StratTuner
Site Supporter
Dear Friends,
I've spent some time working on the pvc supports for saddlebags.
The original idea was not mine, but I've expanded on it.
The problem with saddle bags is that they want to drape into the wheel well.
There needs to be something to keep them out, so starting with a single 3/4 inch PVC pipe
run across the wheel well, I added two more (upper and lower) and then a bottom support
for the bags as well.
Here's what the structure looks like assembled and on the ground.
the parts in white are the most recent.
The lower supports aren't meant to bare substantial weight! The straps that
hold the bags to the hand grips do that. The lower supports do keep the bags from
drooping down as much.
The half braces in the front are not load baring. They are lined with two pieces of rubber
from a bicycle inner tube to protect the frame.
the half pipe brace is held on by pressure from the bags alone, but I did add a single, loose,
zip tie that is on the frame all the time and slides over the half pipe when the frame is
attached. I slide it off the PVC when removing the structure. The zip tie not tight at
all and is there just to keep the half piece from coming off the frame.
When it's attached, it looks like this.
NB: There is a nylon strap that at the front end of the structure that goes from the hand
rail to the center, horizontal, bar. While the PVC piping IS NOT meant to bare the weight
of a loaded saddle bag, it seemed wise to add this extra support. It was easy to add and
cost very little.
The rear of the structure is connected to a single horizontal that sits just above the
license plate frame. If you thread the pipe carefully it will snug against the bolts in the
tail sect. Again, it's not load baring, but it SOLID.
That right rear elbow you can see is the only joint that is not glued or POP-riveted. That is
the place that comes apart so that the whole structure can come off both sides. I've drilled a
hole through it and secure it with a single zip tie when attached. I've considered using a metal
lynch pin here, but the zip tie shows no fatigue, and (to make the point again), the pvc structure
isn't LOAD BARING.
The last pictures I'll post will be of the bags connected and RESTING against the pvc.
(I'll have to go and take those pics after I get the bags on, and that won't happen until
I've finished my morning coffee! Those pics will be here in a couples hours.)
BAGS: The Duffel bags I described in earlier articles work well here.
I have two that I've fitted with inserts made from foam-core tag board that give the
bags some kinda shape even when empty.
The bags I got as gifts this year are Nelson Rigg CL-885 and they are amazing!
At $115 for both, they are an excellent choice. All the straps are in the right places
on the sides and on the bottom and ALL QUICK RELEASE! It's a pleasure to work
with bags that were actually made for this purpose.
More pictures on the way....
I've spent some time working on the pvc supports for saddlebags.
The original idea was not mine, but I've expanded on it.
The problem with saddle bags is that they want to drape into the wheel well.
There needs to be something to keep them out, so starting with a single 3/4 inch PVC pipe
run across the wheel well, I added two more (upper and lower) and then a bottom support
for the bags as well.
Here's what the structure looks like assembled and on the ground.
the parts in white are the most recent.
The lower supports aren't meant to bare substantial weight! The straps that
hold the bags to the hand grips do that. The lower supports do keep the bags from
drooping down as much.
The half braces in the front are not load baring. They are lined with two pieces of rubber
from a bicycle inner tube to protect the frame.
the half pipe brace is held on by pressure from the bags alone, but I did add a single, loose,
zip tie that is on the frame all the time and slides over the half pipe when the frame is
attached. I slide it off the PVC when removing the structure. The zip tie not tight at
all and is there just to keep the half piece from coming off the frame.
When it's attached, it looks like this.
NB: There is a nylon strap that at the front end of the structure that goes from the hand
rail to the center, horizontal, bar. While the PVC piping IS NOT meant to bare the weight
of a loaded saddle bag, it seemed wise to add this extra support. It was easy to add and
cost very little.
The rear of the structure is connected to a single horizontal that sits just above the
license plate frame. If you thread the pipe carefully it will snug against the bolts in the
tail sect. Again, it's not load baring, but it SOLID.
That right rear elbow you can see is the only joint that is not glued or POP-riveted. That is
the place that comes apart so that the whole structure can come off both sides. I've drilled a
hole through it and secure it with a single zip tie when attached. I've considered using a metal
lynch pin here, but the zip tie shows no fatigue, and (to make the point again), the pvc structure
isn't LOAD BARING.
The last pictures I'll post will be of the bags connected and RESTING against the pvc.
(I'll have to go and take those pics after I get the bags on, and that won't happen until
I've finished my morning coffee! Those pics will be here in a couples hours.)
BAGS: The Duffel bags I described in earlier articles work well here.
I have two that I've fitted with inserts made from foam-core tag board that give the
bags some kinda shape even when empty.
The bags I got as gifts this year are Nelson Rigg CL-885 and they are amazing!
At $115 for both, they are an excellent choice. All the straps are in the right places
on the sides and on the bottom and ALL QUICK RELEASE! It's a pleasure to work
with bags that were actually made for this purpose.
More pictures on the way....
