Space between bottom of bags and pipes

[G-Man]

I'm about to install a set of vinyl covered fiberglass permanent mounted saddlebags.  I like the look of the bags sitting as close to the pipe as possible.  How much space do you think would be the minimum I should have between the bags and the pipes without harming the bottom of the bags (which are covered in vinyl)?

Thanks.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Without the heat shield that's OEM ? I don't know the answer but I would think you'd need 3 or 4 inches without a heat shield.

[Jess from VA]

Gary, I don't know, but it better be farther apart than the OE bags with heat shields.

BF, and a couple other guys have installed vinyl (or is it leather?) covered Mustang/Tsukayu bags and they would have an idea based on real experience.

I would think a seller of vinyl covered bags would have a suggestion/recommendation, since this has to be an issue on all motorcycles (at least on the right side).

I might even consider gluing or bolting up some super thin aluminum (or something) heat shields right to the bottom of the bags, if there's any possibility of a melt down, fire.

Just for clarity, you do run OE pipes (cans) and not Cobras, right? The OE pipes have got to be cooler. (And if you spring for a pair of MarkT's 5" cans, they are supposed to be touchable even when running)

[R J]

I'd contact the manufacture and ask them that question.

If pipes will melt boots at a touch, I'd say at least 3 or 4" at the minimum.

[JimC]

Gary,
I stayed about 1 inch above my stock pipes with the Jumbo Tsukayu bags I put on. I do not have heat shields and I have had no problems, BUT, my bags are fiberglass, and pretty heavy at that. I am not sure about plastic molded type bags.

Jim

[BF]

I'm at work now but I'll measure them when I get home and let you know.

I put them as low as I could and still use the OEM bag rails with them.  That was my goal when I mounted my bags....to use those rails. 

Even there, there's plenty of room.  They stay way cooler than I anticipated.  I checkef them a bunch after mounting them.  Heat transfer to the bag really wasn't a problem for me.

[blackvalkyrie]

Jim C.. I just ordered those exact bags..how do you like them?

Gary,
I stayed about 1 inch above my stock pipes with the Jumbo Tsukayu bags I put on. I do not have heat shields and I have had no problems, BUT, my bags are fiberglass, and pretty heavy at that. I am not sure about plastic molded type bags.

Jim

[BF]

Gary....and inch and three eights between my Mustang bags and my oem pipes.  

I used no shielding.  

[G-Man]

Gary....and inch and three eights between my Mustang bags and my oem pipes.  

I used no shielding.  

That's beautiful,BF!  And those are the same bags.  Thank you for all your help thus far and all of the great info.

Thanks, Jim, Jess, and everyone else!

I held the bags up to the bike and I think if I shoot for 2" I'll be good then, in case of any sag over time.  I have the stock pipes with an 18" truck stack tip. (should have given that info in the original post).

I like the look of these bags so much, I just might order the matching trunk.  But then the Mrs. loses her armrests cause I can't see how to do both.  Maybe once I get the trunk something can be figured out.  Or, she just may have to hold onto me a little tighter!   :cool dude:

Thanks again y'all!

[salty1]

Gary my Mustang bags like BF's are just over an inch from the exhaust cover and tail piece. Likewise, I have a set of Tsukayus on another Valk with the bags around an inch from the top of the exhaust. Thousand of miles and bags are like new, no problems with them being that close.

[G-Man]

Gary my Mustang bags like BF's are just over an inch from the exhaust cover and tail piece. Likewise, I have a set of Tsukayus on another Valk with the bags around an inch from the top of the exhaust. Thousand of miles and bags are like new, no problems with them being that close.

Thanks for the info.

How did you mount your bags Salty?  I noticed you have the bag rails and I've heard from others that you have to keep the bags in tight when mounting them.

[Tundra]

I had Tsukayu bags that I installed at 1" above the pipes. Fiberglass painted, no issues. If you go too high it looks ridiculous. measure twice/drill once.
 When you find your desired height, build up a shim on your pipes. I used 1" thick foam blocks and fixed them to the pipes with masking tape. Then just set your bags in place to mark for drilling. You can adjust the height to your liking. My bags were installed for years and many miles with no heat damage to the paint/bags.

[salty1]

I modified OEM brackets for the Valk leather bags. I took BF's lead as you'll see in the thread below.

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,55502.msg714874.html#msg714874

[BF]

Gary, in Salty's link, he referenced the need to make a set of spacers to be able to use the bag rails like we did.  

It's not hard to do and can be done without special machining tools.  Just stuff like a center punch, a bench vice, drill, etc.  You'll need a thread cutting tool/kit, but you can find an inexpensive kit at Sears or most anywhere.  

A band saw (or portaband) can come in handy to make your cuts, but it's not necessary.  Other methods can work just as well.  

Here's my post on making my spacers.  

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,65481.0.html

[Chrisj CMA]

Hey G-Man,  I just took this picture, its an accurate view of the height of the bags I mounted.  They are right at 2" off the pipes.  They are a little higher than the others for three reasons.  First that was the most comfy position for Judy's legs, the lower you go the harder the front of the bags hits the passengers legs.  Secondly I like the tops to be fairly close to the top of the fender and the bottom to be close to the bottom of the fender.  It wouldn't look good with bag rails but without the rails I like it to match the fender.  Third I have just enough room there to get the axle out under the bags but over the pipes so no messing with bags or pipes when R/R the rear wheel.


Top of fender

bottom of fender

[Pappy!]

On Lesa's Vstar 1100 I had Leatherlykes mounted no higher than 1/2 - 5/8" above her top pipe. No signs of heat damage in several thousand miles. No heat shield either.