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:


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...)

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

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)

oops !

What kind of bracket did you use behind your bags?

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!

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

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

Great work! Looks like they came that way.