I just got in these saddlebags I got off Ebay for $25 and $18 shipping. New they would be around $650, it looks like. That's a decent savings.

I was a little worried about the damage - turns out I need about $5 worth of replacement plastic buckles (I can probably find them on stuff I've already got) and the leather straps will come off and back on in minutes, to replace the buckles, with some rivets from my leather working stuff. The damage to the leather is almost nothing - I'll clean them up a little, but with buckles I'd use them just like they are with no problem.

These are also not 2007 Heritage bags like the seller said, they are pre-2006 Softail Custom bags with a -00 part numbers. So perfect for my 2004 FXST. Best of all, they'll bolt on my bike without even moving my turn signals. This is one of my better Ebay scores.

Now one question - what do I need to bolt those one? Longer bolts for my fender struts, obviously, but I'm thinking there should be layers of steel and rubber/plastic washers at the back of the bag and between the bracket and my Fender strut. Any ideas?

 

brenn. yep, probably should use some sort of rubber washer/gromet between the struts and the bags. as far as bolts go...most use some sort of button head bolt, ran from the inside out, through the bag, with the nuts on the inside of the bag. dont want anything extra sticking intide the fender, as may cause interfearance/rub with back tire. acorn nut or something of the sorts to keep exposed threads from f...ing up your nice leather jacket, or a knuckle. i use allen head button bolts. remove seat, and plastic panel behind battery to access inside the fender. bike jack gives extra clearance for arm/hands. no need to remove anything else. you'll need longer bolts of course. probably in the 2"-2 1/2" area. have fun...and enjoy the bags. looks like a nice find. steve

 

As my buddy Snip says....need longer bolts or go ahead and get a set of bag bolts from Harley for a Heritage. That is the way I would go if I plan on leaving the bags on all of the time.

If you want them removable(quickly) buy a set from Cycle Visions that will work on a Heritage. This is what I use with the cover up caps.

Show us some pics when you get them mounted!

 

Congrats on the bags. As snip0721 suggested, when I had bags on my FXSTC I ran longer bolts through the fender/strut and washer nut inside the bags.
I have an aftermarket throw over set I cut the pieces off that was meant to strape over the seat or ride under it on the fender so I could bolt them on.
I have the bag supports that mount on the strut and keep the bags out from the rear tire.

 

Nice deal.

 

They seem pretty beat up but for 25 bucks you really have nothing to lose

 

ebay is the shiznit

 

great find...

 

Actually, I checked HD's web site and it has the mounting instructions, just like when I put on my wife's engine guard a few days ago, with the bolts, sizes, lengths etc. listed. So I can just print that, go to Tractor Supply and buy some stainless bolts and washers in the right sizes and I've got a bag mounting kit for $3.

Today I ordered replacement black metal side release buckles to replace the plastic ones that are broken and black chicago screws to replace the rivets, just in case I want to do any future modifications. I'll go ahead and mount them with the messed up decorative buckles from where the last guy's bike went down, then order new oens from HD when I get around to it.

I may have nearly $100 in them when they are fully restored and on the bike.

 

Actually, they're not - the scuff shown in the pics is lighter and smaller than you'd think from those pics, and replacing the buckles is easy and not too expensive - the biggest buy will be $45 or so for a couple of new chrome buckles - everything else may run $15 and a monkey could fix them in an hour.

I looked at some on a fatboy today - it looks like the reason HD doesn't say to put a washer there is because the contact part of the bracket is the same size as the bolt head for the strut, so if you take them off any scratches are covered. If I put on washers it could make scratchign worse, instead of better.

Also got in the new lock for my left side toolbox at the local HD today, so now I have both chrome toolboxes looking 100%. After reselling some of the extra stuff I got with the toolbox deals, I'll have about $60 invested in the pair, as opposed to $180+ at HD.