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  • #1

    Background/Saddle Bag Mounting

    As I am relatively new to the XS11 forum and the ownership of a 1979 Yamaha XS 1100 Special, I figured I would throw out the "feelers".

    I bought the bike in August 2010 with only 5800 original miles. The bike looked, and it was confirmed to me that it sat in a barn for 25 years. It came with a set of hard saddle bags and a trunk. They are not in my taste. (Neither were the air horns and 3"x4" fog lights on the crash bars). I found an add for a decent pair of Sportster saddle bags for 20 bucks.

    MY CONCERN IS:

    If I buy these soft saddle bags, how should I go about mounting the saddle bags to the bike without interfering with anything (ie, the swingarm, wheel, etc.) Did Yamaha make a kit for soft saddle bags?

    I have checked eBay with no result. I figure you are the people to talk to.

    Thanks, Bob.
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Pretty much with any aftermarket bags, you will have to adapt them as there isn't much (if any) available. Once you have the bags on, you can see what needs to be done. The shocks will probably keep the bags from swinging in and hitting the wheel. An inner bar bracket could also be easily fabricated to keep them in place.
    2H7 (79) owned since '89
    3H3 owned since '06

    "If it ain't broke, modify it"

    ☮

    Comment

    • #3
      Originally posted by rwk5159 View Post
      ...If I buy these soft saddle bags, how should I go about mounting the saddle bags to the bike without interfering with anything (ie, the swingarm, wheel, etc.) Did Yamaha make a kit for soft saddle bags?
      I never saw any soft bag brackets for the XS (not saying any didn't exist, just never saw any) as most owners opted for the factory hard bags.

      On Sportsters, if the bags have a rigid inner side (that faces the shocks, wheel) to maintain shape, you can just flop them over and go. Downside to this is the bags will rub as stuff moves and you'll probably end up wearing holes in the bags as well as wearing paint/chrome off where they contact.

      Most use saddlebag brackets like these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Saddl...Q5fAccessories (for '82-93 models) that hold the bags away from the shocks. For the XS, you'd have to fabricate something similar. The easiest method would be to reuse the brackets you have, and just figure out a way to hang the soft bags off of them.

      Or just paint the hard bags flat black for a 'leather look'.

      Anyway, my .02 worth....
      Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two

      '78E original owner - resto project
      '78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
      '82 XJ rebuild project
      '80SG restified, red SOLD
      '79F parts...
      '81H more parts...

      Other current bikes:
      '93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
      '86 XL883/1200 Chopper
      '82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
      Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
      Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...

      Comment

      • #4
        I used soft bags for a short time, and draped them UNDER the seat. I had to cut a hole in the strap for the seal mounting bolts, but that wasn't an issue. The bags had a tie that I tied to the shock springs, and that kept them in place with no issues. the only problem I had was when I loaded some heavy stuff in them for a long ride, and they stretched down and sat on the muffler. It melted a hole in the fake leather (and the 2-liter soda bottle inside).

        Don't toss any of that stuff you took off, because that all sounds like stuff many people would LOVE to have on their bikes.
        1980 XS850SG - Sold
        1981 XS1100LH Midnight Special (Sold) - purchased 9/29/08
        Fully Vetterized and Dynojet Kit added, Heated Grips, Truck-Lite LED headlight, Accel Coils, Irridium plugs, TKAT Fork Brace, XS850LH Final Drive & Black SS Brake lines from Chacal.
        Here's my web page devoted to my bike! XS/XJ User's Manuals there, and the XJ1100 Service Manual and both XS1100 Service manuals (free download!).

        Whether you think you can, or you think you cannot - You're right.
        -H. Ford

        Comment

        • #5
          I made a tee shaped bracket that bolted on to the frame for my soft bags. I would recommend finding a friend with a welder and some fabrication skills as anything I found had to be modified to fit. I relocated my rear directionals so it made it easier for me to mount the bags higher and out of the way for my passenger. Good luck.
          Just ME and my 82 XJ 1100. Mac 4>1-2 1/2" open baffle shotgun, no octy, K&N pod filters, LED tail/brake light & directionals, 750 FD mod, Ear Cannon air horn, modified bars and dash. "Motorcyclists are all bound together by a brotherhood tie through their love of the sport, and what difference does it make what machine he rides as long as he belongs to the clan." Walter Davidson, Dec. 1920 edition of Harley-Davidson Enthusiast Magazine http://s851.photobucket.com/albums/ab78/justme1100/

          Comment

          • #6
            No soft cases were ever offered for these scoots. Only soft part are the zipper soft bags that go inside the trunks of which I still have. Lots of soft bags out there that are like panyards, either over seat or across under seat setup.
            81H Venturer1100 "The Bentley" (on steroids) 97 Yamaha YZ250(age reducer) 92 Honda ST1100 "Twisty"(touring rocket) Age is relative to the number of seconds counted 'airing' out an 85ft. table-top.

            Comment

            • #7
              From Barn to Black Asphalt

              Originally posted by CatatonicBug View Post
              I used soft bags for a short time, and draped them UNDER the seat. I had to cut a hole in the strap for the seal mounting bolts, but that wasn't an issue. The bags had a tie that I tied to the shock springs, and that kept them in place with no issues. the only problem I had was when I loaded some heavy stuff in them for a long ride, and they stretched down and sat on the muffler. It melted a hole in the fake leather (and the 2-liter soda bottle inside).

              Don't toss any of that stuff you took off, because that all sounds like stuff many people would LOVE to have on their bikes.
              C-bug's "old" bags are still in service with no "special" efforts/brackets installed:

              http://www.xs11.com/forum/showpost.p...0&postcount=18

              I see the fact that you are showing "concern" for any complications and doing that "look before you leap" as an indication that the barn find has a fighting chance to be roadworthy/safe. (Huzzah!!!)

              Comment

              • #8
                Originally posted by Larrym View Post
                I see the fact that you are showing "concern" for any complications and doing that "look before you leap" as an indication that the barn find has a fighting chance to be roadworthy/safe. (Huzzah!!!)
                It's an amazing barn find as far as I'm concerned.

                Comment

                • #9
                  Background/saddlebag mounting

                  RWK,

                  Have any interest in selling the trunk that came with your bike? I have some bags already, but could really use the trunk. Thanks- Jamak

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Originally posted by rwk5159 View Post
                    I bought the bike in August 2010 with only 5800 original miles. The bike looked, and it was confirmed to me that it sat in a barn for 25 years. It came with a set of hard saddle bags and a trunk. They are not in my taste. (Neither were the air horns and 3"x4" fog lights on the crash bars). I found an add for a decent pair of Sportster saddle bags for 20 bucks.
                    If I buy these soft saddle bags, how should I go about mounting the saddle bags to the bike without interfering with anything (ie, the swingarm, wheel, etc.)
                    Thanks, Bob.
                    Hi Bob,
                    just sling them across the rear half of the seat and hold them on with a bunjie.
                    Check if they sag down onto the mufflers. If they clear, you are golden.
                    If they want to sit there and melt onto the exhaust, sell them on, shorten the joining strap, or in the worst case you are only out $20.
                    If the bike sat for 25 years fer chrissake put new tires on it.
                    And loud horns are a good thing. What kinda air horns are on there?
                    FYI, a Stebel-Nautilus dual air horn puts out 139dB.
                    Fred Hill, S'toon
                    XS11SG with Spirit of America sidecar
                    "The Flying Pumpkin"

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Originally posted by fredintoon View Post
                      And loud horns are a good thing. What kinda air horns are on there?
                      FYI, a Stebel-Nautilus dual air horn puts out 139dB.
                      There is this one. Comes in Chrome or black and this is the cheapest I have ever seen it usually the black is 45-50.

                      http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Bad-Bo...rns,36099.html
                      Nathan
                      KD9ARL

                      μολὼν λαβέ

                      1978 XS1100E
                      K&N Filter
                      #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                      OEM Exhaust
                      ATK Fork Brace
                      LED Dash lights
                      Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
                      Green Monster Coils
                      SS Brake Lines
                      Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                      In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                      Theodore Roosevelt

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Originally posted by natemoen View Post
                        There is this one. Comes in Chrome or black and this is the cheapest I have ever seen it usually the black is 45-50.

                        http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Bad-Bo...rns,36099.html
                        Hi Nate,
                        looks just like my Stebel-Nautilus:-
                        http://www.bikerhiway.com/stebel-nau...de-p-1457.html
                        Fred Hill, S'toon
                        XS11SG with Spirit of America sidecar
                        "The Flying Pumpkin"

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Interesting!
                          Nathan
                          KD9ARL

                          μολὼν λαβέ

                          1978 XS1100E
                          K&N Filter
                          #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                          OEM Exhaust
                          ATK Fork Brace
                          LED Dash lights
                          Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
                          Green Monster Coils
                          SS Brake Lines
                          Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                          In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                          Theodore Roosevelt

                          Comment

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