Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Heritage Leather Bag Cleaning

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 3, 2006 | 04:15 PM
  #1  
rogerm's Avatar
rogerm
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Default Heritage Leather Bag Cleaning

Any recomendations for cleaning / conditioning the saddle bags for a Heritage Classic?
 
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2006 | 07:47 PM
  #2  
AK_Hog_Herder's Avatar
AK_Hog_Herder
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,015
Likes: 5
From: Alaska
Default RE: Heritage Leather Bag Cleaning

I use the Harley products that were given to me.

Sunwash and a brush like a vegetable brush.

Hose down, let dry

Then if real bad use that "bull snot" Harley Leather Care liquid. Rub it in, let sit overnight, buff.

Or skip that and go straight to the Harley Leather Dressing. Like to do this in the sun and let it melt into the leather.


Works for me.
 
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2006 | 12:13 PM
  #3  
billnourse's Avatar
billnourse
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
Default RE: Heritage Leather Bag Cleaning




Or skip that and go straight to the Harley Leather Dressing. Like to do this in the sun and let it melt into the leather.


Works for me.
[/quote]

That is what I do. Wipe clean with a damp cloth and use the Harle Leather Dressing and sun to do the rest.

If you really want to keep your bags looking great, invest in the GotSaggyBags inserts.

Regards,

Bill
 
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2006 | 12:56 PM
  #4  
SMenasco's Avatar
SMenasco
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Heritage Leather Bag Cleaning

Saggybags are great. I use Pledge on the leather bags (it says on the can that it may be used on leather and vinyl); spray on, wipe off. About once a month, I wash with 409 cleaner, then use HD leather dressing, rub in with bare hand, let set, then buff with cloth.

[IMG]local://upfiles/1638/AEA65017AA8A49F28667761A25D5E834.jpg[/IMG]
 
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2006 | 01:00 PM
  #5  
SMenasco's Avatar
SMenasco
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Heritage Leather Bag Cleaning

Sorry, flatulent entry.

[IMG]local://upfiles/1638/16603E986EF94A42916B24A3C3EBC423.jpg[/IMG]
 
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2006 | 05:37 PM
  #6  
AK_Hog_Herder's Avatar
AK_Hog_Herder
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,015
Likes: 5
From: Alaska
Default RE: Heritage Leather Bag Cleaning

The saggy bags kit is great. A few locals have it.

But it just looks unatural to me. I like leather to have character.

But that is just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions. [:-]
 
Reply
Old Feb 14, 2006 | 05:13 AM
  #7  
wlbowers's Avatar
wlbowers
Stellar HDF Member
Veteran: Marine Corps
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,231
Likes: 106
Default RE: Heritage Leather Bag Cleaning

Do Not Use 409 or any other kind of cleaner like this. You will destroy the leather. This sucks the natural oils right out of leather and leaves the chemicals behind. Do Not Use petrolumn based products. They will have sulfur in them.

You want to get the road grit out and reintroduce the oils that weathering leaches out. Leather depends on the natural oils for durability. With out them the leather will dry out and crack.

Wash the bags off with water to get the rough stuff that might be on them.

Now use saddle soap and start with a medium stiff brush. Switch to a sponge. Work the soap in and wipe the excess off. Now let them dry.

Once they are dry you can take any type of leather conditioning oil and treat them. I use mink oil from the tub. Rub it in good and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then take a soft cloth and wipe the excess off.

They make mink oil in a spray. You can also use the following.

Neetsfoot Oil (Not the synthetic kind)
Lindseed Oil
Lanolin Conditioner
Beeswax Conditioner
Silicone Based products for leather

Leather if taken care of will last for years. I have saddles that are over 30 years old that are still look great.


 
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2011 | 06:18 AM
  #8  
Gman in NC's Avatar
Gman in NC
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 2
From: Gastonia, NC
Default

I like to use the HD conditioner about twice a year. It goes on like grease and like another poster said, if you leave them in the sun it jut kind of soaks in. Between that I just wipe them down with a damp cloth and treat with the same conditioner I use in my cars. I've also had my bags serviced by BossBags to keep the original shape. They are holding up great.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 20, 2011 | 01:09 PM
  #9  
hdgzr's Avatar
hdgzr
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,618
Likes: 5,202
From: Green Country
Default

Originally Posted by AK_Hog_Herder
The saggy bags kit is great. A few locals have it.

But it just looks unatural to me. I like leather to have character.

But that is just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions. [:-]
Kinda' thinking the same thing. I've ordered the "Papa Bags" inserts; we'll see after I get 'em put in...
 
Reply
Old Oct 20, 2011 | 01:52 PM
  #10  
DR. V-TWIN's Avatar
DR. V-TWIN
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
Likes: 40
From: Los Angeles, CA
Default

Doc Baileys or lexol.

Drew
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:13 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE