Saddlebag Install

[dave340]

So I decided to buy some hard saddlebags. I have seen lots of people on here install their saddlebags, and noticed one theme that kept showing up. The dreaded fender rail to saddlebag GAP. I really don't like how that looks and there is NO WAY my bags are gonna look like that.

That was until I tried to install MY bags.


Given the angle in which our fender rails are at, and the fact that the backs of most saddlebags are flat, the using of many spacers seemed necessary. So, to clear the recessed bolt holes on the fender rails, that would then allow the saddlebag brackets to sit at any angle other that straight down, meant having to use a spacer about 1/4 to 1/2 inch for the forward most bolt hole.
The rear bolt hole(on fender rail) is very tapered back, so I ended up having to use approx. 3/4 inch worth of spacers. This allowed me to match up to the front to give a parallel to bike look.


Any way I explain it, it still just works out to Fugly. If any one has figured a way to get the bags closer to the bike, without having total access to a welding/steel manufactoring shop, please help.

Dave

[BigM109r2]

I used 1" x 1/4" flat steel and drilled 3 holes to mount to the bags, tapping them to 8mm. I also used rubber grommets in the holes in the bags so the bolts don't directly contact the bags with washers on both sides. I also drill a clearance hole for the mounting bolts to the bike. In order to access these bolts I drilled 5/8 holes on the inside of the bags so as to get an allen wrench in there and clearance for the bolt heads. I got round hole plugs made of plastic to plug the holes from the inside using hot glue. These seal the bags from water and dirt and will allow for access if needed to tighten or remove the bags. I also got 2" hex threaded nuts and cut them in half for spacers for the rear bolts bringing everything parallel. This is the closest way I found to mount the bags and not have a gap. The bags are pretty ridged with only a slight wiggle when riding. PM me if you would like pics of what I did.

[Kazimodo]

If any one has figured a way to get the bags closer to the bike, without having total access to a welding/steel manufactoring shop, please help.

Dave

..
The closest I could get them , with the less parts involved.
got a 1 inch aluminium round bar and worked with that.
..
When the flat part of the round bar comes in contact with the flat bar
and you tighten the bolt , it gets very strong , the plastic of the hard bags would break before
the assembly would shake , I tried it ...

[Kazimodo]

More pictures and details.
When I put on the bags, I remove original bolts from side rails.
..
I made bolts for the bags , exact length I wanted 4 1/2 inch .
from threaded rod , (( had them welded but some members told me I could have used red locktite
,and it would have been solid))
metric thread to match the thread on the bike front holes ,
the 2 rear holes use a bolt and nut so you could put any thread there .

[gottattooz]

When I had my bags mounted, I shimmed the front with just enough flat washers to keep the bag from rubbing the fender rail. I used 2 nuts and just enough flat washers to space the rear as well. They popped on and off with 4 bolts, and I used a trailer plug to disconnect the lights.



-Josh

[Latinrascal]

When I had my bags mounted, I shimmed the front with just enough flat washers to keep the bag from rubbing the fender rail. I used 2 nuts and just enough flat washers to space the rear as well. They popped on and off with 4 bolts, and I used a trailer plug to disconnect the lights.



-Josh

You know it may just be me but this bike looks tweaked from this shot. I don't know if its the wheel, looks like its leaning to the left or the backrest that's off or the bags but it just does not look like things are lined up!