Help needed on saddlebag racks

[JimC]

I have an Interstate and the tops of the saddlebags are getting scratched up.

Since the chrome saddlebag top racks are no longer available, and used sets are very hard to find, has anyone retrofitted another rack to the Valkyrie bags? Will bags from an Indian, Harley etc. fit with some tweaking?

I see that there are many different manufacturers, Matt Gatling, National cycle, Show chrome fender racks, Motherwell, Bikers choice etc. But I am not willing to spend the money that they want unless I am sure that they will fit and look right on the Valkyrie bags.

If you have mounted a set that were meant to fit a different brand bike, can you please send me information on what type (make, model #) you used? Pictures of them mounted would be great. You can send pictures to me at jlckmj at netwurx. net or post them here.

Thanks Jim

[Jess from VA]

Using Pinwall Cycle web pages to search is difficult.  I might call to ask if they have any decent Honda Valk racks used for sale (and ask for pictures).  When they were still for sale they ran nearly $330 a pair.

The only aftermarkets I know are that are specifically made for valk (and still available) are MC Enterprises.

http://www.mcenterprisesusa.com/products/search/dsp_searchForm.cfm

But they are the cheesiest and thinnest stock of any I've ever seen used.

I know many used Show Chrome/BBParts bag racks which were smaller/shorter, rounder, but with larger stock, but I don't think those are made anymore either.

I have the OE Honda's on one of my bikes, and they are the best looking of the lot.  My other bike is slick sleeve with no racks.

The racks are largely useless, except as handles to remove and replace the lids. I have rarely ever seen anyone actually tie anything to a bag rack.  Most lid scratching occurs with passenger feet, and most of that is ahead of any bag racks on the leading bag edges and tops.  When washing and waxing, it's more work to get around and under them than plain lids.  

Mounting them requires holes and hardware and sealing against water penetration, and it better be right the first time.

I'm not a fan of them (they came on my one bike).  IF your lids are already scratched up, I'd buff them out or even spend to repaint the lids before adding racks to them.

While HD bags are all pretty flat on top, it's likely that most bag racks could be made to fit the sloped lids on the Valk (even if a bit of shimming with small washers was needed).  For protection from feet, some have used some clear tape over the paint.  

[Lyle Laun]

There was a guy on here who had very nice leather covers made for each bag lid. There was pics with the post. Maybe try search

Regards
Lyle

[Avanti]

What about clear wrap.

[gordonv]

What about clear wrap.

I was thinking the same thing, vinyl wrap.

If you are getting racks for the protection of the lid, not for carrying things, then the vinyl wrap is the way to go. Choice of colours/styles/clear, and you can apply it yourself. youtube it, it will actually be very easy on the lids, no fussy edges/corners to worry about.

I got mine free from a vinyl wrap shop, just ask for some of their waste. I grabbed the carbon fiber look black.

[Jims99]

Jp cycles carry’s a few different ones. Next time I go I can take some out to bike and see how they fit. If I find anything, I’ll send you pics. Not sure when I’m going, but I’m there at least once a month. LOL.

[JimC]

Everyone,
Thanks so far for the tips.
I will expand a little. My bike is a 99, and when I got it about a year and a half ago there were no scratches on the lids. NOW, there are scratches from my wife getting on and off. Not bad one's, but there none the less. In an effort to keep her riding, I will try and eliminate as many as possible.

I do like the look of the bikes with racks on the lids, but not around the bags, go figure.

SO, I am looking for the bag lid racks, I know they wont eliminate all of the potential scratches, but they do help, especially if they are the longer type. I did have them on my last interstate so I know the pitfalls of cleaning etc.

Thanks, Jim

[The emperor has no clothes]

These might have too much of a curve. Without seeing them in person it's hard to judge.
https://www.jpcycles.com/product/zz82085/show-chrome-accessories-curved-fender-racks

[JimC]

These might have too much of a curve. Without seeing them in person it's hard to judge.
https://www.jpcycles.com/product/zz82085/show-chrome-accessories-curved-fender-racks

Meat,
I have seen them, they are one of the reasons I was wondering if anyone has used the different styles. Looking at them in pictures they look a little short for the Valk bags.
Thanks, Jim

[gordonv]

there are scratches from my wife getting on and off. Not bad one's, but there none the less. In an effort to keep her riding, I will try and eliminate as many as possible.

I too have marks from my wife hitting the bags, but they are more scuffs than scratches. I do have racks on my bike, so they don't help, unless she is only hitting only the top of the lid. Mine hits the edge and side of the bags.

The vinyl would be a lot better too. You should be able to find a gloss black, would look like the lid.

[Steel cowboy]

Meathead, I bought that same set and put them under a HF press. I used just enough pressure to flatten some of the curve out of them. They came out great and the chrome never “popped”.
I'll post a picture soon.

[Steel cowboy]

Here are those same racks, that I had to flatten out some.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Here are those same racks, that I had to flatten out some.

Those look good. Got a pic on the bike ? What did you use to flatten them out ?

[Steel cowboy]

2x6 blocks of wood, I set it up so the “legs”were not on the wood. I put a piece of metal above the top 2x6 to distribute the force evenly. It didn’t take much to remove the curve and flatten them a bit. I kept checking the rack by placing it on the bag (tape the top of the bag). Then used the finished rack to check on the second one. I used metal roofing washers from Home Depot between the rack and bag lid, they have a rubber washer glued on to the galvanized metal washer. I picked up a set of interstate bags with stone guard and Honda line racks so these bags are my spares now. Sorry not for sale yet, part of my “back room” parts warehouse. Lol.
This is an older picture, I hope this helps.

[JimC]

Cowboy,
Those look better than I thought they would, nice work!
I think because they stop at the front of the trunk, they look like they were factory.
Definitely an option.
Thanks,
Jim

[Steel cowboy]

With the new to me Honda line racks, removing the lid is a pain in the ass. The lowered part of the armrest get in the way when removing the lids. These were easier.

[Jims99]

Here’s what I found at jp. Nothing they had on the rack fit right, but the short one was the closest. They also had fender bibs that would work. Pictures of them aren’t the best, couldn’t take them out of packaging.

[JimC]

Thanks Jim!