
So for me, the hunt is over..