Harley saddlebags on 1500 Drifter

49Reo · April 03, 2012, 18:12:37 PM

Hi, Greenbarn; thanks for the info. I guess great minds do think alike; Stainless Steel was going to be my next mission. The local muffler shop who GAVE me the material for these tips,will be my go-to for the stainless tubing. The tips are 2 1/4" diameter, the piece which slides inside the muffler is an outside diameter of 2 1/8". The guy who donated me the material, Lee from Shook's Extreme Performance here in Chetwynd where I live, can cut me some more from stainless. Last time, I had him expand one end to fit snug in the tip, the other end expanded to fit into the muffler. Then I welded the 2 pieces together, welded a 1/4" nut inside the piece which goes into the muffler, and done. I kind of like the tips done in black like they are; kind of a nice contrast.

I will post new pics when it is all back together.

Tc, ride safe.
49Reo

greenbarn · April 03, 2012, 17:01:46 PM

The only issue I see is keeping the front wheel on the ground when you load down those bags... Them's some BIG UNS.

RE: the chrome tips: What size is the OD of your tailpipe? Have you tried a local muffler/exhaust (auto) shop for stainless tips? I can't tell for sure but it looks like yours attach w/ set-screws?? A standard SS tip would attach over the current pipe with a set screw, and would be A LOT less than $150 each.

If you don't have anything local, I have a supplier for SS tips - I know they go as small as 2" ID, but not sure how much smaller. They come in a variety of tip styles as well. Check out the Jones Exhaust website for ideas. I'm gonna guess I could sell you 2" SS tips for $20 or less each. Let me know if you need me to look something up.
http://www.jonesexhaust.com/products.cfm?ProductTOC=2

49Reo · March 28, 2012, 21:31:24 PM

Well, so much for getting those exhaust tips chromed; talked to the plating shop today, $150.00 EACH to chrome. Just a LITTLE out of my budget.

Regards and such,
49Reo

49Reo · March 22, 2012, 16:17:52 PM

Finally done building and painting; here are some pics of my bike with the bags mounted, signal lights relocated back, and exhaust tips installed.
Tips are made from 2 1/4" exhaust tubing, with 2" exhaust tubing swaged up to fit both the tips and mufflers. Painted them high-heat black for now, might get them chromed next winter..... $:-\$ last pic shows the signal light relocation bracket.

Regards and such,
49Reo

49Reo · March 20, 2012, 22:33:17 PM

Yes, that is the mounts that came with the bags. These are the early Osprey bags, you have to undo each buckle rather than the hidden catches behind the straps. As to the rail, it is very solid; with the Osprey bags I have never had an issue. There is no movement at all to the bags. IF anyone out there in Drifterland has had or heard of any issues with this type of saddlebag mount on the Drifter, I would like to hear from them on it.

Keep watch for more pics and updates; I have finished the signal light relocation brackets, and about half done on the exhaust tips (extensions) to get the exhaust out from under the bags.

Regards and such,
49Reo

jagered · March 20, 2012, 21:36:00 PM

that's the original bracket... and it was mounted like that? sweet... nice clean look especially when you go down the road and your bags aren't bouncing up and down with you going over bumps!!

... how sturdy is that rail?? makes sense to fab a bracket like that for some leather bags, but I bet hard bags would need the other bracket that goes up on seat...
nice...

49Reo · March 20, 2012, 14:28:58 PM

Thanks, Ironraven, I will be posting pics of the entire job, including signal light relocation brackets, exhaust pipe extensions, and I may build a luggage rack to go with everything. I will probably do a write-up in the mods/tips section if there is enough interest.

Regards and such,
49Reo

Ironraven · March 20, 2012, 13:39:57 PM

Wow, very clean bracket idea! Good work man, I'd like to see some wider shots once you have it all finished.

49Reo · March 17, 2012, 22:26:51 PM

Thanks; wasn't a big deal to mount the bags themselves, but it has led to some other issues; I had to relocate the signal lights, have the brackets built, just need to paint them and install. Will post some pics and drawings with critical measurements as soon as I paint them.

Regards and such,
49Reo

badboy194 · March 17, 2012, 22:06:38 PM

Those bags look great!. They really give a vintage look to the bike.

49Reo · March 16, 2012, 01:50:24 AM

Here are some pics of the saddlebag upgrade.

Pic 1 shows the size difference between the Osprey bags and the Harley bags I am using.
Second pic shows original bracket that was on the bike with the Osprey bags when I purchased it.

I had to remove the taillight and signal lights as the pics show. Tomorrow I begin the signal light relocate...

Regards and such,
49Reo

49Reo · March 15, 2012, 15:45:14 PM

Well, (finally) got started on this project; right bag mounted, left bag will be mounted today; I'll post pics tonight. Then comes the new signal light mounts. Incidentally, this mod is going to require extending the pipes by about 3" to get them out from under the bags; oh well, get to make those too!

Regards and such;
49Reo

chief · February 22, 2012, 14:07:38 PM

We'll look forward to the results!

49Reo · February 22, 2012, 12:20:15 PM

I am in the process of mounting a set of (old) leather saddlebags from a 1981 Harley Electra Glide; this was the first non-AM F Harley off the assembly line. They were a limited edition (784 built). The bags are in rough condition but will clean up; it looks like the biggest issue will be relocating the signal lights about 2-2/12" back from stock. I will post pics of the mods and completed project for those interested.

Regards and such,
49Reo