Is the Shad top box unsafe?

Cousin Jack

Cousin Jack

Joined
Aug 21, 2008
Messages
81
Age
82
Location
Ellensburg, Wa
Because of some comments on here, I went and ordered a 50L Shad top box for my 2007.......

Felt pretty good about myself until someone on another forum, someone I trust, said that Shads were not sturdy enough for motorcycles at speed, that they have been known to rip off at the base and go tumbling down the road....

My Shad hasn't got here yet, but... what say you? Has anyone on here ripped their Shad box off, or does anyone on here have serious questions about their quality? My lovely redhead will be leaning on it; don't want her to go tumbling down the highway.....
 
I haven't heard of that happening but that doesn't mean that it didn't happen. I would contact Shad and ask them the question. It might have been an early problem that has been corrected but they should be able to settle your concerns.
 
Bad thing about a review like that, even from a trusted source, is there will always be someone who experienced the worse that can happen with every conceivable add-on you can put on your bike.
I've read or heard of ALL brands and models of top cases "ripping off" as someone was riding down the highway. Even Givi is included in this hall of infamy. Personally I think the Shad cases are very well made, but I admit I've never touched one in person, just researched up to the point of buying and then baulked at spending the money. I do know Shad makes the OEM cases for BMW so they can't be too bad. :)
I ended up putting a Bestem 2012 case on, due to budget constraints, and added the extra through bolt in the bottom for insurance against my own lapses (not snapping it on the base all the way as is the most likely cause of a case going flying).
Install details for mine at this linky. Wouldn't be surprised if you could do something along those lines (security bolt) with the Shad or any other brand case.
 
Thank you so much, RJS, I downloaded your crystal clear document, and shall use it as a guide....thanks again, and I feel much better about the Shad.....we'll see when it arrives.....

now, where did my wife put her cutting board?
:D:D:D
 
More feel good:

I forget which manufactures use them, but Shad's have been installed as OEM luggage.

just sayin'

Tom de
 
I sure hope they are ok. I'm installing a SH-37 on my 1998 CB750. Shad was the only company I found with a specific mount for that bike. The case should arrive here in the next few days. The Shad Top Master mount will take a little longer to get here since it's coming from the factory in Spain. After the installation I'll post how it went and comment on the quality, here and on nighthawk-forums.com.
 
I've used a Bestem 1021 econo-box on my ST13 and now on my FJR. Not the sturdiest box around but it doesn't leak, it holds plenty and looks pretty good in gloss black. It's travelled 10,000 miles with me. The mounting latch looked like the weak link, even though it's very similar to the Givi system. Looks like it would be easy for me -duh!- to ride away with the latch not secured. As mentioned in the link provided by rjs987 above, a through bolt removes any chance that the box will fly off. But rather than use a bolt and wingnut as shown, use a T-nut installed on the underside of the cutting board adapter plate. The bolt then threads into the T-nut and the hole doesn't need to go all the way through the box's mounting plate and the bike's rack. Works like a charm except I sometimes forget about the bolt and struggle for a few seconds to get the top box off. Duh! again.

I don't see why the security bolt won't work with the Shad box, too.

pete
 
I thought about using a t-nut in the cutting board adapter plate but the location is right at the very back edge so not enough board left to be secure. I think what I did works good for me. If you leave a little more length on the adapter board or set the box (or the security bolt location) a little forward the t-nut would work. I would suggest epoxy to secure the t-nut so it won't back out when the top case is off the bike while riding.
 
A friend of mine has Shad side and top cases mounted on his DL650 and has never had any problems with any of them. I have a Givi top box on my ST, which looks quite similar to his top box, although the attachment system on the Shad actually looks better what is on my Givi. I would have no concerns using the Shad cases.
 
Moot point now, since the Shad has been backordered, shows no sign of delivery....think I'll give up and get a Riv't soft rear bag.......
 
Cousin Jack said:
Moot point now, since the Shad has been backordered, shows no sign of delivery....think I'll give up and get a Riv't soft rear bag.......
Click to expand...

How long has it been? motorcycleluggage.com ordered my Top master mount from the factory in Spain and it was here in a week. I did encounter some problems with the mount. I had to relocate the 750's helmet lock to get things to fit, and fab a plate to attach the lock to Shad's mount. It's much more conveniently located now. FWIW I tested the SH37 to tripple digits and had no problems.
 
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