Top box lid retaining straps

[Timo]

Great idea/solution.
Thought I would add to your post with a similar solution that has worked very well for me.  $2.50 for a package of 5 10" bungees.  I removed the hooks on each end to powder coated them black. (They come as chrome or gold).  I found some blue bungee to match my bike.
I used one for the top box lid and one on each of panniers.  This has completely addressed the issues of having the straps or plastic buckles getting caught when closing.
Timo

[Coconut]

Interesting to note that Triumph have modified the design,
and the straps are no longer "pop rivetted" in place,
but are secured with a nut and bolt with washers under the heads   

[Phil]

I have had to replace about three or four stock rivets with a nut, bolt and washer on top box and panion straps.   I also gave the strap a dab of glue around the thread bear hole just to bind the threads together a bit more securely.   Waited till the glue sets then reattach the strap to the lid with a nut, bolt and washer.   

[PhilInAthens]

Okay. Since we're on the topic of top box stuff - has anyone out there engineered a net or something to keep 'stuff' in the upper portion of the top box when it is opened? I keep my rarely used rain liners up there (sorry Brit friends) and the retainer straps don't do much to keep floppy stuff up there.  Ideas welcome.  Thanks!

[earthman]

I too have used a thin string of elastic (from the wife's craft supplies) to keep the two straps/buckles from falling outside of the box.

Generally we store our helmets in there whilst out and about so go easy on the tension/thickness of elastic if you do the same.

[Celso Novo]

About the trunk straps that fray and burst due to the rivets...
I had this problem and I solved it in the following way:
First I drilled the rivets with a hand drill and 5mm drill to remove them (photos 1 and 2).
Afterwards, I took 4 mm rivets and 11 and 14 mm washers and positioned the smaller ones on the inside of the holes where I took the old rivets and the larger washers I positioned them on the outside, exactly over the trunk straps (photos 3 to 8).
After the assembly was assembled, I used my rivet to fix the assembly (photos 9 to 11).
I thought it was very good and I believe that now the straps will have greater resistance due to the greater contact and grip area provided by the washers.