Shad conversion 4P to 3P luggages

SHAD is a Spanish motorcycle accessories manufacturer famous for their luggage systems. They do a variety of boxes, bags and especially holders for various motorcycle brands. 

The difference between 3P and 4P systems is in the number of mounting points. 3P is held by 3 points on a typical L-shaped bar whilst 4P is usually rectangular with mounting points down and up. CF moto uses a 4P system too, without an anti-slide pin. Usually, you do not decide which you want but you take what is available or you do the conversion as in this article.

Originally I didn't choose them but Shad 3P was the only aftermarket rack available for my motorcycle. I took two SH23 boxes for it and I was happy. The system is lightweight but robust.

Later with my next bike there was only available Shad 4P system rack and my existing boxes were not listed as supported but I still went with it. What made me angry was the fact that boxes fit the rack perfectly - incompatible is only locking plastic pad/piece. 

Typical compatibility problem is that top-loaded boxes are not possible open on rack made for side loaded cases, but it wasn't case here.

The easiest method how to proceed was to order replacement holder parts for 3P locking system "D1B23FIR" and customize it for 4P rack. That include unreturnable changes. Luckily it is made out of plastic so this goes easy with hand tools. 

First you need to drill a hole to the back of it to fit 20 mm go-through pipe, preferably with a countersink drill. Then to do two straight cuts on bottom and back to allow it to be inserted on the pipe. 

Second part is to accommodate an anti-slip / anti-rotate pin. That I did by drilling a series of holes to the right spot and interconnecting them with a file. Perhaps some more precise and nicer process could be used than I did.

Third last step was to drill hole to allow zip tie to hold lock pad on the right spot without the possibility of lifting it up. Since mechanical stability is secured by metal pin this is just for additional strength and to stay together.

To whom questing the security: Yes it is less secure then 3P system but even that you could unscrew from the back or unmount the whole rack from motorcycle with a hexa key. Do not leave anything too valuable in side boxes. :)

Why I love this is SH23 cases are not wider than handlebars - the agility of motorcycle is not affected compared to SH36 boxes that would go over the default silhouette. I can't imagine attaching horrible huge TR36 liters bags either.

The solution is now under testing process. No issues occurred after the first few hundred kilometers with load or without. 

• first feedback was that one zip tie isn't strong enough to hold the whole weight. 
• I used multiple zip ties, and I added silver and electric black tape around 
• holds perfectly already for 2 years
• bigger bags = heavier bike (it feels sometimes too much even with 2x23 l)
• Two sh23 boxes are not possible to carry in one hand, so someone has to open doors for you
• sh23 cannot be overloaded because then the lock doesn't work. 
• Also you need to open them to attach to the bike (can be pretty annoying when parking in the rain)
• new TR27 looks great and is 4P system :) 

Technical note

If you don't like this solution, then get 3P panniers from a similar motorcycle and adapt those. I got advised that for my Macbor Montana XR5 500 is also compatible with holder rack for Versys 650 that could be adapted with a bit of mechanical attempts to fit this bike too. It is your choice if you can cut plastic or metal with your skills / equipment. 

 

Anyway, shame on Shad for not providing full range of combinations to their products.