looking for saddle bag ideas

jeffmack · Feb 1, 2012

Anybody know of some small, leather or fiber saddle bags that fit, look good on a Commando? dont have to be too big, just enough to bring tools, clothes, necessities for overnight trips. thanks pics would be great too

debby · Feb 1, 2012

I have some leather panniers that I use quite a bit:

Can't help with where to buy them as they came with a bike I used to own. I'm sure any Harley shop would have something similar though.

I also have some Cortech Sport Bags that work well when I want to carry more stuff:

jeffmack · Feb 1, 2012

very cool, thanks....thing the cor techs would work with a gunfighter seat?

travelerjerry · Feb 1, 2012

Jeff, here is my set up and I'm just a back yard mechanic so....this worked out for me. Used a couple inside corner brackets, some cutting and some aluminium angle from the hardware store. To remove the rear wheel I just have to take off the bottom horizontal aluminium bracket. These are River Road throw over saddlebags Part #10-9004. There are other styles. I carry extra's (cables, oil, hose, clamps, wire ties, tape, extra tools, small Norton parts that I think may need, etc) in there for those road side breakdowns or have something in there for someone else's Norton that I had for their breakdown at one time last year.

I'm sure there are other's that have some good set-ups. Hope this gives you an idea. Excuse the dirty bike.

kraakevik · Feb 1, 2012

I picked up some old saddlebags at an antique store of all places about ten years ago--they were probably thirty years old

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/mcy/2820902698.html

Tim Kraakevik
kraakevik@voyager.net

Mark · Feb 1, 2012

Hobot · Feb 1, 2012

Just don't put on the floppy soft type bags - only backed up formed 'soft' bags or real hard bags or will soon look and act like a ole blood hound on a porch and a hassle to open and dig into. All the loads in road bouncing bags is carried by the rear loop, so if more than just clothes in them, beer, oil, food, tools, parts etc, its not bad idea to try to use struts for Z-plates to both tie down and space bags off spokes and exhaust but resists sagging tail over time, especially with luggage rack loaded up too. There are some Cdo specific tiny streamlined soft bags but not that much room in but look cute.

swooshdave · Feb 1, 2012

travelerjerry said:
I'm sure there are other's that have some good set-ups.

Someone posted an awesome design that was not even bolted to the bike, could be removed in seconds and didn't stress the rear loop.

luggage-rack-t6578.html

CanukNortonNut · Feb 1, 2012

Hey Jeff
I like the cortech saddle and tailbag that I have for long trips. http://www.kneedraggers.com/CORTECH-SPORT-SADDLEBAGS
They look good with peashooters and have clearance for them.
For tooting around town or on shorter trips, I have the 18Lt magnetic tank bag and love it. http://www.kneedraggers.com/CORTECH-SUP ... ETIC-MOUNT
Just plunk it on and it stays. That is if you have a steel tank. :roll: I use it all the time and they are well engineered. If it rains and you are stuck driving in it, there is a zip flap that pull over and gives you protection.
Not bad prices on this site. I think there was a member here from California that used them but I haven't seen him on for a while.
Commando75??? maybe??
do a search on this site for pics and comments.
Regards,
CNN

Whitworth Ranch · Feb 1, 2012

Ventura does one. There are no pics that I could find on their site, but the Commando rates a listing...

http://www.ventura-mca.com/fitments/Nor ... mk1_3.aspx

Edit: Found a pic:

Mark

T.H · Feb 1, 2012

Hey Jeffmack,

I've been using these Motocentric bags and they seem to work good. Fit them under my gunfighter seat or on top the fastback seat and they sit well. plenty of straps to help hold in place which i use 2 around my seat knobs.
http://www.motobuys.com/8601-200.html
Tim

cjandme · Feb 1, 2012

google andover norton and open the web site, then choose accessories and scroll down and they have some pictured there for sale that look quite nice. Cj

ZFD · Feb 2, 2012

The picture of Whitworth Ranch (black Interstate with screen) shows the worst possible arrangement, not only from a weight distribution aspect, but furthermore by putting the unsupported load onto the weak rear frame loop. This will bend down in no time as one puts weight on that carrier, and I have seen many a Commando frame where the rear frame loop has bent down or even broken off.
Which is why on our replacement frames the mounting points for the top bolt of the rear suspension have been slightly extended towards the rear, and which is why the Andover Norton luggage rack has the connection to the "Z"-plate, thus suspending the whole package and using the rear frame loop only as a stabilizer sideways. See http://www.andover-norton.co.uk/Accessories.htm

The rear frame loop was designed to only keep the rear mudguard and tail light from dropping into the road, not for taking heavy loads.

Joe/Andover Norton

Nortiboy · Feb 2, 2012

ZFD said:
Which is why on our replacement frames the mounting points for the top bolt of the rear suspension have been slightly extended towards the rear, and which is why the Andover Norton luggage rack has the connection to the "Z"-plate, thus suspending the whole package and using the rear frame loop only as a stabilizer sideways. See http://www.andover-norton.co.uk/Accessories.htm

The rear frame loop was designed to only keep the rear mudguard and tail light from dropping into the road, not for taking heavy loads.

Joe/Andover Norton

Best I've seen. Now I've gotta buy some. When will it end ?

Mark B

jeffmack · Feb 2, 2012

T.H said:
Hey Jeffmack,

I've been using these Motocentric bags and they seem to work good. Fit them under my gunfighter seat or on top the fastback seat and they sit well. plenty of straps to help hold in place which i use 2 around my seat knobs.
http://www.motobuys.com/8601-200.html
Tim

Those bags look sweet. Was thinking bout the Coe techs but these may trump
Thanks to everyone for suggestions

rvich · Feb 3, 2012

Since I use my bike for commuting a lot, I use a Cortech tail bag. I modified the mount for the grab rail so that it is moved back, more above the tail light fairing and the bag sits between it and the back of the seat. It worked better than just sitting the tail bag on the fender as it tended to droop and look kinda sad.

mw21837 · Feb 4, 2012

I use my Commando as a daily commuter(65 miles round trip), and often have to carry a laptop. I didn't need a lot of room, but I did want it to look good, and a low overall height was also preferred for my 28 inch inseam. After a lot of research and thought, I went with a Saddleman Tunnel Bag. There are 2 different sizes, this is the larger one.

it is easily removable in seconds using 3 cam locks.

It is meant to be attached by using this velcro/strap pad which is first strapped to a seat, tail fairing, or luggage rack.

I instead fabricated this adapter which mounts to my luggage rack.

While this bag doesn't have enough room for long trips, it did prove to meet my needs for everyday trips, and I think that it looks pretty good.

Mike Wolf

Rathead · Feb 6, 2012

These came on my bike when I bought it. You can have them if you want. Just pay for shipping. They do need to be repaired. Some threads are broke at the bottom of Just one I think. But it looks like an easy repair if you can sew. If you're interested I can email better photos of them.

Hobot · Feb 6, 2012

Gosh Rathead that helmet reminds me of early rocket sci fi movie era!

rightshiftrick · Feb 6, 2012

Wish I had a better pic, but one of the New england guys has a nice color matched set of Cravins on his:

looking for saddle bag ideas

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