OEM hard bags questions recommendations ?

[boss hoss bill]

I'm in the process of getting some Hard Bags for my 2003. I'm determined to get a set of OEM Hondaline Bags. I have a left bag and need a right bag.
(I see one on EBay but it has no locks or latch and looks pretty rough.)
Whatever I get will need to be painted to match my black paint.

Question about brackets?
Is it a good idea to get easy brackets, although I probably won't be removing them often but do like the ability to get in there if need be for a good cleaning.
Or, are the other brackets, such as OEM, far superior?

I see alot or rails for sale and have read that the repro rails seem to be well made and usable, even if they're a PITA initially?

All you bag gurus,  TIA for your input

Bill

[Jabba]

I am not a bag guru.  I have however just recently done what you are doing.

I am not a fan of the bag rails... so I'll withold my worthless comments on those. 

The bags come off VERY easy anyway.  4 little 8MM bolts and they are off.  Takes about 1 min for each bag.  My bag frames are a little tweaked, so on one side, it's a little tougher. 

My buddy Squealy has the quick bag drop kit on his.  He bought it that way.  They have little stickyoutie thingies... onside the bags... so if you're storing something hard that doesn't fit between them... you're hosed.  But what's the odds of that?  He likes to hang his keys on that hook inside the bags.

Good luck though.  I have been wanting hard bags for my 2002 standard for 9 years.  Finally pulled th trigger, and while the whole deal about KILLED my wallet, I am glad I done it.



Jabba

[salty1]

Nice bike Bill! I've been considering the same mounting issues. I think it was Warlock that had used them to mount some Mustang hard bags and that he needed an additional brace to minimize their movement. The other issue is the distance between the rear fender and the bag, how big is the gap. BF has also had lots of experience. I'm very curious what else your thread brings out.  ???

[hubcapsc]

I'm determined to get a set of OEM Hondaline Bags.
Question about brackets?
Is it a good idea to get easy brackets
Or, are the other brackets, such as OEM, far superior?

I can't imagine mounting OEM bags any other way than OEM... the
OEM bags don't so much "hang" on the OEM mounts, the OEM bags
"sit" in the OEM mounts...

OEM mounts can probably be had from pinwall for around $300, probably
with one or more bits of road rash...

-Mike

[ryord]

I might be interested in your LeatherLyke bags, if you want to sell. Rick

[Jess from VA]

What Mike (Hubcap) said.   

The mounts don't just hold the bags, they are rock solid and include a rear guard that (with the front engine guard) hold the bike up at 40* or so in a tip over, or a slow speed fall and slide.

See part number 40:
http://www.hdlparts.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=2093217&category=Motorcycles&make=HONDA&year=1999&fveh=124339

This whole setup will not be cheap.  You are lucky in that more black bikes were made than any other color, so chances are good you can find used in black.  And don't forget that if you get IS bags, the lids secure with cable ties and not the hinges used for Tourers (and the hardware to change over runs some more bux), thou nothing wrong with running cable ties on a std.

If you want some decent bags without all the OE bag and mount expense, which look pretty similar to OE bags, and use a conventional fender strut mount, then go with Tsukayu Jumbo Strong bags, which nicely come in black (or primer).  Probably about half the price, and new.  Jumbos are 40 liter, regular Strongs are 26 liter, and OE are 35 liters.

http://store.valueaccessories.net/tsukayujumbostrongpaintedorleatherfiberglasshardbags.aspx

http://tsukayu.com/JumboStrong.html

[John Schmidt]

Jabba, I don't understand about the "sticky outie" things on the inside of the bags with a quick drop kit installed. The quick drop kit doesn't have anything to do with the inside, it's how the bag mount is attached to the fender rails. Essentially, the rear fender bolt is run from the inside out, a spacer made up of a couple locking nuts, the bag mount, then a lock nut. The front bolt is merely a slightly longer bolt, readily available at Ace Hardware, run the bolt in, a locking nut or two as spacers, the bag mount, then a lock nut. Measure the excess bolt still protruding and cut it off flush. Now when you want to remove the bag mount, just remove four nuts and they're off. The entire procedure has nothing to do with the bags themselves, just the bag mounts.

[Valkpilot]

Jabba, I don't understand about the "sticky outie" things on the inside of the bags with a quick drop kit installed. The quick drop kit doesn't have anything to do with the inside, it's how the bag mount is attached to the fender rails. Essentially, the rear fender bolt is run from the inside out, a spacer made up of a couple locking nuts, the bag mount, then a lock nut. The front bolt is merely a slightly longer bolt, readily available at Ace Hardware, run the bolt in, a locking nut or two as spacers, the bag mount, then a lock nut. Measure the excess bolt still protruding and cut it off flush. Now when you want to remove the bag mount, just remove four nuts and they're off. The entire procedure has nothing to do with the bags themselves, just the bag mounts.

I believe he's referring to something like this:

http://www.motosport.com/cruiser/1998-honda-valkyrie-1500-gl1500c--SADDLEMEN-QUICK-DISCONNECT-KIT-FOR-SADDLEBAGS

not the Rattlebars type that replaces the fender mount bolts.

[Jabba]

Maybe John.  I easily could have misunderstood what a quick bag drop kit was. 

Squealy's looks like this.  I just walked downstairs and took this pic.



This just lets the bags off the mounts for cleaning, I guess.  What the OP was interested in doing.

The OEM set up is like this:  From my bike just now as well.



I guess the quick bag drop kit is so you can go bags to no bags or mounts quickly?  Cool idea I guess. 

Those push button thingies... on Squealy's COULD get in the way.  I don't think it's a BIG deal though.

Jabba

[98valk]

pinwall has/did a few for sale.
also the ace tourer uses the same bags.

[John Schmidt]

Jabba, you're right on the push button type. I got cornfused when the reference was to the "quick drop" application. 

[Robdawg13]

Just mounted hard OEM bags on mine.  Be patient and you will be able to find a good set of bags and brackets for a good price.  As others have said, black is the most common so you won't have to be as patient as I was.  I had just about talked myself into getting the Tsukayu bags, when I found a set of factory bags already painted to match my bike (Pearl Coronado Blue) on Ebay.  Found a set of brackets on here (thanks TJ) and was able to get the whole setup for about what it would have cost to get the Tsukayus and have them painted.  IMHO Nothing else compares to factory quality and the bags detach easily enough.  GOod luck in your search...

[mmurffy03]

when the tourer was still made was the price about 1500 bucks more than the standard 1000 for the bags and 500 for the windshield  ?????

[f6john]

     Stock mounts for OEM bags are the way to go IMHO. It's worth the additional cost in the long run. Easy Bkts  work well with leather bags but I would be concerned about stress cracks in our ABS oem bags.

     Sometimes I think there may be more standards with bags than the number that originally came on Tourers and Interstates.

I added these to my standard in 03 or 04.



     The oem mounts also provide a heat shield to protect the bottom of the bars too.

[Viking]

Jabba...That blue and white is awesome!     

[Tropic traveler]

I guess I got lucky adding hardbags to the '99.
Bought some black I/S bags & mounts with some road rash from Flea-bay for $650. Had to add about $150 worth of new hardware to replace what was missing & convert them to Tourer style opening. Paid a talented neighbor $600 to fix the road rash & paint them stripe & all just like factory. Came out excellent $1,400 total.
Already having two Tourers in the stable made me realize that the factory hardbag set up was the best available. Now only a sharp eyed Valkaholic can tell it's not a factory Tourer. VIN #, the rear fender reflector & the seamless I/S bag construction give it away. 
Get all the factory parts if you can... You'll be happier in the long run. 

[Jabba]

Jabba...That blue and white is awesome!     

Thank you sir!  I like her VERY much.

Jabba

[Jabba]

Get all the factory parts if you can... You'll be happier in the long run. 

 

I agree.  The factory bag set up is VERY stable, and tough.  And you only give up 5 liters to the Tsayuku Jumbo bags.  Having the bag supported from the bottom is a nice feature.

Jabba

[f6john]

Already having two Tourers in the stable made me realize that the factory hardbag set up was the best available. Now only a sharp eyed Valkaholic can tell it's not a factory Tourer. VIN #, the rear fender reflector & the seamless I/S bag construction give it away. 
Get all the factory parts if you can... You'll be happier in the long run. 

     I always felt reflectors were for bicycles and removed mine when I brought it home. Got rid of the radiator cover reflectors when I snagged a pair of Cobra side covers. I also replaced the reflectors on the bags with led's.

[Jabba]

Is that Joe Pesci?

Jabba

[doubletee]

Is that Joe Pesci?

Jabba

 

[boss hoss bill]

Some good replies and info here.
Jabba your bike and bags, with that color scheme is exceptional!

And as Jabba said, I didn't know we had Joe Pesci as a member!

As a follow up, does anyone know if the Ace Tourer bags brackets will work on the Valk?

The Tsukayus are tempting, but I'll have to see if I can score a good set of OEMS!

[f6john]

    If only I had Joe's money.....

[Disco]

As a follow up, does anyone know if the Ace Tourer bags brackets will work on the Valk?

They will not.

[Toledo Mark]

I went with Champion Sidecar bags on my standard.  Had a set of Easy Brackets on my leather bags and just couldn't see a way to use them that I was satisfied with.