Project Saddle Bag

I've been thinking of a way to add some saddle bags/luggage box for a while.

I started with the idea of doing 50cal ammo boxes which has been done before so I went to Harbor Freight but after looking at them I got to thinking that they weren't right for the bike and the handles would probably rattle annoyingly.

Anyway, In the same section, they had these cases

https://www.harborfreight.com/2800-watertight-protective-case-13-34-in-63926.html

...which I kinda like and I'm going to see if I can make some attachment hardware. Let the project begin...

Project Parameters...

Needs to carry at least 1 x six-pack, some cured meat, and a tortoise called Steve.
Need to be easy-take-off-and-on-able...
Need to work with a pillion ( not inside box ).
Need to not look shitty...
Must not come flying off at 80 MPH flying into the Smart car killing a hippie and upsetting a Steve.
...

 

Love those parameters!

 

I noticed that they say weatherproof and not waterproof

I wonder how they will do with 80 mile-per-hour rain?

 

Hmm not sure they'll be space for Steve..


Here's a first mock up...

 

yamaha saddlebags old school

 

Got it pretty much done today and I have to say it turned out better than expected. Had to change to steel brackets cos the Aluminum just wasn't cutting it.

I still have to take it all apart, grind down the edges of the steel brackets, clean them up and paint them black.

Also, need to get a 1 inch M8 thread bar for the forward bracket connector to the bike so I can use a wing-nut instead of a bolt, like the back to meet project objective 2!

 

Do you think those latches will keep closed? I'd be afraid of dropping my six pack and turtle on the highway.

 

I wonder about that as well as heat from the exhaust. Looks good and functional though

 

You could put a small combination padlock on the loops to keep it closed.

 

Or a snap hook would probably work.

 

Those latches are pretty tough and they're like a hook so the more stuff inside the more pressure on the lid the harder they are to open - they're pretty good I think but yeah those holes are for padlocks or snap hook would work too but I don't see it opening and the exhaust is far enough away from them I'm pretty sure. I checked it after a good 30 min ride and it wasn't hot at all.

Also Steve's a tortoise not a turtle - he's very offended now so thanks for that!!

 

Give Steve a fresh piece of whatever leafy green he enjoys most and hopefully he will calm down hahaha. Any plans for one on the other side? Just curious. Used a set of throw over saddle bags that I got for free from my brother on the gf's bike for our trip this past weekend. Seemed to work well. When I asked her if I should take them off now that we're home and mostly just running around the area, she said no just leave them. I guess she likes them

 

The issue with throw-over bags with them getting pulled into the back wheel - especially if they're empty and have straps hanging off. The semi-rigid type are usually fine though. I just cringe a little everytime I see that chopper with the old canvas style satchel swinging against the rear shock.

Bikes with rear drum breaks are actually more susceptible to things getting caught in the back wheel causing lock-up.

Really though the main thing here for me was just seeing if I could make something and a good excuse to bang some metal into submission - it felt good

I do plan on making another for the other side now the POC worked out. I'm also thinking about mod's to how the brackets fix to the case so I can swap out to bigger cases and have options - maybe even the ammo cans without having to make brackets for every case

As of right now though having the brackets fixed to the case with wing-nuts and compression washers to attach them to the bike makes putting them on and off a 2 min job and when they're not on all you see is the wing-nuts so it looks pretty clean.

Probably next week I'll start making the other ones - then I'm going to fancy up the brackets a but - gotta grind the sharp edges and some scaling marks, maybe round them off a little and then paint them. It's been 75 degree's here with glorious sun all week and forecast the same for the weekend and start of next so I'm going to ride the bitch till then .

 

Royal Enfield in India take an interesting approach. First, saddle bags are often mounted onto a permanent frame. The frame without the bags can be used to strap on bulkier items. To protect cargo (or women's dresses), they also have "sari guards" - a mesh that forms the back of the frame and keeps things out of the spokes. It's a utilitarian look that I like and am thinking about something similar for my 650 Seca.

 

Excellent job. I cobbled up a temporary alloy despatch case to the side of mine, using the PO-fitted Givi rack.
Pah; adventure riders, it's all been done before

However, I can't find another case to match it, so I will be forced to look more and may just use the Givi mounts to their best advantage and pick up a pair of used E21 panniers.

 

Come on, let's have some tortoise pics! Does he have a helmet, or does the shell provide adequate protection? You can't just drop

and then leave us hanging.

 

Unfortunately, I drank the six pack and someone called the TPG (Tortoise Protection Group) on me when I sent Steve to 711 for a refill. I thought something was suspicious when he didn't come back after his usual 3 days.

 

I don't believe there ever was a Steve. You sir, are a fraud. Is the beard even real?

 

Don't question a gentleman's beard. These guys have Steve... www.tortoise-protection-group.org.uk.. I'll be launching a black-ops mission to recover him on Saturday..... ( if I get a chance to get groceries on Friday else it might be Sunday..)

 

I like that. But, both you a Matti need professional help............

 

Sure is entertaining though

 

Yup. I'll be getting the dealership to change the back tire on the Reb later this month. They're real pros.

 

As several of you have been asking more info about this project here are the details.. Now as always there's more than one way to skin a cat and what I did might not work for you especially if you still have the stock blinkers/indicator please take this as a guide or information to help you do your own custom thing... I'm sure y'all can manage.

Here a list of all the parts I used for putting it all together just for one bag

Bracket metal is Everbilt Flat Bar Plain Steet from Home Depot - 1" x 1/8" x 36" lengths - I got 2 brackets out of 1 length so you'll need 2 for both side and a spare for when you mess up.
Internal case metal reinforcement bars is 1/8" Aluminium Flat Bar - not sure of the length it's sold in but each piece was about 8"
-
4 x M6 1.5" bolts
4 x M6 washers
4 x M6 compression washers ( spring washer / split washer - they seem to be called different things in different places)
4 x M6 nylon lock nuts
-
1 x M10 2" bolt
1 x M10 washer
1 x M10 compression washers
1 x M10 Wing Nut
-
1 x M8 threaded stud 25mm ( as noted above)
1 x M8 washer
1 x M8 compression washer
1 x M8 wing nut

All of this I got from home-depot except for the M8 threaded stud - they have them but they're not long enough ( see link below ).

In order to make the bags line up, the rear bracket has to be bigger in the top dimensions (which is in the middle here).
Rear --- 2.5" x 4" x 8.5"
Front -- 1.5" x 3" x 9"

Probably going to round off the ends with the bench grinder and maybe shorten them a little here when I get a chance but those are the spec's I ended up with right now that you see in the pictures.

Forward mount point I think is one of the sissy bar bracket holes just next to the shock stud it's an M8 hole. I used a M8 25mm threaded stud with some thread-lock on it from here.. ( https://www.ebay.com/itm/162854271876)

The rear mounting point is what I think was used for the rear turn signals. I have aftermarket signals that are moved back to the very rear points on the frame so those holes are free. I used an M10 bolt from inside the fender through those holes here.

The brackets are attached to the case at the top and bottom with aluminum bars inside the case as you can see in this thread. So I guess the case itself is preventing any lateral motion but that's really minimal as everything is held very tight together with compression washers on every nut so I don't expect any lateral movement unless someone kicks it.

One thing I recommend is getting a set of metric drill bits - I really wish I'd had those and maybe next time I might try scoring the inside for the steal and heating it up a lot more to try and make a better / more predictable bend. After making the first set its proving hard to replicate the bend point exactly for the second one...

 

I like your bag idea .I broke down and bought the factory hard luggage and had to fabricate turn signal brackets used the stock licences plate bracket .

 

Anyone have any knowledge of saddlebags that work with the 650 Turbo? I’m gonna try to take mine to Sturgis next month - gotta do it once right? - and wouldn’t mind a set of bags for the almost eight hour ride. Have someone taking a vehicle as well, but I have a two hour solo ride to meet up with the group with all my stuff.

Ive looked extensively and haven’t seen much for the turbo bike, with the luggage kits I’ve seen requiring the use of the grab bar mounts which my bike doesn’t have.

Turbo forum didn’t have any info.

 

I think user ManBot13 has some on his bike, you might want to ask him about them............

 

When I got my 81 xj750 seca, the bags were about the only thing good about the bike. As of now, it's together, and riding, but surely not complete. Mad Maxine will forever be that riding project bike. Including acquiring Maxine, and everything else except fuel refills, I'm into it for about $225. So it gets just enough attention to be safe on the road, and riding everyday.
The handles don't rattle a bit and these hard case ammo cans are actually pretty awesome! Last photo is without cans to show mounting hardware. .... Currently bike is parked till new braided front brake hoses arrive tomorrow afternoon and ITS KILLING ME!!!