Fitting a top case to the X9 500 rear rack

[jdb_freeheel]

Hello all,

I just recently purchased a 2005 X9 500 here in the states with 22K miles.  It's a little beat up and I'm working on reconditioning it, ordering a few new body parts, etc.  Mechanically it's solid and I have the complete service history from the original owner.

The bike came with the factory rear rack but not with the Piaggio top case or fit kit.  Can anyone share other options for attaching top cases (case brand, size, and how to install) to the Piaggio rack? I don't really want to pay the $500 for the Piaggio case if I don't have to.

Thanks.

Josh

[Dave Milnes]

Buy whatever top case you want with its associated quick release plate. The plate usually comes in two parts, a metal base drilled to accept clamps for a tubular rack, and a plastic cover for asthetics.
Drill the metal plate if necessary so 4 small mushroom head bolts can pick up on the 4 standard holes in the Piaggio rack.
Fit the plastic cover and the box. Job done.
Without the box, the adaptor plate will look a bit untidy but it's no different on any other rack, just that the Piaggio rack without the box normally looks good, better than an X9 without one (which always looks odd like a manx cat with no tail). Just make sure you fit it so the box sits in the right place, not too far back but far enough to provide just the right back rest for a pillion.

[jimc]

If you have the standard (non top-box) rear bars, then you have to buy a suitable rack with whatever box you buy, Piaggio, Givi, Shad, whatever.

If it has the Piaggio top-box rack already but no top-box, then almost any third-party box can be fitted with a little lateral thinking.