Hard bags on a Softail
Novice
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 3
From: The Berkshires
1965 FLH lookinf FLSTC
Resurrecting this old thread to see if any new options out there. I have a 1992 Softail and trying to make it function for daily driver and some light touring. I want to ride it to see my son in Tuscaloosa AL from Orlando (about 600 miles).
I would like hard locking saddlebags. I do not want to get into painting so something plain and black would be good. I do not want anything flashy, but I do want something that looks right for the bike - a bit vintage.
It would be nice if they were easy to remove, but I will probably not remove them very often so that is not a big deal.
I would consider taking some old Road King bags if I could get them to fit. I would not mind, in fact I would prefer something with a little age on it to fit the bike. My bike looks good, but it definitely has some age on it and I like that. I am not trying to make it perfect.
I want it to be functionally solid but I like that it looks like a 25 year old bike.
I would like hard locking saddlebags. I do not want to get into painting so something plain and black would be good. I do not want anything flashy, but I do want something that looks right for the bike - a bit vintage.
It would be nice if they were easy to remove, but I will probably not remove them very often so that is not a big deal.
I would consider taking some old Road King bags if I could get them to fit. I would not mind, in fact I would prefer something with a little age on it to fit the bike. My bike looks good, but it definitely has some age on it and I like that. I am not trying to make it perfect.
I want it to be functionally solid but I like that it looks like a 25 year old bike.
I am working on my 2001 Heritage Classic right now. After 3 months of searching and researching and opinions.. I have decided to do what I had in mind all along.
While I love the Bubble bags, I want a bit bigger 1970's hardbag that is lockable and looks like my 1965 FLH after I restored it in 1974-1975 winter ( last 2 Photos)
I will have install progress photos next week.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 1,981
From: Ottawa, CANADA
I have a set of HD hard bags mounted on Ghost Brackets. I use them on Reaper for longer road trips. They work great, and when off the bike, the only thing left behind are 4 small posts mounted on the rear struts.
Cheers!
Cheers!
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 44
From: VA
How stable are the bags with the ghost brackets?
I was thinking something similar for my Slim with the easy brackets and bags from a switchback, or the hard leather covered bags used on the sportster tour. I already have a stretched klockwerks fender and tailights relocated.
Novice
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 15
Likes: 3
From: The Berkshires
Now there is an idea.
Great idea. And sort of hides the mounting brackets
Thanks
KenK
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 1,981
From: Ottawa, CANADA
Looks good,
How stable are the bags with the ghost brackets?
I was thinking something similar for my Slim with the easy brackets and bags from a switchback, or the hard leather covered bags used on the sportster tour. I already have a stretched klockwerks fender and tailights relocated.
How stable are the bags with the ghost brackets?
I was thinking something similar for my Slim with the easy brackets and bags from a switchback, or the hard leather covered bags used on the sportster tour. I already have a stretched klockwerks fender and tailights relocated.
I thought I had some pics of the bracket, but I can't find them. I just took a length of flat 1" x 1/4" thick steel, and bent it into the shape I needed, and cut the excess off. I drilled a hole on each end, and then I painted it black. I added a bolt to the bottom inside corner of each bag (with the threaded end sticking out), and use butterfly nuts to hold the bracket on. Works like a charm.
Cheers!
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 44
From: VA
They're stable. I made a U shaped bracket to go between them (behind the rear wheel) to keep them from moving out side to side. That made quite a difference.
I thought I had some pics of the bracket, but I can't find them. I just took a length of flat 1" x 1/4" thick steel, and bent it into the shape I needed, and cut the excess off. I drilled a hole on each end, and then I painted it black. I added a bolt to the bottom inside corner of each bag (with the threaded end sticking out), and use butterfly nuts to hold the bracket on. Works like a charm.
Cheers!
I thought I had some pics of the bracket, but I can't find them. I just took a length of flat 1" x 1/4" thick steel, and bent it into the shape I needed, and cut the excess off. I drilled a hole on each end, and then I painted it black. I added a bolt to the bottom inside corner of each bag (with the threaded end sticking out), and use butterfly nuts to hold the bracket on. Works like a charm.
Cheers!
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BaggerLover
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Aug 12, 2014 08:20 AM
