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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Hard Bags for the Savage?
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Message started by Savage Librarian on 12/15/05 at 16:02:38

Title: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by Savage Librarian on 12/15/05 at 16:02:38

Well, I got rained on yeterday. Hard. And I finally ound a flaw in my "ebay special" saddlebags that paid $12 for (including shipping). They fill up with water. And then soak it up like a sponge. Result? They're still wet. Which got me thinking about a set of hardbags. The best review I've ever found for a set was actually a couple army surplus .50 cal ammo boxes. Wondering if anyone else had some fun making their own? Of knows of any fairly inexpensive hard bags that'll fit the Savage? I know I've seen pictures of Savages with hardbags mounted...

Title: Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by sluggo on 12/15/05 at 16:11:43

max has a nice set that he threw together check out the photo in the second bike thread, i just loaded it up there.

Title: Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by short round on 12/15/05 at 22:00:38

It may be my bike with hardbags that you saw pictures of. I bought the bags used in about 1982 at an independent bike shop in Oklahoma. I checked it out from a previous inquiry and learned the company went backrupt years ago. Sorry this doesn't help you but now you know not to waste time looking for what I have. I've always wondered about using a mesh as a frame and hand building a trunk (or bags) of fiberglass or bondo or whatever. Don't know if anybody has tried it or if you could do it and make them look good. I do really like the hard bags though. Good luck.

Title: I Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by mornhm on 12/16/05 at 05:25:39

I looked around and didn't find anything "off the shelf." Suzuki does make a rear shelf (which goes on really easily), but I don't know if I'd want a hard bag attached to it.

Givi makes some nice stuff, but nothing that bolts on to a Savage. I'm guessing with some machining and mechanical skill a kit could be made pretty easy based on the Savage.

If I was going to attach hard bag(s) especially a trunk, I think I'd either want to replace the rear seat, or somehow get it attached to the frame. So I made the decision to go with a cloth bag and just accept the fact that it wasn't waterproof. The upside is that it is a snap (OK two snaps ;) ) to remove and install. It does use the "sissy bar" on the Savage which you have to add to an S40.

Title: Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by Savage_Rob on 12/16/05 at 06:15:24

Paladin has some really sweet Leatherlyke bags.

http://www.bikepics.com/pics/pics/suzuki-savage-00-bikepics-309078.jpg

I have a trunk I bought on eBay for $30 that I've seen at JCWhitney for around $70, I think. I have it in the garage at the moment. It's a tad large for my everyday use but nice for longer rides and only takes me about 10 minutes to swap it out. Below is an image of how that used to look.

http://www.bikepics.com/pics/pics/suzuki-savage-98-bikepics-372875.jpg

Currently I'm using a .50 cal ammo box painted with Rustoleum's hammered metal black. Some will think it's ugly. I like it.

http://www.bikepics.com/pics/pics/suzuki-savage-98-bikepics-439937.jpg

Title: Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by mornhm on 12/16/05 at 07:55:27

Rob -

That looks like the Suzuki shelf under that ammo can. Is it? How many miles do you have on that mod? Did you bolt thru the can or did you weld/braze studs/nuts on? I've seen your pictures before and have been mulling around doing the same thing.

Any downsides? Cracking shelf or brackets?

I was figuring on putting in a shelf or something plastic like a fishing tackle box to keep the clutter down to a minimum.

I guess I'll have to go to a gun show to pick up another ammo can ;)

Incidently I think it goes with the Savage very well. Better than the leather side bags.

Title: Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by Richard Amirault on 12/16/05 at 08:59:17

Savage_Rob wrote:

Paladin has some really sweet Leatherlyke bags.

http://www.bikepics.com/pics/pics/suzuki-savage-00-bikepics-309078.jpg

HEY! I just noticed your registration plate ... COOL!!

Richard in Boston, MA, USA

Title: Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by Savage_Rob on 12/16/05 at 11:50:00

mornhm wrote:

It is the Suzuki luggage rack. I had to drill a few holes through it and the box. I used neoprene washers between the box and the rack to dampen vibration and keep it waterproof. I used cap nuts with Loctite to discourage easy removal without access to the bolt itself (from inside the box). I have had no problems whatsoever except having to get used to the occasional rattle from the padlock assembly (http://www.majorsurplusnsurvival.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=086167&Category_Code=48). I wrapped one end of the lock's L-bracket with rubber tape and it cut it down considerably.

Title: Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by Paladin on 12/16/05 at 12:24:59

Richard Amirault wrote:

HEY! I just noticed your registration plate ... COOL!!

ummmm.... Editted photo. I cheat alot.

Title: Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by mmosel on 12/16/05 at 23:34:15

I notice you have a flyscreen. How do you like it?
Is it really noticable when you ride?

Title: Re: Flyscreen for the Savage
Post by Paladin on 12/17/05 at 05:16:50

PerryDaSavage also has one, and reports similarly:

The flyscreen breaks the airflow below mid-chest so that wind pressure is no longer trying to push you off the bike at 60 mph+. There is a slight increase in pressure at face level from the diverted airflow.

Title: Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by mmosel on 12/17/05 at 15:31:18

Cool thanks. I'm thinking about getting one at some point.

As for hard bags, I've seen some nice ones on ebay lately. You can get a nice pair with universal mounts for under $100. They look pretty spiffy. Add a small hardcase on the back and you're set. Add another softpack on the back seat and you're loaded.

Title: Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by s40-Rob on 12/24/05 at 18:08:43

Savage Rob, you have the rear carrier you purchased from ebay. What is it constructed of? Dimensions? I really like the look of it and am interested in purchasing one myself, and painting to match bike.

Title: Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by Max_Morley on 12/24/05 at 23:29:53

Max's were a display set that was complete but application unknown. I was able to use some of the brackets and made some out of flat iron painted silver. They seemed to be water tight enough on the trip in the rain and snow to the FSSNOC Rally in Lander Wy, 03. I wanted some large enough to put a plastic grocery sack in, or a 12 pac, old style of pop or beer. I then put a luggage rack, again from a cycle salvage yard, in place of the passenger pillion and bought a GIVI trunk for that. Works for me as I can get 4 grocery (lightly loaded) sacks in the bags and 2 refrigeration (long skinny 12 pacs of pop) style pop cans in the trunk plus more on top of them. I've hauled lots of stuff on the rack with bungies, can't find the pictures, but have hauled home a 3 ft long by 18" x 18" hot tub floating cover in a box one time and a lazer transit from the rental place another. I've taken ATV/golf cart tires to town and back for fixing, as uo can see any excuse for a 'scoot'. It really helps to have the weight on the back fender and forward some of the rear axle, as it doesn't try to lighten the front end at all. e-mail me direct for a pciture. Max

Title: Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by Savage_Rob on 12/26/05 at 12:42:22

s40-Rob wrote:

JCWhitney carries the same trunk, so I'll give you that link to see the trunk. I noticed they had a few others too. It's basically black plastic. It seems like PVC but I can't say for sure. It's pretty sturdy though. It's very smooth/glossy so you'd probably have to rough it up a bit if you want to paint it. It also has a black rubber backrest pad attached to it.

TRAVEL TRUNK WITH BACKREST AND SPOILER (http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/showCustom-0/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2002500/c-10111/Nty-1/p-2002500/Ntx-mode+matchallpartial/N-10111/tf-Browse/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=trunk)

Oh I also had to get a piece of aluminum plate to extend the luggage rack a bit to provide adequate support for the trunk.

Title: Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by s40-Rob on 01/01/06 at 17:21:59

Thanks for the info.

Title: Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by deebeeriz bitter on 01/13/06 at 00:30:00

i have just fitted givi bags to my savage. i used a universal fitting kit e21 cruiser bags. i had to drill one hole in the side rail each side. the fitting kit came with indicators, as i had to remove mine. i would have mounted it differently with hindsite.i would have used the bolt from inside the guard that holds the sissy bar to go right through to the givi bracket. by drilling out the side rail and using a spacer the same size as the sissy bar inbetween. i get lots of looks because they do look good. have yet to install a top box

Title: Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by Savage_Rob on 01/13/06 at 06:12:38

deebeeriz bitter wrote:

Pictures please!

Title: Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by simplyput2600 on 01/13/06 at 07:21:40

you can get ammo cans at www.cheaperthandirt.com they also have a store location in Ft Worth, TX on loop 820 and 35W. any how Savage_Rob i noticed the Mount Vernon, TX post office in the background, i hail from Denton, TX. Any how here is another question how did you put the lock on the ammo can did you have to fabricate that?

Title: Re: Hard Bags for the Savage?
Post by Savage_Rob on 01/13/06 at 09:25:09

simplyput2600 wrote:

Ammo cans are available from a lot of surplus places. One of them also markets these little beauties (http://www.majorsurplusnsurvival.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=086167&Category_Code=48). Nice in its simplicity and utility. The lock is cheesy so I picked up a Master Lock at Home Depot for it. You could fabricate it but it's cheap already made. Oh, the Mt. Vernon pics are from a Ride to the Mountain day we had a few months back. The guys in WA decided to ride to Mt. St. Helens and the rest of us picked a mount or mountain near us... whether that was Mt. Vernon, TX or Mt. Sinai Hospital and we all went on the same day. You can find the pics folks posted if you search back. I live in Garland, just east of Dallas.