[sdbrit68]

A total of about 4 hours, and lets see.......

Saddlebags - $26 off an e-bay vendor
brackets materials - $ 14.50

Could have ordered brackets, but spending the day with my daughter making and painting these, way too much fun, they may not be the prettiest, but they work great, and you cant see them.

It was suggested to just reinforce the inside of the bags with board or fiberglass, but they were too long for the exhaust ( every spirit owner knows abot that ), plus the taillights had to be moved....so here is the final product


http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r79/sdbrit68/modifications/100_2518.jpg

my parts

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r79/sdbrit68/modifications/100_2507.jpg

first test on the bike

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r79/sdbrit68/modifications/100_2510.jpg

painted and ready for bags

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r79/sdbrit68/modifications/100_2516.jpg

and my other little mod, my new plate holder, complete with American flags

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r79/sdbrit68/modifications/100_2513.jpg

and turn signals

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r79/sdbrit68/modifications/100_2512.jpg

no matter what, the day with my little girl working on this, just cant be beat

 

[DaveCR]

Nice work !! :!:

My saddlebags don't have a support like that .. mmm .. good idea .. :idea:

 

[PainterD]

sdbrit68,
I learned a while back (years ago) that bags won't last very long sitting on an exhaust pipe! Mine were just a pair of those cheap nylon type sport bags, so it was no big issue to me.
I've since dicided to go on step further on my saddlebags guards, much the same as you did.
I took 1/4 round stock and made them so they come down from the fender rails, and 90 degrees out on the bottom (about 5") back, then 90 degrees up tthe rear of the fender rail. That way they have a "shelf" so-to-speak to sit on. That was I can load them up, with not ever hitting the pipes. There is a site on the web that sells brackets, that actually have a rest at the bottom for the bags to sit on so they won't hit the pipes. I don't remember the site right off hand, but if you do a search, I'm sure you'll find them. >PD<

 

[zikzak]

My wife just ordered these
http://www.classiccruiser.com/product.asp?item=186215

We are anxious to get them here and see how they work out! There are two versions. One with and one without a blinker relocation. We got the one without.

Nice work on the home made brackets

 

[PainterD]

Yup Ziczak,
Those are the ones. That's exactly how I made mine (mine aren't chrome) and they work great! I didn't bother with the chrome ones because ya can't see them anyways. >PD<

 

[Trueseaker]

Very nice, I like the support idea as opposed to the 'side guide only' version I have. Even better that you were able to spend the day with your daughter working on them! I do have one suggestion though, I would glue felt or something on the metal so it doesn't rub right through the saddlebags... it looks like there are a lot of places on there that would wear pretty quickly, just from vibration and the like.

 

[sdbrit68]

I actually took the time to grind them pretty seriously, Its hard to tell in the pics, but all the corners are almost rounded off, then I rubbed my fingers everywhere to see if I felt anything.

The bags, which is weird since they are cheap, actually came with a velcro back that comes off and on, I was really surprised at what I got for the money from them

 

[PainterD]

Trueseeker,
I was concerned about the vibration, etc. rubbing into the bags when I installed mine. I have Willie & Max Black Magic bags which are man made leather, so I was concerned about how well it would stand up compared to real leather. I've had the bags on for 4-5 years now and there is no problem with them. There are no wear marks in the bags. I would recommend that the bags sit right on the brackets, so they aren't able to move around. Infact, I think being I always have something in them for weight (ie: rain suit, chaps, etc) I think that helps keep even preasure against the brackets. I will be making a pair for my other bike when I get bags for it. >PD<

 

[sdbrit68]

painter D

check with a guy on E-bay, I think the store is motorcyclebagsplus62.

I cant say for longetivity, but I like the look,feel and room in mine. Again i paid $26 so I had zero high hopes for them.

They zip off easily, they have a velcro backing between the bags and the bike, buckles and clips for opening, and a liner bag.

Since I all ready have it in my head that I want hard bags this summer, long lasting wasn't a concern, but these may make it