Hondaline Saddlebags

[miscott]

Hello. New here and finally figured out how to post a question, so here it is.
   I have a Black 98 Valk Standard that I bought a couple months ago from the original owner. Seems that he took real good care of the bike, with the exception of the saddlebags. It has the Hondaline studded, 3 strap w/buckles, Thick Leather Saddlebags, which , overall, seem to still be in fairly decent condition. My problem is the the lid seems to have shrunk.
   If you stand on the right side of the bike and look at the bag, the right hand side of the lid has been "pulled" up, and back, and no longer sits down over the leading edge of the bag, which seems like a great way to catch alot of dirt, dust, bugs and water in the bag! lol
              
   I am wondering if there is a way to "fix" this, short of spending $600.00 on replacement bags.
   I have read online that some recommend "soaking" it in warm water and "stretching" it back into shape and letting it dry that way. (won't it just shrink back up as it dries?) I have read others say Never soak in water, use lanolin or other leather "oils" to soften the leather. ( but how do you stretch it? ) I'm at the point that it seems the only safe thing to do is find a shop and pay to have them "Reconditioned", which I have no idea of the cost of doing, or if the results would solve my problem.
  Anyone ever heard of a solution to this problem before, or have a link/address to a trusted shop where I can get it fixed?
  Hopefully I can figure out how to insert a pic of the problem.
  ( nope, couldn't figure out how to insert a pic, but I did figure out how to add to this post after it's been posted! lol )
   Well, hot da_n. After reading some posts and following some links, I opened a photobucket account and added a pic to this post on my second try! Woo-Hoo !  
  You guys have some great stuff on these forums! Thanks!
  Still need to figure out what to do about my bags though... :'(
  This pic was taken a few years before I bought the bike. It's even shrunk a little more since this was taken
  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
    Michael

[wdvalk]

do youre self a favor and find better bags,had two pair of these,they are all doomed to look like pancakes on the side of your bike

[NITRO]

There's a guy out of Florida that makes plastic inserts that make the begs hold their shape. They require a little leather working knowledge, or he will do it for you (shipped to FL). The company is called leather lids, if I remember right.

I used them on my Standard's bags before it was totaled and they work very well.

[Challenger]

http://www.saddlebag-inserts.com/?gclid=CO7r-LS0o7ACFeEDQAodmHb3Vg

[GJS]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Slanted-Saddlebags-Fits-Harley-Triumph-Honda-750-Spirit-VTX-Valkyrie-Vulcan-Bike-/120921905651?hash=item1c2781d9f3&item=120921905651&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr#ht_531wt_1272

Look alikes.

[miscott]

Well Cool!
  Thanks for the info and the link.
  Went to their site and was really impressed by their before and after pics!
  Just shot em off an email, and will be sending them my bags for a complete make over as soon as I hear back from them.  Gonna be a lot cheaper than new bags!
  I'll post some before and after pics when I get em back.
  Might save someone else a lot of searching if their having the same problem.
  You guys are great!
  Thanks!
   Mike

[John Schmidt]

You can always try what I did. If you have a scrub tub next to the washing machine, fill it with hot water and put the bags in it for an hour or so. It will soften the leather a lot, and you can stuff the bag(suggest doing one bag at a time) with towels, newspapers, whatever you can find. Get it to the point the bag is back to normal shape and be sure to have the stuffing extend over the top to force the lid back to shape. Then strap it shut and let dry for a couple days. Afterward, use some black Meltonian polish and work it good, get it at a shoe repair shop. Don't use dye, that often stiffens the leather and some dyes will cause the leather to crack from being in the elements. With a little work you can get them back to near new shape and condition.

[miscott]

Hey John
  LOVE those seats!
  Did you buy them that way, or is that custom?
        Michael
    
  

[John Schmidt]

Hey John
  LOVE those seats!
  Did you buy them that way, or is that custom?
        Michael
    
  

Custom.....and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Plus.....$$$$$$$