Hi,

Looking to get a set of saddle bags for my 1987 FXLR and need some advice about a good non-OEM set.

Looking for an aftermarket set that will last a while. Hoping that someone knows of a set online that is affordable.

 

You'll need some saddlebag supports in addition to the bags. Check JP Cycles. They have a good selection of bags. Some are reasonably priced.
www.jpcycles.com

 

If you don't want to move the tail lights, and don't mind not having the 'supports', these should work well enough.

http://www.leatherworksinc.com/leath...saddlebags/106

or

http://www.leatherworksinc.com/leath...saddlebags/107

They also have an 'economy' bag, which is what I have and used on the '09 FXD, and now on the '98 FXD.

http://www.leatherworksinc.com/leath...saddlebags/401

Good leather and I can put two gallons of milk in each bag and pile some small loose things on and around on top of those gallons.

They've outlived when they were on the '09 and I couldn't find the oil leak from behind the primary housing and had to fill the primary after every ride over 100 miles. That's a lot of oil to throw on a saddle bag, heh. It took that for about 5 months and never soaked through or rotted the leather (the oil *DID* however rot the teeth on the drive belt til one day as I was giving it some gas to get to highway speed every tooth decided right then to shear off, lol).

I take a 2" paint brush and slather the 'bags with neatsfoot oil once a year to keep the leather waterproof and flexible and so it won't dry rot. Remember, I ride this bike all year long, it being my only transportation, so it goes through all weather, rain, shine, snow, ice, road salts, etc, etc. These bags are tough and well made. If I'd had the money I'd have got the more expensive set, but the economy bags haven't disappointed yet in the four years I've had them.