I have a set of throw over leather saddlebags that came with my bike. They use the fixed mount chrome hoop bracket that drops down off the struts like the one in this picture.

The fixed brackets keep the soft bags from sagging and resting on the pulley or getting caught up in the drive belt or rear wheel.

If I wanted to convert these bags to removable bags, how would I keep the sagging of the bags from making contact with the drive belt or rear wheel? Anyone had any luck with converting throw over bags to quick disconnect bags using easybrackets or something similar?

 

Thanks for asking. I'm pondering the same question as I want large bags for long trips, & want to convert a small set of throw overs for local runs.
Should I install plywood inside the back of the little ones?

 

We ran leather bags like that for years on SuperGlides,never had problems.The shocks,chain guard,etc kept the bags out of trouble.

 

I put Easy Brackets on my wifes bike, had to make some plastic plates to stiffen the bags.
The brackets do make the bags stick out to the sides of the bike quite a bit and there are bushings that stay on the bike with the bags removed.

 

These bags are cheap throw overs I had on my Shovel. I cut off the yokes, bought some threaded rod and bolted them on using the bikes existing bracket that I was useing on my old throw overs. They work fine. If you use easy brackets, they are large enough that when you bolt the saddlebag to them, they will support the bag unless its just really floppy leather. If thats the case you can use whatever you like as a backing to support the bag. Tin, plywood, aluminum sheet....whatever. Otherwise, just bolt them on. On mine, they are held on with two bolts that come right off. Easy brackets are even quicker.

 

Nice work, bikerlaw.

 

Thanks. I'm just too cheap to buy EZ brackets.

 

There are different ways of doing it. I am now use this type of brackets. They work go for any type bags. They will come off with no bars left on the bike.

link for them:

http://www.edgeleather.com/

 

Spend the bucks on the Easy Brackets. It IS the easiest way to go.

 

What are they?
Are they secure & easy to on / off?