Topic: Saddlebags

[kzoorue]

I am restoring a '77 CB 750K. Would like to add soft saddlebags. I assume I would just place on top of fender under the seat. What is best set up for doing this? Do I need to attach a bag support of some kind to the frame?

[SteveD CB500F]

If you've got a standard seat your best bet is to use throw over soft bags. I used them for years but haven't seen any around for a while. No frame, no mods to the bike but take them with you coz they are too easy to steal!

[Chris Schneiter]

I have a set of Nelson Rigg "Pro Sphere" (Nelsonrigg.com) bags. They go under the seat and velcro together, and have clips to hold them in place, so they're easy enough to remove. They're expandable (HUGE) and hold a fair amount of weight. They weren't terribly expensive. They have faded, but remain strong.

[crazypj]

Dont use them with race style upswet pipes, things catch fire

PJ

[csendker]

Don't use them with race style upswet pipes

I have some old leather ones that would hit my exhaust, so I couldn't use them.  That was until I noticed an inconspicuous clamp on my 4-1 pipes.  I loosened the clamp and spun the muffler pointing more 'down' and out of the way.  I just open the seat and toss them on & off.  For now, I have a bungee strung from the rear luggage rack down to the bottom shock mount to keep it from swinging into the wheel.  Although it doesn't seem like it would interfere anyway, I'd rather not test fate. I may try to concoct something better in the future, but it's real quick & easy for now, and you can't really see them anyway.

[ElCheapo]

I bought a set of these.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150000217997&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1

I will let you know what they work out like.

[cb650]

I have two sets.  I just through them over the seat and strap other #$%* on top or my kid sits on them.



             Terry

[csendker]

Here's a couple of pics of mine.  I did find the rear blinkers were in the way, but that problem was solved with my new taillight. The red bungees are my anti-suck-into-the-tires devices.  They're not real visible, and most of the time I have my laptop strapped to the rack, so I kind of look like the bag-man anyway.

[ElCheapo]

Anti-suck into tire? Ok this one I am dumb on. If you just toss them on they will suck into the wheel  ? I guess I will have to make a small bar that will hide behind them then.

[csendker]

If you just toss them on they will suck into the wheel?

Beats me, but I've seen those little chrome bar things to support throw-over bags and I didn't want to test fate.  I haven't found any that are designed for my CB550, but this like is what I've seen around:

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=&store=Main&catId=407&productId=p502818&leafCatId=40706&mmyId=

Having my rear tire eat a bag at speed does not sound like fun.

[SteveD CB500F]

Throw overs won't get sucked into the tyre as long as they have a reasonably stiff back. They rest against the shocks.  I always threw mine over the seat (not under it).

[cb650]

Mine rest against shock.    Under seat they might sit lower.




          Terry

[csendker]

How do you guys keep them on when you just toss them over the seat?  Putting them under seems to keep them locked in place, both figuratively and literally.  Yes, they ride lower, but no, they don't bounce off and there's at least a semblance of security if you run into a store or whatever.

[SteveD CB500F]

Even with them pushed to the back of the seat, your bum still sits on the front strap.  Most of the time when using them I had a sports bag bungied onto the back of the seat as well...

[csendker]

Most of the time when using them I had a sports bag bungied onto the back of the seat as well...

I hear you on that one, but my times have changed.  The hockey gear would have been a concern to try and strap on (had I been on motorcycles then...), now it's the laptop that seems to live back there.  I suppose I also have the luggage rack to catch whatever decided to try and slide back.  I've got my setup to work good strapped under the seat though.

[Bob Wessner]

and there's at least a semblance of security if you run into a store or whatever.

I used them occasionally years ago on longer trips (every cubic inch of space needed). If I had to leave the bike for any length of time and out of sight, I just slung them over my shoulder and took them with me. Usually kept the most valuable stuff in them.