Questions about Saddle Bags

[mn_vette]

I've got a set of honda saddle bags that are black fabric and I want to put them on the bike.  I know I need to fab up some brackets to keep the bags from hitting the back wheel.  But I guess I'm not 100% sure how far up/back they should sit.  I would like to keep them back far enough to not cover up the rear shocks on my '95.  I seen a few pics of bikes with bags here but they seem to always cover up the shocks. 

Also, am I going to be wearing down the paint or putting small scratches in it by putting the bags over the fender, under the pass seat?  Is there anything I can do to prevent wear on the paint with saddle bags?


Thanks for the help guys.  Also any pics of bags and/or bag brackets that you can show me would be helpful. 

[Herman]

Unless you have some tiny saddlebags, you're not going to have much of a choice with covering the rear shocks.  There isn't much room between the rear turn signals and the rear shocks.  Also, if you have the saddlebags sitting far enough back to where they don't cover the shocks, it looks kind of off (in my opinion).  You could also try to relocate the rear turn signals so they are not in the way, but I'm not exactly sure where a good place to relocate them so that they are out of the way and still in a fairly visible spot.

I have (now modified) throw over saddlebags and wherever they rub, they will leave marks.  Most of mine would wipe off, but there was always some faint scratches.  One of the best things I did is purchased a set of Easy Brackets.  They were about $130 on ebay.  Possibly a bit more that you are wanting to spend if you are looking to fabricate your own saddlebag supports, but they were definitely worth it.  They come right off when you don't want them on (and the mounting bolts look good with the bags off) and you don't have to worry about scratching anything.  PLUS you can get your bags to any height you want to avoid having the saddlebags hitting the top exhaust (a common issue with the Magna's exhausts).

On a side note, are you from MN?

[mn_vette]

Thanks for the advice.  I currently have one of the bags attatched to the lunch pail rack on the back of the bike and I don't like the way it looks.  I guess I can just cover up the shocks and deal with that.

I don't think I'll be pulling them off at all.  I don't mind them being on and I'd rather have them there just incase I decice to stop and pick something up on my way home from work.

I'm no longer residing in MN.  I've moved to MI but its kind of a pain to change all my screen names on all the forums I visit from time to time.   

[Magnum Magna]

The first picture is what came with the bike and bags.  The next two I home made to also support the bag up off the pipes.

[Herman]

Thanks for the advice.  I currently have one of the bags attatched to the lunch pail rack on the back of the bike and I don't like the way it looks.  I guess I can just cover up the shocks and deal with that.

I don't think I'll be pulling them off at all.  I don't mind them being on and I'd rather have them there just incase I decice to stop and pick something up on my way home from work.

I'm no longer residing in MN.  I've moved to MI but its kind of a pain to change all my screen names on all the forums I visit from time to time.   

I grew up in MN.  About 15 miles NE of Minneapolis.  Moved to AZ 3 years ago.  I don't mind not having the -20 days, but on the other hand I am getting tired of the 110+ days.  I guess being able to ride all year round makes up for it 

I used to leave my saddlebags on all the time too until I put on a trunk, now I only put them on when I need the extra space.

[mn_vette]

so does anyone have pictures with bags on the bike?

[Herman]

Here is my setup...  As you can see, the saddlebags are almost touching the rear turn signals and they also cover most of the rear shock.  My saddlebags measure about 16" wide, 11" tall, 6" deep.

[Jerry G Turner]

Herman how did you get the pipes gold like that?

[Herman]

I went and got them gold plated.  Cost about $100,000.  Just kidding    It's just the way the picture come out.  They are chrome.