Best place for XJ11 leather saddlebags?

[FSCGunslinger]

Just like the subject says, I'm looking for the best website to buy a set of leather saddlebags (and mounts) for my (very near) future XJ 1100 Maxim. I don't suppose by looking at the pics here that you all could tell me if I will need to move the rear blinker lights, would ya?

I like the little ones that hang in front of the bars, too.

[trbig]

The best website is probably the one the bike is on. As far as I know, nobody makes a set of bags specifically for the XJ. They are fairly universal, and you'll need to do some trimming to allow for the seat latches. You also adjust them to what height you want them at. The set I have are fairly large, I can put two gallons of milk in each one, and I didn't have to move my back lights. Just keep in mind that you will probably lose access to your rear footpegs with a set, and you'll have to do some readjustment over time to keep them off your pipes.


Tod

[FSCGunslinger]

Originally posted by trbig
The best website is probably the one the bike is on. As far as I know, nobody makes a set of bags specifically for the XJ. They are fairly universal, and you'll need to do some trimming to allow for the seat latches. You also adjust them to what height you want them at. The set I have are fairly large, I can put two gallons of milk in each one, and I didn't have to move my back lights. Just keep in mind that you will probably lose access to your rear footpegs with a set, and you'll have to do some readjustment over time to keep them off your pipes.


Tod

So how do people with saddlebags accept riders?

I will need to have saddlebag mounts, though, right? They're not something I just buy and throw on... I don't think.

[COOL TOM]

Saddlebags

My boy has a set on his XJ, he moved his turn signals to the license plate. He can still ride someone with him while they are on.
He got his at a yard sale. To mount them on license plate you just make a small bracket out of a 1/8 by 1 inch strap.
I also have hard bags and trunk on my XJ. My bags and trunk came off a 72 750 Honda. So with a little tinkering you can make them fit. Just tell anyone that knows anything about bikes what you are looking for and you will be surprised at the stuff you can find. I have found 18 XS/XJs and parts within 25 mile radius of me.
Guy just told me last night where i can get a full dresser at, been in garage many years he said. It is about 10 miles away.

[trbig]

That's the good thing about leather bags... no mounting hardware or anything. You just throw it over the middle under your seat. Each bag consists of a bag with a large flap on top of it with several holes in it. You just lace these two flaps together at whatever position to get the bags at the right height. Like I said, the XJ seat latches in and there's two hooks that you will have to cut circles out of the leather to accomodate them.

I prefer the looks of the bike without them, but they are SOOOO handy on trips, or even getting to hop on the bike to run to the store for a few groceries or something. But again, it takes less than a minute to remove the seat and pull the bags off... not so with a set of hard bags.

You can see from this old pic where mine sit so I didn't have to move the rear turn signals. You can also see that if you do move them (The turn signals), you'll have several inches more to move the bags back... which would expose the rear pegs to be used. I just never ride 2-up.... nobody crazy enough to ride with me!

[planedick]

JC Whitney

Has a large selection in their new Motorcycle catalog.

[Kurt]

...how do people with bags accept riders?

Most people can bend their knees pretty far back. AND if you mount the bags just right, you can force the ladys a little closer to ya!


Sorry... couldn't resist.

[FSCGunslinger]

Originally posted by trbig
That's the good thing about leather bags... no mounting hardware or anything. You just throw it over the middle under your seat. Each bag consists of a bag with a large flap on top of it with several holes in it. You just lace these two flaps together at whatever position to get the bags at the right height. Like I said, the XJ seat latches in and there's two hooks that you will have to cut circles out of the leather to accomodate them.

Please forgive my ignorance... what keeps the leather bags from hitting the rear wheel on turns if there's no bracket/mount?

[Kurt]

That's why they have to be so far forward. They rest on the shocks.

[erithanis]

What do you guys do if anything to keep them from flying to the sides like wings when there isn't much cargo? They aren't horizontal but they move pretty far from the side of the bike. I just worry that I'll not notice one time and catch them on something I pass close to; like when splitting cars.

I haven't found an ideal solution yet. Preferably something I can easily detach the bags from and leave on the bike when not in use.

[trbig]

I just use some long zip ties... I have a bunch of them. I drilled a small hole in the bottom seam of the bag and ran the zip tie through that and around the shock. If you are a packrat like me though, and feel the need to carry enough crap in them to be able to swap a motor out on the side of the road, the weight keeps them down..

[FSCGunslinger]

Ok, so I don't need to buy any specific bags for my XJ. Is there a maximum height I should worry about? I've got a 4-1 exhaust.

Also, if I want to be able to use my rear pegs (for carrying people), I do need to...

1.) ...add mounts to keep the bags from hitting the wheel, and...

2.) ...re-mount my rear blinkers further back, correct?

[DiverRay]

That is correct. The rear turn signals are easy, as you can make a bracket, or buy some of the new small signals and install them. For the wheels, I bent some 3/8" steel brake line to shape, and installed it between the bags and the bike. I mounted it to the rack, ran down and then forward to the frame just below the side cover. Keeps the bags off the tire and shocks.
If you look at the "Tahoe" rally pics, you can just see the black line from the tube.

[FSCGunslinger]

Originally posted by DiverRay
That is correct. The rear turn signals are easy, as you can make a bracket, or buy some of the new small signals and install them. For the wheels, I bent some 3/8" steel brake line to shape, and installed it between the bags and the bike. I mounted it to the rack, ran down and then forward to the frame just below the side cover. Keeps the bags off the tire and shocks.
If you look at the "Tahoe" rally pics, you can just see the black line from the tube.

Is it this pic?

[DiverRay]

That's it. You can just see the black line across the shock. A bit of flat stock can be made to do the same thing. The rear mount on an XJ could be someplace on the back of the frame, near the mount for the grab bar. You can also see the location of the rear turn signals. That was also a home made mount, although they do come up on ebay now and then.