Givi Trunk

[Gone in 60]

Hey, Jambo, since you asked about the details about the LED strip on the back edge of my GIVI mount plate, here ya go.

I used a Custom Dynamics TruFlex red strip. They are available in different lengths based on number of LEDs. I got the 45-LED strip in "smoke" finish, so it blends in to the back of the mount plate and you don't really see it until it lights up.

https://www.customdynamics.com/red-led-t...ng?cat=320

The LED strip has 3M mounting tape on the back side, and being flexible, molds to the slight V shape of the back of the mount plate.

To mount it, I cut up some scrap sheet metal and attached a bunch of tabs to the inside of the back edge of the mount plate, sticking down just enough for the LED strip to attach to. I could have just stuck the LED strip directly to the back edge of the mount plate, but that would leave the wire coming out of the end of the strip exposed to the possibility of being bumped and pulled out. By putting the strip under the plate, the wire is not visible or subject to damage.

With the strip mounted under the mount plate, the next step is running the wiring. The strip has two fragile strands of wire coming out of one end. I covered the wire in 3/16" shrink wrap to protect it and make it look nicer.

Here's where I took two different routes with my two bikes. On the CB, the rack only sits a few inches above the chrome "bridge" in front of the taillight that attaches to the fender. I ran the wire under the frame of the rack, then dropped it down and tucked it under the open bottom of the "bridge". It's hard to take photos under the rack, but you can see how I routed the wire in one of the photos.

On the Bonneville, the Givi rack is raised up and is well over the taillight. I didn't want a wire dangling down that distance to tuck into the taillight housing. Instead, I got some flexible U-channel chrome door edge molding, and cut a stip to fit along the inside of the rack, and attached it to the rack with a strip of 3M mounting tape. Unless you look up under the rack, you can't see the strip of molding, and the LED wiring can tuck inside the molding and run down and under the seat. It is fully concealed.

On both bikes, I just tapped the LED strip into the brake light wiring at the bulb. On the Bonneville, I had already installed the same LED strip on the bottom edge of my license plate. Adding a second strip up higher behind the Givi rack puts the second strip more at eye-level with a car behind me. With both LED strips flashing when I hit the brakes, it puts on quite a light show, and should provide some safety:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38OSm3yZHq4

Jambo, I will give you one word of warning... since you bought your rack from a non-U.S. dealer, as I did, Givi USA will not give you warranty support. When I bought the rack for the Bonneville, the holes didn't quite line up. I have used Givi products for years, and have always received excellent customer service.

When I contacted Givi USA for warranty service on the Bonneville rack, they required proof of purchase. I sent them my Motostorm receipt. They very abruptly told me that since I didn't buy the rack from a U.S. distributor, they would not help me. It wasn't too big a deal - I just opened up the mounting holes a bit. But, if your rack has any problems, be ready for that...