Saddle bag Question

Hi folks,
Im new to the forum here, but it looks like a great place. I just got an 82 maxim 650. Im hoping to put some saddle bags on er'. Does anyone know if can just buy a set of the ones you sling under the seat off ebay as long as there is enough pipe clearance, or do I need to get some kind of a mounting bracket. If so, where does one get said bracket.? Thanks

 

http://www.jcwhitney.com/Motorcycle-Gen ... PTION.sort


i was amazed at the low prices

 

Depending on the style of saddle bags you decide on, keep in mind that you may have to modify them slightly, if they go underneath the seat. You may have to make a cut-out to accomodate the seat latch, assuming the 650 seat is anything like my 750.

 

So, i got a 82 XJ750 - anyone here with same bike do an aftermarket saddle bag solution?? if so, pics and details?!

;-)

(getting anxious, almost got her back together and hoping this weekend for maiden voyage and already looking to customize the hell out of her ;-P )

 

I put some small saddle bags on my '82 750. They had to be small because I wanted them under the seat. Check them out here in my gallery:
http://xjbikes.com/coppermine/displayim ... pos=3.html

You can almost make out the screens I attached to the pipes to keep the bags from resting directlry on the pipes. They work well and aren't really visible when the bags are on.

mikeg

 

As gdewit79 said, the seat latch bay not work with underseat bags. There is not alot of clearance under there. Keep looking around here and e-bay, every once and a while a set of hard bags with the mounts become available. I attatched 20mm ammo boxes to my bike and love the way they work.

The Buff

 

I added washers to under the latches that were just slightly less thick than the leather of the saddlebags. It was a real pain getting the latches to engage without them. Now it's not too bad.

You do also either need to line up existing holes in the leather of the piece that goes between the bags with the latches or make your own holes.

mikeg

 

I use a set of removable saddlebags from Oxford. They have one velcro strap that goes under the seat and two that go over the seat. The lower strap sits just behind the post that holds the seat in it's open position. The taper design just clears the stock rear signal lights. The bags are expandable and I can fit a surprising amount of groceries in them.

I think this is the current design of the bags that I have.....
http://www.oxprod.com/index.php?pg=3&ac ... 6&pid=9&p=

 

The seats are different on the Secas aren't they. Don't they flop over to side on a hinge? I think they would allow for thicker material under it.

 

I used 40MM ammunition canisters. I removed the passenger pegs, used that hole for one mount point, then I drilled through the grab rail for the other mount point(And snapped off a hella-expensive drill bit.. in the aluminum... TGF lifetime warranties.). I threaded those and bolted the ammo cans on. I had to relocate the turn signals, which wasn't a big issue. For that I had removed and drilled into the taillight housing, shortened the posts, and remounted it all. Looks crisp.
One thing I found slightly problematic, is that I had to use a dremel-like tool to cut some of the corner lip of the lid so as to clear the upper mount(still water-tight).
he cans/boxes are on a bit of an angle, but they've got good capacity, and provide good surface for a magna-mount a CB antenna... I'm going to have to get pictures. As a side note, I also got a small plastic gasoline can that mounts right on the bike too, so if I ever run out, I'm good to go.

 

I want to see a set on a bike like mine. my wife got me a gift cert from my local dealer for father's day. They did have some leather that was reasonably priced (75 bucks) but all of them i thought were too close to my exhaust because of the angle on the mufflers. wound up getting a Tbar bag to put my jacket in. dont like it a lot for looks, but it is extremely practical and i can put a ton of junk in it.

This is the one i got, would be great for a long trip, but i want saddlebags.

http://motorcycle-luggage.com/Merchant2 ... t_Count=21

 

Forgot. Mine are on an 81 XJ650Maxim.

 

Here's a couple pics of mine.

 

I also have the 85 XJ700N, as of today there are a set of bags on it. I'm going to have to relocate the rear signals to provide more clearance but for the time being they fit great.

They are the RiverRoad Medium Zip-off Slant Saddlebags. Got a good deal on them from the dealer that was trying to clear out some old inventory.

 

it looks like the exhaust would burn the leather... looks sweet tho. i have the same kind of bike and i need some. i wear a backpack everywhere i go and it sucks lol

 

Thanks for info folks,
I got a pair of river road slanted saddle bags off ebay for 85 bucks. I think they will work well, but we will find out when i try to mount them. I had to get smaller ones than I would have liked to because there isnt alot of clearance back there if you want to have leg room for apassenger. I believe they were 12.5x9.5x6 I dig the ammo can idea though!

 

I have the Slanted Leather Bags that came off a Late Model Yamaha Star Bike.

I had to do some serious doctoring to get them to fit my 750 Max.

It involved bringing them up ... overlapping the cross-over ... cutting-out some new holes to get the Seat Locks through and trimming all around the crossover to get the Seat to fit.

After fighting with the Seat Locks a few times for failure to engage the locking mechanisms ... I took-off the Locks and placed some Flat Washers between the top of the Lock and the Seat Bottom.

Three on the front.
Four on the back.

That did the trick. The seat clears the cross-over and the Locks engage.

 

I haven't run into problems yet with burning the bags on the exhaust. I think the wind going past them cools them off enough so they don't get burned. I'm planning on fabricating some brackets to hold the bags better and relocate the signals so I can scoot the bags upward more. After that, it should be a good fit.

 

Anyone have a source for the bracket that holds the bag away from the wheel? (Like the one in Stamplicker's last picture, between the bike and the bag.)

I thought I remember seeing a link here for a guy that would make them to fit, but I can't find it now...

 

Those brackets are custom made, just grabed some Alum. bars that were floating around and attached them in a " V " shape to frame and where I moved the turn signals back to. But I do remember seeing a link to custom brackets for bags about 2 - 3 months ago. Cost of those puppies were unreal. Bro made some for his bike, (84 virago) with straight bars " V " shape as well except he bent/angled the one side around the shock's so it would mount to the frame hole. and rear mount to where his turn signals were. you can make your own for about 20 bucks if you grab a peice of flat alum. bar from home depot or such.

As for the Bags under the seat, had to perform some surgry to make them stay. cut out a huge section in the middle, and added laces ties to the outter side to hold them in place. This way the seat can latch down. (Have to bounce on it to lock but it works).

 

i have an 82 xj650. i bought a pair of smaller saddlebags for my bike and they fit perfect under the seat out of the way of the latch, and tey were small enough that they clear the pipes no problem. they are just a generic brand but they fit perfect and the rear shocks are in just the right place centeraly located on the bags that i do not need to worry about brackets.

 

I bought a pair of real leather horse saddle bags from some Amish store out in the country 20 yrs ago for $25. They aren't very big but they hold jackets, rain gear, ballcap, 6 pack(12oz loose), and 1 change of clothes. Everybody ask me if it will get burned by the exhaust. I rode with it for 2 years and there is not even any soot on it. I think you can see them in my gallery picture. Check it out.

 

i went and checked my bags they are tourmaster III bags. they were the smallest ones that they had i will post some pics tomorrow when i get a chance to take some if you are interested.

 

http://www.maxim-x.com/saddlebag_retainer.html

this setup is for the 85 maxim X but should give you an idea of what you can do.

Here is what I had done to the exhaust for the heat issue on my 85X. They are stainless elbows cut to a decent angle they work great. Here is a couple shots of the bike. I did cut a rectangle out for the rear seat notch then decided to move the bags forward and didn't need the notch I got these for 80 bucks.