Show Chrome Accessories trunk rack removal tips

[UtahPete]

When I bought this 2014RT used, it had this rack in place. I've decided I don't want it (too heavy for the lid among other things) so will remove it and make it available on this forum.

My question is this; since this mounts via holes drilled through the lid, I will then have 4 holes to plug up / dress up. Any ideas on fixes that will leave the trunk lid looking good?

Rear trunk rack.jpg

[Bob Denman]

Some kind of Bondo, and time spent with the correct touch-up paint?

[Lew L]

1" chrome spikes------- they will keep the kids off the trunk.

[almosthere]

If it is just that the lid wont stay up I have a simple fix. After going to Valcourt and touring production line we discovered the lid has the mounting points on BOTH sides for the lift struts. I went to my dealer and ordered a second strut and mounting hardware. Simple install just lay passenger back rest forward install hardware and strut and replace backrest. Easy Peasy and I'm all thumbs with tools. I did this on both mine and my wife's 15 RT-S. Now in bet I could strap 10# to top of lid and it would still jump open and stay up.

[UtahPete]

If it is just that the lid wont stay up I have a simple fix. After going to Valcourt and touring production line we discovered the lid has the mounting points on BOTH sides for the lift struts. I went to my dealer and ordered a second strut and mounting hardware. Simple install just lay passenger back rest forward install hardware and strut and replace backrest. Easy Peasy and I'm all thumbs with tools. I did this on both mine and my wife's 15 RT-S. Now in bet I could strap 10# to top of lid and it would still jump open and stay up.

Thanks. The other reason is that I don't think we'll ever use it. I just can't imagine why I'd want to load it up with any gear. There is a weight limit to the rear trunk and I can see that with the additional weight of the rack and the luggage on it, that limit could be exceeded pretty easily. But, maybe I'm wrong about that.

[pegasus1300]

I was thinking some kind of chrome plug ... don't know if they exist. I'm not going to even attempt body work and paint job!

I have the same rack. I put it on when I first bought my Spyder but have thought of removing it. My thought is to go to Value Accessories and buy that set of chrome Star conchos they have to under the legs of the rack and put a short chrome bolt thru to hold them on and fill the holes. I just looked through thei online catalogue and couldn't see them but that's where I bought them when I bought my rack. They go under the feet on the rack to spread the load out.

[UtahPete]

If it is just that the lid wont stay up I have a simple fix. After going to Valcourt and touring production line we discovered the lid has the mounting points on BOTH sides for the lift struts. I went to my dealer and ordered a second strut and mounting hardware. Simple install just lay passenger back rest forward install hardware and strut and replace backrest. Easy Peasy and I'm all thumbs with tools. I did this on both mine and my wife's 15 RT-S. Now in bet I could strap 10# to top of lid and it would still jump open and stay up.

You don't happen to have that part# do you? Thanks.

[Copperman]

There are small black plugs that you can buy at any auto parts store. They come in different sizes so know what size hole you're trying to plug when you go shopping. They're flat and look good.

[jaherbst]

I was thinking maybe four small antennae and purchase a Police Helmut. You could get them wondering.

Jack

[pegasus1300]

Do you mean like these? http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Inch-Monta...3D310186360700

Well yes and no.These are round but have a star covering the center and a hole thru the center and are chrome. They are load distributing washers to go under the legs of racks to spread out the stress points. I don't get my Spyder back until Saturday or I would take a picture and show you.

[almosthere]

250000843, 250300039, 708300383, and 708300384 Are the part #s to order. For all the nuts bolts and strut you'll need.

[Copperman]

When I bought this 2014RT used, it had this rack in place. I've decided I don't want it (too heavy for the lid among other things) so will remove it and make it available on this forum.

My question is this; since this mounts via holes drilled through the lid, I will then have 4 holes to plug up / dress up. Any ideas on fixes that will leave the trunk lid looking good?

Rear trunk rack.jpg

You could always try to trade the whole trunk cover, with the rack in place, with someone who's wanting the rack. Other than the cost of postage, you'd both be making out. The cover is only held on with six screws.

[Bob Denman]

I don't think they would plug the hole well enough to prevent water leaking through. Thanks, though.

I think that the outer lid is just sort of a cover: the inner panels handle the sealing chores!

(I think...)

[UtahPete]

250000843, 250300039, 708300383, and 708300384 Are the part #s to order. For all the nuts bolts and strut you'll need.

Thank you!

[Bandera]

If you have a equine saddlery shop in town, they have all kinds of nice looking items that may be used to cover-up the holes. You can add a little RTV or silicone to aid in sealing the hole.

Michael

[UtahPete]

Thanks to all for your ideas. I think what I'm going to try first is to get an additional strut for the lid, so that's not a factor. Then, see where we go from there.

Thanks again.

[blacklightning]

Thanks to all for your ideas. I think what I'm going to try first is to get an additional strut for the lid, so that's not a factor. Then, see where we go from there.

Thanks again.

I think that is your best bet. As for not using it, I thought about getting one when I had my RT. The only time and thing that I figured that I would ever use it for, would be for storage of my rain suit when traveling. That is a good place to have it for quick access when it is needed. I tend to have everything stuffed in when I am traveling and a rain suit is something that you may need quick access to. Now that I have a F3T, I tend to keep the rain suit in the frunk, since it is too small for much else.

[Copperman]

Now that I have a F3T, I tend to keep the rain suit in the frunk, since it is too small for much else.

I keep my frunk empty so I can put my full face, modular, helmet in it to lock it up. That and what ever fits inside my helmet.

[SpyderNeil]

When I bought this 2014RT used, it had this rack in place. I've decided I don't want it (too heavy for the lid among other things) so will remove it and make it available on this forum.

My question is this; since this mounts via holes drilled through the lid, I will then have 4 holes to plug up / dress up. Any ideas on fixes that will leave the trunk lid looking good?

Rear trunk rack.jpg

I install four of the "Push Pins" in the holes in mine when I want to take off the rack. My RT is black, and so are the pins, so it's not very noticeable. I'm not sure what that would look like on your color, but its a cheep thing to try!

Neil

[2Paw]

http://www.bigbikeparts.com/template...4&GroupGuid=87

or

http://www.bigbikeparts.com/template...R&GroupGuid=87

[UtahPete]

http://www.bigbikeparts.com/template...4&GroupGuid=87 or http://www.bigbikeparts.com/template...R&GroupGuid=87

Ed, thanks for providing a link to the Show Chrome Star Washer. This is perfect whether I decide to keep the rack (for added protection of the mounting surface) or to plug up the holes if I decide to remove it. And, they're cheaper with free shipping from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Show-Chrome-A...+rubber+washer

[2Paw]

Got this in an email after I posted the other links

http://bigbikeparts.com/templates/pr...m_medium=email

[pegasus1300]

http://www.bigbikeparts.com/template...4&GroupGuid=87

or

http://www.bigbikeparts.com/template...R&GroupGuid=87

That's the ones I was talking about.

[UtahPete]

250000843, 250300039, 708300383, and 708300384 Are the part #s to order. For all the nuts bolts and strut you'll need.

Well, I ordered these and finally received them today. Any final words of advice before I try to figure out how to remove the passenger back rest?

[2dogs]

I tossed mine because the bottom two holes for the rack are on a curved surface. Even with the rubber washer you can stress the trunk lid and no telling when a crack will appear. I got some fender washers and fit them to the underside of the lid's curve for extra support. We carry only items on the rack that don't weigh much. Clothing, bike cover, gloves and so on. As for the support arm giving out, I used finless Bob's idea of a spring from Ace Hardware to go around the lower shaft of the arm. Works great.