Harbor Freight "Apache" Luggage Set!

[TrailBoss]

I finally finished my budget case build out this weekend. I used the Apache cases from Harbor Freight. The big case on the rack easily accommodates an additional large dry bag on top. I have an 80 liter that fits well and between that and the rest of the cases I have PLENTY of storage for a trip.

Front box (Apache 1800): tubes, pump, plug kit, tools, spout for fuel tank.
Side box (Apache 2800): "quick access" items like rain gear.
Top box (Apache 4800): camping/living items.
Dry bag: tent, sleeping pad, whatever else

One of my goals was to centralize and balance mass on the bike as much as possible. This is why I moved the spare fuel (Givi Tank) to the mid rack location. With all the cases empty, the bike is still forward weight biased when on the center stand, but not by much.

 

[SneakyDingo]

Front box (Apache 1800): tubes, pump, plug kit, tools, spout for fuel tank.
Side box (Apache 2800): "quick access" items like rain gear.
Top box (Apache 4800): camping/living items.
Dry bag: tent, sleeping pad, whatever else
much.

What is the center rack box?

EDIT: I see, it's not a box, that's a fuel canister.

 

[oldskool]

Cool. One small point for what it is worth. If you mount the 4800 longways to the sides it will not add any overall width to your rig as it will not extend farther than the 2800 and muffler guard. If mounted even with the back of the rack you will gain 4 1/2" of space on the front of the rack. If you move it back and hang over the tail light you will gain 1/2 foot of usable rack.

 

[TrailBoss]

Cool. One small point for what it is worth. If you mount the 4800 longways to the sides it will not add any overall width to your rig as it will not extend farther than the 2800 and muffler guard. If mounted even with the back of the rack you will gain 4 1/2" of space on the front of the rack. If you move it back and hang over the tail light you will gain 1/2 foot of usable rack.

Definitely an option. Previously I had my 58L Givi mounted so that had 10 or so inches in front, for a dry bag. it worked fine, but the Givi case is big and heavy and with it hanging over the rear a lot of weight was rearward of the axle.

So for this one, as much as you could argue it really doesn't affect much, I wanted to optimize these principles:

1. Mass centralization - load heavier items as far forward as possible.
2. Aerodynamics - less frontal area under normal riding conditions. I bet with this setup I can now go 50.3MPH instead of 50!

Prior setup here. You can see how on the center stand and empty Givi box it lifted the front.

 

[quinnsd13]

That's a very good point that I didn't think of when setting up my top box. It's definitely rear-heavy. I'm heavy enough that it doesn't seem to matter much, but I'll certainly keep it in mind when I go to set it up for camping.

 

[RedRider123]

I finally finished my budget case build out this weekend. I used the Apache cases from Harbor Freight. The big case on the rack easily accommodates an additional large dry bag on top. I have an 80 liter that fits well and between that and the rest of the cases I have PLENTY of storage for a trip.

Front box (Apache 1800): tubes, pump, plug kit, tools, spout for fuel tank.
Side box (Apache 2800): "quick access" items like rain gear.
Top box (Apache 4800): camping/living items.
Dry bag: tent, sleeping pad, whatever else

One of my goals was to centralize and balance mass on the bike as much as possible. This is why I moved the spare fuel (Givi Tank) to the mid rack location. With all the cases empty, the bike is still forward weight biased when on the center stand, but not by much.



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Beautiful build! Any advice on the best way to mount that Apache 4800 to ensure its water tightness and stability?

 

[G19Tony]

That's a nice seat cover. Where did you find it?

 

[Kritou]

Can you please detail how that 2800 attaches? Thanks

 

[Farmer Mike]

Can you please detail how that 2800 attaches? Thanks

I'll second that request... I bought one of those boxes (2800) a couple days ago, and I'm waiting with anticipation on how you mounted it...

 

[TrailBoss]

Beautiful build! Any advice on the best way to mount that Apache 4800 to ensure its water tightness and stability?

If you use the 4 M8 mounts on the rack, all you need to do is drill 4 matching holes through the bottom of the case. Use a metal plate or large flat washers with a little silicone and the case should be as water tight as it can be.

 

[TrailBoss]

I'll second that request... I bought one of those boxes (2800) a couple days ago, and I'm waiting with anticipation on how you mounted it...

I used a G-Craft utility rack.

Thus thread attempts to convey that if you go that route, you may want to reinforce the rack mount like I did.

Custom Harbor Freight Luggage, and a Must-Do Utility Rack Mod

I added Harbor Freight waterproof cases to my Trail. The little one on the front is mounted to the Motoskill front rack. This was an easy installation since I just drilled through the rack and bolted the box on. Two bolts holds it very securely. The back case is larger, the "2800" size they...

hondatrail125.com

 

[dmonkey]

If you use the 4 M8 mounts on the rack, all you need to do is drill 4 matching holes through the bottom of the case. Use a metal plate or large flat washers with a little silicone and the case should be as water tight as it can be.

The empty threaded holes on top of the rear carrier of the USA bikes should all be M6 rather than M8.

 

[TrailBoss]

The empty threaded holes on top of the rear carrier of the USA bikes should all be M6 rather than M8.

Thanks, my memory failed!

 

[Bumper]

I finally finished my budget case build out this weekend. I used the Apache cases from Harbor Freight. The big case on the rack easily accommodates an additional large dry bag on top. I have an 80 liter that fits well and between that and the rest of the cases I have PLENTY of storage for a trip.

Front box (Apache 1800): tubes, pump, plug kit, tools, spout for fuel tank.
Side box (Apache 2800): "quick access" items like rain gear.
Top box (Apache 4800): camping/living items.
Dry bag: tent, sleeping pad, whatever else

One of my goals was to centralize and balance mass on the bike as much as possible. This is why I moved the spare fuel (Givi Tank) to the mid rack location. With all the cases empty, the bike is still forward weight biased when on the center stand, but not by much.



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Looks Awesome. I did a very similar set-up but used Pelican boxes (didn't know about the Harbor Freight ones or I would have gone with them). I carry my extra fuel in a fuel bottle on the headlight guard. Plus I have to carry bear spray where I am at so I went with a small Pelican box and bear spray on the stepthrough rack.

 

[SneakyDingo]

Looks Awesome. I did a very similar set-up but used Pelican boxes (didn't know about the Harbor Freight ones or I would have gone with them). I carry my extra fuel in a fuel bottle on the headlight guard. Plus I have to carry bear spray where I am at so I went with a small Pelican box and bear spray on the stepthrough rack.

And I see it was even lab tested.