Tsukayu Jumbo Strong

[dreamchaser]

My wife is so sweet!  She gave me a set of bags for fathers day.  Anyone else have these bags and are there any secrets you would like to share about installation?  Gary

[salty1]

Hey Gary congrats on having a loving wife and your new bags. I have the Strongs on my 97 and the install is pretty straight forward. Probably the critical aspect of the job is being careful on positioning and measurements to acquire the desired outcome.

[salty1]

Gary you might also want to use some 1 inch aluminum flat bar on the inside of the bags to distribute forces and make for a more solid mounting. The picture below is from when I was installing my Mustang bags (made by Tsukayu) on my 98 Valkyrie. I used the flat bar on both the upper and lower mountings. Also found I liked using pan head bolt as things don't get hung up on them.

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[dreamchaser]

Thanks for the input, Salty.  I am kind of nervous on the location of the holes.  I guess the old  ingenuity will kick in once I get them here and holding them up to the bike.  Was there an issue of your drill bit snagging the carpet lining?  Gary

[salty1]

Do a staging using blocks or whatever to elevate the bags and place them against the mounts. Have the Tsukayu brackets in place and adjust them for best support and fit against the bags once installed. I had no snagging issues with the carpet lining. It's one of those projects once you get it started it's hard to stop. Good luck. 

[Paxton]

Get a helper or two. Get the bike straight up and have them place the bags against the bike. Look at them from 12-15 feet away.
Have the helper(s) place them to your taste then mark where the holes should go.
Compare the drilling marks between bags before deciding to drill the holes. 

It should go OK... don't rush.

Good luck.

[dreamchaser]

Thanks to you all for the great pointers.  Between that and Scooby's  help on how to build a non human helper, I think I have a handle on it now.  My confidence level is way up.  I'll let you know  of my success  in not messing up my new bags.  They need to arrive first.    Gary

[salty1]

Take pics of the install and share when your done, please. 

[pancho]

Hey dreamchaser, first, I can tell you that you will really like the additional carrying capacity,, you can get a lot into those bags.
First I can tell you that the carpet will unravel if you dont take steps,, they suggest that you drill just until you get through the fiberglass with a smaller bit, then cut the carpet with a knife, then drill the hole  with the proper sized bit.

I may have done a bit of an overkill, but I made aluminum backing plates for the inside and outside of the bags for additional support of the backs to keep them from breaking out when the bike falls over. I also made supports front and rear, and a tip over guard out of SS tubing as shown in the picture to further support the back of the bags in a tip over.



When mounting the bags, after I had them just where I wanted them, I only drilled the top hole in each mount so I could get them positioned precisely forward and back before drilling the other holes.  I mounted the bags high, about level with the top of the fender, so I would have the ground clearance when cornering. Take your time, cherish that gift and make her proud.

I REALLY like the bags,, lots of room. You are going to laugh when you look at your bike from the rear with them on....  talk about a phat girl!!

When I had mine where I wanted them there was very little clearance left with the top of the shock,, keep your eye on it.

[pancho]

One final comment on the bags,, I took a trip last week and organized my bags. I found that indented space that runs along the bottom is just big enough to hold all the things that are permanent with the bike,, tools, air pump, parts, gear etc. etc. Then on top of that, you have a giant space for clothes and everything else. I carry a cowboy hat inverted in the lid of one when I am not wearing it,, fits perfect. I think you will like them.

[dreamchaser]

They arrived in Ontario, Ca last night at 9:20 PM from Anchorage, Ak.  Supposed to be at my boat by close of business tomorrow.  I am kind of excited.  Gary
PS:  Do you think I can get them installed by 0 dark 15 PM?

[pancho]

I don't know about getting them on by 0 dark 15,,, when my Tsyukayu faring came from Hong Kong via Anchorage to Kentucky, customs held it up for a day or two in Kentucky, I had to force myself to quit checking it's shipping progress.  They are getting close, maybe by 0 dark 30.

[dreamchaser]

They are  out for delivery......

[pancho]

Happy Fathers Day.

[BigChris99]

Congrats on the bags....   They are way high on my want list, after in IS tank for my bike. If you don't mind, can you take pics of your install? I'd like to see how you did it.

[pancho]

Just for general information, if you buy these bags new from Tsukayu and request it, they will predrill the bags for mounting on a Valkyrie with their correct set of Z mounts. Not sure of how they think the bags should set on a Valkyrie, but it would save all the figuring and headaches of mounting them yourself. I purchased mine used from eBay, so had no choice but to fit and drill them.

Not sure if dreamchasers wife was aware of that option, but if you do it yourself, you can get the bags to set on the bike the way YOU want them to.

[dreamchaser]

I was not sure what their idea of "correct position" Was and I have Cobra 6x6 pipes.  I wanted the vinyl covered , racks and the protection bars.  They are in perfect shape.  The only way to get all that is to buy them new a drill 'em yourself.  My wonderful bride is just as picky about perfect as I am.

 She hated my River Road Bags from the first time she saw them & started talking "Nice Hard Bags" & that was before they started sagging and falling apart.  I fought her off as long as I could, saying "That's way too much $$ sweety.  I just can't justify that."  But she fought hard and I gave in.  Cuz that's when she threw in Father's Day.  She also took me out for a nice dinner that she didn't need to cook.  I am truly blessed with this Beautiful Lady.

I'm gonna start the Install in the morning right after I get home from taking her to work...... I'm retired.
                 
                          Gary

[pancho]

Take care of her Gary, blessings are to be esteemed,,  Have fun today, and some pictures would be good.

[Brewer]

I used ezmount brackets with this set of bags and like the tool less removal

http://www.greatbikegear.com/index.php/easy-brackets-quick-detachable-saddlebag-system/easybrackets-for-honda-valkyire.html

(not affiliated)

[Otus]

Those bags look about the size and shape of the tourer and I/s bags. Can they be mounted on the oem bag supports?