R1150GS Givi E189 Topcase Rack Install

This documents installing a Givi E189 Topcase Rack on a 2001 BMW R1150GS. The rack is for Givi Monokey cases only.

I purchased the rack on craigslist for $60 shipped. It was missing some of the mounting hardware, so I didn’t save much versus buying new.

The install is pretty easy. It took me about fifteen minutes.

These are the parts I received:

The rack:

 

The adapter plate:

The hardware (some is missing):

After a trip to the store and $8 later, the adapter with all required mounting hardware:

Tools I used:

• 5mm hex wrench
• 4mm hex wrench
• 1/4” socket wrench
  • 10mm deep well socket
• flat screwdriver
• PH3 Phillips screwdriver
• small Phillips precision screwdriver
• blue loctite
• includes affiliate links to support the blog

1) use the flat screwdriver to pry the plastic cover off the top of the plate

 

2) use the 5mm hex wrench to remove the stock bolts one at a time. If you remove both, the fender will fall down onto the tire.

3) After removing one, put some blue loctite on the new screw. Add the metal adapter plate and the long M6x70 1.00 flat head hex screw (4mm hex wrench) on one side as shown here on the left.

My kit only came with one, so I found another M6x60 1.00 flat head at the store which worked fine. Here you can see all three compared. the M6x60, M6x70 (kit), and stock.

4) remove the other stock bolt (5mm hex wrench), and replace with the new one (PH3 screwdriver). I added blue loctite to both before tightening. The flat heads are required for the rack to sit flush on the adapter.

5) These are M6x35 hex head bolts and M6x35 flat heads with nylon nuts (10mm) I purchased from the store since the hardware was missing.

6) Using more loctite, the other two flat heads, nuts, and washers, bolt the rear of the adapter to the rear of the luggage rack. I used the 10mm wrench and PH3 screwdriver here.

7) Using the M6x35 10mm hex head bolts, I added the included round washers and square washers. These are used to hold the nylon rack to the metal adapter. The metal adapter is already threaded, so no nuts needed. I also used blue loctite here as well.

 

The bolts before tightening:

 

8) Push the plastic cover onto the toprack. Then, using the small precision Phillips screwdriver, I installed the four small screws to hold it in place. They are quite delicate, so be careful.

  

9) Givi E189 topcase rack installed

10) I popped the extra power adapter off, so my case would sit flush. The power adapter is used to add brake lights to the topcase. I will probably add them in the future for more visibility.

 

11) I removed these two bolts (5mm hex wrench) on the front of the frame near the rider’s seat. They hold the front of the metal plate the topcase rack is bolted to. I removed them to add blue loctite and tightened them up. One was slightly loose, so I was glad I checked.

My Givi V46 installed on the rack:

Here you can see the gap to the pillion seat. Plenty of room to lean back or to add a backrest.

 

After the installed, I had the two stock bolts and the cable for the power adapter left over. These will be saved for future use.

BMW Goodies

Thanks to some very generous gifts, I was able to buy a bunch of goodies for the bikes this past weekend. I was very surprised today to come home and find two packages had already arrived!

The first is a Givi E189 top case plate for the BMW. This will allow me to use my existing V46 case! Look for the install write up of this later.

I also received these driving lights for the BMW. I want the bike to be more conspicuous to other road users. I also want to improve my night-time visibility. If they work out well, I’ll probably buy another set. They are very highly rated on advrider.

 

The above are a pair of 24 watt LED driving lights which provide 1500 lumens of light. Each is the equivalent of a regular 55w motorcycle headlight. I plan on mounting them near the front beak and removing the existing driving lights since one is broken and the other mismatched. I will move the working light to the Ural to improve my visibility there. The LEDs are from ADV Monster. I will do a write up when I get around to installing them later this winter.

 

The Ural’s left mirror has been giving me trouble. Some how it came loose over the weekend, and it was a huge pain to ride without a left mirror. I was constantly looking over my shoulder. No fun! To get the mirror tight again, I had to remove the Ural’s fairing, so it could spin tight on the handlebars. A quick 10 minute job.

I folded the sidecar windshield back under the tonneau cover. The sidecar windshield keeps my wife warm, but I’m warmer without it.  It sits behind the main fairing and the air moving off of it goes directly into my right side.

The above will give you an idea of how much snow we’ve gotten in the last two weeks. More is on the way!