Bag Drop Kit from Rattlebars.com

[donaldcc]

Has anyone used this on their Tourer and if so what do you think?? 

[shortleg]

  I think you will find that alot of us use it and love it.
 It makes things real easy.
      Shortleg[Dave]

[sandy]

I have a set on my tourer. I had to throw much of it away because I added a HitchDoc hitch. I ended up getting allthread rod to extend the length for the hitch install. It is a great product and makes changing a rear tire much easier.

[bassman]

Really like mine on my Tourer.....takes me a little longer to take the bags off cuzz I have the saddlebag rails  but the kit works just fine.....

[Thunderbolt]

makes cleaning bags and mounting parts a lot easier.  If you take all the bolts out at the same time, it is a pain to get them back in.  I bought one from Chet and made a set myself out of allthread rod.  The fine thread in metric is very hard to find at your local hardware.  I ended up buying bolts and cutting the heads off.

[GJS]

+1 on the bag drop kit.
It was one of the first modifications I made to my Interstate.
I can have the bags off in a couple of minutes. I have been on several log trips (5-10K) and have never had to re-visit that decision.

Cheers,

Glenn

[donaldcc]

So I'm thinking I should get this.  I also have the saddlebag rails.  How does this thing work with those?? 

[SS Twin]

Would like a set for my lady.  Are these still available new?  If not, where would the best place to look?  Thanks!

[Thunderbolt]

if memory serves me correctly, I used carriage bolts.  Installed from the inside.  For the front two which are smaller, I used bolts with the heads cut off.  Basically made them into allthread rod. They still thread into a nut inside.  Thread pitch on one is 1.0 and the other is 1.5 OEM.  I used stainless steel and the pitch does not matter if you buy nuts that match.  I put the OEM thin washer next to the fender, next two nuts, the bag mounting framework, then one more nut.

[Tropic traveler]

Got 'em on both of our Tourers. Really makes it a snap to get the bags off for servicing anything on the back 1/2 of the bike.
Bought a set 4 years ago for my '97 for $49.95 & last time I checked they were up to $59.95. A bit pricey but they are top quality.

[sugerbear]

$60.00 for a few bolts and spacers and lock nuts?????????

dam maybe i'll start making them and sell for $30.00, and that would be a huge markup.

carrage bolts from the inside, chrome spacers and lock nuts all from the local hardware store.
 

[John U.]

I agree with you Sugarbear. That was my first thought when I installed a bagdrop kit. They work well but there really isn't much to them.

[sugerbear]

ANY carrage bolt will work. doesn't HAVE to be metric. you do own SAE wrenches right?

i use the wrenches that work on either(forget what there called).

[MP]

I put SAE carraige bolts in mine.  Bike did not complain they were not metric.  Just be careful about length.  I had to remove a little from mine, as they were VERY close to the saddlebag lid. Next shorter ones were too short.

MP

[dennis_obryan1965@msn.com]

Are you guys talking about removing the saddle bag mounting kit or just the bags?
Where can i find a picture.

[Tropic traveler]

Dennis, the kit is nothing more than 4 chromed bolts of the proper size that have studs made onto the other side of the head to hang the bag mounts on. There is also thin anti-galling washers & chrome nuts to button it all up with.
When you want to remove the bags you just take the nuts off the bag mounts, unbolt the 2 bolts down by the passenger pegs & drop the bags & mounts off as one unit. The bolts stay on the fender mounts so no more of the rear fender line up hassles.
Great simple product.


BTW, he also has optional chrome acorn nut kit to screw back onto the studs if you want to ride "bagless" for a while. Keeps the sharp exposed threads covered up. I didn't buy that option as I rarely ride "bagless".