Vetter removable hard bag mount on XJ11

[KA1J]

OK... so here's the deal... I obtained a set of Vetter hard bags, the kind that have a lock & key to not only open the bag but to remove the bag from the frame mount. I finally hve the keys for the locks & removed the bags from their locked framework.

Supposedly these were to fit an XS1100 Special which were also supposed to also fit the XJ1100 frame but Noooooo... they don't. I'm going to have to have a welder cut & paste to make them fit. Before I do that, I'd like to see how they're supposed to fit so I can show him a photo of the end result so he can do a decent job.

Anyone have a set of these hard bags on so they can take a photo of the mounted hard bag frame & send it to me?

Thanks!

[ddragon63]

OK... so here's the deal... I obtained a set of Vetter hard bags, the kind that have a lock & key to not only open the bag but to remove the bag from the frame mount. I finally hve the keys for the locks & removed the bags from their locked framework.

Supposedly these were to fit an XS1100 Special which were also supposed to also fit the XJ1100 frame but Noooooo... they don't. I'm going to have to have a welder cut & paste to make them fit. Before I do that, I'd like to see how they're supposed to fit so I can show him a photo of the end result so he can do a decent job.

Anyone have a set of these hard bags on so they can take a photo of the mounted hard bag frame & send it to me?

Thanks!

can you post pics of what you got? that way someone else can see if they have the same thing. I'm not sure what brand my frame structure is. maybe if you posted a pic of what your dealing with we can match you up with a helper better....

[cywelchjr]

Hopefully this will show you what you need to see. This is on a standard, but the difference is just in the actual placement of the mounting points as far as where they are. One of the guys on here I believe actually has the Vetter bags on an XJ though, so should actually have the ability to get a shot of the rack ON an XJ.



Refreshing my memory there are only two mount points on each side. The rear pegs and the rear turn signal mounts, with the turn signals moved to the bag frames. You might notice I have a vertical piece there, it's one remaining piece of the Vetter luggage rack that is an optional part of the bag mount. I use it to provide an extra mounting point for the OEM luggage rack to take load off the rear of the frame and transfer it to the rear peg area instead, making it less likely to crack back there like they are prone to do.

[KA1J]

Hopefully this will show you what you need to see. This is on a standard, but the difference is just in the actual placement of the mounting points as far as where they are. One of the guys on here I believe actually has the Vetter bags on an XJ though, so should actually have the ability to get a shot of the rack ON an XJ.



Refreshing my memory there are only two mount points on each side. The rear pegs and the rear turn signal mounts, with the turn signals moved to the bag frames. You might notice I have a vertical piece there, it's one remaining piece of the Vetter luggage rack that is an optional part of the bag mount. I use it to provide an extra mounting point for the OEM luggage rack to take load off the rear of the frame and transfer it to the rear peg area instead, making it less likely to crack back there like they are prone to do.

Cy, that's a real help. My bag frame looks very much like this. I didn't expect it to fit this way. I can see I think, what I need to do; I need to mount the turn signals back & not leave them where they are. I just propped the bracket frame on the bike with the lower support arm sitting on the threads where the foot pegs sit & kept the bracket in place by propping it on the nozzle of a gas can & took the photos below.

I'll have to splice in some lengthening inserts to make the wires to the signals longer to fit the new location. O was trying to figure out how to connect all the holes in the bracket fit holes on the bike & that top rear hole is where the turn signal mounts.

I wasn't thinking outside the box, I was trying to place it incorrectly.

Here's a photo of the bracket



This is a close up of the lower arm where it will be attached
& it's resting with the end of the bolt in the bracket hole



Here's the bracket resting on the bike and being propped up by the gas can nozzle.



A close-up of where the turn signal will have to be removed and the bolt on the bracket will go where the turn signal is now.



And lastly, here is the bracket resting on the bag & the top hole in the bracket (top left) will have the tail light mounted in it. (Actually this is the bag for the left side & I've been showing photos for the right side bracket).



Thanks to your showing me the placement on your Standard I got it!

Niiiice! I'm going to love this.

[KA1J]

Finally! Done!

Here's what it came out like:

Here's the side view with the Vetter bags on the XJ11



And the rear view with the bags



Here's the rear view with the bags removed (but the mounts in place)



And here's a close up of the rear/side with the mounts in place & the bags off



I thought I could get my Shoei Multitech inside them but no go, I've got a big head & the helmet to match...

Still, plenty of room for most I'll want to carry.

Schweet!

[Schming]

Good Job! Bike looks good! Gotta love it when a plan comes together.

[skids]

Accidental pre-release

I have a set of the vetters. I found that they can release from the clip if you hit a good size bump in the road. I did try to deform the retainer clip so that it is less likely to do that. I ran a strap through the handles and over the seat to mak double-sure I didn't lose one. Is there some other solution to this problem?

[dpotter58]

I have a set of the vetters. I found that they can release from the clip if you hit a good size bump in the road. I did try to deform the retainer clip so that it is less likely to do that. I ran a strap through the handles and over the seat to mak double-sure I didn't lose one. Is there some other solution to this problem?

new springs from vetter. i lost the same one twice, changed the springs and they hold tight. Might be one of the rivets check to be shure thay are good.

[skids]

Thanks! Now I just have to find that web link...

[KA1J]

Thanks! Now I just have to find that web link...

Probably in here somewhere and his email is at the bottom. Nice guy too.

http://www.craigvetter.com/pages/Onl...tore_main.html

[skids]

Thanks. You saved me some time.

[cywelchjr]

I have a set of the vetters. I found that they can release from the clip if you hit a good size bump in the road. I did try to deform the retainer clip so that it is less likely to do that. I ran a strap through the handles and over the seat to mak double-sure I didn't lose one. Is there some other solution to this problem?

Never ever had that happen, no matter how hard of a bump I've hit. Not even getting hit hard enough to throw the bike onto it's side and throw me 7 feet didn't release the bags from the clips. If they release that easy, the clips are worn out and need to be replaced. You can order NEW ones from Craig Vetter on his web site and have them work like new. When working properly they will NOT release without you wanting them to.

BTW, it's a known problem for them to get weak with age, which is why vetter sells a replacement kit for them.

[Barnfresh]

Nice! These bags are handier than a pocket on a shirt... The spring clips Vetter sells now are a better quality spring steel than the originals... Also the rivits are replaced by machine bolts so it's an easy fix.