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Saddlebag mounting help

Old May 5, 2013 | 07:45 PM
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Default Saddlebag mounting help

I have a 2005 Fat Boy. Since I dumped the staggered duals and installed my Cholo exhaust, my saddlebag options have grown dramatically. I have looked at installing Heritage bags as one option in particular. All the bags for a Heritage seem to have 6 1/4 inch spacing on the struts for the mounts. Thats not even CLOSE to the 9 1/4 inch mounting holes on my Fat Boy. I was under the impression that Heritage bags were a direct bolt on to a Fat Boy, but that does not seem to be the case. Is there a way to practically run Heritage bags on my Fat Boy, or would I need either Heritage struts and a pair of backing nut plates, or maybe get creative with a drill??? This is a bit confusing because I just assumed FL Softail bags all interchanged.

Please give me advice for the possibility of running Heritage bags on a Fat Boy. Thanks.
 
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Old May 5, 2013 | 07:48 PM
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Originally Posted by bikerlaw
I have a 2005 Fat Boy. Since I dumped the staggered duals and installed my Cholo exhaust, my saddlebag options have grown dramatically. I have looked at installing Heritage bags as one option in particular. All the bags for a Heritage seem to have 6 1/4 inch spacing on the struts for the mounts. Thats not even CLOSE to the 9 1/4 inch mounting holes on my Fat Boy. I was under the impression that Heritage bags were a direct bolt on to a Fat Boy, but that does not seem to be the case. Is there a way to practically run Heritage bags on my Fat Boy, or would I need either Heritage struts and a pair of backing nut plates, or maybe get creative with a drill??? This is a bit confusing because I just assumed FL Softail bags all interchanged.

Please give me advice for the possibility of running Heritage bags on a Fat Boy. Thanks.
Are you talking Heritage springer or classic?
 
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Old May 5, 2013 | 08:00 PM
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Ok took a second to think, I used to run Springer bags on my 01 fat, and yea the holes are different. I mounted mine on the removable sissy bar just drilled an extra hole, and for when I ran the bike with out the rear seat, I made a flat piece of metal the same size and shape as the sissy bar base.
Worked great, don’t know if I have pictures or not.

Yea found it, love the look of the FLSTs bags, these are the two strap type dont think they had the reflectors.
This picture is about ten years ago.

 

Last edited by Harleycruiser; May 5, 2013 at 08:08 PM.
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Old May 5, 2013 | 09:24 PM
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Thanks. Yeah, the Springer or Springer style bags are certainly one of the styles I have been looking at. But even the standard studded heritage bags all have the 6 1/4 inch mounting brackets (or so my research thus far seems to show). I'm looking at the much wider holes on my Fat Boy. I guess I will either have to drill or get a set of easy brackets. I have my bag options narrowed down but I have not bought them yet. Having to spend time fabbing stuff up was not in the plan but based on your post, it just might be. Thanks for taking the time to explain how you installed yours. Thats a big help.
 
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