Universal Saddlebags

[1.21GW]

Think I might try to make these for my bike.  What is that bracket you're using for the upper connection around the tail frame?

[Speeddog]

Think I might try to make these for my bike.  What is that bracket you're using for the upper connection around the tail frame?

It's a stainless steel Adel Clamp.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#pipe-routing-clamps/=rohv48



The strap is 1" x 1/8" 6061-T6.
Give it a bit of radius in the bend, otherwise it may crack.
About 11" from bottom hole to the bend.

[1.21GW]

It's a stainless steel Adel Clamp.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#pipe-routing-clamps/=rohv48



The strap is 1" x 1/8" 6061-T6.
Give it a bit of radius in the bend, otherwise it may crack.
About 11" from bottom hole to the bend.

Perfect.  Thanks.

[Speeddog]

Mock it up on the right side and confirm that you can still get the key in to release the seat. 

[1.21GW]

Speeddog: How do they attached underneath?

Attach points i see in your picture are: passenger part of rear set and maybe the tailbag (can't tell).

[DexterMorgan]

Another vote for the CorTech bags.  You can use them with the CorTech tail-bag for even more storage. 

Can't go wrong.
A few good pics in this listing..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cortech-Super-2-0-Sport-Tail-Bag-24L-Saddlebag-Black-Luggage-Combo-Bag-Set-/131170406860

[Speeddog]

Lashing cord (red box) from the top handles back and under the beertray, keeps the bags from sliding forward.

Front snap buckle and loop (blue oval) from front, down to passenger peg area of footpeg bracket.

Green star is where the tailbag snap buckle attachments are.

Green oval is the tailbag snap buckle not hooked to bag yet.

[Speeddog]

Another vote for the CorTech bags.  You can use them with the CorTech tail-bag for even more storage. 

Can't go wrong.
A few good pics in this listing..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cortech-Super-2-0-Sport-Tail-Bag-24L-Saddlebag-Black-Luggage-Combo-Bag-Set-/131170406860

That's the small tail bag, I've got the big 'duffel' tail bag.

Those new pannier bags look a bit nicer, the red interior is handy to see what's inside.
Mine are black inside, so if there's not much light, you can't tell make the beast with two backsall what's in 'em.

Those new bags and that tailbag expand out sideways, that's nice.
Not sure how they compare capacity wise with my old ones.

The rain covers are dodgy if you're riding.
I've not lost one, but I quickly realized that with how much they flapped, it would be foolish to ride with them on.

[1.21GW]

Thanks for the detailed pics, speeddog!  Looks like the rope you're using for the taillight connection is your own improvisation (just like with the support bracket).  I figure I'll need to play around to find out how to make them fit best on my bike.  Likely will order today.

Regarding rain covers: I've read online that some people have bought aftermarket treatment like waxes, etc. for the bag cover that have done well.  Not perfect (zippers tend to leak in water), but perhaps an option if you don't want to use the bags.

[Speeddog]

The bags come with the same loops and snap buckles on the back as well.

I used them for a while, but they didn't quite get enough of a rearward angle to keep the bags from sliding forward off the seat cowl.
Not a big deal for moderate loads and short runs, but the front cross-strap does crowd the seating area.

With the bike really loaded down for my Oregon trip, the load wouldn't stay back, so I did the cord loop.
In reality, with that big a load, it really needs some sort of rack to stabilize it.
I had to pack carefully to keep it as balanced as possible, or it would shift to one side.

[Dirty Duc]

For long rides I'll throw a set of universal ones over the tank.  Centralizes the mass, and doesn't compromise the passenger seat (which gets used on my bike). plus I find that the smart rider in the desert carries water for drinking, and water for emergency, and rain gear.

I have a set of the foam Chase Harper ones, but have since swapped for a set of waterproof Wolfmans.

[Speeddog]

pics?

For long rides I'll throw a set of universal ones over the tank.  Centralizes the mass, and doesn't compromise the passenger seat (which gets used on my bike). plus I find that the smart rider in the desert carries water for drinking, and water for emergency, and rain gear.

I have a set of the foam Chase Harper ones, but have since swapped for a set of waterproof Wolfmans.

[Dirty Duc]

I'd forgotten that for my first long trip I built a bracket out of mild steel, and ran that until the wife complained that it kept grabbing her upon mounting the bike.

At this point, the AZ sun had taken it's toll on both my seat and the bags (which used to be a nice black)

If I didn't cut it up to make something else, I can take pics tomorrow.

The only photo I can find with the over the tank mounting is this crappy one taken by a random bystander with the bike peeking out from behind me (in the yellow jacket).


I don't have a pic of the Wolfman setup, but Zilbert saw it at DiTR two years ago and may have snapped a few.  I'll see if it still works with the new configuration and take some snaps of the whole shebang sometime this weekend.

[Dirty Duc]

and a bump to trigger the new post feature.

[SpikeC]

 This makes me wonder why any throw over saddlebags could not be used as over tank bags....