Honda Top Box Installation

[Duffy_imp]

Received the Top Box and carrier, and i'm a bit disappointed. The 2013 rear carrier went on perfectly. However, zero instructions with the Top Box and Mounting Plate, and a bunch of bits for putting the latch on the box, lock assembly on the box, and Mounting Plate on Carrier.

Problem is, the steel fabricated mounting plate (which attaches to the carrier), does not line up in any respect with the 2013 rear carrier. The Plastic Top Box "base" (to which the top box is secured), cannot be directly mounted to the 2013 rear carrier. So a couple of questions:

(1) The Honda OEM Top Box and Mounting hardware I received looks to be designed to fit the 2014 rear carrier only. So is there a steel plate sold which is supposed to mount to the 2013 carrier?

(2) Randy B: Did you mount your Top Box on a 2014 rear carrier, or a 2013 like mine? If your's is also a 2013 rear carrier, how did you go about customizing the steel mounting plate so that it could be secured to the rear carrier?

(3) If no steel mounting plate exists which is meant to fit the 2013 rear carrier, I'm thinking about making one out of "Starboard"-type composite lumber. This I can make with woodworking tools, and then bolt the plastic Top Box "base" to it. Any thoughts on this?

(4) Finally, anyone have the assembly instructions for the Honda OEM Top Box? I've done an internet search, but can't seem to find them.

Thanks in advance for any advice you have.

Duffy