Honda Goldwing Saddle Bags On My 2000 Valkyrie

[Squirrel]

Some time ago, I purchased a 2000 Valk.  For a while I ran soft bags but after a while, they started to sag and I didn't like the look.  I happened to have a 1983 Goldwing GL1100 Interstate, and I had removed the saddle bags to clean some chrome.  I temporarily placed the bags on my Valk and liked the way they looked.  I purchased a pair off my local Craigslist, painted them black, and used EZ brackets purchased off of EBay to mount them on my bike.  I found out soon enough that I definitely needed to have the bags supported on the bottom.  I used galvanized electrical conduit and bent them (not a very good job) to mount to the bike and the bottom of each bag.  I know they're not original Valk bags, but I like the way they "wrap around" the back seat area.  Let me know what you guys think.
Copy and paste the link below into your browser to see the slideshow.

http://s1259.photobucket.com/user/page3man/slideshow/

Also, I may want to use the turn signals in the saddle bags as additional brake lights.  Does anybody have any idea where I can get red lenses to replace the amber ones, or somehow remove the amber tint on the lens and tint them red?  I don't want to remove my original Valk turn signals and use the ones on the bags just in case I want to remove the bags periodically.  Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[TJ]

         

[Thunderbolt]

I'm impressed.  They look really good and probably are even watertight to boot.  You might see if there are replacements for the lights in the bags that are clear and use some red paint on the inside.  Someone might even make a LED conversion kit.  But it does look really good.  Thinking outside of the box is good, creative and saves bucks.

[John Schmidt]

You can paint the inside of the lenses red using some model car/plane type paint made by Testors. I used something called Transparent Candy Apple Red(#1605), used it on the inside of the OEM lenses on the Valk. Clean them with some alcohol, light coats...maybe 2-3, let dry overnight. Your lights will look red after that, mine didn't give a hint of amber. I bought a 3 oz. can of it at Walmart, don't know if they still carry stuff like that in the toy section.

Good looking install on the bags. 

[98valk]

Looks Great! 

are they keyed on/off?

now wondering if the GL1200 bags fit which are larger.

[Squirrel]

Thanks for the info, John.  I just might give the paint a try.

CA, I was fortunate enough to get the keys to the saddle bags when I bought them, so I carry the extra key with me for the bags.  I do lock them when I'm out somewhere, unless I am right there with the bike.

[_Sheffjs_]

The tight fit is like it was made for it, nice work.

[98valk]

Thanks for the info, John.  I just might give the paint a try.

CA, I was fortunate enough to get the keys to the saddle bags when I bought them, so I carry the extra key with me for the bags.  I do lock them when I'm out somewhere, unless I am right there with the bike.

so they detached from the bike with the key?

[Squirrel]

Yes.  Before I installed the brace on the bottom of the bags, I could just unlock the EZ brackets and pull both bags off in a matter of 30 seconds.  However, with the addition of the bottom bracket, I also have to remove 2 bolts on the bottom of each bag to remove them.  Then, there is one bolt on each end of the bottom bracket that fastens it to the bike frame.  They have to be removed to take off the bottom bracket.  A little more involving but I don't plan on taking them off and on very often.  I like the looks of the bike without the bags on it, but I miss the storage space!

[98valk]

Yes.  Before I installed the brace on the bottom of the bags, I could just unlock the EZ brackets and pull both bags off in a matter of 30 seconds.  However, with the addition of the bottom bracket, I also have to remove 2 bolts on the bottom of each bag to remove them.  Then, there is one bolt on each end of the bottom bracket that fastens it to the bike frame.  They have to be removed to take off the bottom bracket.  A little more involving but I don't plan on taking them off and on very often.  I like the looks of the bike without the bags on it, but I miss the storage space!

do u have a link to the EZ bracket?
Thanks.

[Squirrel]

I bought my EZ brackets several years ago.  I just checked EBay and Amazon and got no results!  However, I found them on J&P Cycles.  Check the link below.

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/zz84206

[Squirrel]

Sorry, CA.  I did find these on Amazon for $10 cheaper.  Check the link below.

https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Brackets-Release-Saddlebag-Mounting/dp/B017Y0CO20/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502114084&sr=8-1&keywords=easy+brackets+honda+valkyrie

[desertrefugee]

Wow!  That works really well!  Nicely done!

And to think that if I'd seen this thread a year ago it would've saved me some serious coin.  We all know that used OEM Valk bags are not cheap.   I upgraded my Standard with a nice pair.

Then again, I'm not sure I could match the fab skills you've demonstrated.

Kudos!

[Squirrel]

I hear ya, desertrefugee.  I've seen the price of used original bags as well.  Unless you get lucky and find a set the same color as your Valk, you may have to do a little repair work and then paint them!  When I bought my used bags, they had luggage racks mounted on them, which I removed,along with the "Interstate" emblems, plastic welded up the holes, finished off with a little bondo and then primed and painted them.  I opted to leave the side reflectors on for safety purposes.

[desertrefugee]

There were no Bumblebee Tourers.  Mine had to be painted.

But, dang, I do like the contours on those 1100 bags.  Seriously.  And they are cheap and plentiful.

Who knew?

[Squirrel]

I just want to thank everyone for their kind words.  I appreciate it.  I was a little hesitant about posting it, because I wasn't sure how it would be excepted.  But, they are Honda bags!  lol  I like things unique and different and after seeing other posts on this site, I thought I would share and glad I did.  And to think people are putting Harley stuff on their Valks, . . . .!  lol  By the way, I show the "nickel test/trick" every chance I get!  People are amazed.  A local weekly bike night gets a lot of vacationers from Europe and a lot nave never even seen a Valk or know anything about them!  Sometimes there may be 200 bikes there, and I have the only Valk.  As the McDonald's commercial says, "I'm lovin' it!

[Squirrel]

Hey desertrefugee, I just got a terrific idea!  Buy another Valkyrie, buy the GL1100 bags and brackets and put them on it!  I'm so smart!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Nice work ! 

[Squirrel]

Thanks meathead.  I appreciate it.  I'm showing my age here, but after watching "All in the Family" on TV, it just seems wrong calling you meathead!  Lol

[98valk]

Thanks meathead.  I appreciate it.  I'm showing my age here, but after watching "All in the Family" on TV, it just seems wrong calling you meathead!  Lol

get to know him, it perfectly fits and then some. 

[Squirrel]

I took John Schmidt's advice and bought some Testors #1605 spray paint.  Who would have thought?  I sprayed a light coat and then a heavier coat on the inside of the lenses.  I haven't wired them up yet, as I want to figure out the best way to run the wires.  Once the wiring is done, I will see if I need to remove the lenses and put on another coat.  Thanks to John, for this ingenious idea! 

Click on the link below or copy and paste to another browser window to see the difference.

http://s1259.photobucket.com/user/page3man/media/Amber%20Lights/IMG_0044_zpsbje4uofb.jpg.html?sort=2&o=0

[Hook#3287]

Thanks meathead.  I appreciate it.  I'm showing my age here, but after watching "All in the Family" on TV, it just seems wrong calling you meathead!  Lol

get to know him, it perfectly fits and then some. 

  It's true  

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks meathead.  I appreciate it.  I'm showing my age here, but after watching "All in the Family" on TV, it just seems wrong calling you meathead!  Lol

get to know him, it perfectly fits and then some. 

  It's true  

Hey ! Why's everybody always picking on me ? 
page3man, no worries. Is your handle a reference to newspaper editor ? And it really was nice work you did on those bags. 

[Squirrel]

No, Meathead.  No reference to a newspaper editor.  It actually comes from when I sit down to read something, never get past page 3.  I fall asleep!  lol

[The emperor has no clothes]

No, Meathead.  No reference to a newspaper editor.  It actually comes from when I sit down to read something, never get past page 3.  I fall asleep!  lol

I like it.