Paul - I wrote the following to help the next person who buys GIVI bags/racks. 
If you think it is worth putting in the FAQ, please feel free to do so. 
Thanks.  Rick Blunden - Davis, CA 
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GIVI Racks/Bags - My Experience

I bought GIVI racks and bags through my local dealer and installed them on my
'91 VX in April '97.  I hope my comments will save time for the next person.
 I bought:

1.  Fitting Kit *Y 304* for Wingrack E140/N140 for VX800 - one kit
2.  Wingrack 2 - N140 for 3 panniers - one pair
3.  E34 - 34 liter Monokey Topcase/Panniers - three bags
4.  Matching key sets so all bags use one key - three sets

Several large boxes arrived 4-6 weeks after ordering, and I was excited
when I opened them.  The welded steel and cast aluminum parts looked like
well-engineered, quality items.  I was less impressed when I began
installing the racks.  Here are some hints I would have appreciated:

1.  The *long support* is the piece that attaches to the passenger foot peg
mount.  The bottom of the support contacts the top of the muffler.  Grind
about 1/4 inch off the bottom of the support and touch up with black spray
paint. 

2.  The top *support* fits between the fender and the tubular frame member. 
The mounting instructions are not clear. 

3.  Grease all screws prior to assembly.  A 6 mm hex wrench fits all the
socket head screws.  One 17 mm, two 13 mm, and two 12 mm combination
wrenches fit all the hex head screws and nuts.

4.  Before installing the *superior support* and the *superior plate*,
reinstall the VX800 rear cowl and passenger handle.  Don't forget to
reconnect the tail light connector.  A little vaseline on the connector
keeps it lubed and corrosion free.

5.  After assembling and lightly snugging up all the screws, check the
clearance between the VX800 rear cowl and the *specific supports*. 
Clearance should be about 1/4 inch on each side of the bike.  Securely
tighten all the screws.

6.  Notice how easy it is to move the whole assembly after the bags are
attached.  This flex can fatigue and break the weld at the bottom of the
*long support* at the passenger foot rest. 

The *Y 100 Universal Connection Bridge Kit* or a home-made brace will help
secure the assembly.  From the FAQ, *Tim Morrow fashioned one from 1"x3/16"
steel strap, bent in a square-U shape.  The base of the U is 13-3/4" wide,
passes between the license plate and the fender, and is bolted to the
fender.  The arms extend forward with a hole at 8-3/16" which mates with
the bolts (longer replacements, actually) that attach the sidemounts to the
brackets that go forward to the passenger foot rests.*

GIVI (Marty and Natalie) told me they have not heard of a failure in the
long supports as long as the *superior support* and *superior plate* are
attached.  That may be true, but I plan to make a brace as recommended by
Tim soon.

7.  *Monokey* means only one key is needed to open or remove a bag.  My
three bags camewith two different keys.  I contacted GIVI and paid $15 to
get three new and different matching locks and six identical keys.  GIVI
would not sell me a single lock to match the matching pair of locks I
already had.  :-(

8.  I already had small aftermarket turn signals which I did not remove for
the racks.  The VX turn signals are too big to fit inside the racks.  If
you use the GIVI turn signals, they come without bulbs installed.

9.  With bags installed I can still reach the rear handle on the left side
of the bike to lift the bike onto the center-stand. 

10.  I mounted the top plate in the rear set of mounting holes on the side
supports .  This leaves just enough room for my wife and me without a
backrest on the topcase.  The 34 liter bags look huge on the bike.  I
bought smaller bags thinking that whatever we got, we would fill 'em up, a
la George Carlin's philosophy on *stuff*. 

11.  My wife and I have practiced getting on and off the bike with the bags
attached.  I get on first and then she gets on as if she were mounting a
horse.  She puts both hands on my shoulders, left foot on the the left foot
rest, and then she swings her right foot over the top case.  Getting off is
the reverse.  So far, no problems.

12.  I notice the extra weight when going slowly, i.e., < 10 mph.  With my
wife on the back, I haven't noticed much difference between bags versus no
bags at normal speeds. 

That's about it.  With modifications, the whole system took about three
hours to install.  The GIVI system looks good, and is working well.  It is
a treat to pop the bags off at the end of the day to go into a motel.  And
the top case is great for quick access items.  If anyone wants to comment
on the above or add to it, please feel free to do so.  I hope this helps
the next person.  Rick Blunden 6/2/97