Vetter bags on an XS11

[bikerhawk]

Does anyone have Vetter saddlebags mounted on their XS11? I have a set that I intend to use with both the XS750 and XS11, but I'm having a tough time figuring out the mounting. I've seen the mounts on Ebay a couple times, and I have the same pieces, but it's just not working yet. (Of course, I just bought a welder and am learning to fabricate, so maybe I oughta just shuddup and MAKE it work.)

If anyone has Vetter bags installed and can fire me off some pics to thjazz@sunflower.com, I would greatly appreciate it...in particular, pics of the framework as it is mounted on a standard (are Special and std. rear frames different??).

[Jerry]

Quite a few have Vetter bags mounted on their XS or, in my case, an XJ.

The frame are a bit different from bike to bike, as they use the rear set (footpeg bracket) as a bottom mount. The rear sets differ in location and size from model to model. Top mount should be the same for all XS/XJ units. From memory, I belive the Standards had the rear set closer to the rear wheel, and the Specials and XJ have rear sets that are shorter and closer to the engine.

In my case the racks came from a Standard and I had to add about a 4 inch extension to the bottom mounts to get them to reach to footpeg mount. (Not a big deal, as I used flat stock with a couple holes drilled to take up the space.) Rear turn signals get removed from their stock location and get mounted on the luggage frames, and in my case I had to make up short extension wires to connect the signals to the wiring harness. You should have a cross-bar that goes behind the rear fender and between the two luggage racks. This adds some stability to the installation.

I have a couple photos of my 'modifications' at home, will post them later if you think they would help.

[TonimusMaximus]

My bracket came off of a '79 KZ1000, but I'm doing the same thing that Jerry did. I still need to comandeer one of my friend's welders. But it's practically the same bracket.