Hardbag mounting

[thenemos]

Thanks a million!

[pcarrell]

Buco went out of business decades ago, but there are a couple of companies that make repops.  Buco made several styles of bags, and I haven't seen anyone repoping this specific style.  From what I understand, the repop's they do make aren't as heavy duty, so refurbing an old set of real Buco's makes the most sense, especially if you're looking for this style.  I hit you with a few links on another thread.  http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=17690.msg96099#new

[thenemos]

Do you know who makes them?

[pcarrell]

Thanks, Greenbarn.
Anyone know who make these hard bags?

These are Buco bags.

Here you go, Thenemos:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-XL-SADDLEBAGS-HARD-SADDLE-BAGS-SUZUKI-C50-M50-C90-109-Boulevard-/331871944968?hash=item4d451c0108:g:e8AAAOxyYYlRp140&vxp=mtr

These are not, but they are similar.  These have a much newer styling then a traditional Buco bag.  They are a lot cheaper though.

[thenemos]

I think they are Bucos:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BUCO-HARD-SADDLE-BAGS-PAIR-VINTAGE-WHITE-W-MOUNTS-BRACKETS-HARLEY-PAN-HEAD-TS1-/350779038515?hash=item51ac0f5b33:g:YhQAAMXQHDlRbuTg&vxp=mtr

[thenemos]

Thanks, Greenbarn.
Anyone know who make these hard bags?

[greenbarn]

Here you go, Thenemos:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-XL-SADDLEBAGS-HARD-SADDLE-BAGS-SUZUKI-C50-M50-C90-109-Boulevard-/331871944968?hash=item4d451c0108:g:e8AAAOxyYYlRp140&vxp=mtr

I wonder how hard those would be to cover in leather???

[thenemos]

RockinRonny - Do you have a link to those Buco XLs?

[mittico68]

I would have preferred hard bags but couldn't find anything I liked. Originally I was going to put on a set of Bucos  but with a flat lid (opening) I couldn't figure out how to match a 2 tone paint job without it looking like crap.

Man! I too would like to put on a set of Bucos!
And ma-deuce is a one tone coloured...
Do you still have those?

[AZCaveman]

I have the stock bag mounts and a couple of sets of hardbags.  Being able to mount them isn't an issue.  I wanted to try a "new" approach.  Something more along the lines of a custom bike.  With proper bracing I think the thick abs fenders could hold the weight, especially since you are using the crash bar to carry most of it.  if they were abs welded,molded the would essentially be a one piece unit fender and bags.  Was just looking mostly as a styling exercise.

[RockinRollin]

This is the XL Series Bags that sort of follow the fender lines. Not too expensive either. If a half dozen Drifter owners approached a place that does fiberglass I wonder if we could get a mold made for bags that match the fender then make brackets specifically for these bags on the Drifter? How cool would that be?

[RockinRollin]

 I would have preferred hard bags but couldn't find anything I liked. Originally I was going to put on a set of Bucos  but with a flat lid (opening) I couldn't figure out how to match a 2 tone paint job without it looking like crap.

[pcarrell]

Personally, I like the idea of hard bags that mirror the fender in looks and lines, but I think the way to go here is to mount them solid to the frame and as close to the rear fender as possible.  Let the fender float with the road, but hard mount the bags.  Oldies Customs makes fiberglass repops of Drifter fenders, and this would be the starting point for me as fiberglass would be more durable and easier to work with then the stock plastic fender.  http://www.badassglass.us/fenders.html

[RockinRollin]

If it's not old Drifter then I can't think who posted them?
Yes dual pipes make it possible to lower the bags. Have you considered Buco bags?
My bag brackets have 1/2 inch  side clearance from the fender rail. That's as close as you're going to get to the fender with low bags hanging from the back seat. The brackets are made from 1/4 plate with gussets near the neck so there is no side ways flexing even though they hang from the rear seat.

[Ironworking]

I thought about that. the suspension mostly moves up away from exhaust.  Not planning to copy Evel with it  lol.  The downward stroke would be maxed out by spring travel.  It would have to have duals as to give more clearance under the bags.  The shock clearance only requires a couple of inches. I think using "old" drifter fenders and making them into hardbags and molding them to the fender would produce nice lines like a bagger.   However, the earlier post about 'shaking the frieght' could be an issue.   I need to find a third 1500 drifter to test out some Ideas!

I can assure you plastic or fiberglass saddlebags would not last more than a few hundred miles if loaded with any weight (20 lbs each). They would disintegrate.  Think of the rear end as a hard tail, because essentially it is. The suspension if or the rider/s. It does very little for the tail section.

[Old Drifter]

Boy , that's a can of worms. Getting bags to look right on this bike can really take some engineering. There is a forum member who has mounted his bags on the fenders, I have pix of his bike but can't remember who it was , maybe Old Drifter? Anyways here is pix of his bags and also pix of the brackets I made for mine that hang off the back seat. My bag hangers match the contour of the fender but my bags don't. Don't know if this helps or not.

It's not me. Whoever it is has a Michigan plate.

[AZCaveman]

I thought about that. the suspension mostly moves up away from exhaust.  Not planning to copy Evel with it  lol.  The downward stroke would be maxed out by spring travel.  It would have to have duals as to give more clearance under the bags.  The shock clearance only requires a couple of inches. I think using "old" drifter fenders and making them into hardbags and molding them to the fender would produce nice lines like a bagger.   However, the earlier post about 'shaking the frieght' could be an issue.   I need to find a third 1500 drifter to test out some Ideas!

[pcarrell]

You'd have to leave a lot of clearance for the suspension to move.  Remember, the exhaust doesn't move, but the fender does!

[AZCaveman]

I would love to get 2 old 'damaged' rear fenders, turn them into hardbags. And flush mount them to the fenders

[RockinRollin]

Boy , that's a can of worms. Getting bags to look right on this bike can really take some engineering. There is a forum member who has mounted his bags on the fenders, I have pix of his bike but can't remember who it was , maybe Old Drifter? Anyways here is pix of his bags and also pix of the brackets I made for mine that hang off the back seat. My bag hangers match the contour of the fender but my bags don't. Don't know if this helps or not.

[mittico68]

Yeah, maybe... but that solution would lead to have everything shaken inside the bags, because of the rear fender bouncin'!

[AZCaveman]

Has anyone tried instead of the hanging Bracket for hardbags.  Mounting then on the fender 'crashbar" and attaching the tops directly to the fenders?  I think done cleanly they would flow with the bikes lines better.