Saddle bag mounts??

[superdiver]

So when looking for saddle bags I had resigned my self to using a throw over type under the rear seat on my 1984 VT700. When taking the rear end apart today to get the reserve tank out I realized that there were 2 holes already drilled into the sissy bar under the reflectors. I had the reflectors off before, but never noticed the extra holes. Were these used as saddle bag mounts? If so, what measurements am I looking for when selecting a saddle bag size?

[superdiver]

bump for monday morning..

[Earthling789]

Interesting... I never noticed those on my '85, but then again, I've not removed my reflectors, lol.

It is possible those are mounting points for hard-bags or stud-mounts for removable bags... but I never noticed those as factory options (at least from the sales brochures I've seen online for my '85).

If nothing else, I suppose you could fabricate something or check with some of the stud-mount manufacturers like Viking-bags to see if they have something pre-made for it?

I'd be interested to know what those holes are for as well...

[Tobias]

Bump because I want to know as well!!!!

[davelisowski]

did it have anything to do with the reflectors?

otherwise, i'd mount a peg for easy-mount saddlebags.

i say that it doesn't matter for what those are intended, but it's how you use them. forget finding brackets that will fit those measurements. just mock up a bracket with some cardboard and poke holes where those ones are and you can make your own mounting brackets.

i had used some 1in square aluminum tubing, but the walls were only 1/8in thick. on the ride back from Chicago, one of the tubes cracked at the bracket bolt. so i'm upgrading to thicker aluminum (but trying to keep it 1in square)

[93gc40]

The holes are for the HOBDA saddlebags mount. Which is just a wire frame that keep the bags from getting to the wheel. Now hard mount baggs will have a mount that may or may not match the holes. You might have to drill holes in the mounts to match the fender rail.

[superdiver]

I assume that once you mount saddle bags the reflectors would be totally covered anyway.

When I was looking at the Viking saddle bag mount video on their website they look pretty adjustable. Has anyone had much experience mounting a Viking saddlebag system?

[Ravo]

Okay, let me go get my camera and come back. I made some very quick & dirty hard bag mounts for my Shadow using those holes, threaded rod, and angle iron. Fugly, but functional.

Ok pictures attached. I don't have any measurements, since I basically never did any measuring. They stick out about 1.5 - 2", go down about 5-6", and you can pretty well guess the length from the picture. For all it's half-assery this works incredibly well, allows more weight in the bags, and looks SO much better.

[superdiver]

Originally Posted by 93gc40

The holes are for the HOBDA saddlebags mount. Which is just a wire frame that keep the bags from getting to the wheel. Now hard mount baggs will have a mount that may or may not match the holes. You might have to drill holes in the mounts to match the fender rail.

Did you mean Honda or HOBDA? I cant find anything under HOBDA brackets...

[kyxon]

Thanks Ravo, that's genius.