Solo Bag Mount for Soft Tail
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 97
Likes: 4
From: Denver, CO
Swingarm / Solo Bag Rigid Mount for Soft Tail
I took off my Garage Leathers bag and noticed that the lower bar on my swing arm was already all scratched up. Using a post authored by member WARG as inspiration, I decided to try and make my own solo bag rigid mount. I am not a professional metal worker by any means but I thought I'd give it a shot in my spare time. The cost of the materials I purchased amounted to about $50 but I am satisified with the results and hopefully it will save some money down the road for swingarm repairs.
I used aluminum diamond plate so it wouldn't be too heavy but still strong. I tried to find most of the hardware in chrome but the ones I couldn't find in chrome, I got stainless steel. The diamond plate was about $25 and the hardware was about $25.
One thing I wanted to accomplish was to stop the damage to my swingarm and another thing was to be able to remove and re-install the bag with relative ease. After it was installed, I took it for a 30 minute spin and it worked great, didn't even notice it was there. I intentionally mounted it a little higher for a tiny bit more ground clearance. Hope this helps anyone who is thinking of tackling this project. Feel free to PM me with any questions and I'll try to help you out in any way I can.
Here's what I did:
Got the diamond plate, cut it and drilled the predetermined holes I decided on.
Used Coupling Nuts to set bag out away from swingarm. (Makes it about 1/4 inch out)
Attached diamond plate to bag, one inside and one outside. Used Button head bolts and chrome acorn nuts.
I made a small bracket for the lowest frame mount for a little more stability but mostly to keep the bottom of the bag away from the swingarm.
I then mounted the bag. Bottom picture shows the bottom frame mount/ bracket.
I used aluminum diamond plate so it wouldn't be too heavy but still strong. I tried to find most of the hardware in chrome but the ones I couldn't find in chrome, I got stainless steel. The diamond plate was about $25 and the hardware was about $25.
One thing I wanted to accomplish was to stop the damage to my swingarm and another thing was to be able to remove and re-install the bag with relative ease. After it was installed, I took it for a 30 minute spin and it worked great, didn't even notice it was there. I intentionally mounted it a little higher for a tiny bit more ground clearance. Hope this helps anyone who is thinking of tackling this project. Feel free to PM me with any questions and I'll try to help you out in any way I can.
Here's what I did:
Got the diamond plate, cut it and drilled the predetermined holes I decided on.
Used Coupling Nuts to set bag out away from swingarm. (Makes it about 1/4 inch out)
Attached diamond plate to bag, one inside and one outside. Used Button head bolts and chrome acorn nuts.
I made a small bracket for the lowest frame mount for a little more stability but mostly to keep the bottom of the bag away from the swingarm.
I then mounted the bag. Bottom picture shows the bottom frame mount/ bracket.
Last edited by chuckchili; Jan 17, 2010 at 12:20 AM. Reason: title confusion
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 113
Likes: 1
From: atlanta
Looks good,been working on mine ever since i saw
warg's post. might have to add the bottem bracket to mine as well. here's a tip autozone has diamond plate mud flaps-cost 9 bucks.
I used some to make a tank panel.
warg's post. might have to add the bottem bracket to mine as well. here's a tip autozone has diamond plate mud flaps-cost 9 bucks.
I used some to make a tank panel.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,357
Likes: 11
From: The Lone Star State
Looks great man, love it!!! I love the bottom bracket. I will incorportate that into my bag/bracket as well. That's what is great about this forum...incorporating others ideas into your own projects. Great post too!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,257
Likes: 6
From: Leander Texas
i stuffed my heated liner in mine today when it warmed to over 60. i wonder if someone can make a double wide bag that fits there. with that mount setup i bet you could attach a regular saddle bag down low on that side, call it a half bagger
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 92
From:
I took off my Garage Leathers bag and noticed that the lower bar on my swing arm was already all scratched up. Using a post authored by member WARG as inspiration, I decided to try and make my own solo bag rigid mount. I am not a professional metal worker by any means but I thought I'd give it a shot in my spare time. The cost of the materials I purchased amounted to about $50 but I am satisified with the results and hopefully it will save some money down the road for swingarm repairs.
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 643
Likes: 0
From: Daytona USA
Nice job. Slick solution. I could give a ****, I don't plan on taking it off and have not noticed any rum marks in the frame coating. I did add some zip ties under the stock leather straps. Now the zip ties hold the bag on the frame super tight and the stock straps just cover the ties. Zero movement so I don't think it rubs much. I did use the same type method to hold my bottle opener. I used a section of an old tag as abacking plate.
Last edited by C O L E M A N F U; Jan 18, 2010 at 05:28 AM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
