Hi guys (and gals  )  Question for all...

I just got a set of Suzuki saddle bag brackets at the shop I go to and was wondering how difficult it is to install them.  My thinking is take the bike there install them in the parking lot and then try on some saddle bags to get a good fit.  If I find something I like I can ride out of there with them installed  .

I am kind of a visual guy, I like pictures when I work on mechanical things but I can't find any good diagrams to show me what I am getting into.

Any advice/pitfalls would be appreciated, my bike is an '86 Savage if that matters.  The guys at the shop say it shouldn't be a big deal to install them but if it is better to do in my garage than the parking lot there I would like to know.

I did mine by jacking up the bike and getting the rear wheel off the ground then it is easy to get your arm in and take off the bolts. do not have pics wife's camara is not working right

From some descriptions of the installations,  I thought it would be harder than it really was.  On my 2000 Savage, I used a 3/8" ratchet wrench with a 10mm (I think it was 10mm) socket.  To access the bolts, I didn't need to jack up the bike or remove the tire.    

With wrench in hand, I simply inserted my arm between the fender and tire, from the REAR of the fender opening.  My arm was resting front to back along the top of the tire while loosening/tightening the bolts.  Any decent fine-click ratchet will work fine.   When installing the left side support bolts, I inserted my right arm.   When installing the right side one, I inserted my left arm below the fender.

Thanks all, yeah taking the license plate off was a big help, of course I figured that out once I got over to the left side and also the front replcement bolt was too long so I had to make a run to home depot.

Now a new problem, they rub.  Any ideas?  I am a fair size person (225lbs) so it is mainly when I am riding over bumps that I hear it.  Am I gonna have to put on larger/taller shocks?  It is mainly the left side but I did notice a slight mark on the right (probably from the big bump I hit last ride) so I don't think fiddling with centering the tire will do much.

do you have the saddle bag supports underneath the saddle bags?

I just used two wrecnches when I did mine.  kinda tight but not too much trouble.  Use ur sense of touch not sight.

use a finger to find the bolt and put a wrench.  hold wrench and use rachet on the outside nut.

pretty easy

just remember righty tighty and left lucy.

I just read another thread and it was saying that the 140/90 tires stick more than half an inch higher up into the fender than 140/80's do.  As it happens that is the size I have, anybody else running 140/90's with saddlebags??

Hmmm that's what I thought.  Now I found this link for Progressives (which were in my future anyway).

http://www.progressivesuspension.com/pdf/7100-105.pdf

I was looking at the 12" shocks (right now mine measure 10.5" c to c resting on the kickstand) and I was wondering about the rate lbs/inch rating.  Am I correct in thinking that you want something in your weight range for that?