What kind of bags and bag mounting brackets are these? Polished wheels?

[Fiat Lux]

I was out for a ride with a fellow Valk rider last weekend. He looked sadly at my bags and said, "that's the one thing that does not justice to the bike." Well, I guess he was right. So, do tell, what kind of bags are these?




Now if we lift the bag up and off its clips and then flip it up we see this:



In fact you can see three things here. First, a really ratty looking black rubber hose that was slit and fitted over the narrow chrome bar to hold the bag clips more tightly. Second, note that there is a nicely chromed nut (12 mm?) welded on to the center of the lower (horizontal) chrome bar. What make of mounting bracket is this? Three, note the polished chrome wheel! Same as the front. My buddy's Valkyrie has very dull grey matte aluminum wheels with nary a glint. Why is that?

Thanks for having a look and for sharing Valk wisdom,
Fiat Lux   

[Michvalk]

Your wheels look chrome or polished. Up until I think 2001, the wheels were unfinished. After 2001 they came polished and clearcoated. Yours look to have more polish or chrome than any of the stock wheels. Not familiar with the bags

[mmurffy03]

they are polished rims was your bike a tourer you don't have a reflector on the side of the fender unless someone took it off the vin tag would say GL1500CT if it was a tourer when new

[9Ball]

they are polished rims was your bike a tourer you don't have a reflector on the side of the fender unless someone took it off the vin tag would say GL1500CT if it was a tourer when new

I don't ever remember seeing a Tourer with that paint scheme....racing stripe.

[Hoser]

I don't think the tourer was offered in the later years, and I think the bags match up well with the upholstery and  rest of the bike. Triple tips are a favorite of mine also.What year is it? I like the looks of it. Hoser

[salty1]

I don't think the tourer was offered in the later years, and I think the bags match up well with the upholstery and  rest of the bike. Triple tips are a favorite of mine also.What year is it? I like the looks of it. Hoser

Sorry Hoser, I got to disagree, those bags do detract from the looks of the bike IMO. There are other after market solutions that would enhance the look. It's a very nice bike otherwise.

[Hoser]

I don't think the tourer was offered in the later years, and I think the bags match up well with the upholstery and  rest of the bike. Triple tips are a favorite of mine also.What year is it? I like the looks of it. Hoser

Sorry Hoser, I got to disagree, those bags do detract from the looks of the bike IMO. There are other after market solutions that would enhance the look. It's a very nice bike otherwise.

Didn't say they were pretty, just that they match the seats and backrest.  Better than no bags at all.  I need my bags, and I assume the owner does also. If not he can take them off. Hard bags do look better, but lots of bucks.  I'm glad mine came with the bike.  BTW, the tourer ended production before that paint or the polished wheels.  Wish they were all polished.   Hoser

[Fiat Lux]

Thanks for kind words about the bike, Hoser. The least I can do is peel the tomata' and show you the full monte, the whole enchilada, with a nice backdrop in northern Montana looking into Glacier National Park. As far as I know, this bike is a Standard and it is indeed a 2001 with 53,000 kms.




So what kind of bags should I put on her?
Fiat Lux

[Farther]

If you want leather, and money is no object, check out Boss Bags. 
http://www.bossbags.com/   

I have LeatherWorks bags on my Standard and really like them. http://www.leatherworksinc.com/110X-leather-saddlebags/

[Lyle Laun]

Ian:
Have a look at the Bags available for a Heritage on Harley's online store. They have a couple of nice sets that are leather covered and don't ave HD logos on them.

[mmurffy03]

other than the big buck OEM bags I like the national cycle bags

[BF]

What kind of bags should you put on?  That's kind of a loaded question.....there's lot's to choose from.  OEM bags (hard or leather), Champion Patriot bags (just like OEM, but better), National Cycle, Tsukayu, Mustang.....and lots of others. 

I like my Mustangs. 

[salty1]

I don't think the tourer was offered in the later years, and I think the bags match up well with the upholstery and  rest of the bike. Triple tips are a favorite of mine also.What year is it? I like the looks of it. Hoser

Sorry Hoser, I got to disagree, those bags do detract from the looks of the bike IMO. There are other after market solutions that would enhance the look. It's a very nice bike otherwise.

Didn't say they were pretty, just that they match the seats and backrest.  Better than no bags at all.  I need my bags, and I assume the owner does also. If not he can take them off. Hard bags do look better, but lots of bucks.  I'm glad mine came with the bike.  BTW, the tourer ended production before that paint or the polished wheels.  Wish they were all polished.   Hoser

+1 Hard bags are the way to go.