I used the dead creek mount and removed it the next day. The bag hangs so far off the bike it looks ridiculous.

 

thanks for all the tips everyone. I spent some time today and removed the belt guards. i may put the top one back on depending how it looks, but it took me about 2 hrs to get the bottom one off because of the forward most bolt. that thing was impossible.

i'm gonna pick up some heavy duty zip ties and either use the 3M tape to cover the frame or use electrical tape. maybe some point down the road, ill make an aluminum hard mount bracket to screw into the frame.

would leaving the top belt guard off have any effect when transporting passengers? someone mentioned they left it on because they ride 2-up often. whats the reason here? if concern is that the foot will hit the belt, i feel as though the bag will prevent this.

 

I've got the same bag; the 5" from leatherworks. I use it mostly for carting around my massive chain and padlock.

I started with the leather straps, but over time they stretch from the weight, and even when tight the bag hangs low and deforms from the weight of the chain. I didn't need to remove or even loosen any bolts or guards to get it on snug.

The other problem I had was that I wore a hole in the bottom corner from "spirited" cornering. (The footboards can take the abuse, but it seems that leather, and more importantly the stitching, cannot.)

I cut a piece of 2mm aluminium sheet into the shape of the rear of the bag and rivetted it on the outside of the bag. I then bought three replacement bolts for those that hold on the belt guard. I wanted the bag to be removeable and still be able to ride the bike, so the bolts need to stay on the bike. Two of the bolts on the swingarm thread from outside-in, so I had to cut the heads off the bolts and weld some nuts half-way along the new bolts so they could bolt up like the stock ones. The third threads outwards, so can just be replaced without modification. The only change required replacing its acorn nut with a regular nut.

I put black insulation tape lengthways along the swing arm, and glued little rubber patches on the aluminium where it touches the swingarm. I then drilled holes in the aluminium plate and the bag, and use nylock nuts to tighten the plate right up to compress the rubber patches. This helps keep the shearing force off the long bolts. To prevent vibration running the nuts loose, I have another three nuts on the bolts which I tighten back to the plate to hold everything stiff.

This set-up means that I can remove the bag to wax it and wash the bike, the bag is snug up against the swingarm without fouling so looks good, it can support more weight which is spread over the swingarm and guard bolts, and the plate helps keep the shape of the bag when I drop my heavy chain in.

I'm very happy with the result, and can hang the bag somewhat higher than the straps allow. I still manage to scuff the corner of the bag on occasion, but have rivetted on a sacrificial leather patch over the corner which I can replace when it gets too holy. Oh yeah, I also bolted on one of those acorn nuts onto the corner to throw more sparks when it touches!

Let me know if you want photos and I'll see what I can do.

 

Misbehaven,

Sorry to hear you didn't like the kit. I wish we would have known.

We have actually redesigned the kit so that it holds the bag in much closer to the bike so it doesn't stick out so far. The one you have is probably the older version. I would be more than happy to send you all the new spacers and hardware (free of charge) so that you can update the kit to the new style that mounts close to the swingarm. If you want them, please PM me your information and I'll get them sent right out to you.

Thanks,

Al

 

Dead Creek... Do you have mounts for the smaller bag like the 5 inch. Mine mounts fine and I use a combination of zip ties and the leather. I zip tied the bottom because the leather straps took up too much space inside the bag. So the top part was leather and bottom zip ties.

I feel fine with the set up I have now, but would be interested in an option in the future if necessary to mount differently. Do you have one for the smaller bag? Thanks.

Acman... thanks for the compliment on bike!

 

Rockinred, that really is a beautiful bike you have there.

Our mounting plate is approx 5-1/4" wide, so it is probably too wide for your bag. Plus, the kit uses the 3 belt guard mounting points to attach to the swingarm. With your side mounted plate, your bag may be pushed too far forward to be able to use those holes. But without seeing a closeup of your setup, I can't be sure. Even though the standard mounting plate may not fit your bag, we could certainly custom make one for you to the size of your bag no problem. All we would need are some measurements and we can do it for you. Just let me know.

Thanks!

 

I used zip ties instead of the leather straps. After a while the zip ties started pulling out the leather openings in the bag. Then I cut a paint stir stick to fit inside the bag so now the zip ties firmly go around the thin wood stick which presses against the inside of the bag. Works perfect........holds the bag snugly against the swing arm without stretching the openings in the leather. Also keeps the bag from sagging on the bike.

Want to add...I used one stick for the top 2 zip ties and another stick for the bottom 2 zip ties. Hope this clarifies things.

 

Wow great response. Thanks. I appreciate the offer and I will take you up on it. The mounting plates are great and easy to install. I will try the closer mounting hardware.

 

wow, this sounds like one of the best ways to mount it, would you be willing to throw some pics up of it so i can use it as reference? thanks

 

I ordered a kit back in July order #DCC1342. I emailed back in July also but still have not gotten any response. The two stainless all thread for the front mounts are not long enough on the breakout. I just chalked it up to bad customer service.