Well...I went and did it!!!!

[bscrive]

Well, I was never really happy with the hard bags that I put on my valk.  They were not made very well, and they leaked in hard rain.  They were too wide, and not deep enough.  Although, I did like the way the lid hinged.

After several different bags that I looked at, I decided that Interstate bags was what I really wanted.  It took a while to find a set in good condition for a decent price, but I was eventually able to.  Most bags were cracked, scraped, missing hardware, missing the keys, etc., and they still wanted $700- $800.  When I priced the hardware it was going to cost another $250 for it, and the locks are no longer available.  The ones I got are in great shape, and came with every thing for $700 with the shipping.  I did miss out on a smoking deal that Jerry found me which was the bags, brackets, and trunk for $800.  I guess I was a little too late, or the guy found a buyer that offered more than he was asking for.

When I got the bags I was doing a big project that took a while to finish, so I couldn't get to them.  They sat in a corner always tugging on my mind to get to.  The problem was that I needed to build some brackets to hold them on, but I couldn't find the time to make it until last weekend.  I was originally going to buy the brackets made for them, and modifying them, but they were going for $250 - $500 for a set, and I knew I could make something for a lot less.  The brackets ended up only costing me $26 to make.

I am really happy with the look, and the bags look like they were made for the bike. 

[Jess from VA]

Very nice work.   

[hubcapsc]

Many brackets have a crossover member that goes
behind the wheel and ties each bag bracket together,
it keeps the bags from being floppy when riding down
a bumpy road.

The bags and bracket look great...

-Mike

[_Sheffjs_]

Outstanding!!!     

[Emir]

great work.
congrats about manufacturing your own brackets too.
looks nice and original on the bike.

[bscrive]

Many brackets have a crossover member that goes
behind the wheel and ties each bag bracket together,
it keeps the bags from being floppy when riding down
a bumpy road.

The bags and bracket look great...

-Mike

Thanks for the good words guys.


Hi Mike,

The front of brackets are attached to the muffler hangers, and are made of 1/4" x 1-1/4" flat steel.  I tried flexing the back to check for that, and they don't move much at all.   :cool dude:


Brian

[Robert]

You do some nice work, they look great.