All

I searched the forum and saw a few posts that said it could be done but none that really showed it done or how to do it.

I ended up purchasing a set of 2014 bags to put on my wife's 2011 Electra Glide Limited that we have turned into sort of a Street Glide. We removed and sold the trunk. She liked the 2014 bags due to ease of access so I figured I would get it done.

The good news is that the Rushmore bags fit on the existing 2011 lower rails/supports. The rear mount is fixed and fortunately, it lines up perfectly. The front mount is adjustable on the 2013 and earlier but in stock form it does not have enough adjustment to fit the Rushmore saddlebags. The stock adjustable mount on the 2013 and earlier have an elongated hole that measures 0.65 inches in length (see first picture). I enlongated that hole using a dremel and a round file to 0.85 inches (see second picture).

It's as simple as that. I loosely put the front mount on the bike. Then I put the bags on the bike, lined up the rear holes and put the pin in place. Finally, I lined up the front mount and the front hole, pinned it and then tightened up the front mount bolt.

I had to adjust the front mount a few times after opening and closing the bags just to make sure that the bags weren't tweaked a little when mounted so the closing mechanism didn't bind, but overall it went pretty smooth.

It appears that the lip on the 2014 bags is not as prominent as on the earlier bags as I can see the rear mounting bracket and pin much more than I could previously. Could be that the earlier bags have that catch on the back of the bags that covered this a little too. Either way, I am replacing the pins with the security screw ***** that I found on eBay.

The spacing in the back appears to be the same as the bags that were removed. I was concerned that since we run crash guards, that those might pose and issue. The crash guards work fine but the bags are spaced back about 1/2" more - with the 2011 bags the gap between the front of the bags and the guard is 1.5" and with the 2014 bags, it is about 2". I am not sure if the 2014 saddlebag guards will work with the 2011 support and I may give that a try if I can find a set of used ones.

I have included a few pictures of the bags on the bike as well.

 

Before and After pics

 

The bike looks really great! those bags and wheels make a huge difference. I have been thinking about putting those bags on my '11. Can I ask where you bought them and the expense involved?
I recently changed my front wheel to a 17" impeller because I was tired of fighting the air valve on my stock wheel. I noticed a lighter feel in the steering and I think I feel a little shimmy at around 30mph depending on road surface. Did you experience anything like that when the front wheel was changed?

 

Thanks!

Not sure the bags would work with those wrap around saddlebag guards on your bike - maybe but don't know!

I bought the bags locally on Craigslist. I saw some knockoffs on ebay but would rather have HD quality that is known. The guy I bought these from replaced his lids with speaker lids and replaced the lowers with extended lowers. They were not cheap and most of the bags I found on eBay or Craigslist were sold without the hardware (latches, hinges, etc) as most folks utilize their existing hardware.

I looked a year or so ago at putting these bags on my bike but the Harley OEM hardware was well over $500 for the hinges, latches, etc from HD not including the bags! However, recently I found hardware on ebay much cheaper and the quality seems to be the same as HD. The HD hardware has torx screws, this had phillips and allen screws. The tether didn't have the HD Logo but other than that, it functions just as well as my buddies' 2014 and looking at the latching mechanism, I honestly can't tell the difference. The included locks were crap but I used the locks from the original bags so I had matching keys.

No issues with the front wheel - no shimmy at all. I put the same wheels on my 2011 Road Glide Ultra and noticed the lighter handling as well but had no shimmy issues with it either. Have you checked the bearings (could be going bad or could be seated incorrectly) or checked to see if the rotors are true?

 

Great post. Thanks for the detailed instructions.

 

I just modified the front brackets on my bike because to accommodate the newer bags.

I took a side by side pic of the brackets - one enlarged to 0.85" and one with the stock 0.65" hole.

 

I had been considering this myself, great write up. Great looking bike too

 

The new bags are awesome. Harley should offer a cheap retrofit kit ......but that will never happen. Glad you found a good alternative.

 

I will do this one day

 

Awesome write up. I ordered my 2014 bags for my 2010 RG last week. I will refer back to this post when they get here. Glad to hear that the hardware you ordered worked out also. I ordered mine from ebay also (probably the same as yours). I'll post some pics when I get everything on the bike.