Hard saddlebags By ccprof (Read 3,427 times)

[ccprof]

I broke down and ordered a set of hard saddlebags last week. I got them Tuesday night and installed them yesterday. I was a major pain. I tried making my own brackets and mounting lower on the scoot - didn't work, there was too much play in the brackets. So I took the brackets that were supplied. I had to straighten them out and bend them to fit under the mounting bracket for my trunk.

The wiring came with 3 wires - ground, turn signal and brake. I'd read that the turn signals were LED and might not work with mine. They didn't so the lights are wired as brake lights only. Talk about a pain splicing and soldering. Cramped space and bad range for the old bifocals.

I'm not happy about the final mount job and need to come up with a better bracket arrangement but they're on.

[Bashan]

Well I think they look cool as hell. They add a nice color accent to the rest of the scoot. Does that seat come with the bike or is it aftermarket? It looks like it would provide some nice back support that we old farts need. My Bashans are brutal in that regard.....ow. Now my retro 150cc Amore looks like you'd need immediate back surgery but it's surprisingly comfortable; go figure. Anyway, very nice rig. Rich

[ccprof]

I'm glad I went with the silver. I went out to Lowe's this AM and got 8" heavy shelf brackets and replaced the OEM brackets. NOW they're on there without any wobble.

That's the stock seat. I hear the 2010 MS3-250's have an adjustable back rest but I'm not sure if you can buy the seat and retro fit. It's not the greatest for support. My back gets tired around 50 miles so I get off and take a break.

You shouldn't complain about sore backs! LOL! LOL! Encourage your patients to ride - keep the business coming!

[Cruiser]

Looks good, cc! How about some detailed shots of the mounting brackets. Very neat install.

[ccprof]

Cruiser - I'll try and get some soon. Outside work around the house is priority right now. Stay tuned.

[wolfhound]

Prof, nice job. they look great Like that seat too. Both my TGB Deliverys have back rests built into the huge top trunk, as does my trike. Makes for a great and comfortable ride. Of course
old guys like Bashan need all the back help unlike us young guys. Us younguns like the back rests cause they are comfortable , not because we NEED them!!! 8^)

[jake aka:ventoscoot]

I think they look great. I have been looking for some that I can mount for long trips then take off when I am at home. Do you think the brackets on these could be modified some whay to do that? and a link to a vendor would be great.

[ccprof]

Jake - I have them bolted on to the mounting plate for my top trunk. If you do the wiring with plug in connectors, it should only take a few minutes to mount/dismount them. I'll get pix mounted in a bit.

Here's the link. Interesting - they went up $10 since I ordered them.

www.a1hardbags.com/motorcycle-hard-bags/dx-saddlebags/dx-motorcycle-saddlebags-hard-bags-saddlebag-honda-yamaha-harley-kawasaki/prod_26.html

[zugzug]

Those are the same bags I had put on my nighthawk. I think the mounting brackets were made of half rubber. I highly suggest better brackets or they will be flopping around like puppy ears.

-Zug

[ccprof]

Zug - you got it - definitely floppy with the stock brackets. I rode yesterday and there's minimal wobble with the 8" L brackets.

[ccprof]

Some folks have asked about how I mounted these. Here's a couple pix.

I used 8" L brackets from Lowe's.
I used the existing holes from the stock back rest for the front braces and mounted through the holes in the plate for my top trunk - see brass bolt.



I measured and drilled holes through the plate for the rear braces threaded up through the L brace then the plate. Looks like I lost a bolt?



The braces are between the foam pad and the steel mounting plate for the top trunk.



I didn't want to drill holes in my plastic so I threaded the wires through the tail light lenses.


I mounted this way so I could get to the lock for the storage under the seat and have room for a 2-up passenger.



I still need to trim the L brackets - next time I clean my air filter.