Topic: CB750 luggage options

[andy750]

This is a specific question for a stock CB750: I have had good saddlebags/panniers in the past but they were not waterproof. I am looking for waterproof saddlebags/panniers for weekend camping trips/commuting. Looking for ideas for soft luggage and hard luggage (top-loading aluminium cases for example). Ideally looking to see luggage that would fit on a stock CB750 with 4-4 pipes. I do have an external rack to hold the bags(see pic). At this point not interested in Pelican style cases -already have one as a top box and love it but looking for something else for the saddlebags (see mock up of pelican case as a sidecase).

Pic shows what I had previously that worked well but wasnt waterproof.

Thanks for any ideas/sugestions,
Andy

[newday777]

I've thought about finding a set of Hondaline bags and mounts from the early 80s gl1100 and making them work. They are quick release to take into a room at night.
I don't know if they'd work with the 4/4 pipes though.

[gpzkat]

I'm not answering your question so my apologies but....that sure is a nice looking CB750, I don't think I could bring myself to ride one like that in the rain, but I'm in Southern California so that's not often a problem.  I got caught in thunderstorms on my '76 a few times in Maryland and that front brake was useless.  I might fit Krausers and use a plastic trash bag for the contents but that's just me.

[PeWe]

I had the Shoei hard bags on my K6. 4 long tourings in the 80's.
The were almost waterproof.

But all day long often raining very hard in high speed did not keep the water out.
I packed the clothes in pastic bags that went into the bags.

Handy when parking for night bringing everything into the hotel or tent.

My Shoei bags really small and chrome tubing rusty. I really miss them, regretting I gave them away instead of restoring them.
They had an aerodynamic design.

Photo taken July 1985 in North Italy. Lots of rain thru Sweden, Denmark and Germany. Sun south side of the Alps as many other summers.
A CB750 does not mind rain.

Tank bag helped to catch wind from my body in high speed.
Often 160-180kmh on speedo with 2 persons and lots of luggage. Back then 836, ported head and cam for a better cruiser.

Yes, no tacho. I smashed it early 1982, did not miss it enough to buy a new one until 2013

[70CB750]

For my trip to Detroit i bought these.  They are roll top saddle bags. To fit them properly, i would have to move turn signals back, they are rather long. 

They worked well, water proof too.  I did not get rained on much, but others reviewed them on Amazon. You can fit a lot of gear in them and strap stuff on top under rubber netting. 

https://www.amazon.com/ROCKBROS-Motorcycle-Waterproof-Sportster-Detachable/dp/B089ZZRPXL

[brewsky]

I finally realized that even with completely waterproof bags on a new goldwing, if you have to open them up to get anything out in the rain, it doesn't matter what bags you have!

I finally just used a plastic trash bag to seal anything that needed to be kept completely dry till I reached my dry destination!

+1 for the Shoei with trash bag liners!

[PeWe]

I even used plastic bag inside boots;)
One year my feet were soaking wet riding in heavy rain.
Stopped at a shop beside Autobahn and asked for Shopping plastic bags customer gets for carry their stuff.

I removed wet sock, took dry ones out of the shoei bag to my feet, plastic bag cover foot and the wet sock on top of the bag to protect it, no puncture.

My feet dry and warm!

[70CB750]

I even used plastic bag inside boots;)
One year my feet were soaking wet riding in heavy rain.
Stopped at a shop beside Autobahn and asked for Shopping plastic bags customer gets for carry their stuff.

I removed wet sock, took dry ones out of the shoei bag to my feet, plastic bag cover foot and the wet sock on top of the bag to protect it, no puncture.

My feet dry and warm!

Been there done that - plastic bags in boots I mean.

I also remember back in the day on my CZ riding through puddles and splashing my frozen feet with water warmed up by the engine.   

[Shtonecb500]

just purchased a set of givi top loader cases, making my own rack.

[PeWe]

I bought 3 not much used Givi bags 1988-89. I have never used them.
I found a NOS wing rack with blinkers for that early model 7-8 years ago.
A multi bike mounting kit from another seller.

Maybe easier to use these with a low 4-1. Stock pipes might block the mount of bags?

[The Lone Builder]

Hi Andy,

I've replied to your PM, but here's the answer for everyone else's benefit - and the photos.

The biggest problem with the luggage was finding a rack to mount it on; no-one makes racks for our bikes anymore. Well that's not quite true; I did find one by Hepco and Becker, but I thought it was too expensive.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-CB750-Four-K0-K6-Complete-Carrier-Set-Chrome-HEPCO-BECKER-1970-1976/153302894528?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20200520130149%26meid%3D9593e4ce55de44e3ae9df4d1df0a5fb3%26pid%3D100012%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D12%26sd%3D154232707462%26itm%3D153302894528%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLCvipPairwiseWebWithBBEV2bDemotion%26brand%3DBecker&_trksid=p2047675.c100012.m1985)

I now see you already have a carrier and it looks as if it would easily take the Kriega platforms.

Fortunately I still had the one that I used on the bike in the 70s. After my first run down to SA and back I had to reinforce it a bit as the brackets I had made didn’t hold up.

The Kriega panniers were excellent in terms of durability and complete waterproofness - no issues at all. The only complaint I have is that they were a bit fiddly to get on and off; especially the smaller one which I fitted beside some Rotopax containers for water and fuel.

That said, if you don’t have to put them on/take them off every day, it wouldn’t be an issue. The liner inside is removable for cleaning, bit I think it would be more convenient if this came out so you could unpack without having to remove the whole pannier. I had a set of hard BMW panniers which had a bag that went inside and when you stopped you simply removed it. The panniers were not removable, so theft wasn’t an issue.

To mount the bags and containers I used the Kriega platform and attached these to the carrier using the fittings provided; this worked well.

It all held together well and only the original brackets I had made up to attach the carrier failed.

[The Lone Builder]

I just realised all teh pics were of the one side.

Here's one of the other side.

[andy750]

Thank you to everyone who replied with some great suggestions. This is exactly what I was looking for - functional versus stylish ideas. All good.

Special thanks to Sean (Lone Builder) for responding to my PM (and here) from Zimbabwe after about an hour of me writing to you! Thank you so much!! Sean you are my inspiration for trans-Continental CB750 travel. Your adventure was truly epic!! Would love to hear all about it in person some day. your setup was what I was thinking about when I posted so thank you very much for all the photos especially of the backing plate. You cannot beat real world experience. The Kreiga bags look really good with the 4-4 pipes so definitely on my list.

All the best,
Andy

[newday777]

Very cool pictures and set up. What year did you do this ride?

I tried your link at the bottom to read of your trip but looks like it is no longer your domain?

I just realised all teh pics were of the one side.

Here's one of the other side.

[BenelliSEI]

I use an older style Givi “Monokey” bag set on my KLR650. They are fairly small, light and incredibly strong (see EBay photo attached). They have an “o” ring style gasket all the way around the lid gap, but truthfully, only about 95% water tight. Like the others, I use green garbage bags!

A few years ago, a buddy was heading off for a long trip on his GL1000. He order a set of KLR650 mounting frames (cheap, around $150) and we modified them to fit to his bike. Using the original, rectangular frame with bag mounting lugs and locking pins made it a few hours work. He was also able to remove the bags and take them inside every night, in a few seconds. And, they locked in place, when riding. I’ve got the cheap frames on three bikes now, and just move the bags around. Check them out on EBay.

[Kevin D]

For my trip to Detroit i bought these.  They are roll top saddle bags. To fit them properly, i would have to move turn signals back, they are rather long. 

They worked well, water proof too.  I did not get rained on much, but others reviewed them on Amazon. You can fit a lot of gear in them and strap stuff on top under rubber netting. 

https://www.amazon.com/ROCKBROS-Motorcycle-Waterproof-Sportster-Detachable/dp/B089ZZRPXL

I have the same rack, which I have never fitted, and I’m about to move the signals to the sissy bar mounts. That looks to be about 4” back and 4” higher. Is that far enough to fit the lights and bags decently?

[70CB750]

For my trip to Detroit i bought these.  They are roll top saddle bags. To fit them properly, i would have to move turn signals back, they are rather long. 

They worked well, water proof too.  I did not get rained on much, but others reviewed them on Amazon. You can fit a lot of gear in them and strap stuff on top under rubber netting. 

https://www.amazon.com/ROCKBROS-Motorcycle-Waterproof-Sportster-Detachable/dp/B089ZZRPXL

I have the same rack, which I have never fitted, and I’m about to move the signals to the sissy bar mounts. That looks to be about 4” back and 4” higher. Is that far enough to fit the lights and bags decently?

From what I guestimated yes, but I never got to it.   I was thinking about those two holes on the flat piece bracing the rack, you can see it if you look closer.  That would make the bag sit under turn signals. 

[70CB750]

This is a specific question for a stock CB750: I have had good saddlebags/panniers in the past but they were not waterproof. I am looking for waterproof saddlebags/panniers for weekend camping trips/commuting. Looking for ideas for soft luggage and hard luggage (top-loading aluminium cases for example). Ideally looking to see luggage that would fit on a stock CB750 with 4-4 pipes. I do have an external rack to hold the bags(see pic). At this point not interested in Pelican style cases -already have one as a top box and love it but looking for something else for the saddlebags (see mock up of pelican case as a sidecase).

Pic shows what I had previously that worked well but wasnt waterproof.

Thanks for any ideas/sugestions,
Andy

I just realized.  Where are your rear turn signals, Andy?

[andy750]

This is a specific question for a stock CB750: I have had good saddlebags/panniers in the past but they were not waterproof. I am looking for waterproof saddlebags/panniers for weekend camping trips/commuting. Looking for ideas for soft luggage and hard luggage (top-loading aluminium cases for example). Ideally looking to see luggage that would fit on a stock CB750 with 4-4 pipes. I do have an external rack to hold the bags(see pic). At this point not interested in Pelican style cases -already have one as a top box and love it but looking for something else for the saddlebags (see mock up of pelican case as a sidecase).

Pic shows what I had previously that worked well but wasnt waterproof.

Thanks for any ideas/sugestions,
Andy

I just realized.  Where are your rear turn signals, Andy?

Stock position. Id like to keep them there - my previous throwovers fitted well with them in place.

[70CB750]

I dont see them on your pictures.

[andy750]

I think they were hidden behind the bags but still visible from the rear.

[Don R]

 I remember some of the bags back in the day having waterproof liners. Vetter or Hondaline, not sure. I always wanted a set of the Samsonite saddlebags, usually they are found less the brackets or severely scuffed on at least one side.
 I made a good set of Vetter bags for my gl1000 from two sets, kind of a challenge due to production changes. I got it done though.  One set of bags were found with duct tape, rope and a butcher knife inside. PO intended camping I hope.

[andy750]

Here is where I have got to.....mounted a rack and mounted the saddlebags to the rack. No test ride due to salt on the road.

[Alan F.]

Looks good Andy, lots of capacity too.

Plus compliments as always on your great looking bike and the great sunny day lighting there in front of your garage.

[andy750]

Thanks Alan it was a beautiful day yesterday and a good chance to see how the mounted bags looked in the daylight. I hope all is well at your end.