saddle bags
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,134
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From: texas
saddle bags
i might get flamed or shot for asking this....
i have never had saddle bags and was wondering what i needed to do to make that work.how careful do i need to be in getting some/the right ones that will fit?it doesnt seem like a big deal but just thought i would ask.i have a few other extra parts that i didnt think "would be a big deal"
as well.i dont need any more of those.
seen at a bike shop they had some new,but with small amount of road rash, for $50.they were smaller ones and the kind you just throw over.i am not tryin to turn it into a road king or anything but i travel with it sometime and dont always want to tie a army pack to the back for every little thing.
i have never had saddle bags and was wondering what i needed to do to make that work.how careful do i need to be in getting some/the right ones that will fit?it doesnt seem like a big deal but just thought i would ask.i have a few other extra parts that i didnt think "would be a big deal"
as well.i dont need any more of those.seen at a bike shop they had some new,but with small amount of road rash, for $50.they were smaller ones and the kind you just throw over.i am not tryin to turn it into a road king or anything but i travel with it sometime and dont always want to tie a army pack to the back for every little thing.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
The big problem with saddle bags is keeping them clear of the shocks and the swing arm frame.
This is done two different ways that I know of. One..... The bags have an inside (backside I meant to say) made of fiberglas. This stiffens the bags to hold them away from the swing arm. Most likely this set up will be found on gags that bolt directly to the rear fender struts.
The other way is some bags have a metal rod shaped close to the outline of the bag. This metal rod bolts to the rear fender struts, The bags simply lay against the rod configuration which keeps them off the swing arm.
And then there are always the throw over bags that look like a horse's saddle bag. Made of leather and they bolt to the rear fender. The manufacturer leaves it up to you to figure out how to keep them clear of any 'moving parts' on the bike........... pg
This is done two different ways that I know of. One..... The bags have an inside (backside I meant to say) made of fiberglas. This stiffens the bags to hold them away from the swing arm. Most likely this set up will be found on gags that bolt directly to the rear fender struts.
The other way is some bags have a metal rod shaped close to the outline of the bag. This metal rod bolts to the rear fender struts, The bags simply lay against the rod configuration which keeps them off the swing arm.
And then there are always the throw over bags that look like a horse's saddle bag. Made of leather and they bolt to the rear fender. The manufacturer leaves it up to you to figure out how to keep them clear of any 'moving parts' on the bike........... pg
The throw over bags should have small loops at various spots that you can use to tie them down to something. I have used zip ties, or kitchen bag ties, or short tie down straps.
One set that i have has these in a really convenient place for my bike. The other set, well, i tie it down as best i can but it usually "elephant ears" at hiway speeds.
If you buy throw overs, look at the potential tie down loops on the bags, and the corresponding spots on the bike to see if they match up. Typical spot on the bike is at the bottom of the shocks. Best spot on the bags is in the middle at the bottom at the back.
If there is not one there you could have a shoe repair guy add one on.
One set that i have has these in a really convenient place for my bike. The other set, well, i tie it down as best i can but it usually "elephant ears" at hiway speeds.
If you buy throw overs, look at the potential tie down loops on the bags, and the corresponding spots on the bike to see if they match up. Typical spot on the bike is at the bottom of the shocks. Best spot on the bags is in the middle at the bottom at the back.
If there is not one there you could have a shoe repair guy add one on.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
I have the small throw overs under the seat. Like the others say, you're gonna have to tie them down. I just poked 2 holes in them, where a wire or zip tie will go around the shock and back through. The old set I had, I riveted metal loops to the front and back for a leather tie to go through. A hobby store should have the stuff you need. They never seem to interfere with anything moving. I do have to keep them slightly off-kilter so the exhaust side doesn't rest directly on the pipe. That's just because I haven't got around to cutting and shortening them yet (and probably never will lol).
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