SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Saddle bag buckle mod
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1273072077

Message started by babyhog on 05/05/10 at 08:07:56

Title: Saddle bag buckle mod
Post by babyhog on 05/05/10 at 08:07:56

I love my saddle bags, but I hated the buckle (well, I liked the looks of the buckle, but I hated using the buckle. Hubby's look like mine, but they have built-in quick-release buckles behind the actual buckle, so you only use the quick-release. Much easier!

So.... I decided to convert mine.
Here's what I started with:
http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx211/babyhog/S40/PIC-0614.jpg

I bought these quick-release buckles that happened to have reflectors attached.
I cut the buckle off at the bottom, wrapped the leather around the bottom of the quick-relase and re-sewed it.
Then I took the top tongue of the flap, folded it through the other half of the quick-release, and added velcro inside the lid of the saddlebag, and on the tongue, and folded it up underneath. So it is still adjustable, by the velcro, if I ever load the bag a little more than normal. Also gives me two little reflectors on the sides of the bags.

What do you think? (sorry for the fuzzy pic...)

http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx211/babyhog/S40/PIC-0612.jpg

http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx211/babyhog/S40/PIC-0615.jpg

Title: Re: Saddle bag buckle mod
Post by jef.savage on 05/05/10 at 11:00:41

Well done. Very nice.

Title: Re: Saddle bag buckle mod
Post by John_D FSO on 05/05/10 at 17:22:07

Very cool! You'd never know they didn't come that way.

Title: Re: Saddle bag buckle mod
Post by kk lewi on 05/06/10 at 15:21:46

awesome! I will deff be doing this. Where'd ya get the quick releases with reflectors?

Title: Re: Saddle bag buckle mod
Post by Routy on 05/07/10 at 04:43:52

Something about that rings a bell, so I did a mod also to something that really irritatad me. It seems like the straps were going over the top of the quick release making them hard to release. I remember cutting the long straps off, and using the large canvas snaps to get it back together. I don't really remember what it looked like before, but here it is after.
Yours looks more original (very nice)
http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2010/05/07/bikepics-1969192-200.jpg
oops !
http://p1.bikepics.com/pics/2010/05/07/bikepics-1969192-full.jpg

Title: Re: Saddle bag buckle mod
Post by babyhog on 05/07/10 at 05:45:39

I bought the buckles at Joann Fabrics, although I don't see them on their website. Also got the Industrial Strength sticky-back velcro there. Its holding very well.

Title: Re: Saddle bag buckle mod
Post by Duane on 06/14/10 at 02:14:31

What kind of bracket did you use behind your bags?

Title: Re: Saddle bag buckle mod
Post by babyhog on 06/14/10 at 07:04:02

Duane,
We made my brackets, just bent 1/4" (maybe 3/8") solid steel round rod, and threaded the ends, hooked a piece of flat bar behind the side rail and bolted them on. Painted them flat black. Here are a few pictures.

http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx211/babyhog/S40/PIC-0669.jpg

http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx211/babyhog/S40/PIC-0668.jpg

http://i757.photobucket.com/albums/xx211/babyhog/S40/PIC-0670.jpg

Title: Re: Saddle bag buckle mod
Post by earlytimz on 06/14/10 at 10:09:55

Wow Piglet, you do some fine work!! I don't blame you for getting rid of those dag-gone buckles, they sure are a pain!

Title: Re: Saddle bag buckle mod
Post by Phelonius on 06/14/10 at 10:32:06

I have a set of bags on my TW200 that have the steel buckle and the plastic snap fastener under it.
The steele buckle looks good abd allows tightening adjustments and also hides the snap fastener that is under it.

Phelonius

Title: Re: Saddle bag buckle mod
Post by kimchris1 on 06/14/10 at 11:07:57

Nice job Piglet. I really like the modification you made to the buckles.
Were you able to do this on your regular sewing machine or did you use an upholstery one?

I like the reflectors as well. Maybe you could start making saddlebags? Piglet's bags. ;) kim

Title: Re: Saddle bag buckle mod
Post by babyhog on 06/14/10 at 11:33:51

Ha! Thanks. I sewed them by hand! With an upholstery needle.

I am working on a tank bib. Have the basic shape cut out and fitted. Looking for the right leather (pleather, vinyl, whatever) to use. I plan to sew a pocket on it for my cell phone, eye drops, etc. Already bought a leather punch and found some black jute... in the works. Will take pics as I get going a little more.

Title: Re: Saddle bag buckle mod
Post by kimchris1 on 06/14/10 at 11:49:59

Well keep us informed along with pics on your progress with the tank bib. Maybe you will get a few orders for your handiwork.. :)

Title: Re: Saddle bag buckle mod
Post by Duane on 06/14/10 at 20:21:54

Those look great, I would love a set of those. You ever thought of making a set to sell? ;)

Title: Re: Saddle bag buckle mod
Post by Jay on 06/15/10 at 01:02:58

Great work! Looks like they came that way.

Title: Re: Saddle bag buckle mod
Post by babyhog on 06/15/10 at 05:56:34

6352464942270 wrote:

Those look great, I would love a set of those. You ever thought of making a set to sell? ;)

The brackets? They were really easy. You could do it. We had a similar set on his Vulcan, so that was where the idea came from. My husband bent the rod by hand... laid it on a brick wall and just folded it over. I did the measuring, he did the bending. One point I will make though, is the leg that runs directly from the fender to the first bend is longer on the left side, to clear the belt. We made both sides, then took a second to realize the difference... duh.

I might be able to talk him into making another set....

Title: Re: Saddle bag buckle mod
Post by babyhog on 06/15/10 at 05:58:28

6C677F6A763737060 wrote:

Great work! Looks like they came that way.

Thanks! And now that I have used them for a while, I can report that I still love them. Much easier!