[DougInKY]

When I mounted my Bestem T-Box 929 top box on my Burgman 650 using the mounting kit that I bought from Bestem for this, I noticed a droop to the box after mounting everything up. Now don't get me wrong, the top box was secure but it was no where near level. See my picture...

See the box drooping. It looks to me like it is going to fall off. So, what to do? I decided to be a big spender at Lowes, I spent almost 90 cents on eight thick washers that would fit on top of the posts that Bestem had sent me for this mounting plate. Took everything apart and remounted the plate with four of those thick washers stacked between the plate and the two rear posts. That is four thick washers on each side. Put the bolts through and tightened everything. Still not completely level but it looks a lot better. Good enough for a old man and his bike. At least the box doesn't look like it is going to take a dive to the pavement at any moment now. Oh, and this picture shows my Givi E41's on my EOS mounts too. Picture below...

 

[v8eyedoc]

I have mounted 2 top boxes on my 400 and they were both "dead level"..!!

I think that maybe you mounted that plate backwards (If possible!) or the spacers are reversed from the one that go in the rear with the ones that go in the front.....UNDER THE MOUNTING PLATE..!! If the plate was not level to begin with - the box is going to DROOP............!!!!!!!

 

[NormanB]

Looks good Doug.
I do not have one of these boxes I have a Givi, but-

Depending on the clearance between the mounting plate at the front nearest the seat you may be able to lower those posts (machine or hacksaw some off or procure substitutes) if this is not enough then procure a longer rear support post.

 

[DougInKY]

Looks good Doug.
I do not have one of these boxes I have a Givi, but-

Depending on the clearance between the mounting plate at the front nearest the seat you may be able to lower those posts (machine or hacksaw some off or procure substitutes) if this is not enough then procure a longer rear support post.

It is late at night (actually early in the morning, I can't sleep tonight) so I hope that my post is clear and thoughtful, not just meandering garbage.

Norman, I think I am going to purchase some 1/2 inch PVC tubing and make my own spacers now that I have some idea of how long they need to be. All it will take is the pvc tubing, my cutoff wheel on my Dremel and some flat black paint. Think I will shoot for a perfectly level box. I undertand that Bestem made this adapter without access to a Burgman 650 and are in the process of making a new spacer kit for the plate. It isn't really a big deal for me as I can make my own spacers easily. I probably should have made the entire plate and spacers to begin with as LeDude did, but I have not felt up to speed since my last heart attack and choose the easy way out on this. As I tell my kids (grown kids that is), Some times you eat the bear, sometimes the bear eats you. I think I just got bit. Before this, everything I had bought from Bestem has worked well and has been high quality. The plate I got with this kit I still feel is high quality. It is just the spacers (even they are high quality) that aren't the right height. Kind of feel like I got a prototype from them. Every thing fits, just aren't the right height. Maybe I got some spacers from the T-Box 2012 in this kit although I did get three of them, not the four that the T-Box 2012 uses. I have a T-Box 929 which uses three (the number of spacers I got). <shrug> I don't have any idea but it will be easier to make my own than to go through hassling Bestem in hopes they will send me the right ones.

I do hope that this post is coherent, not just a mess. It is late and I have had to Preview and correct this post six times in an effort to make it make sense to my muddled mine. Please take what I said here with the understanding that I might be aghast with this post in the clear light of day. I am going back to bed where I should have been all along.

Namaste'
Doug in Kentucky

 

[NormanB]

Understood?

I would not use PVC tubing - I would try sticking to some thick wall steel tube.

Mind you - my wife always laughs that anything I build is nuclear hardened. If I am putting something on the wall the average Jo might use a 2 inch No 6 screw - me - I would use 3 inch No 8 or maybe 10!!

 

[MrWick]

Go to Ace Hardware and get some threaded spacers,threaded studs and nuts then you can raise/lower the whole thing the get it level. That is how I mounted my Bestem case.Get threaded studs and spaced that will screw into the Burgman mounting holes. The threaded studs come in various lengths so do some measuring to see what you will need.

 

[LeDude]

I have mounted 2 top boxes on my 400 and they were both "dead level"..!!

I think that maybe you mounted that plate backwards (If possible!) or the spacers are reversed from the one that go in the rear with the ones that go in the front.....UNDER THE MOUNTING PLATE..!! If the plate was not level to begin with - the box is going to DROOP............!!!!!!!

the spacers that Bestem has been shipping with their kit were cut for the 400, not the 650.


The folks at Bestem are working on hopefully providing the right size spacers for 650 owners, in the meantime this is what I would recommend for spacer heights:

My recommendations for the frame spacers are as follows at a minimum:

My spacer measurements came out to:

Two rear.......: 1 5/8 inches each
Single front...: 2 1/4 inches

 

[DougInKY]

Understood?

I would not use PVC tubing - I would try sticking to some thick wall steel tube.

Mind you - my wife always laughs that anything I build is nuclear hardened. If I am putting something on the wall the average Jo might use a 2 inch No 6 screw - me - I would use 3 inch No 8 or maybe 10!!

You sound like my brother-in-law. He overbuilds everything too. I just chuckle at him and move on. Is is nice though knowing that any thing he builds will still be solid in 50 years.

Namaste'
Doug in Kentucky

 

[meepmeep]

I ordered a 2012 box last week... they sent me a 929 by mistake which I like and have decided to keep - will be installing tomorrow ... so in order to make my 929 box level, I need to go to lowes/home depot and get this, right? :

1 (1/8 thick x 1/2 inch wide x 36 inches aluminum tube)

And when I get it home I cut it like this? :

Two rear.......: 1 5/8 inches each
Single front...: 2 1/4 inches

And then my 929 will mount level on the new bestem mounting plate?

LeDude, I know you originally made a custom mount - not sure if your spacer measurements were for your plate or the new one from bestem - that's why I'm asking. I thought a little planning might prevent me from spending my whole day at this tomorrow. Thanks guys!

 

[LeDude]

And then my 929 will mount level on the new bestem mounting plate?

LeDude, I know you originally made a custom mount - not sure if your spacer measurements were for your plate or the new one from bestem - that's why I'm asking. I thought a little planning might prevent me from spending my whole day at this tomorrow. Thanks guys!

those are the minimum height measurements for clearing the back of the 2012 base plate and the seat regardless of who's support plate you use. Unless you opt for the slanted towards the back look which will raise the back enough to clear the seat.

 

[cactuspwr]

Norman, I think I am going to purchase some 1/2 inch PVC tubing and make my own spacers now that I have some idea of how long they need to be. All it will take is the pvc tubing, my cutoff wheel on my Dremel and some flat black paint.

That's what I did. To make sure you can open and close the trunk, the will not be exactly on level but very close.

 

[Chaplain KC]

Bestem 929 Rocks!!

I cut the front spacer down 1/4". I don't have any problems with appearance or operation. It seems to be balance out now and very close to the bike like I want it. I recently took a 750 mile round trip overnight and it performed flawlessly. Definitely get the mounting plate. It is well worth it for a professional look. If you look here http://burgmanusa.com/forums/17-aft...929-top-box-wiring-help.html?highlight=bestem you will see how to properly wire your lights. Very easy. I also used a trailer pigtail on mine which makes for a great quick disconnect. This box is highly understated! I recommend going directly to Bestem USA and doing your 1 stop shopping. They are great to deal with and the shipping is fast. I don't believe you will be disappointed.:hello1:

 

[DougInKY]

I cut the front spacer down 1/4". I don't have any problems with appearance or operation. It seems to be balance out now and very close to the bike like I want it. I recently took a 750 mile round trip overnight and it performed flawlessly. Definitely get the mounting plate. It is well worth it for a professional look. If you look here http://burgmanusa.com/forums/17-aft...929-top-box-wiring-help.html?highlight=bestem you will see how to properly wire your lights. Very easy. I also used a trailer pigtail on mine which makes for a great quick disconnect. This box is highly understated! I recommend going directly to Bestem USA and doing your 1 stop shopping. They are great to deal with and the shipping is fast. I don't believe you will be disappointed.:hello1:

There must be some variation in spacer length as sent by Bestem. I needed more clearance with mine as the hardware was brushing against my tail on the bike. I do understand that Bestem is supposed to be sending out different spacers with new orders for the kit now.

Namaste'
Doug in Kentucky