Apex premium luggage installation mod ltx

[sxr101]

Apex Premium combination trunk bag mod

I bought a set of Yamaha premium combination luggage bags (tank/trunk) for my 2009 apex ltx long track. As others have mentioned here, the straps on the trunk bag are too short for long tracks. Some folks have sewn on strap extensions.. Others have come up with other creative methods.

After looking at the back of the apex for a while (a beer or three , I came up with another idea using the two bolts holding the tail light housing. I wondered if the plastic strap hoops could be bolted at that position. That would give me plenty of strap length and the straps would be in a "V" formation away from the pipes.

After some experimentation I found all I needed was: 2 m6x16 or m6x20 stainless bolts (sorry I can't remember the exact bolt length) and a couple of lock washers bent straight/flush. I liked the extra thickness of the lock washer.

Using a drill, you need to make the plastic-hoop rivet hole "a little" larger. You want the bolt to slide through the rivet hole freely. Trust me, this makes a big difference when bolting to the sled. Again, widen the rivet hole *just enough* for the bolt to pass through freely.

Remove the two bolts(10mm) on both sides of the tail light.

Assemble bolt, plastic strap hoop, then 2 washers. Screw into holes, holding the plastic hoop so it's positioned outside, toward the pipe.

Tighten down and your done!

No drilling holes in the frame. No riveting, and no sewing extended straps!

The original bolts have a flange near the head of the bolt. I don't know what that flange was for. Obviously, the bolt I'm replacing it with does not have that flange. Hopefully that does not cause any issues.

Anyway, see the URL link below for some pics if this mod. Maybe it will help someone else. Heck, maybe Yamaha will see this and come up with an official bolt/strap loop for this location.

There's another mod in the URL which shows how to take up the excess slack on the tunnel strap. It also creates a safety mechanism in case the tunnel latch accidentally pops open. Check it out.

Disclaimer, this mod is untested, use at your own risk.

http://www.angelfire.com/wi3/jimzone/apex-luggage-mod/

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[Irv]

Great job, I am sure others with long tracks will be using your method now as well

 

[sxr101]

Just a follow up.....

Warning: Be careful not to over tighten the bolts. The receiving nut/spring is inset into the taillight bracket which could be plastic. Over torquing could cause the taillight bracket to crack.

Does anyone know for sure if the taillight bracket #26 below is plastic or metal?

Here is a link to the microfiche.

http://www.portyamaha.com/fiche_sec...=Snowmobiles&make=YAMAHA&year=2009&fveh=28699


- The new bolts in my mod replaces #28
- The bolt goes through:

• #18 COVER, TAILLIGHT
  #20 Louver 1

- The bolt screws into #26 BRACKET TAILLIGHT, with inset #27 NUT,SPRING

 

[THKSNOW]

I just drilled two holes and installed a small U bolt with a nut on each side. With the weight in the bags pounding down the trail I would be worried about the housing holding up. Note: I don't have a rear heat exchanger.

 

[sxr101]

thksnow, You make a great point and definitely worth consideration for those thinking of trying this. However, I have a rear heat exchanger. I didn't think drilling into the tunnel extension was an option.

I only use the trunk bags several times a winter, so for the casual user this might be ok. Again, this mod is untested. I'll have to keep a close eye on it.

 

[tcona-AGT]

I just drilled two holes and installed a small U bolt with a nut on each side. With the weight in the bags pounding down the trail I would be worried about the housing holding up. Note: I don't have a rear heat exchanger.

I've done the exact same thing up till this year& I had to turn the "U"bolt 90 degrees.There is just enough room ahead of the heat exchanger on my SE.

 

[bcmsw]

I did the same thing with a stainless steel eye bolt on my XTX. Plenty of room in front of the cooler.