Topic: hard bags / saddlebags / panniers

[ascanio1]

Please help me chose the best traveling accessories for my CB750 K3.

I have
- Back rest & rack (not installed yet).
- Original K3 seat (being refurbished).
- Wind is not a problem, but my wife's comfort is because I want her to enjoy the ride!

So.... please advice:
- Soft, throw over bags?
- Hard, top open but non removable side cases?
- Hard, removable, side cases? I like the convenience of being able to detach & carry the bags (*).
- Tank bag... looks ugly on a CB750.
- Cylinder, leather bag, in front of the forks (would also balance weight)?
- Rear Top Case with back rest instead of back rest w/ rack?
- Is there an original 3 pieces set: 2 side + 1 back? Shoei?
- Any other idea?

Please post images of your suggestions. Looks are very important for me.

I have read many posts on this forum and I find that the shape which I like best is this one:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=140159.msg1588197#msg1588197
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=106298.msg1189231#msg1189231
But these are not detachable (I think).

So far, considering looks, period correct and convenience I am prone to go for:
- Back Rest w/ rack where I can load a soft bag.
- Throw over side bags.
- Maybe a cylinder bag hanging in front of the forks.

Initially it will be a one night trip (to get my wife used to it) but eventually I'm looking at 1 week trips.

(*) Japan is a very safe country and theft is not a concern at all.

[Markcb750]

I have a set of paniers I travel with, they are fine for 1 up but very limited leg room available for passenger.  you would need to mount them back several inches to allow a passenger to reach pegs.   The rear turn signals prevent them from just being slid back. 

[madmtnmotors]

The rear turn signals prevent them from just being slid back any more. 

Not quite what you're looking for, but these are simple pelican cases on homemade brackets. The padlock on the case also locks it to the bike via a swing away bracket. They lift off easily (once unlocked) and are resistant to extreme weather. I had to move my signals rearward to fit mine:






Since I had to fab the brackets, moving the signals was easy since their new mount was figured into the new bracketry. Can be converted back to stock in about 30 minutes.

I like the look of the Air Tech hard bags (but the "dustbin" fairing doesn't do much for me):

http://www.airtech-streamlining.com/vintage/saddlebags.htm

[oldhatt45]

ascanio1,

I have a set of Krauser panniers on my 750.  They are detachable and very roomy.  You can put a helmet in them.
For pictures, here is a set on ebay to give you an idea as to what they look like.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Krauser-Bags-/171614227278?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27f5014b4e&vxp=mtr

Also as a detachable pannier are the Vetter panniers (bags) there is also a rear trunk which is not quite a quick disconnect.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/White-Windjammer-Vetter-Saddlebags-Bracket-Mount-w-Key-/121528545902?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c4baa726e&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Windjammer-Vetter-Rear-Cargo-Container-w-Bracket-Rack-Key-Glovebox-Lid-/361165053859?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item54171d5fa3&vxp=mtr

The prices for the Vetters is a little too high in my opinion but for reference, the pictures are good.

Hope this helps,

Charlie

[Mooshie]

Not a 750 but here are my soft panniers on my 550.  They actually hold a large amount of stuff

[ascanio1]

@ Mooshie,
I Love your bike! It's so simple and clean. Really cool! Thanks for the pics. I think that the soft bags look nice.

@oldhatt45
Thanks for directing me to those images...
1.
Krausers look sturdy and practical and certainly sober. But I think not in style with a CB... more in stye with an airhead BMW!
2.
Vetters... those look better and I like the rear top case option. But... not sure they say: "CB"!
3.
In an earlier thread I saw some very pretty Shoei but I have 2 doubts (can anyone refute or confirm?):
a) no rear top case, and
b) not sturdy and prone to crack the bracket.

@ Markcb750
Shame that they don't work with the pillion! I was looking for a model which could be secured under the seat, rather than on top of it. Do you know of any? Can you mount them reverse to give space to the pillion? Or are there other models which can accommodate a passenger?

[flatlander]

i've got some throw-over bags as you can see in the picture.



they're hung between rear fender and seat as mooshie's (although not as sylish as hers). with these kind of bags you either need to move your rear indicators or make sure the bags fit either in front or underneath them.

[PeWe]

Tank bag is very useful when traveling. Easy to unzip and bring with you inside the cafe, restaurant or where the gas stop is done. All important stuff that thieves like to steal packed in the tank bag.
My bag worked as a fairing on my trips on Autobahn where the speed was mostly north of 150km/h.  (South when looking at the speedo, >150) The wind was not that strong.

Bags on the photo are old small Shoei, HD style not possible to remove without tools.
I have a newer set of 3 bags, Givi bought used 1989 from a guy that used them once on a Kawasaki. Did not use them, still missing the montage kit fitting my bike.

Edit: I remember when looking at the photo that I used the rear fender extension, mud flap which is needed. I cannot find any mud flaps for CB750. I have one or 2 somewhere. I need a new shorter better looking one when I or my passanger (wife) becomes soaking wet when driving on wet roads despite OEM fender, not shortened.

[70CB750]

The rear turn signals prevent them from just being slid back any more. 

Not quite what you're looking for, but these are simple pelican cases on homemade brackets. The padlock on the case also locks it to the bike via a swing away bracket. They lift off easily (once unlocked) and are resistant to extreme weather. I had to move my signals rearward to fit mine:

I am pretty sure I know where it is    Is there a very special tree hidden behind that wooden shelter?  Tree bearing the fruit of shame? 

[madmtnmotors]

I am pretty sure I know where it is    Is there a very special tree hidden behind that wooden shelter?  Tree bearing the fruit of shame? 

That would be the one! 

[Deltarider]

Some 30 years ago I read tests of various panniers in motormagazines that said not even the expensive were rainproof. So I never bothered to buy a set and decided to keep my old leather bags. Extremely good quality and probably made in Czecho-Slovakia or the DDR. An advantage is that when your bike falls over (happened many times to me when I was in terrain) there will be no damage. All my luggage is prepacked in plastic bags, so everything stays 100% dry. I choose transparant bags so you can see rightaway where is what you're looking for. Tankbag is a good place for expensive things, documents and tools. As far as the rack in the rear I make it a sport to keep it as low as possible. A sleeping bag roll is the absolute maximum I will tolerate The tent roll is much smaller and lies right in front of it to improve aerodynamics somewhat. Topcases spoil all the fun and are fine on mopeds or if you're not going over 70 km/h. Quite frankly I'm horrified by the piles of stuff I've seen in pics in this forum. Take as little as possible. Wasn't that the idea: to get away from it all and leave things behind? In a small rucksack I carry only soft stuff like clothes and towels. You don't want a camera or lenses in there in the event of falling and hitting the turmac. If you need more room, you can have an extra rucksack in the front of you. Such a 'chestsack' is also a windbreaker. The result is my bike feels steady as a rock, is predictable and allowes high speed touring (140 km/h) for hours.
Oh... and have a nice lambskin cover over your buddyseat for bottomcomfort on long rides. Make sure it's fastened well and will not end in the rear sprocket.

[ascanio1]

Thanks for the useful and detailed post. I am taking it all into consideration. Again, thanks!

[PeWe]

This thread made me to look at my old Givi bags stored in the shed.

- Anyone that have hard cases Givi E34 on a CB750?

The only rack made for CB750 I have found still available is from Hepco & Becker.
http://www.bikersbuyit.com/Shops/bbiholland/contents/media/hecpco-becker-kofferrek-topdrager-honda-650107-00-02.jpg

On this rack mount adapters to fit the used cases. I'm looking for Givi E34 adapters. These cases are from end of 80's, beginning of 90's.

[Grinnin]

I'll post one of mine but I'm gonna ask for more.

I've put something over 17,000 miles on my 750K5 including well over 8,000 miles in "trips" but I have only a couple pictures of it loaded:


I made those bags (all 4) for other bikes but they fit on the 750 fine.  I also made them when I had a largish tent and a synthetic sleeping bag.  I can pack smaller now, but I still start from Maine and usually head north-ish so need space to shed insulating layers.

I'm looking for suggestions for hard side cases for the 750 that are available today.  Old steel motorcycles are fine, but old plastic may be too brittle.  If I cannot find anything else I'll go with Givi or Shad cases -- the roundy ones for my roundy bike instead of angular ones.

madmtnmotors posted pics of Pelicans on his SOHC.  I have those on another bike and they're really handy.


For me, hard cases are so much more convenient that I hope to retire the soft bags.

The angles in my pics may not show it, but the rear luggage is centered just in front of the rear axle.  The high stuff is lightweight; anything heavy goes low in the side bags or cases.  I definitely don't want weight far back.

[ascanio1]

I've put something over 17,000 miles on my 750K5 including well over 8,000 miles in "trips" but I have only a couple pictures of it loaded:

Why is there a cloth on the saddle?

For me, hard cases are so much more convenient that I hope to retire the soft bags.

Why? I'm interested.

[madmtnmotors]

For me, hard cases are so much more convenient that I hope to retire the soft bags.

Why? I'm interested.

I would agree for several reasons:

>WAY more secure than soft bags. I've got a set of soft saddle bags that I've had for over 25 years and I've always had to be careful where the important/expensive items were stowed.

>Once unlocked from the bike (just a padlock), my hard bags simply lift off their bracket and serve double duty as luggage too. Took me two weeks to design the bracketry and only an afternoon to fab it up.

Grinnin makes a good point about keeping the weight forward. I located mine with their center point a little behind the rear axle and have experienced some high speed "wandering" (85mph+) when heavily loaded. The rear end was weaving a little bit side-to-side and I thought the rear tire was going flat. Once I slowed down to a more leisurely pace (75mph or less) the symptoms went away. I was also able to mitigate the condition somewhat by loading the heavier items towards the front of the bags. Worn out swingarm bushings probably don't help either! 

I have new ones, I swear! Just haven't had the opportunity to install them yet...

[ascanio1]

Does anyone have experience with fork/handlebar roll bags?

[Grinnin]

Why is there a cloth on the saddle?

For me, hard cases are so much more convenient that I hope to retire the soft bags.

Why? I'm interested.

There's a sheepskin on the saddle.  Same sheepskin in the other pic on the other bike.  Cooler when it's warm out with a little air flow down there.  Seems warmer when it's cold out too although I can't tell you why.  Less humidity inside my Gore-tex pants any time, but especially during or after a rain -- sitting on a wet vinyl seat doesn't let perspiration out but the wet sheepskin allows enough air through to keep my nethers dry.

My take on hard vs. soft bags:  seriously wet weather requires either a rolled closure or zippers plus a plastic liner (or a rain cover which I've never tried).  Any of those takes a bit more time to open and close than a latch or two.  With liners (trash bags) you need to fold or roll the opening or somehow keep it dry.  Fiddly time.  The roll-top is better, but handling the roll itself gets hands good and wet.  The buckles are not quite glove-friendly.

I've used worse -- a rolled-end waterproof bag with straps across the top. Trying to close it without loosening the straps means the contents can shift and the luggage is loose.  The rolled-top bag in the CB photo at least eliminates that step.

Both tank bags have zippers and shed rain pretty well.  (There's a different home-made tank bag on the other bike.)  The openings are actually above the zippers so water going down or sideways doesn't get to the contents.  They can get damp from below and both will get slightly damp if it rains long enough.

My favorite is the top case which has a single latch on the back.  When I stop for lunch I can open, toss in the GPS, camera, gloves, close it and lock it in just seconds.  Or a map change at a state line, open, get the plastic bag of maps (against the front wall) exchange, close, and latch.

Some people prefer top-opening side cases to make them as easy as my top case.  My side cases and side bags have gear for camp plus "regular" clothes, i.e. not layers for warmth.  Since I'm not opening them during the day the speed difference isn't really that important.  I still prefer the 100% waterproof hard cases over the bags that I can make waterproof with a liner.

EDIT:  And for around town -- hard cases all the way.  I can use the tail bag I made, but the side bags are not as good for carrying partial loads.  I really like taking a ride to the bank, library, hardware store, grocery, etc., and side cases are just very practical.  Anything I buy at one store is secure when I'm in the next.  The roads here make this kind of errand very entertaining instead of a traffic hassle.

[Wobbly]

Krauser hard luggage. Algerian Sahara, August 1983.

[PeWe]

Krauser bags ruled at the 80's. At least here in Sweden. Looked and worked very stylish.

I took a chance to order NOS Givi Wingrack E140 for 3 bags from USA for my old 3 E34 bags. Not cheap. Y127 mounting kit from Germany.
Project later this year to mount them on my bike so I'm prepared for a trip on the bike again. I have to add luggage straps around them when there is a label inside bags about max speed as 130km/h.... It was not possible to drive that slow back in the 80's without struggling with the slow stinky truck lane driving 80-100km/h. Uphill even slower. Next lane 150-200+ km/h.

[Wobbly]

@ PeWe
Krauser was already the best there was in the 1970s and O.E.M. for BMW. Regarding the speed limit with luggage, it's a good indicator how times have changed. Like you said, recommended max speed with luggage was 130km/h. 30 years later, the BMW tail bag on my 2010 RR, suggests a max speed of no more than 220km/h, about 137 mph. 
I was doing this Africa trip in 83 with my wife as a passenger (sport seat, clip-on bars). The bike was so overloaded, I could not put it on the main stand until I took some of the load off. Aside from the side luggage, I also carried the large Krauser top case and a 20 l gasoline canister. Not sure if you are familiar with them, but I also used a Harro "Elefantenboy" tank bag--which is huge and still in use today.

The best luggage choice today is probably Hepco & Becker with their custom-tailored racks for each model--just like Krauser. Prices are outlandish, but at least they are available. However, for either the Krauser or the H&B luggage, I have to swap my U.S. tail light bracket out for a European one because, otherwise, the signals get in the way. Not a big deal, but probably the reason why neither one is available in the U.S.

[Grinnin]

- Hard, top open but non removable side cases?
- Hard, removable, side cases? I like the convenience of being able to detach & carry the bags (*).

What are you using for a rack?  Luggage mfrs don't seem to offer much for SOHC these days.  I modified the rack on my 750 and made the other entirely.  I will probably make an entire rack for new luggage.

The side cases from Shad and Hepco & Becker have brackets built in; they look like a simpler rack can provide the attach/detach feature that you asked for.  Givi and Krauser have a bracket to attach to your rack.

Hepco & Becker "Junior" cases look (to my eye) to be compatible with the shape of my SOHC.    They come in different 2 widths for volumes of 30 or 40 litres.  Those 40 litre cases would make a pretty wide load.

Shad is now in 2nd place for my dollars with H&B Junior 30 leading.

[Wobbly]

Hepco & Becker still offers the complete luggage rack specifically made for any of the CB 750 Fours.
https://www.louis.de/en/artikel/h-b-komplett-traeger-rohrkonstruktion/10024432?list=36286133

I don't believe that anybody else does anymore.

[ascanio1]

Krauser hard luggage. Algerian Sahara, August 1983.

WOW... that's loaded as a mule!  Poor bike! 
My parents did a similar trip in '73 (my mother as pillion) and that's the reason why I bought my K3 in the first place! Do you have any more pics of your desert "raid"? I'd love to see them!
 

[ascanio1]

The best luggage choice today is probably Hepco & Becker with their custom-tailored racks for each model--just like Krauser. Prices are outlandish... cut

Thanks Wobbly, these are really beautiful bags. You're right. But not detachable (I could buy internal container, but cost goes up) and the cost is really exhorbitant... I'll have to keep an eye out on e-Bay! Thanks, nice advice.

Hepco & Becker still offers the complete luggage rack specifically made for any of the CB 750 Fours. https://www.louis.de/en/artikel/h-b-komplett-traeger-rohrkonstruktion/10024432?list=36286133

Cool. Bookmarked! This could come in useful if I don't go Shoei. I might be able to use it with soft/hard/leather side-cases as the original structure seems to be pretty flimsy, from all accounts.

-----------------------------------------------

What are you using for a rack?

I bought the sissy back + rack (images below) but not installed yet bcs not sure about looks... not my style or bike's style. Problem is my wife wants a backrest so:
- I find rear/top case (Shoei?) and attach a backrest pad, or
- Hard leather side bags, Hepco & Becker, type/kind + sissy back.

I'm absorbing all the advice... a good point made is to not overload the rear/top case and that would go in the direction of sissy back as the Shoei side bags are really small. Remember I'll be riding w/ pillion.

Luggage mfrs don't seem to offer much for SOHC these days. I modified the rack on my 750... cut

That's my problem too. The cost may make the Hepco&Becker price convenient... as you rightly comment later:

The side cases from Shad and Hepco & Becker have brackets built in; they look like a simpler rack can provide the attach/detach feature that you asked for.

Givi and Krauser have a bracket to attach to your rack.

Too ugly. Not in style & period wrong.