Shad 39 Top Case Install

[Pappy35]

I finally settled on a top case for my Camhead a week ago and bought a Shad 39. Here are precious few online images of this combo so here are photos for your amusement as well as some thoughts regarding the various offerings out there:

 

1. The 39 was smallest size they offered that could swallow my XXL Neotec II.
2. You can leave the case unlocked and not have to dig out a key to open it. This was a big deal and is the #1 reason I didn't even consider a Givi. Well, that and the Givi guy I talked to on the phone was a phallus: "Why would you not want to use a key?!? Do you WANT people to steal your stuff?" He, literally, said that to me on the phone when I called to verify that you HAVE to use the key to open it every time. 
3. It sits in a nice spot between the BMW 29L and 49L cases and was only $300 installed with a backrest. That's HALF what the small BMW case costs and forget about the big one, that's almost five times as much!
4. It looks pretty nice on the bike as the pictures show.

 

I am very impressed overall as the quality is as good, if not a little better, than the BMW panniers. It comes with generic mounting hardware that doesn't work very well at all with the luggage rack so it's worth the extra $90 or so buy the bits engineered to fit. Makes for a very clean, secure, installation and lets you position it fore and aft (about 2" total) to suit your needs. 

 

PS - big shout out to Revzilla. Their customer support is OUTSTANDING!

 

[Martyn]

The parent company supply an awful lot of OE luggage, including BMW in their customer list. Always looks quality.

[Pappy35]

Yeah. I read that in a few places which is another reason I bought there''s. Now I'm thinking I'd like to find a soft bag that will fit inside like I have for the panniers.

[walton66]

I have a Shad50 and got a liner from Kathy’s designs. Check it out to see if she can fix you up or  call Richard at RKA. 

[Pappy35]

They made my pannier liners. Really nice stuff. They didn't list anything small enough for the 39 but maybe I'll call Monday.

[Oldrider51]

I purchased the GIVI V40 Tech top case for my R1200Rs and then called Kathy's  Motorcycle Bags for the inner bag to fit the 40 liter top case, it was a no go and this in December, 2018. Finally got the inner bag from Tour & Ride for it (<Tour&Ride.com>). Maybe this bag will fit the Shad 39L case. Yes with the GIVI you need to use the key all the time, but it also makes sure the case is always locked onto the mounting plate, but do not know how the Shad is locked to it's mounting plate.

[Pappy35]

With the Shad you need the key to remove it from the mount.

[Mike]

I have a little larger version, the SH49. It lacks the integration of the BMW topcase, so you need to carry an extra key, but I found it to be equal in quality, and a heck of a lot less expensive. 

 

I agree with you regarding the mounting hardware...the stuff specific to the RT works much better than the “universal” mount.

[poodad]

I have a Shad 50L case with the same mounting plate you have. Word to the wise: put plastic caps over those long bolts so that you don't rip the skin off your hand when you stick it under the rack when washing the bike.

 

Don't ask me how I know this.