New Saddle Bags

[XJ Rob]

I know how much everyone likes pictures so I thought would post a couple of the new saddle bags I installed on my XJ. A friend gave them to me 2 years ago but they wouldn't fit my much smaller 650.



I had to move the rear turn signals back about 8" so I just made a couple brackets. I didn't want to drill holes in the fender just in case I wanted to take them off for any reason.I could just move them back where they were.



Now I have a space for a small overnight bag or anything else, just in case the wife and I get the urge to take off for the weekend.

[tarzan]

Those bags look good on your bike.
I really like the seat.Did you recover it or did you have it rebuilt professionally?

[Larrym]

Hot looking Bags

Nice set-up. Looks like real leather and that's gonna make them a lot more durable.

I'm waiting for Fedex to deliver some used bags. Not real leather but the "looks like leather" from 20 feet away.

I'll have to repair some burn holes in the bottoms of the bags. No big deal cause I'm already set up to do that and the bags are perfect other than the holes in the bottom.

I don't know right now if the bags burned through because they laid on top of the mufflers or because the bags extended down into the hot exhaust flow. Either way I'm going to have to fix the holes and possibly put some extra heat shielding on the bottoms of the bags.

Just curious....Do the bottoms of your bags get hot to the touch?

[Yahman]

WOW! Rob, Your bike gets better looking every time I see it. Looking real sharp, have submitted it for the 2010 calender yet?

Larry

[XJ Rob]

Thanks,
The bags are hand made of leather. Very durable and stiff 3/16 thick. They were originally on a Harley and my friend bought them and put them on his Suzuki Boulevard 800. I'm not sure if they get real hot yet or not. I just installed them yesterday and haven't had a chance to ride because the weather is not cooperating. I'm not one for riding in the rain. But I will post the findings asap. They are a few inches above the mufflers so as long as I'm not stuck in traffic I think they should be ok...I hope.

No Larry, I haven't submitted my bike for the calender. I need to find the right spot/background.

Tarzan.. I ordered the seat "Cover" from ebay. They normally run 89.99 or best offer. I offered 40.00 and they accepted the bid. Took about an hour to install.

[CatatonicBug]

Very nice! They look great on your bike! Having bags makes running errands so much easier! I just used mine today to pick up lunch at Wendy's for me and SWMBO. Without the bags, I'd be SOL.

Larry - Your bags should be delivered Monday, as they arrived at the local FedEx center on Friday. I hope they work out for you!

[Larrym]

Bagless in Blaine

CBug,

"Larry - Your bags should be delivered Monday, as they arrived at the local FedEx center on Friday. I hope they work out for you!"

I know...I know!! I've been tracking them through their trip through cyberspace. Monday is so far away right now!!

I won't drive in the rain either so Murphy sez when I mount mine I'll have to wait just like you, Project1100.

(Grrrr!)

[DGXSER]

Not sure if those bags hang as low as they look like they might or not, but you may want to raise them up if you can.

I had a friend put similar bags on his Virago, left for a 350 mile trip, one way, with his then wife. They put their clothes and such in the bags, which made them ride lower, and half way to his destination the bags caught fire burning the clothes and the bags up. Fortunately the bike was ok, but the clothes and bags were done.

JAT.

Looks awesome though, very nice!!