Saddle Bags?

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BillT

BillT

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I'm interested in putting some saddle bags on my roadster, and was wondering if anyone knew of a bag in North America that looked period-appropriate.

I'm thinking square, black, simple flap bags with one or two nickel-plated buckles. I don't think slanted bags, tassels, or (god forbid!) H-D logos of any kind would look right.

Bike is a standard Roadster, with stock-style pipes.

Any ideas?
 
Back in the day I believe I saw a Commando with a pair of black leather side mounted saddle bags that looked nice. I think he took his seat off and hung them over the fender, a very simple and removable system.
I've seen similar bags in JC Whitney.
 
I have a pair of Baglux throwovers for my Interstate - they are 'slanted' but the slant matches the upswept silencer profile and I think they look good. They are well made with plenty of 'strap-down' options etc. + I can fit them to my other bikes (BSA Rocket 3, Royal Enfield etc.)

Cheers
 
I too have black, slant leather bags on my black (stock paint scheme) Interstate and believe it to look period correct. The only ornamentation on my bags are a black Norton pin on each bag. It clears and does look good with the stock style exhaust. I use heavy rubber belting (which doesn't show) under the seat to hold the bags in the proper position. I have yet to see anything that I like better but I'm always looking.
 
Re saddlebags

Does anyone know if the Royal Enfield saddlebags would work, they sem to have the correct appearance, leather no tassles, no H-D and no enfield insignia on them?
 
I bought a set of saddle bags off ebay about three months ago. They are the best looking bags I've seen. Would love to post pictures if someone could tell me how. I can email photos to anyone who wants to see. These bags are hard leather with bolt on mounts. Look sharp!
 
I have a set of the Cortech sport bags. I bought them for my Ducati but they're a perfect fit on the Norton too, and I think they look great on the bike.

I also have a set of simple brown leather bags that came with my Royal Enfield Bullet. I sold the bike but kept the bags. They look nice on the Norton too, and are just right for day trips and commuting.

I just throw the bags over the seat and hold them down with bungees. The Cortechs also have straps with quick release buckles for that extra degree of security.

I'll see if I have some photos to post...

Debby
 
Thanks Debby, a pic would be appreciated, as i am holding off buying anything at the moment. Appreciate your insights in to them being only good for a day trip, would they go under the seat and over the frame, if one was inclined to unbolt the seat

:D
 
panniers

Have a look at Colorado Norton Works website.
Photo Gallery, bikes number 2 and 35, I think.
He uses soft bags that a)don't throw over the seat, and b)slope to match the upswept pipes.
I think both these points are important in terms of style.
If you email hin he may tell you what they are, or zoom in and look at the logos!
Stu.
 
Re: panniers

bigstu said:
Have a look at Colorado Norton Works website.
Photo Gallery, bikes number 2 and 35, I think.
He uses soft bags that a)don't throw over the seat, and b)slope to match the upswept pipes.
I think both these points are important in terms of style.
If you email hin he may tell you what they are, or zoom in and look at the logos!
Stu.
Click to expand...

They are Commpacs, and are supported on hidden brackets that come with them. Matts former business partner Doug Macadam (sp?) was and i assume still is selling them. Nice bags for day tripping but only 9 litres capacity each (by comparison my Multistrada hard panniers are 34 litres each) so not touring bags.
 
Nortybrad said:
Thanks Debby, a pic would be appreciated, as i am holding off buying anything at the moment. Appreciate your insights in to them being only good for a day trip, would they go under the seat and over the frame, if one was inclined to unbolt the seat

:D
Click to expand...

Pics, we got em :) Here are two. The first one shows the Cortech bags. I really like these bags. They're great for road trips but are larger than I generally need for commuting or day rides. Very nice bags though:

Saddle Bags?


And here are the leather bags. These don't hold that much, so they're not as good for a weekend trip, at least not for me (I'm not the best at travelling light). They're great for commuting and local rides though. These will not clear the peashooters if mounted under the seat. They came with my Royal Enfield Bullet. I'm not sure where the PO got them. They're similar to the bags sold by Classic Motorworks, but don't have the Enfield logo and all that. They've aged nicely and have a lovely patina now:

Saddle Bags?


Hope that helps!

Debby
 
Thanks for the pics, Debby!

I was looking at nylon bags, too, as the sportbike bags are usually made to deal with high pipes, but would like to find a simple saddlebag that looks right out of 1970, like your Enfield bag.

If I find the right bag, I'll revive this thread and post some pics.
 
Steven, I got the photo of your leather bags you got on ebay. They look great! The best I have seen yet. Are there more like them on ebay or are they the only ones? I would sure like to see another photo of your bike with the bags from the side with the whole bike in the photo. I'll email you back a photo of my saddle bag setup.
 
These bags were listed on ebay for only a few hours before I hit the buy it now option. I will look back and see who I bought them from. I will take another shot as soon as I get the chain and sprockets back on. I've been in the process of doing a 520 chain swap. These bags really look good from the side. They do take some time to unbolt if you want them off.
 
Steven, do your bags come with there own mounting system? Besides being a little slow to remove, does it work well?
 
steven wardlaw said:
I bought a set of saddle bags off ebay about three months ago. They are the best looking bags I've seen. Would love to post pictures if someone could tell me how. I can email photos to anyone who wants to see. These bags are hard leather with bolt on mounts. Look sharp!
Click to expand...

Hi Steven,

I'd love to see some photos of them.

Tobin
tpeever@turbonet.com
 
I like the way these bags look and they carry the weight without bouncing around. They are close to my peashooters so I added a layer of heat sheild to the inside. Don't want the sam adams to get hot.
 
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