Topic: What are you guys doing for luggage on the CB?

[keithert]

I'm wondering what most people here do to carry stuff on their CBs.  When I last had a bike like this I either used a tank bag or a bungee net to strap a bag to the seat.  I might get a set of throw over saddlebags or a luggage rack off ebay.  Any way to make a newer bag setup like a Leatherlyke or Givi work?

[goon 1492]

I thought of trying to make something, but that's just because I have the fever to fab something my self instead of buying something poorly made, but since I have the 76 750k that is always a work in progress along with the house 1acre lot and 4 kids to tend to i just said screw it and bought some Iron cross saddle bags from JC whitney...

[keithert]

Did you have to use supports to keep the bags away from the wheels?  I had throw over saddlebags on a Kawasaki Zephyr that worked well without supports, but that bike's shocks would keep the bags away.

[hymodyne]

I'm thinking about a tank bag with bungee hooks, and a backpack I bought for riding.

Hym

[goon 1492]

I'm actually wondering that same thing, the rear springs seem hold them away ok and the rear turn signals act as a stop for them but they just barley touch the exhaust, I have been lookin for some support braces but havn't found them and I think that I will end up fabbing some brackets, not sure if I will have to because they have straps on the backs of the bags that I can use to force it to stay away from the exhaust, but in the same breath the place where I work has had people mess with the bikes while all the honest people are inside workin tryin to make a living and it makes me think I should rig them up for easy removal so I can take them inside with me (actually I want to take the whole bike inside but the others 5 guys that ride wouldn't think thats fair, then again me neither I would want all of them in) I will let anyone know if I find a place that sells saddle bag supports for the 750 or just the cb in general, and if anyone elso knows please let me know.

[heffay]

if there ain't enuf room for chicks my little cafe won't be carrying any baggage either!

although, i do carry a backpack most times... and, no... chicks won't be hitchin' a ride there either.

hmmmm... perhaps no one asked me 

[andy750]

Here is what I use....tank bag - wonderful! have 2 - small one from http://www.motopakluggage.com/ and the other a Chase Harper - both very good.

Saddlebags are from http://www.motopakluggage.com/ - excellent quality and they detach - very good price as well.



Detached saddlebag tied to the back on top of the tent and sleeping mat - this allowed the g/f to ride on the back....with saddelbags thrown over the seat she couldnt get her feet on the pegs.



and after we arrived....




And tank bag for cafe bikes....



And saddlebags on bike for one up riding....



cheers
Andy

[mark]

My jacket has big pockets.


 

[GammaFlat]

Note that the backrest can be moved forward and back to make more room if "one up".  I see a "KG" emblem but have no idea how you'd go about getting one.  For me it's perfect albeit not too pretty.  I have a need to haul a very large, heavy briefcase and short of installing saddlebags I see no other way. 

[754]

Make a sissy bar you can take on & off..huge difference in what you can pack.. Duffel bags hold lots but are floppy.  It is worth making bag mounts that you can take on & off.. makes a huge difference..

 Never had a tank bag or wanted one.. hate to spill gas around the filler with one   ..unless it was a 77/78.. hey that is useful..

[Patrick]

I have a set of throw over saddlebags. No interference with the wheel and they come off easily when SWMBO wants to ride on the back. I find them very useful since I often use my bike to commute 25+ miles (each way) to work. Of course, unlike Andy750, I've never circumnavigated the globe on my bike.....

[fuzzybutt]

small knapsack. holds a pair of jeans, 2 pairs jockeys, 2 pair socks 2 tee shirts

[hcritz]

Hey Keith..
I use a backpack...I sewed on of the elastic back supports that folks wear to move boxes and such to it. That helps keep the pack from shifting and adds some needed back support too. I have a 77 with the slight step up in the seat for the rear passenger...the pack sits perfectly on there so there's really no weight on my shoulders...you can even lean back against it a bit for some support.
Thought about a tank bag...but was afraid it would scratch the paint that I spent HOURS and HOURS on!

[patpollin]

Andy750, would you mind sharing the size saddlebags and tankbag shown there on your bike?  Motopak seems like a very reasonable deal but I'm not sure which size to get, its hard to visualize what each size looks like on the bike and how much fits in each.  thanks!

[keithert]

I had a pair of Leaterlykes on a previous bike (95 Virago).  They attached to 1/2 inch round nubs that mounted to a bar between the fender supports.  I'm thinking that the bar could be bolted to the seat rail of my CB650.  My Dad has a set.  I'll see if it could be adapted.

[Philly550K1]

me rikey ruggage lack. 

[super pasty white guy]

I use the Cortech sport tailbag for my daily commute.  I needed something to take to and from school and work that I could carry while in uniform.  It's almost passable as a textile briefcase (almost), and expandable.  Easy on and off with the bungee'd hooks, has a shoulder strap and a regular handle.  For fun rides, I use a small Rocket tankbag.

I'm seriously thinking about taking a long trip next year (DC to NM, and CO and back), so I've been looking at racks for awhile.  I haven't found one that's compatable with an F on ebay yet.  May wind up settling for the Cortech throw-over touring bags on that front.  I'll be interested in seeing the answers you get.

spwg

[andy750]

Andy750, would you mind sharing the size saddlebags and tankbag shown there on your bike?  Motopak seems like a very reasonable deal but I'm not sure which size to get, its hard to visualize what each size looks like on the bike and how much fits in each.  thanks!

Sure no problem....I got the mini tank bag and love it - great size for day trips (on its own) and for around town or going to work etc.....

http://www.motopakluggage.com/gtmini.html

I got it for $50 on Ebay (they sell through Ebay usually cheaper but watch for shipping). I got the magnetic and it works great - no scuffing or damage to paint and does NOT interfere with filling your gas tank. And has a great map pocket on top, 2 handy side pockets for camera, tools etc and it comes with a rain cover!!!

The Chase Harper tank bag is bigger and also expandable. I forget the size as was ordered in 2001. It is considerably bigger and I only use this for longer trips. holds a good amount. Non-magnetic. Does interfere with filling up with gas but just need to unclip front two clips and easy as that. Holds shopping, snacks, bottles, cans of beers when you have to that run to the local store when travelling. Rest of time holds waterproofs, jumpers  etc etc


The Saddlebags - Motopak - I got the 40L ones- http://www.motopakluggage.com/gts40.html

Look at the carry handle in the pic - very handy! And they separate so can take one only (see my previous post). Also the outerpocket is huge and holds, large tools, sandals/camp shoes or spare towel...and thats just the outer pocket....actual bag can hold all the g/fs stuff and shes happy    Also come with raincovers!!!

NOTE ** The Motopak luggage comes flat and you have to "assemble" yourself -this means sliding a stiff plastic insert into the sleeves around the wall/edges of the bag to give it shape. Easy and takes 2 min!

In my opinion these bags are much better than the $180 ones from Marsee - I used the Marsee bags for the Mexico trip and they fell apart after 2 hard month of use. Got a free replacement set after complaining and use these in Europe and USA X-country trip - again the seams failed....never again!

For the money/quality motopak cant be beat IMHO.

hope this helps,
Andy
 

[andy750]

BTW a backpack also works for luggage (with cowboy boots tied to the top)  - use LOTS of bungee cords.....

.....this was take in 1991 on my first X-country USA ride - Cape Cod, MA to the Grand Canyon and back via the Rockies, Kansas etc.....7500, 3 weeks.



cheers
Andy

[c_kyle]

A tank bag, and up to a 2600 cubic inch internal frame pack.  That has worked pretty well, I just have to wash my couple of changes of clothes every other day.  I haven't gone on any massive trips, though; the longest had two hotel-nights to the destination, and was around 1000 miles.

My tank bag is a Nelson-Rigg; I'm not sure of the size, but it's big enough to fit a Nalgene bottle inside, with half the room left over for other crap.  It has a map pocket on top that comes off and two side pockets that a Gerber multi-plier conveniently fits in.  A tank bag is one of those things that you should never be without.

The reason I use an internal frame pack is because they come in all sorts of sizes and shapes, and with the hip-belt, shoulder straps, and sternum strap, you can make it stick to your back with no movement at all.  Something that I also noticed, wearing it as you would if you were hiking, does indeed force you to have better back posture, which with me, got rid of my right hand pain.

[neil young]

i posted this in another thread a while ago.
these are Roadpak. they are under my seat and held together with Velcro so you can adjust the fit.they have handles and 2 clip on carrying straps,so they are easy to carry when off the bike.
it seems they were made for a business person in mind.one side has lots of business type pockets for cards and a lap top,papers and such.they expand via zippers so they hold quite a bit.
single rider only.unless bow legged woman are your thing
they sit against the shocks without any brackets.i drove a few hundred miles with them on last year(bought them late in the season)without any problems.if it was a worry for you there is a metal ring on the back side of both bags that you could use to fix the bags to the bike frame via some plastic ties or string but i didnt bother as it would be a pain every time you wanted to remove them.
i asked my buddy who was riding behind me most of the trip if the bags were flaping around.he said that they stayed pretty stationary the whole ride even is sharp turns.but i have them pretty tight to the seat.
in all the pics the bags are not expanded.
they were $150.00 Canadian.
i also have a couple of tank bags and of course a knapsack and spider web bungie cord.

[S-Dog]

I saw these on FleaBay and though they were just the cats a$$

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-Honda-CB350-CB-500-550-CB-750-CB750-Wixom-Hard-Bags_W0QQitemZ300202183754QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item300202183754

[Dave Wyatt]

I use an ancient (1979 vintage) tank bag when I need to carry "stuff" on an all day ride.  I bungee a playmate cooler to the luggage rack for the daily commute.  I've looked into some soft saddlebags for longer trips, but the turn signals push the bags to far forward for my liking.  Although after looking at some of the pictures, I see it's not as bad as I feared.

Check out these guys for soft luggage.  http://revpack.com/motorcycle/main.html

[Philly550K1]

was it this list on which the "Waterproof" harborfreight boxes were discussed?  (oh no, that must have been cheapbastardratbiketouring.com)  They almost look like "real" hard bags, and are padded.  very business-like.  for even this money, seems like moto-specific ones could be had, but if you carefully siliconed your hardware holes, or made a basket-like frame rather than drilling into it, you could cart your meringues, vintage porn and china to whatever effed-up event you'd be taking that kind of stuff to.  -jc

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=96228

[TwoTired]

was it this list on which the "Waterproof" harborfreight boxes were discussed?  (oh no, that must have been cheapbastardratbiketouring.com)  They almost look like "real" hard bags, and are padded.  very business-like.  for even this money, seems like moto-specific ones could be had, but if you carefully siliconed your hardware holes, or made a basket-like frame rather than drilling into it, you could cart your meringues, vintage porn and china to whatever effed-up event you'd be taking that kind of stuff to.  -jc

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/itemdisplay/displayItem.do?itemid=96228

Odd they don't list a price for that...