i have been using the site a bunch to outfit my bike for my upcoming trip to nova scotia.
it is all prepped up and ready to go.
i wanted to give something back.
the following is the best hybrid solution i could find to carry a substantial amount of camera gear & a tripod.
various aspects of this install has been described elsewhere, and i credit all ideas to the original posters.
however, this is the first post of a tripod install that i have found.
1.
install side rails for standard bmw system cases.
2.
buy and install givi monokey case carrier mounting hardware (do not install top plate).
i got mine for $130 at http://www.rlmotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/eS ... oduct=Givi
3.
buy pelican 1600 case (note that this is a very large case, but i think it works well).
i got mine for $133 at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/4 ... _Case.html
4.
align case on givi hardware. mark out where holes will need to go.
5.
drill out pelican case holes.
6.
take pelican case to a local metal fabricator (most full service heating and air-conditioning companies that do duct work installation can do this).
i asked them to create two metal plates with holes templated from the pelican case.
these sandwich the plastic bottom of the case, and reinforce it.
7.
mount case to givi case carrier with bolts and washers.
i got all my mounting hardwear at boltdepot.com, where it was easy to find the exact metric sizes that i wanted.
8.
drill out top of case to install bungee buddies.
they are widely available, and less than $10.
here is one example: http://www.cyclegadgets.com/products/pr ... ?Item=BBUD
the photo shows the inside of the top part of the case, with the bungee buddies peaking through).
9.
get some shock cord or elastic tent pole cord at a local outdoors store (ems, rei, etc) and loop it through the bungee buddies.
10.
buy four 4" L-brackets at a hardware store.
there should be two holes on each arm of the L bracket.
take two L brackets and create a U bracket.
when you do this, the holes should line up on the bottom leg of the bracket.
bolt these together.
11.
drill out holes on the front of the case and mount the U-brackets (these create the tripod holder).
notice that i wrapped my brackets in foam and tape, so that they are not sharp.
then, redrill through the foam and tape so that the original hole is still accessable.
this hole will be necessary for a tie down.
11.
mount tripod on U-brackets (note that the tripod is in a padded case)
12.
i then secure the tripod to the U-bracket with some cord that runs through the bottom eye of the L-bracket, around the tripod case, and back out the top eye.
(not pictured).
13. (optional)
since the case is hard mounted to the bike and not truly portable, the handle is no longer necessary.
simply knock the pins out of the handle with a screwdriver and hammer.
save these pieces in case you ever want to reattach them.
(note that handle used to be attached where those three plastic fins are).
14.
this is the completed assembly.
as to how to actually carry the gear, it is up to you.
option 1:
use the foam in the case to pluck out holes and place camera gear directly inside.
i didn't do this, because since the case isn't portable, i didn't want to have to leave everything on the bike all the time.
option 2:
i bought some soft pouches for the camera and lenses, and just throw it all in the case.
i left the bottom 1" foam piece in for cushioning.
option 3:
buy a specialized camera bag and place in case.
if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
thanks so much to all of you for your help.
-daniel.
