SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> The Cafe >> Simple solution for my luggage needs
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1525513223

Message started by IslandRoad on 05/05/18 at 02:40:22

Title: Simple solution for my luggage needs
Post by IslandRoad on 05/05/18 at 02:40:22

I like to ride unencumbered! However, necessity dictates that sometimes I need a bit of storage. I've tried saddlebags, They were handy, but I just couldn't stand the way they changed the look of the bike, especially after you allow enough clearance for the belt guard. I thought about a sissy-bar - but I really am fussy about the look (the stock one is not for me). I know a guy, who knows a guy, that specialises in custom sissy-bars - quote=$500 ... umm, No!

Maybe my obsession with the appearance is a handicap, but hey, that's who I am!

Aaaand, I have a big backpack which is handy, but .... that is the opposite of 'unencumbered'!

I finally found a solution that suits my needs, and my aesthetic predilection!

The bag is from Nelson Riggs. It's a 15 Litre, flexible, waterproof, cylinder. It has D Rings for the straps to go through (it comes with four straps). You seal the velcro on the end, roll it two times, then close the clips ... which make a nice handle.

The other day I found some eye-bolts at the hardware store that have the 'female' end, instead of the 'male' end, which is good because I'm running a 140/90 15 rear tyre, and clearance can be an issue on the inside of the rear fender.

The eye-bolts have an M8 thread. The're good looking stainless steel, with a kind of dull, metallic look. I attached them with some M8 - 16 mm Allen key button head bolts ... and copious amounts of 'Loktite'.

It does look a bit like I gave the old-girl ear-rings on her hips, but at least they match the round bar-end mirrors - you know ... they're round too!

The D-rings on the bag match up perfectly with the 'rear' most bolt-hole from the fender-rail, and the key-way hole near the rear of the fender. The D-rings on the bag mean that I don't have to yank the straps to hard ... that bag ain't going anywhere. That's a good thing because the rear hole is simply through the fender, it's not reinforced like the three holes near the seat.

BTW, I whacked a bit of adhesive weather-strip on the base of the eye-bolts, because I made the mistake previously of bolting aluminium tie-down rods straight onto the fender, and scratching up the paint.

Title: Re: Simple solution for my luggage needs
Post by IslandRoad on 05/05/18 at 02:41:27

Title: Re: Simple solution for my luggage needs
Post by IslandRoad on 05/05/18 at 02:41:48

Title: Re: Simple solution for my luggage needs
Post by IslandRoad on 05/05/18 at 02:42:02

***

Title: Re: Simple solution for my luggage needs
Post by IslandRoad on 05/05/18 at 02:42:26

****

Title: Re: Simple solution for my luggage needs
Post by IslandRoad on 05/05/18 at 02:48:03

One last note, Obviously I have removed the chrome "eyebrows" from the rear fender.

I've also previously moved the turn signals, and tail light, to the license plate bracket, and reduced the height of the pillion seat by about 50%

Just sharing ;) ...

Title: Re: Simple solution for my luggage needs
Post by Steve H on 05/06/18 at 10:51:10

Those eyebolts look the trick for keeping something fastened to the back of the bike. Not too obtrusive when not in use but very handy when needed. Won't snag the pants of pillion rider either, if you ever have one. That's a great idea.

Title: Re: Simple solution for my luggage needs
Post by Serowbot on 05/06/18 at 12:20:07

Earrings,... she looks a bit of a pirate... ;D
Nice solution... 8-)

Title: Re: Simple solution for my luggage needs
Post by verslagen1 on 05/06/18 at 13:08:05

I've had them on my front rail bolts.
but I didn't get the shiny ones... dull black for me.

Title: Re: Simple solution for my luggage needs
Post by IslandRoad on 05/07/18 at 00:38:08

I know, in hindsight, it seems like a really simple thing. But honestly I had tried strapping stuff to the back of the bike before, and it's kind hard to get it to stay put!! The Nelson Rigg bag has D rings on it, so you're not really strapping it down, so much as just tying it off. That's a good thing because the hole at the rear of the fender is not really reinforced, so you don't wanna be yanking the strap too hard back there ;)

Title: Re: Simple solution for my luggage needs
Post by LANCER on 05/07/18 at 08:25:31

NICE ;)