need advice on a Hard saddlebag project
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need advice on a Hard saddlebag project
I am working on a project and need a pair of vivid blak hard saddlebags.
I have been looking for a pair for quite some time and haven't found any that are in great condition and affordable. This brings me to Plan B. I am considering an aftermarket pair; I am looking for ones that look exactly like the streetglide/touring models that are factory to the Harley bikes. I have seen a few but don't know the quality or issues that come with the different manufacturers. I have heard, look for the one piece designs that they are better. Do I go with ABS of fiberglass. If I find primed ones I can get them painted and of course I will need hardware. One company on Ebay offers painted ABS aftermarket bags; one piece molds for the bottoms; complete with lids for $350.00 minus the hardware. Good deal or Not?
Anyone have opinions about what to stay away from, what to look for, or who makes a quality replica of the Harley bags?
Thanks.
I have been looking for a pair for quite some time and haven't found any that are in great condition and affordable. This brings me to Plan B. I am considering an aftermarket pair; I am looking for ones that look exactly like the streetglide/touring models that are factory to the Harley bikes. I have seen a few but don't know the quality or issues that come with the different manufacturers. I have heard, look for the one piece designs that they are better. Do I go with ABS of fiberglass. If I find primed ones I can get them painted and of course I will need hardware. One company on Ebay offers painted ABS aftermarket bags; one piece molds for the bottoms; complete with lids for $350.00 minus the hardware. Good deal or Not?
Anyone have opinions about what to stay away from, what to look for, or who makes a quality replica of the Harley bags?
Thanks.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
Just from posts seen here:
If you buy ebay bags mock up the fit before spending the money to have painted.
the post the other day was from a rider who had the shop order aftermarket bags, paint them and ....no fit.
so buyer beware.
Mike
If you buy ebay bags mock up the fit before spending the money to have painted.
the post the other day was from a rider who had the shop order aftermarket bags, paint them and ....no fit.
so buyer beware.
Mike
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 98
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From: Backwoods, Alabama
ticket2ride, i have a pair of vivid black ones that came off my '02 FLHT.
They are not perfect, but in pretty good shape. I used the hardware on my Milwaukee Bagger stretched ones. Not sure i want to sell em just yet, but $ talks.
I can send some pics if you're interested.
As far as the ebay bags, be ready to do some fitting/ body work at that price. My lids were from ebay and took me several hours with a sander & die grinder to get em to fit right, but they are fiberglass. Maybe the ABS molds are more precise.
What are you putting the bags on anyway??
They are not perfect, but in pretty good shape. I used the hardware on my Milwaukee Bagger stretched ones. Not sure i want to sell em just yet, but $ talks.
I can send some pics if you're interested.
As far as the ebay bags, be ready to do some fitting/ body work at that price. My lids were from ebay and took me several hours with a sander & die grinder to get em to fit right, but they are fiberglass. Maybe the ABS molds are more precise.
What are you putting the bags on anyway??
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 902
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From: Cincinnati, OH
T2R,
I just finished putting extended bags on my bike and I went through the whole gamut of "what bags should I get?" One common response I got when considering cheaper aftermarket bags like the ones you see on ebay was, "you will have some time in modifying them to make them fit."
I ended up buying a set of used bags from a guy on here. I had them painted and they bolted right up to my bike. If budget isn't too much of a restraint, try to get something OEM....as always though, that's just an opinion.
I just finished putting extended bags on my bike and I went through the whole gamut of "what bags should I get?" One common response I got when considering cheaper aftermarket bags like the ones you see on ebay was, "you will have some time in modifying them to make them fit."
I ended up buying a set of used bags from a guy on here. I had them painted and they bolted right up to my bike. If budget isn't too much of a restraint, try to get something OEM....as always though, that's just an opinion.
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I would prefer OEM but everyone seems to want a premium price or the bags are scratched pretty heavy.
I am putting these bags on my 07 Fatboy; here's where it gets interesting. I am going to make these quick disconnect so when the bags are off the bike, there wont be any hardware or brackets. The bags will disconnect from the double docking post that I installed on the fender struts that are from a 2011 softail convertible. I will also have the quick disconnect sissy bar that will be installed while the bags are on the bike. What I am trying to accomplish is to have a bike that is like a transformer; several bikes in one and the transformation will take just seconds. I will have to fabricate brackets fro the docking post and most of it is worked out and some of the project has started; I am at the point where I need the bags.
I have searched high and low for months and there is not an existing kit that does exactly what I want I even went to a well know custom bike shop and they said it can't be done, well we all no that is not necessarily the case. I am determined to do this, it's also fun coming up with unique ideas and making it happen, so wish me luck.
I am putting these bags on my 07 Fatboy; here's where it gets interesting. I am going to make these quick disconnect so when the bags are off the bike, there wont be any hardware or brackets. The bags will disconnect from the double docking post that I installed on the fender struts that are from a 2011 softail convertible. I will also have the quick disconnect sissy bar that will be installed while the bags are on the bike. What I am trying to accomplish is to have a bike that is like a transformer; several bikes in one and the transformation will take just seconds. I will have to fabricate brackets fro the docking post and most of it is worked out and some of the project has started; I am at the point where I need the bags.
I have searched high and low for months and there is not an existing kit that does exactly what I want I even went to a well know custom bike shop and they said it can't be done, well we all no that is not necessarily the case. I am determined to do this, it's also fun coming up with unique ideas and making it happen, so wish me luck.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
If you take your time and keep an eye on Ebay you may get lucky with a set of decent secondhand bags complete with all hardware. I recently won a set of unused Police bags for a snip from a private seller, which will do me fine.
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 523
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From: Arizona
I bought a set of "new" 2012 dealer takes off on e-bay for $900.00; complete minus the locks last week. Best deal I found to date.
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Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 41
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From: Lisbon, Me
I saw a couple sets in the classifieds on here last night. One set was just the lower bags for $300, and the other set was complete (I think) for $600. Check em out.
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Club Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 523
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From: Arizona
Do a little more research than I did. I bought a pair of new in the box late model HD OEM vivid black bags minus lids and hardware off e-bay for $400.00 only to find out afterwards that hardware kits are $250.00 for a used set and around $450.00 for a new after market set and a set aftermarket vivid black lids from Eastern Performance is about $240.00 a pair and new vivid black lids from HD are about $240.00 each.
E-bay is flooded with lowers that the owners stripped to put stretched bags on their bikes. It isn't economical to rebuild them unless you have a set of bags that are damaged that you can strip for parts.
E-bay is flooded with lowers that the owners stripped to put stretched bags on their bikes. It isn't economical to rebuild them unless you have a set of bags that are damaged that you can strip for parts.
Last edited by Bait56; Mar 16, 2012 at 01:57 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Heavenlies
I'll make a suggestion. I was going to do what you did on a 06FXST a few years ago.
I mounted a set of Heritage Classic Bags - Used some spacers and bolted them right to the struts. Also used the HD support on the bottom of the bag that bolts to the bag and the softail frame Had them off and on in a matter of minutes
If you want to use hard bags - I would check out Easy Brackets - there are some guys over on that Dyna forum that have mounted hard bags using those brackets
Good Luck!!
I mounted a set of Heritage Classic Bags - Used some spacers and bolted them right to the struts. Also used the HD support on the bottom of the bag that bolts to the bag and the softail frame Had them off and on in a matter of minutes
If you want to use hard bags - I would check out Easy Brackets - there are some guys over on that Dyna forum that have mounted hard bags using those brackets
Good Luck!!
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