DIY saddlebags

As I can't find any hardside saddlebags that I like or that fit my 1982 XJ650 Maxim, I've decided to make my own. (Either from vacuum formed PVC or from fiberglass)

I've mocked up (in cardboard) what I'm thinking of.

Opinions?

 

I'll be interested in what you end up with.
Especially wiht the locks

Is that an "anti mouse entry device" on your exhaust?

This is what I did for very inexpensive ones. The parts were actually purchased for another bike and did not like the small size of the bags for the other bike, but it was great for the XJ.

The prices have gone up on these items cause when I got them the bracket was $18 and the bags were $29
I stiffened them up with Coropoast I had from used political signs.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K762BRP
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HPLCKA4/

 

The locks will be easy, the bags will have side hatches instead of on top. The doors will flip down, and be held tray like by a couple of small chains inside, rather like the hatches on a truck utility body tool box.

The exhaust plugs are a novelty item that is actually functional. They say "Remove before flight."

 

I've been working 70+ hours per week for the past 9 months, so I haven't had the time to make the bags I want.

 

What you’ve mocked up looks like Harley bags.
On the business of top lid or clamshell design,
Personally I think the top loading bags make more sense than spilling all the contents every time you open them with clamshell

 

Normally the clamshell does do that. However, for all the tools and other stuff I'll be putting in there, I'll be embedding it all in molded foam holders (much like a well organized toolbox). Then I don't have to dig for or guess where anything is.