I would think the leather covered hardbags would be the hardest way to go. Getting the leather cut, tanned, sewn, and glued without any significant issues would be a real challenge.

You could easily make fiberglass bags, but will probably spend as much dough through trial and error than just buying them straight up. I though about doing this myself on numerous applications. I still plan on doing it, simply because its something I want to get good at, as it is a useful medium.

Would love to see progress as you move forward

 

Workman,
Some of my thoughts as well.. Fortunately I have a buddy who does upholstry work so he could take care of the sewing for me and then I should just be able to fit them to the hardback and glue them down.

As for the FG option, I see your point, probably would be a lot of trial and error. I was thinking about using cardboard glued together to create a mock of what I want and then apply the FG. I think the most challenging part would be the lid.

I really like the looks of yours from the picture on your post, what are they? Are they leather?

 

Yeah WorkMan, nice bags. As for building bags JB, I'm starting on mine this weekend. I too have spent too much time searching for exactly what I want and just found out... it doesn't exist. I figure if I can make my own handlebars and other stuff, surely I can make a fiberglass box. Keep me posted on your progress and I'll do the same. I'll tell you this though.. I would consider building your mold out of wood not cardboard. Once that resin starts seeping in your cardboard mold is going to warp and won't stay true to your original shape. Just my 2c's.

 

Mine are the Harley Davidson Road King bags...price can range from $300-600 used. They seem to pop up quite frequently on ebay for decent prices. I've seen them on both Neos and Retros, and they look great on both. I mounted them with Ghost Brackets. Just drilled 4 new holes, reused the original rubber grommets, then mounted to the quick release brackets.

As far as using a form...many professional glasser will use styrofoam and sanders to shape the negatives, then glass over them. I would love to try this...Hardest part is making your negative.

 

Styrofoam... Excellent! Makes sense. So I guess you have to apply several levels of fiber to get the thickness/strength you need huh?
I've got a ride coming up in a couple of weeks, I think I'll get started on this project when I get back...
Thanks all, I'll keep you posted.

 

Joelyblonde,

You think just like a true ~Gemini ~!
It would not surprise me if you were one.

I’m also undecided about saddle bags for my latest ride…
my 06 VTX1800R.
I really like the practical aspects of hard bags…
But rather have the look of a nice set of leathers.
Is Boss Bags really worth the extra money they cost?

Please don’t be giving me any more project ideas…
I already have my own stack of projects either
in the unstarted phase or the unfinished phase.
(But I'd still be intersted to know how you progress.)

 

A long time ago I made a surfboard using foam and fiberglass. I found the hard way that using blue foam for insulating houses does not hold well with epoxy, It melts. I finally used the foam for floating docks that ordered online. it worked great, i made simple cuts and used a rasp then sandpaper to shape. Granted with the board the foam stayed inside. With the bags you could dig it out and sand the inside clean. If you dont like the shape prior to glassing you can make a couple of flat cuts and glue the extra foam back on to reshape.

 

I do Fiberglass work - mainly repair.

Trying to make a Fiberglass Saddle Bag WITHOUT a mold will be nearly impossible.

Without a mold, how would you insure both bags were identical????


...Very valid point... Have to think about that...
I think I may be leaning toward the leather ones. Having a friend who can help me with the upholstry part and I can take care of the wood backing it probably will be the best choice. Besides I really like the looks of the leather. I know they take more to keep looking that way but I just think they accent the other "leather" parts so well. If I do well on my bike maybe I can try the FG on my wifes bike...hmmmm:thumbup:

Thank you again for all the valuable advise.. I'll let you all know when I get started and how it progresses...

 

Good luck, I mean that in the good way. I made a set of bags from leather years ago. I found that I am not near as crafty as I thought I was. They were uggggly, but I used them anyway. I buy mine now.

 

So... I am not the only one who has been looking for hard saddlebags and couldn't find any that I liked or just cant fork up the money for the ones I do like... I actually started making my mold out of wood last night. I used 1/4 inch wood with alot of measuring to get exactly what I wanted... I made two of them and was thinking of fiberglassing over the wood (several layers) then the cover will hinge with a piano hinge which can be purchased at home depot. and lock will be the same concept as on a toolbox (latching). Ill keep you guys posted on my progress ... but working on a budget due to getting layed off. :banghead: but the molds look great and fit great on the bike :lol:

 

A buddy on the Valkyrie Boards made his own bags... fiberglass, wider and bigger. He did make a foam inner set to work with first. They look nice but I think you could buy a set cheaper and with less aggravation involved. But, if you just want to make a set.... go for it.

 

So... I am not the only one who has been looking for hard saddlebags and couldn't find any that I liked or just cant fork up the money for the ones I do like... I actually started making my mold out of wood last night. I used 1/4 inch wood with alot of measuring to get exactly what I wanted... I made two of them and was thinking of fiberglassing over the wood (several layers) then the cover will hinge with a piano hinge which can be purchased at home depot. and lock will be the same concept as on a toolbox (latching). Ill keep you guys posted on my progress ... but working on a budget due to getting layed off. :banghead: but the molds look great and fit great on the bike :lol:

How about some pics ?

 

I’ve been working on saddlebags for my N model for several months. I’m using the foam you get from the craft store intended for floral arrangements. Once I get the shape right I’ll work body filler into the pores, paint and glass. Here’s what I have learned so far.
The part that fits on the motorcycle that and looks like a saddle bag is the plug.
You use the plug to make the mold. Because you have to lay the glass inside the mold, the mold had to be in at least 2 pieces and you are going to use the lid opening to lay the glass. OR you have to lay the bags up in at least 2 pieces and join them.
I have a full size professional woodshop I use to make furniture, this is a different skill, especially sense I want the process repeatable.

 

Yeah WorkMan, nice bags. As for building bags JB, I'm starting on mine this weekend. I too have spent too much time searching for exactly what I want and just found out... it doesn't exist. I figure if I can make my own handlebars and other stuff, surely I can make a fiberglass box. Keep me posted on your progress and I'll do the same. I'll tell you this though.. I would consider building your mold out of wood not cardboard. Once that resin starts seeping in your cardboard mold is going to warp and won't stay true to your original shape. Just my 2c's.

Coffin shaped bags would look awesome on your bike.
Just sayin.

 

I found a link on line a few years ago of a guy doing it but can't find it any more :-(

Anyway one way you could do it is make the overall bag shape on 2 peices of plywood and then take your foam and run some all rod thru the foam and have your plywood on either side and then use a hot wire to cut the shape of the foam, contour the sides as you wish then do your layup right over your plugs, cut the tops off and then melt the foam away with acetone...

Here's a thread where a guy made a gas tank kind of the way I'm talking about

http://dotheton.com/index.php?topic=6339.0

 

Styrofoam... Excellent! Makes sense. So I guess you have to apply several levels of fiber to get the thickness/strength you need huh?
I've got a ride coming up in a couple of weeks, I think I'll get started on this project when I get back...
Thanks all, I'll keep you posted.

If you have never done any glass work .Why don't you try just fibreglassing a simple BOX just to get a feel for working with the material.Just a suggestion ,and i hope you make yourself some nice bags .

 

Does it matter if building it yourself costs more?

There is satisfaction in looking at a well built usable item, and knowing, "I made that with my own hands."

Go for it.

If you want to make glass bags, email me at blackmtnman@yahoo.com

I actually have a small degree in fiberglass fabrication, over 30 years of experience working with it. I would be tickled to death to help you with this. I can guide you through the whole process. Mold making is easy..even for a one off project. Same for anyone. Fiberglass is easy, and unbelievable stuff to work with.

 

it's hard to find a good latch.

i'd get some tsuaku (sp?) bags before i built my own. it's very time consuming and you'll get a better product w/ gel coat in the end if you're a novice. plus you'll get brackets.:thumbup:

 

I never made saddlebags, but have done some work with FG. If you cover your mold (foam or otherwise) with plastic wrap, it will not stick to the foam (or whatever). The plastic wrap will stick, but the FG won't be near as rough when you remove it.