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Chrisj CMA
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« on: September 30, 2014, 06:06:04 AM » |
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So, I finally broke down and sprang for some new hard bags. I don't really like the look of the "tourer" rear end that I would have got from adding OEM bags. I like it on your bike, just not mine, Im too used to the leather look. I thought I was going to get Leatherlykes (sp?) and was starting to order, then alittle voice said "look more" Well I found the Mustang bags that some of you already have. To me they are the best of everything. Fiberglass, not soft plastic, locking, waterproof and has kinda the same look as my leather bags only better. Here is where the adventure starts. NO MOUNTING HARDWARE After all my options Im down to my first thought. Ill make my own. I am a wood worker not a metal worker, so mine will be made largly of 3/4" birch plywood. I know sounds horrible......but, I will make it look (and function good) pictures will be forth coming. I hope it works. I have finally acquired all the necessary screws and washers and bits and parts to put it together, hopefully it wont need zip ties or duct tape (kidding) This is what Im starting with  Now this (5 years between these two pics)  |
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« Last Edit: October 06, 2014, 07:09:52 PM by Chrisj CMA »
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Serk
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« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2014, 06:45:34 AM » |
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I like it on your bike, just not mine
I'm gonna hafta remember that line. Very classy way of putting it, I like it! As far as your actual thread, wooden saddlebag mounts? Very interesting, I'll be curious to see how it turns out... On the surface my first thought was "I like it on your bike....."  But I've seen some of the magic you've done with dead trees, so I'll withhold judgement, should be interesting no matter what! Thanks for sharing, looking forward to the progress... |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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MP
Member
Posts: 5532
1997 Std Valkyrie and 2001 red/blk I/S w/sidecar
North Dakota
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« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2014, 07:16:58 AM » |
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A little concerned about using the plywood. How are you going to treat it so that water does not ruin it? Sounds like a good project, will be awaiting updates.
MP
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 "Ridin' with Cycho" |
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2014, 07:23:40 AM » |
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Soft Bags removed, probably the hardest part of the whole project, they have been good bags, I really like them..............but Hey lookie here this Is nice too I plan on using these soft bag supports as the connecting point for the plywood, you will see when I post the next pictures, if it works Im a genius, or........not, LOL  Just propped up on my knee, this is what Im shootin for  The plywood will be well sealed/painted, and if they work reel good eventually covered with epoxy resin and fiberglass cloth (like a surfboard) |
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« Last Edit: September 30, 2014, 07:27:38 AM by Chrisj CMA »
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Tailgate Tommy
Member
Posts: 1438
2000 Interstate, 2001 Interstate and 2003 Standard
Fort Collins, Colorado
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« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2014, 08:01:25 AM » |
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Jeff, I really like the look of those bags!
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2014, 09:19:24 AM » |
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Jeff, wouldn't some laminate material be better than wood, and just as carpenter friendly? PVC board comes to mind. http://www.thatstickerstore.com/gpage3.html |
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« Last Edit: September 30, 2014, 09:42:36 AM by Jess from VA »
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BF
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« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2014, 09:35:05 AM » |
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Can't wait to see the final result.  |
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I can't help about the shape I'm in I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin But don't ask me what I think of you I might not give the answer that you want me to  |
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Gryphon Rider
Member
Posts: 5227
2000 Tourer
Calgary, Alberta
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« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2014, 09:48:46 AM » |
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That web page made me giggle! I wonder how many of their "Stickers For All Kinds of vehichles" need to be re-made to fix spelling errors? |
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2014, 09:57:10 AM » |
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In their natural state PVC (or similar) is much more weather proof yes! But I don't know of another material that for the cost and weight has the strength, rigidity and durability of cabinet grade 3/4" plywood. Once sealed and painted should last as long as the bags |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #9 on: September 30, 2014, 10:13:16 AM » |
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I know. A number of wooden boats have been known to float for years (with periodic maintenance). My brother is in the process of building a monster 30 foot cabin cruiser, all with timber harvested from his property and milled to spec by a neighbor who participates in the local trade-services-and-avoid-taxes plan. Except for the marine grade plywood for the hull. He is a master carpenter and seeing what he builds with no help of any kind is amazing. He just finished the hull in his aircraft hangar building, and flipped the whole thing over (tons) alone, onto a cradle, with a giant Hi-lo and straps. Asked if he shouldn't have a little help, he replied.... no, help just gets in the way, and possibly squashed like a bug, and I can't afford to pay any lawsuits. |
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G-Man
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« Reply #10 on: October 01, 2014, 08:05:13 AM » |
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Can't wait to see the final result. Looks like you have the same bags. How did you mount yours? Pics? |
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KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)
Member
Posts: 4146
Specimen #30838 DS #0233
Williamsburg, KY
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« Reply #12 on: October 01, 2014, 11:43:55 AM » |
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I like Serk was thinking, yeah sounds good...... on your bike.  I too have seen some nice woodwork of yours and look forward to the end result. |
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G-Man
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« Reply #13 on: October 01, 2014, 12:03:14 PM » |
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Wow, great work!!! |
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #14 on: October 01, 2014, 12:22:57 PM » |
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Ya, I am impressed with the way Bruce did up that bike too, and Ive seen it "in person" up close. So because I couldn't find said hondaline soft bag mounts I thought lets go a different route So I made a pattern  Cut out two identical pieces  Drilled for the mounting plates that will take the place of 4 washers, the fender bolts will go through these plates  Paint  Paint not all dry but I leaned it up to the bike so we can see what it will look like. The bags will mount to this    Right now Im waiting on some new fender bolts...I needed hex drive bolts so I went to Fastenal and they had two, but not the big ones. Funny thing bolts that use allen wrenches are called socket heads. Bolts that use sockets are called hex heads......I just thought that was strange |
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« Last Edit: October 01, 2014, 01:45:27 PM by Chrisj CMA »
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Pepmyster
Member
Posts: 698
Go Bonzo, Go!!!!
Mascouche, Quebec, Canada
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« Reply #15 on: October 01, 2014, 02:32:10 PM » |
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Now this is getting interesting........
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #16 on: October 01, 2014, 08:04:22 PM » |
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OK I have done all I can do until the large fender bolts come in (on order) this Fri. All my goodies are lined up.  These little critters are so cool. They bite into the wood and provide permanent metal threads so the mounting bolts will go on from the inside of the bags just like OEM.  Cant wait now, its almost done |
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Ghost
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« Reply #17 on: October 01, 2014, 08:25:26 PM » |
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That is some nice work your doing there, I am a Metal worker myself and love to cut and weld. I have always admired people who work with wood. |
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I just wanna Ride............  And hang out with all the cool Kids riding Motorcycles. |
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mrider
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« Reply #18 on: October 01, 2014, 08:27:09 PM » |
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looking good |
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #19 on: October 01, 2014, 08:27:44 PM » |
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That is some nice work your doing there, I am a Metal worker myself and love to cut and weld. I have always admired people who work with wood. thanks........it was touch and go a couple times, but it seems its gonna work so far anyways |
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #20 on: October 04, 2014, 04:53:38 AM » |
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Well, remind me to shoot self in the head........I did something I kept saying to myself "DONT DO IT"
I removed too many fender bolts at once and now the 14 points that have to line up to get the new bolts in are WAY off. The fender has dropped and the internal guide in the frame wont line up with the rails.
Plus, (and there is good news to this one) I broke a weld on the soft bag support bending it straight.
So, this is one of those time you have to take two steps back if you want to ever go forward.
The good news. Im not a metal worker but I did a fair bit of welding in High School (never mind that was almost 40 years ago) so I bought a welder to fix the broken thing. So $600 to get past this glitch.
All I have to do is pull on the right thing and push on the right thing at the right time (with some help that just arrived) and I should have the bolts back in....then we weld, then the side plates will be on. Maybe in a couple days the bags will be on YAAAAA
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« Last Edit: October 04, 2014, 09:16:34 AM by Chrisj CMA »
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KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)
Member
Posts: 4146
Specimen #30838 DS #0233
Williamsburg, KY
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« Reply #21 on: October 04, 2014, 04:56:04 AM » |
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Well, remind me to shoot self in the head........I did something I kept saying to myself "DONT DO IT"
I removed too many fender bolts at once and now the 14 points that have to line up to get the new bolts in are WAY off. The fender has dropped and the internal guide in the frame wont line up with the rails.
Plus, (and there is good news to this one) I broke a weld on the soft bag support bending it straight.
So, this is one of those time you have to take two steps back if you want to ever go forward.
The good news. Im not a metal worker but I did a fair bit of welding in High School (never mind that was almost 40 years ago) so I bought a welder to fix the broken thing. So $600 to get psst this glitch.
All I have to do is pull on the right thing and push on the right thing at the right time (with some help that just arrived) and I should have the bolts back in....then we weld, then the side plates will be on. Maybe in a couple days the bags will be on YAAAAA
Sometimes it takes situations like this to get us the tools we wanted anyway |
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #22 on: October 04, 2014, 07:33:38 AM » |
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OK, Whew, all lined up and mounts installed. Judy and I are going to drill the bags tonight     The mounts are solid as a rock and better than I had hoped as far as looks. I am happy happy happy. And yes a great reason to buy my first welder, and it repaired the bag supports better than the original work....most excellent! |
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« Last Edit: October 04, 2014, 09:10:35 AM by Chrisj CMA »
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #23 on: October 04, 2014, 06:01:19 PM » |
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Ok so I finished the actual mounts, got the bag supports mounted on the back, drilled the mounting holes and seated the thread cleats. Then, I used that as a template to drill the holes in the bags. Well, that's after carefully holding them in place while my lovely assistant marked the perimeter of the mounts on the back of the bag so I knew were to place the mounts once it was off the bike. Worked perfectly, they are spot on! Ok last pics    You can barely even see the mounts, and if you can see them, they certainly don't look like plywood!  |
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« Last Edit: October 04, 2014, 07:16:10 PM by Chrisj CMA »
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BF
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« Reply #24 on: October 04, 2014, 06:04:08 PM » |
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Sweetness. I think you'll like 'em. |
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I can't help about the shape I'm in I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin But don't ask me what I think of you I might not give the answer that you want me to |
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Gryphon Rider
Member
Posts: 5227
2000 Tourer
Calgary, Alberta
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« Reply #25 on: October 04, 2014, 06:07:26 PM » |
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Looks like a fine job to me! And those "threaded cleats" are called T-nuts (around here anyway).
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #26 on: October 04, 2014, 06:08:16 PM » |
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Sweetness. I think you'll like 'em. Thanks Bruce...I already transferred the standard contents of the old bags, and MAN there is bunches of room left over. I think I will like them too |
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #27 on: October 04, 2014, 06:10:49 PM » |
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Looks like a fine job to me! And those "threaded cleats" are called T-nuts (around here anyway).
Ok, cool and thanks...me likes T-nuts |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #28 on: October 04, 2014, 07:46:56 PM » |
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Very nice and professional job. Nice looking bags too. |
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KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)
Member
Posts: 4146
Specimen #30838 DS #0233
Williamsburg, KY
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« Reply #29 on: October 05, 2014, 04:12:52 AM » |
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Looks like a fine job to me! And those "threaded cleats" are called T-nuts (around here anyway).
Ok, cool and thanks...me likes T-nuts They look great................actually wish I had gone a route like this instead of the oem setup I have installed and waiting for the scratch to get painted to match. |
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hotglue #43
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« Reply #30 on: October 05, 2014, 07:22:13 AM » |
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Looks Great! good job!
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 blue=3 times green=at least 4 times When they are all 'green'.. I'll stop counting. |
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #31 on: October 06, 2014, 01:36:34 PM » |
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Thanks everyone for the compliments, and the also the skeptics' about the plywood...your comments spurred me on to make them that much less "redneck" and more professional looking actually, so see honesty is the best policy. Tonight is bike night. They make their debut to other bikers in a couple hours. I think it added a couple horsepower just because they look so cool. The sound is a slight bit different because of the end of the pipes being underneath, but its a mellower sound by a tad, so its all good. Ive been on a couple rides around town with them and although (obviously) I cant tell any difference in the ride, its kinda like a washing a dirty bike after it was dirty a long time and then go for a ride, its just that fresh feeling, something new......... Even Judy confessed that last night after all the lights were out, she snuck out to the family room, turned on the lights just to look at her A$$ with them big ol fat bags. |
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« Last Edit: October 06, 2014, 01:41:46 PM by Chrisj CMA »
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old2soon
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« Reply #32 on: October 06, 2014, 02:01:27 PM » |
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Lookin good. I would NOT want to consider what that much 3/8" thick aluminum plate would have cost.  Should last longer than either one of us.  RIDE SAFE. |
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Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
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Punisher
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« Reply #33 on: October 06, 2014, 02:03:22 PM » |
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Outstanding Jeff! Looks great. Before you know it you'll be getting requests to make such mounts for others. |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #34 on: October 06, 2014, 02:15:35 PM » |
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Not trying to throw any negative waves, but this pic looks like they are a bit close to the pipe. Is a small heat shield on the bag bottoms called for Jeff? Or just a photo optical illusion? |
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #35 on: October 06, 2014, 02:26:36 PM » |
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Not trying to throw any negative waves, but this pic looks like they are a bit close to the pipe. Is a small heat shield on the bag bottoms called for Jeff? Or just a photo optical illusion? optical Illusion....scroll to the top and check out the side view picture |
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Tailgate Tommy
Member
Posts: 1438
2000 Interstate, 2001 Interstate and 2003 Standard
Fort Collins, Colorado
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« Reply #36 on: October 06, 2014, 02:47:02 PM » |
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Those look really, really, good Jeff! I bought a set of IS bags this summer for my 2003 STD. So far I have $1525 in the bags, paint, and hardware and they are still not on the bike and I need more OEM spacers and bolts. I like your solution!
Tom
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jimmytee
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« Reply #37 on: October 06, 2014, 03:18:25 PM » |
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Good job I used a PVC boards cut and shaped in mounting my bags on my Valk. |
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"Go sell crazy somewhere else,we're all stocked up"
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BF
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« Reply #38 on: October 06, 2014, 03:28:56 PM » |
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Looks alot quicker and cost effective than the way I mounted my Mustang bags.
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I can't help about the shape I'm in I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin But don't ask me what I think of you I might not give the answer that you want me to |
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #39 on: October 06, 2014, 03:39:37 PM » |
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Looks alot quicker and cost effective than the way I mounted my Mustang bags.
Bruce, I had an ad out for some used OEM mounts. I like your method best. I did what I could with what I had. I didn't like the idea of only two mount points with them "Z" brackets. |
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