saddlebag mounts

[drift]

OK, I've spent quite a while searching... and can't find what I'm looking for.

Someone here had made their own mounts that keep the saddlebags off the side of the bodywork - they looked very slick and strong. I'm searching for those mounts to try and either copy the design or purchase a set from the OP - if they can be replicated.

Does this ring a bell with anyone? Are you the creator of these mounts? Can I buy a set?

[RZRob]

Sounds like you're talking about the set I made. I'm working on V 2.0 now. These are going to be even better. The only problem is that I don't know where to tell you to get the bags themselves anymore. Costco may sell them, but I think they dropped them or the center bag.

These were dirt cheap on http://www.costco.com, but didn't just fit. I had to make brackets to hold them on, clear the exhaust and preserve the body work.

I gave it a ton of thought and came up with this.
These weren't intended to be works of art, but they came out pretty good considering I'm retouching the Mona Lisa. BrettRay76 on the forum helped me cut these out using WaterJet Technology. Nicest guy, and fielding some Aprilias at Daytona and Fontana, so wish him the best. Others on the forum helped draw up my design professionally. The forum brought my project to a higher level.

What I've got is two aluminum dowels, drilled & tapped at the ends, then cross-drilled and with countersunk flathead allens (and standoffs) attaching to the subframe. Then, my cut, welded and powedercoated "shelves" are bolted (and Loctited) on. SUPER Solid!

They're designed so I just sling the bags over the bike and pinch the strap to drop it into the Secure Slot. Works amazingly well.


The bags and straps (and brackets) are way clear of the bodywork and the exhaust . There is NO WAY the bags can get close enough to the pipes to do damage, but I do have the ability to position them much further forward.

I showed the GPS before, but now the bracket I made (my brother has a mill ) is powdercoated and like the saddlebag mount looks "store bought."
Everything turned out well. Lots of clearance and good solid fit. The best thing is when the trip is done, I can simply unbolt everything and return my baby to virgin status. I didn't do anything silly like drill holes etc.

RZ Rob

[JAndrewG]

I bought a set of RZRob's brackets from a guy local to the Seattle area last summer and am very happy with them. Nice job Rob. They bolt on in 15-20 minutes easy, and stay put no matter what I do. Even at high speeds and with the bags overloaded, nothing rubs at all. When I remove them there's not a mark anywhere on the bike.

[drift]

yep, thats the set. i already have cortech sport saddlebags and duffle.

[drift]

it looks like the only thing I'd do different would be the size of those "Secure Slot" holes - I think my bags have wider straps. What are the chances of getting a 2nd set cut when you do your new ones? I can do metal fab, but not jet cutting-- or, can i buy the plans from you and find a cutter?

[RZRob]

it looks like the only thing I'd do different would be the size of those "Secure Slot" holes - I think my bags have wider straps. What are the chances of getting a 2nd set cut when you do your new ones? I can do metal fab, but not jet cutting-- or, can i buy the plans from you and find a cutter?

I just talked to BrettRay on the forum and he's drawing up my set now. I'll ask him if he can cut a second set. The one's JAndrewG got are the ones in the pictures above. I only made the one set, but I learned a lot and the next set'll be even better.

The new ones are a different design (see below). If you think you can modify these I'll ask him if he can cut two sets. Let me know.

RZ Rob

[RZRob]

JAndrewG, I'm stoked you got that set and they're working for you. Like I said I learned a lot from that build. Here's that set in use half-way into a 2,000 mile trip.

RZ Rob

[playero_loko]

thats kool and all but i always have believed that if it doesnt fit in hip pocket then i dont need to be carrying such item while riding... however if you make your bike a daily driver then i can see why you 'd want saddle bags, but then again if you want a daily driver bike, then wouldnt you want it to be something more comfy than a sports bike??? just a thought...

[JAndrewG]

yep, thats the set. i already have cortech sport saddlebags and duffle.

Don't want to put a kink in your plans, but I first bought the set identical to Rob's including the MotoGear bags, then bought Cortech bags and tried to make them fit. It wouldn't be just a wider notch on the top for the Cortech's wider strap necessary. The Cortech had a different shape and would need the brackets shaped the same to fit correctly.

I ended up taking the Cortech stuff back to my dealer and keeping the MotoGear, and realized that it was actually a simpler and better design in many ways. I'd stick with what Rob set them up for. Do a search for 'motogear extreme' to find them. I can't recall who sells them. They're not as easy to get but they're out there and the nice kicker is that they're near half the money.

[JAndrewG]

JAndrewG, I'm stoked you got that set and they're working for you. Like I said I learned a lot from that build. Here's that set in use half-way into a 2,000 mile trip.

RZ Rob

They worked great Rob. So easy to pull the tail and side bags to take them into the motel room after a long day. I didn't do 2k miles, but I did do almost a thousand over a three day weekend and they stayed in place perfectly, even though I got a little frisky out in the middle of nowhere and saw as much as mid-140's a couple of times. There is a ton of room in those bags too-more than I imagined when I first got them.

When I got home it was a simple matter of four allen screws, a glass of scotch, and about 15 minutes and they were off and the bike was completely unmarked. Neat deal for sure.

[drift]

Don't want to put a kink in your plans, but I first bought the set identical to Rob's including the MotoGear bags, then bought Cortech bags and tried to make them fit. It wouldn't be just a wider notch on the top for the Cortech's wider strap necessary. The Cortech had a different shape and would need the brackets shaped the same to fit correctly.

I ended up taking the Cortech stuff back to my dealer and keeping the MotoGear, and realized that it was actually a simpler and better design in many ways. I'd stick with what Rob set them up for. Do a search for 'motogear extreme' to find them. I can't recall who sells them. They're not as easy to get but they're out there and the nice kicker is that they're near half the money.

Thanks for the info -- that's good to know. Rob, go ahead with your plans and I'll see what I can do with that drawing. If the shape needs to be re-made to work with my bags - or I need to buy new bags - I'll figure out what I need to do. Are you getting those cut soon?

thanks,
Bruce

[RZRob]

Rob, are you getting those cut soon?

I hope so. May next week. I can ask BrettRay if he wants to make another set slightly different than the first ones.

Basically the concept is proven. If I were you I'd just modify the drawing at the upside down T points and shelf location, and leave everything else the same.

Keep it simple.

RZ Rob

[drift]

Alright - after thinking it over, I'd love to get a set if BrettRay is willing to cut an extra set and charge me for his time/expenses. I will then check them against my bags - but likely will end up getting the bags that Andrew recommends.

Rob - Are you willing to send a list of whatever else I need to collect in order to make this work and/or a list of how they mount?

Thanks a ton in advance... and if BrettRay can't cut a pair for me, I'll use the above drawing to fashion a set.

Bruce

[fly817]

Wow.. this is a great set-up! Excellent work RZRob! PM sent.

Looks like the saddlebags are made by Classic Accessories?

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...ct_id=10802875

[Makenna]

Here's a new idea that is currently not on the market, but will be soon. It's a set of saddle bags that can be put on and taken off with little effort or tools as they use the factory rear foot pegs.

http://www.thecycleguys.com/default....&ProductID=193