Saddlebag Rails..... To add or not?

[PAVALKER]

I've been looking at Saddlebag rails for my IS and can't seem to make up my mind if I want to add them or not.  I can get them for about 200 bucks, they are somewhat functional and of course additional chrome bling.  But if I get them, would I then have to add the trim on the trunk when on to add balance or ??

Thoughts on what others think of those aftermarket eBay saddlebag rails (OEM copies)?

[Jess from VA]

I think the rails are a great looking and functional item to add to any hardbag valk.  The standard loop guard in back will protect the bags in a stopped tip over or drop, but maybe not in a more serious fall/slide... and the bags are expensive items to find, replace, paint, yada.  Some guys have made them quick release, but most don't, and all I have to do is pull the bags and work around the rails for all rear end maintenance.  And those rails are strong enough to jump up and down on with the bags removed

I do not like and would not add the trunk guard, and when you look around, few interstate guys with bag rails have the trunk guard (it looks perfectly fine that way).  That said, I did rub my trunk on the door frame backing out once (and the guard would have caught it), but it rubbed out easily.  Moving the bike in and around tight spots, driveways, parking, the bags are much more likely to get hit than the trunk.  While the bag rails are frame mounted (independent of bags), the trunk rail mounts to the trunk plastic, so in a traumatic incident, they'll just punch holes in the trunk at the mount points.  And supervalked, who needs a rail on the trunk in storage anyway?

As far as matching goes, the better match for bag rails, is a front fender guard/rail, and of the Honda or MC Enterprises, (IMHO) the MCE definitely looks better with a curved rather than straight profile of the Honda.  I have the MCE on my supervalk, and have been going back and forth on adding it to my full interstate since I got it.

Both my interstates have Honda rails, and both took some finagling (and extra hardware/bag bottom mount spacers) to mount and I hear the aftermarkets are fine and also take some finagling.  You put it all together completely loosy-goosey, then go around tightening.  It was a lot harder decision when Honda OE were the only thing available, and they were $650 and way up used, if you could find them.

Front fender Honda guard.



Front fender MCE guard.

[PAVALKER]

Jess,

I agree with the logic for the trunk rails, I don't care that they require holes in the trunk, and they serve no real function and would most likely cause more damage.  I did not think about the front fender rails, and can see that those provide more balance in appearance.  I do like the curved ones, but both appear to be hard to come by.

Bag rails are functional, look nice and do provide protection from front, side and rear.....and they look even better on the Black SuperValk with the front fender rails.  I can get the OEM copy bag rails relatively cheap, considering what the real OEMs cost.  It might cost as much to get that front fender rail too.  Those damn fender rails were not even on my radar.... But they are now.

[Jess from VA]

I think MCE fender guards are still out there, and may be one in our classifieds.  Model 660-13

http://www.classiccruiser.com/product.asp?item=522688

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MC-Enterprises-660-13-Front-Fender-Trim-MC660-13-0900-180-/261315707471

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,76128.0.html

[Kunkies]

I have the Hondaline hard bag rails and they have saved my hard bags at least twice.  Once, whilst in the garage she tipped over, and then once taking her down from a jack she tipped over.  Both times, the rails were there to save my hardbags.

Done.

[Gavin_Sons]

Add  they look great and will help protect the bags in case of a tip over.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Add  they look great and will help protect the bags in case of a tip over.

I say add them. I want to but bags are already extended out from spacers for the bags as well as the hitch and don't know if it would work with my setup, but I love the look of them. 

[PAVALKER]

I think MCE fender guards are still out there, and may be one in our classifieds.  Model 660-13

http://www.classiccruiser.com/product.asp?item=522688

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MC-Enterprises-660-13-Front-Fender-Trim-MC660-13-0900-180-/261315707471

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,76128.0.html

Ok, bag rails ordered.  But those illusive fender rails appear to be very limited, And what is even more confusing is that they seem to come in a round nose, squared nose and, even curved side rails....but they appear to have same part number.  I wonder if some are being misrepresented in the photos.

[Oss]

Have a set of bag rails in the basement  that came with my purchase of the rear end of an 00 I/S
that was being triked out (bags rails wheel final drive kickstand) 

Cleaned em up real good then saw that with the bushtec hitch set up there does not
appear to be a way I can see to also hook up those  rails

Thats not to say it cant be done, just that I havent thought of HOW to get it done

Has anyone with a bushtec hitch also put on rails? How did you do it

They do look terrific on an Interstate   

[~ Timbrwolf]

....About 10 years ago HDL was having a sale on Gold Wing Touring bag spoilers for 200 dollars.
They came black (same color as my bike) and had stop light built into them, which people
I rode with said they could see a LOT better during the day. A friend back in jersey helped me
Install it and YES...it was very scary drilling holes in my touring bag ! ..  


I could have put the chrome trim up there also, and have seen bikes where people have
done both, but personally, I thought it looked too busy.


. ...Oh yeah.....I LOVE the OEM Bag Rails..  

[72cutlassdude]

Timerwolf,

Great shot of your Valk and the "Mighty Mack" in the background!

[BF]

I have the OEMs surrounding my Mustang bags.  I think they make the bike. 

[Oldfishguy]

The bag rails are a nice touch and they are truly "safety chrome".  As said earlier they take just a bit of tweaking to get in place, and you will have to buy a couple of spacers at your local hardware store for the mounting on the bottom end. (To difficult to describe but is pretty noticeable once you're installing them.)

The rail on the top trunk is another story altogether; to say the least it is a prickly project.  It is best to to take the trunk off and sit patiently in a comfortable spot.  Tape up the outside of the trunk so you don't scratch up the paint in the MULTIPLE fitting and sizing exercises.  It is sincerely a test of patience to get it just right . . . not kidding.  

The chrome lid covers on the side bags and trunk are pretty easy to install.  Just lay them on there for a while and see what looks right to you.  Mark around the outside of the studs with a pencil and drill away.  

The front fender chrome is easy to put on.  Warning though, the Hondaline (flat front) has a stud on it that requires you to drill a hole front and center of your front fender.  Which means the bike will probably always have that piece of chrome with it.

As  you know there are aftermarket pieces for a variety of looks. What appeals to you is foremost.





 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Add  they look great and will help protect the bags in case of a tip over.

I say add them. I want to but bags are already extended out from spacers for the bags as well as the hitch and don't know if it would work with my setup, but I love the look of them. 

I have a Hitch Doc and the rails work with it

[cookiedough]

Oldfishguy,  LOVE that mostly red with a hint of black 2-tone paint scheme on the Interstate, my favorite of all time and rarely ever seen. 

VERY nicely decked out as well, just be careful in that pic of the VAlk in the snowy parking lot doing donuts.    Looks like ready to head out ice fishing 

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Add  they look great and will help protect the bags in case of a tip over.

I say add them. I want to but bags are already extended out from spacers for the bags as well as the hitch and don't know if it would work with my setup, but I love the look of them. 

I have a Hitch Doc and the rails work with it

Got a close up picture of the spacers for bolts at the fender 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I like the way they look and as stated they help keep boo boo's off the saddlebags.










 

[SpidyJ]

I have an after market set.  I like how they look but the front attachment is cheap clamp on type.
Also, the "Interstate" logo doesn't line up right with the little vertical tube holding the upper and lower bars together.
Got this from the same guy that sold me the trunk bars with the passenger armrests that keep the trunk from opening no matter what position they are in........wouldn't buy either again.
Learned my lesson about fitment and who is making the good stuff!
 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Add  they look great and will help protect the bags in case of a tip over.

I say add them. I want to but bags are already extended out from spacers for the bags as well as the hitch and don't know if it would work with my setup, but I love the look of them. 

I have a Hitch Doc and the rails work with it

Got a close up picture of the spacers for bolts at the fender 

I'm sorry my picture posting ability SUCKS. Basically it is a spacer next to the fender rails then the HitchDoc then another spacer and then the bag mounts along with longer bolts. If I remember correctly I needed to add a couple washers on the bag rail mount at the upper shock mount. ( So the bag didn't rub on the rail). Getting everything lined up by myself was a pain. If I did it again I would have a helper. Hopefully somebody else can post some pics for you.

[~ Timbrwolf]

......Thanks 72Cutlassdude....friend of ours had done this shot first with his Valk,
and I really liked the Idea. I had to sneak down there..(riding on the sidewalk)
and keep an eye out for the cops, while I quick took a bunch of pics, this is one
of the better ones I thought. 



......Hey.....Keep in mind that were doing our 10th Annual ....Q in the woods..
on Saturday, Memorial Day Weekend. You,re more then welcome to come and
bring the wife and friends, and eat way too much food ! .. 

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Add   they look great and will help protect the bags in case of a tip over.

I say add them. I want to but bags are already extended out from spacers for the bags as well as the hitch and don't know if it would work with my setup, but I love the look of them.  

I have a Hitch Doc and the rails work with it

Got a close up picture of the spacers for bolts at the fender  

I'm sorry my picture posting ability SUCKS. Basically it is a spacer next to the fender rails then the HitchDoc then another spacer and then the bag mounts along with longer bolts. If I remember correctly I needed to add a couple washers on the bag rail mount at the upper shock mount. ( So the bag didn't rub on the rail). Getting everything lined up by myself was a pain. If I did it again I would have a helper. Hopefully somebody else can post some pics for you.

I get the gist of it. Just gotta shim it out so no contact with the bag which is what I assumed it needed. thanks  

[pais]

Does anyone have the aftermarket bag rails that are currently being sold on Ebay? Wondering what the quality is like and if you are happy with them?
   Thinking about buying a set. Rather go without then buy junk.

[Jess from VA]

PAValker, one more little thing on the front fender guard (should you go with one).  The interstate has reflectors on the fender (std tourer on the radiator sides).  Go back and look the pics over, and see that on interstates, these guards cover part of the reflector, which is no big deal but does not look finished (and I do not know if they touch, but both your and my bikes have the little show chrome stick-on bezel trims on top the reflectors, making them taller).  It looks like a couple moved the reflector up a bit just over the guard (Honda guards).

My supevalk PO took them off and put them back on horizontal instead of vertical, between the rear of the MCE guard and the forks on each side.  It's a nice touch and looks like they came that way.  

[Gavin_Sons]

Does anyone have the aftermarket bag rails that are currently being sold on Ebay? Wondering what the quality is like and if you are happy with them?
   Thinking about buying a set. Rather go without then buy junk.

Mine are said aftermarket. They look good and fit nicely.

[PAVALKER]

Does anyone have the aftermarket bag rails that are currently being sold on Ebay? Wondering what the quality is like and if you are happy with them?
   Thinking about buying a set. Rather go without then buy junk.

Mine are said aftermarket. They look good and fit nicely.

Mine are those ebay after markets as well.   I did download the installation insts for the OEM rails, since I read that there no instructions included.

PAValker, one more little thing on the front fender guard (should you go with one).  The interstate has reflectors on the fender (std tourer on the radiator sides).  Go back and look the pics over, and see that on interstates, these guards cover part of the reflector, which is no big deal but does not look finished (and I do not know if they touch, but both your and my bikes have the little show chrome stick-on bezel trims on top the reflectors, making them taller).  It looks like a couple moved the reflector up a bit just over the guard (Honda guards).

My supevalk PO took them off and put them back on horizontal instead of vertical, between the rear of the MCE guard and the forks on each side.  It's a nice touch and looks like they came that way. 

I see a few moved...that looks good moved.

[Stanley Steamer]

I decided not to get them back when they were easier to get...just makes it harder to clean behind them.....

[BF]

Does anyone have the aftermarket bag rails that are currently being sold on Ebay? Wondering what the quality is like and if you are happy with them?
   Thinking about buying a set. Rather go without then buy junk.

Mine are OEM, but reading on here it seems the consensus is that overall they look pretty good once installed, but they come pre-tweeked, and require a bit of finessing to get them lined up and installed. 

[PAVALKER]

Does anyone have the aftermarket bag rails that are currently being sold on Ebay? Wondering what the quality is like and if you are happy with them?
   Thinking about buying a set. Rather go without then buy junk.

Arrived today.  Unpacked and unwrapped em.....look good quality so far.  I will go down after dinner to see how install might be, and maybe get started at least

I ordered from his website since the pricing on eBay is all over e place.  Price is 176 plus shipping and I ended up at 204 I think.  If the install goes well, I think they might be well worth it.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Does anyone have the aftermarket bag rails that are currently being sold on Ebay? Wondering what the quality is like and if you are happy with them?
   Thinking about buying a set. Rather go without then buy junk.

Arrived today.  Unpacked and unwrapped em.....look good quality so far.  I will go down after dinner to see how install might be, and maybe get started at least

I ordered from his website since the pricing on eBay is all over e place.  Price is 176 plus shipping and I ended up at 204 I think.  If the install goes well, I think they might be well worth it.

Congrats  Looking forward to pics and your impression of them. Hope the install goes well.

[Tundra]

You will like them, I bought the same knock offs for $180 bucks shipped. Nice quality.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

You will like them, I bought the same knock offs for $180 bucks shipped. Nice quality.

Every time I see your bike I admire it......and wonder how you keep it sooooo clean. 

[Tundra]

Thanks Dave,
Florida is a tough bunch. Mine would fall in somewhere behind these guys for clean though.  Grumpy, Silverfox, Bronxboy, Flrider, Larue, they have some clean Valks. If I don't keep it clean they won't let me ride with them.
  Mine is not for daily transportation so it's easy. Wipe down after every ride with either of these.

[PAVALKER]

    true safety chrome.  Install wasn't too bad, key is to set it up loose first then tighten things up.  I think the quality is just fine, looks real good.  I see a need for some minor hardware changes since it didn't come with the exact hardware items listed on the OEM instructions.  Some nuts provided were used as the spacers under the bag.....but I might get longer rear bag bolts with nuts to use instead so the rear bag bolt is back in place. 

Very pleased. 

[Valkjerk]

Pavalker, I have bag rails on both of my Interstates, one with Hondaline and one knockoff and I like and appreciate them but in Stanley's words...."just makes it harder to clean behind them." You'll love them about 99% of the time until you get to the cleaning and polishing. I just grab another beer and try not to hate on them for the next few minutes. LOL

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Pavalker, I have bag rails on both of my Interstates, one with Hondaline and one knockoff and I like and appreciate them but in Stanley's words...."just makes it harder to clean behind them." You'll love them about 99% of the time until you get to the cleaning and polishing. I just grab another beer and try not to hate on them for the next few minutes. LOL

Wouldn't it be easier to just unbolt the 4 saddle bag bolts and remove bags, clean and put back?

[Jess from VA]

Pavalker, I have bag rails on both of my Interstates, one with Hondaline and one knockoff and I like and appreciate them but in Stanley's words...."just makes it harder to clean behind them." You'll love them about 99% of the time until you get to the cleaning and polishing. I just grab another beer and try not to hate on them for the next few minutes. LOL

Wouldn't it be easier to just unbolt the 4 saddle bag bolts and remove bags, clean and put back?

That is not easier.  Unless you are using a power buffer or something.  It's no big deal to work a little slower around the rails.  Now cleaning/polishing the rear wheel, that is a PITA. 

[BradValk48237]

I have the Knock Off Rails and they are good for the price...

I Paid $200 total for them last year on Ebay, I think.

They did take a little finagling, but wasn't that big a deal... Only complaint I have is that there is one of the weld areas that the chrome is a bit dull, but you have to look for it....

So far no other issues.

Brad