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Message started by Spiff on 05/21/08 at 07:03:50

Title: My new $10 saddle bags
Post by Spiff on 05/21/08 at 07:03:50

Yes, you read that correctly, $10 saddle bags:

I though this was pretty clever myself, so I thought I’d share it with all of you guys and gals.

So I bought a pair of 12-can coolers at a Goodwill store a while ago for $5 apiece. By unhooking one end of the shoulder strap from one bag and connecting it to the other, I have made a pair of saddle bags that fit just right over the pillion seat of my S40. (See the photo taken from above the seat to see how this arrangement works.)

The front strap that cuts across the seat is held in place by my butt when I’m riding, and the back strap is held in place by a fabric strap that I’ve looped under the set. This works fine for now, but doesn’t look so sharp, so I’m looking to change that set-up. For one thing, I need to do something to align them better as one now sits a little forward than the other.

I may look into sewing clips or Velcro fasteners on to the bags that I can then use to attach them to the fender or to the rear light stems. But honestly, I think it might work without anchoring down the back strap at all.

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/8624/s40bagscroppedsmallma6.jpg

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/1522/s40sidebagcloseupni1.jpg

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/4402/s40topviewbagshn1.jpg

So, here are the pros and cons of my set-up as I see them.

Pros:

* They only cost $10!!! (did I mention that already?)
* Waterproof
* Easy on and off (and when I take them off, they have handy carrying straps)
* They keep 24 cans of ... soda ... cold
* Many pockets to help organize things
* Big enough to carry rain suit, tools, cable lock
* They are a novelty (I get lots of “Why didn’t I think of that?”)
* Chick magnet ... “Those are so cute!”

Cons:

* Easy on and off for thieves, too
* Not big enough to carry touring gear (but who tours on an S40?)

That’s all. I just wanted to share this in case any folks here might also want to try something like this.

Title: Re: My new $10 saddle bags
Post by T Mack 1 on 05/21/08 at 07:13:43

Cool.... (pun intended).

Suggestion, run to the hardware store and get a foot or two of nylon-web strap. Run that under the rear seat, and the make some kind of clips or grommets in the srtap and the bags to secure. (would keep the honest people honest).

Title: Re: My new $10 saddle bags
Post by bill67 on 05/21/08 at 07:25:20

When my wife and I traveled that what we did never had real saddle bags.

Title: Re: My new $10 saddle bags
Post by Starlifter on 05/21/08 at 08:11:25

I did the same thing with a fanny pack, now it's a pillion bag, then I made a fork bag out of an old camera case.

Title: Re: My new $10 saddle bags
Post by serowbot on 05/21/08 at 10:11:08

Nice bags...
Ahhh..,I think you have a tiny boot scuff on your muffler.

Title: Re: My new $10 saddle bags
Post by Spiff on 05/21/08 at 11:59:58

495F48554D58554E3A0 wrote:

Ahhh..,I think you have a tiny boot scuff on your muffler.

I was going to mention that, but then I saw how long my post was already.

Anyway, it seems that on more than one occasion as I've backed my bike into its parking spot in the corner of my garage, the hot muffler makes contact with a roll of black plastic sheeting that I store on a utility shelf.

I've got to stop doing that!

Thanks for the comments, everyone. And Starlifter, I'll be going through some old boxes tonight looking for an old camera case that I think may soon see new life as a fork bag.

Long live cheap accessorizing!

Title: Re: My new $10 saddle bags
Post by Sandy Koocanusa on 05/21/08 at 16:41:47

A very neat idea Spiff. I am getting more and more interested in DIY accessories and mods. Something inside me rebels against paying big bucks for something I can do almost as well (and sometimes better) for less. I think saddle bags are almost to the top of my list, and you've given me some ideas. Thanks!

Title: Re: My new $10 saddle bags
Post by joeh100 on 05/21/08 at 17:35:54

Great minds think alike. The tail bag in the pic below was a cheap travel bag from wally world that I sewed some nylon straps on. It took me a few days to sew them on though >:(

Why are real motorcycle accessories so expensive?

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff64/joeh100/004.jpg