Aftermarket Saddlebag Installation on SG

[jetmechmarty]

I have some small Willie & Max slant bags on my bike now. They have seen better days.


The bags are secured to DIY steel rod supports. Anyway, I want to replace the bags over the winter (or sooner).

I found something similar to what is on the bike now. Willie & Max Slant Saddlebags
The Dennis Kirk site says,

Part #: 505929 Possibly fits your active ride: 1980 Yamaha XS1100S Special

I found something I might like better.
Saddlemen Medium Dark Red Highwayman Tattoo Saddlebags
The Dennis Kirk site says,

Part #: 506538 Will not fit your active ride: 1980 Yamaha XS1100S Special

What am I missing? I don't see very many options for this bike. Thoughts?

[DGXSER]

Marty, not sure if THESE fit with the style your looking for, but Steppenwolf has them and they hold plenty and have held up quite well over the years.

[crazy steve]

Marty, the main 'fit' difference in throw-over universal bags is how long the center yoke is, whether or not it's adjustable, and if so by how much. Unfortunately, this is not info you can generally find on the web, you usually have to do more research. Some are designed to used with supports, some aren't, so there's that too.

[jetmechmarty]

I need slant bags due to two-up requirement.

[jetmechmarty]

Steve both of those links have adjustable yokes. The question is how much?

[crazy steve]

Ok, they're adjustable, but you still need to know the minimum/maximum length and from where to where it's measured. Most of these are designed to lay across the rear fender under the seat, but you have 'stuff' on the fender (the TCI) so need a bit more. You should call J&P, they're pretty good about pulling the item and checking it for you before purchase if it's in stock. Measure what you have, then you'll have a basis for comparison.

[MPittma100]

Saddle Bags

Marty,

Try http://www.leatherup.com. They have a lot of bags on their site.

MP

[fredintoon]

I need slant bags due to two-up requirement.

Hi Marty,
it's the rear signals that get in the way of fitting full size bags.
You could move them aft to where a sensible designer should have put them anyway?

[jetmechmarty]

Well Fred, you know me. I like the Special just the way the designers saw it. It's a pretty bike. I hate to muck it up.

The Saddlemen bag is about the same dimension as the Willie & Max bag on there now. The JP Cycle suggestion was spot on. (Thanks, Steve) Apparently, the Saddlemen bag requires a motorcycle specific support. Since there is no such thing for the XS1100SG, Dennis Kirk says it does not fit. If the current bag is the same dimension, my DIY bag supports will be fine. JP Cycle site includes installation instructions. That's a nice touch.

[crazy steve]

Glad it worked... I've found J&P cycle very helpful when going 'off-application' with an item. They can be a bit expensive on some stuff, but sometimes it's worth spending a bit more...

[fredintoon]

Well Fred, you know me. I like the Special just the way the designers saw it. It's a pretty bike. I hate to muck it up. - - -

Hi Marty,
seems to me you can choose between moving the signals and carrying a passenger and their gear but you can't have both.
You only muck it up if you use a Sawzall or a gas axe.
Anything bolted off can be bolted back on again, eh?
And the designers must have never thought that a Special would ever be more than 60 miles from a gas station neither.