I came back from Death Valley with my mind made up to switch from the stock BMW cases to something not made of plastic. I’ve not been 100% confident in the stock hardware since I lost a case on my way home from Gardnerville in 2005. I decided on the Touratech Zega 35L special set for the R1200 GS.
![UPS brings toys](./t-20070426-1343-2713.jpg)
UPS brings toys
![Lots of bubble wrap](./t-20070426-1345-2714.jpg)
Lots of bubble wrap
UPS brought me toys in a large cardboard box filled with more cardboard and bubble wrap. Nothing was missing. Nothing was bent, broken, or otherwise damaged.
![Prepped GS](./t-20070426-1345-2715.jpg)
Prepped GS
![Zega components](./t-20070426-1357-2716.jpg)
Zega components
![Hardware and German Instructions](./t-20070426-1407-2717.jpg)
Hardware and German Instructions
I’d prepped the GS by removing the luggage rack and the plastic luggage platform earlier. I took the time to give the newly exposed bits of metal and plastic a good cleaning while things were appart. I knew that removing those parts was necessary having found a PDF of the installation instructions on the Touratech USA site. This is a good thing as the instructions that came with the hardware were in German.
![Brace position](./t-20070426-1411-2718.jpg)
Brace position
![Frame paint protection](./t-20070426-1415-2719.jpg)
Frame paint protection
![Brace installed](./t-20070426-1417-2720.jpg)
Brace installed
The first step was to mount the brace. I put it in place to eyeball its location and then remove it to place a small strip of 3m film over the frame tubes to protect the paint where the brace could rub. The brace was then re-installed and the tail light wiring connector plugged back in. Then I made my only error… I should have put at least the lower section of the luggage platform back on the bike. I didn’t. This caused minor problems later.