I have the Slanted bags that Suzuki made in 2002 on my bike, and while they can be used as toss overs, I put them on under the pillion seat. Originally, they were good, with time, that center piece stretched a bitm making them hang too low.

That center connecting piece came with 4 holes in it. So, 2 years ago I put a heavy shoelace thru them and used it to 'shorten' up that center piece so they don't hang so low. Yesterday, I removed pillion seat and bags, and those little holes have now torn a bit.

Anyway, wondering what original purpose of those little holes is. There's nothing under the pillion seat that would match up with them.

How else do folks install these bags on their bike? Over or under pillion seat? If over, I'm guessing it is so you can take on/off easily, so how do you secure them to the bike when 'tossed over' the pillion seat.

Today I'm doing saddlebag repair to the buckle straps. Going to sew some nylon web strap inside the straps to reinforce, then punch matching holes so it buckles, flame the nylon briefly to seal up frayed edges. I did one side 2 years ago, still an excellent job. Now doing the other side because the straps are tearing, but bags still pretty good.

I may also sew some nylon webbing (using 2 pieces) under that center piece to reinforce, and possibly shorten it up somewhat as well, more permanently than the shoelace, don't know about that yet.

Thanks for any info.

Gerry

Dynobob wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:01:


Hey, that's MY bike! Really, same thing. Your wheels sure are shiny. I have't had mine that clean in a while. That will be another job once spring comes. What do you use to clean & polish? Anything special? Besides elbow grease, I mean... The wheels are always the hardest to do, but when you do it sure pays off. Your bike is a beauty! 8) 8)

Thanks for the thoughts on the little holes. Yes, seems logical that's what they're for.

Gerry

Chench53 wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:01:

No Gerry, that's MY bike !  

I must confess the bike was pretty new when that picture was taken. I think it had been waxed before the pic too

I love Meguiars Car Cleaner Wax in the red bottle. If you have any rust on the wheels or spokes, lightly hit it with some 0000 steel wool. A small amount of Simichrome will shine everything up, but you must use it sparingly. It is quite abrasive and it will polish through chrome over time (I did this to some car wheels years ago). A nice coat of Meguiars will put a serious shine on the chrome (as well as the paint).

For spokes that are prone to rusting, I like to hit them with  0000 steel wool and put a thin coat of grease on them. Wax just won't keep ahead of the rust and is a PIA to apply to spokes.

Thanks for the compliments. I've since added a Suzuki tank bib and a Supertrapp exhaust. It's still pretty clean.

That IS a clean bike, and I am glad to see someone named DYNOBob opted for it. I am hoping some one w/ access to a dyno will offer a jet setup for the Trapp.  

Dinobob wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:01: