Any tips on Saddlebag Rail Installation?

[Promagnaman]

I ordered a set of OEM style saddlebag rails. Does anyone have any tips for installation? They didnt come with any instructions.

Thanks

[BF]

Look in shoptalk.....at the top of every page.  Instructions are in there.

[indybobm]

Like BF said, go to the Shop Talk Section.
Look on the right side of the page for 'Installation Manuals (PDF)'
Click on •Hondaline Bag Rails: Page 1 Page 2

Be prepared to hunt up some longer bolts and misc hardware, the ebay rails do not include everything.
Also, they may have to be tweaked a little, but the fit is pretty good and they look good.
Very close to OEM rails.

[Promagnaman]

Thanks BF and Indy. Bolts were included with the Rails, but  I may need some spacers. It appears that I need to pull the Shock top bolts. When I removed the seat, it looks like the Shock top bushings are worn out(off center). The bike has 40,000 miles. Where is the best place to get those bushings? Thanks for your help...

[hubcapsc]

Thanks BF and Indy. Bolts were included with the Rails, but  I may need some spacers. It appears that I need to pull the Shock top bolts. When I removed the seat, it looks like the Shock top bushings are worn out(off center). The bike has 40,000 miles. Where is the best place to get those bushings? Thanks for your help...

These ones are probably good:

http://xf6-custom.com/partpages/bushings.html

The OEM ones are fine, but we know they don't last all that long...

-Mike

[indybobm]

You can also use the ones for a VTX. A lot more durable than stock. Part # is 52489-HN0-671. I get 4 at a  time from Partzilla for $2.00 each plus shipping. Your local Honda dealer should have them also. These are used on a LOT of Honda machines.

[Jess from VA]

The key on installation is to assemble everything loosygoosy (just get bolts started), so it is all a wobbly mess.  Once it's all started, then go around snugging stuff up, twice. 

Also, some of the main mounts at the shocks and pegs can be done reusing OE bolts, but those bolts will no longer tap to complete depth in the threads going thru the rail mounts.  Don't do it; for strength, get longer bolts so the setup is uber strong.  You should be able to jump up and down on the mounts (before you replace the bags). 

I bought several sets of collar spacers for under the bags.  The parts list in the instructions nicely identifies all the other bolt sizes, but not the spacers (length).  I think I ended using 1/4 or 1/3 inch.... it's been years since I did mine. 

I did not order the fancy Honda chrome flange (longer) bolts, but used top quality stainless bolts and washers (there's a mix of the two on my rails, and you have to really hunt to tell the difference).

[Promagnaman]

Thanks for the tips Jess. Do you think I should wait until I get the new shock bushings, that I just ordered today, installed before I mount the saddlebag rails? Is it difficult to get the saddlebag rails mounted to the shock top bolt? Any tips there?

[Jess from VA]

What is difficult is pulling the bag rail shock mounts off once the bag rails are all tightened up.  It can't be done without loosening up the rails at multiple points (almost to the point of loosygoosy that you use to install them).  

Remember, everything mounts to a solid shock stud that sticks out of the frame.  The little bolt in the end is just a keeper (and don't torque it down, just snug it up).  Once the keeper bolt is out, you have to pull the rail mounts out and off the studs on each side, then pull the shock tops out and off the studs to replace the bushings (probably need to loosen the shock bottoms too).  The shock top is inside, the rail mount is outside.  I'd definitely wait for your new bushings.  

And get a tube of copper antiseize... use a dab on every bolt, every time you take stuff apart.

One other point.  I do not know if the aftermarket rails are identical to the Honda rails, specifically in regard to how the shorter crossmember mounts behind the wheel, connecting each side.  If you look at the OE instructions, you see these little clips/brackets in the diagram.  What I stumbled upon doing mine, and later read here as advice, is that these clips are easier to install if you do it backwards, or upside down, or turned 180* from the diagram .  I cannot describe it better (it's been years), but if the aftermarket mounts are just like Honda, those clips are easier to instal turning them around.  As I recall, it puts the fasteners on the outside, rather than on the iniside.

 

[Promagnaman]

I will wait and install the new bushings then the bag rails. Again, thanks for the help!

[Valkjerk]

Promagnaman, I'd say to find a local Valk that has the bag rails installed and get with him for some help but that may be difficult to do in ND.

[swabby420]

Like BF said, go to the Shop Talk Section.
Look on the right side of the page for 'Installation Manuals (PDF)'
Click on •Hondaline Bag Rails: Page 1 Page 2

Be prepared to hunt up some longer bolts and misc hardware, the ebay rails do not include everything.
Also, they may have to be tweaked a little, but the fit is pretty good and they look good.
Very close to OEM rails.

Just purchased my first Valk and bought the Ebay rails. In looking at the center piece, where does it bolt onto? The Valk is a standard but the previous owner had hard bags installed, so it looks just like a Tourer. The center piece connections line up right in the middle between the fender and the bags. I'm thinking spacers. I looked at the back and there are 2 open pipes staring at me between the bags and the fender...I think I'm missing a part back there for the center rail to bolt onto...

[indybobm]

This is the parts fische from Procaliber. You need 2) #17, 2) #18, and 1) #19 plus 2) bolts #48. Cheaper if you can find them used somewhere.

http://www.procaliber.com/oemparts/a/hon/506cb676f870023420a4185d/saddlebag

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

Just put a set on yesterday. I had more hardware than I needed but still ended up at hardware store to get correct bolt length for the lower mount and some longer bolts to replace the bolts on the clamps that hold the rear bar that connects the bags from side to side. All and all I am very pleases with the fit and finish of these rails. I left everything loose and removed the bags before starting and really had no problems at all.

[swabby420]

Thanks for the info!