I might be coming into a little money I didn't expect, and I've been looking at the Rakoposhi deluxe saddlebag kit on eBay for quite a while, now. I have bags on my bike, now, but they were adapted from a throw over set. They look decent, but the hard backs are cracking. The set the guy is selling has mounts with it, as well as a seat cover that matches the bags. What I want to know is, from somebody who has these bags, do they fit the stock mounts, are they well made, and did they come with any kind instructions or a template so I know where to drill the holes...I wrote to him asking these questions, but he sent me back a blank email for a response....
I had a set of the tan ones with fringe and I was able to mount them to my OEM saddlebag mounts in les than 10 minutes of work. You really son't need a template to do it. When I purchased mine they didn't offer the OEM mounts so that is a plus.
Dan dwclocks@aol.com
Did they seem to be well made? The set I'm looking at has a leather seat cover that matches, as well as fringe and studs...$425 with a mount set included......
Yes the bags were very nice with really nice leather. I did not have the matching seat cover so I can't comment on that but the bags were very nice. I had purchased them when I bought my 1500 drifter but to my surprise my wife had purchased me OEM bags so I immediately took off the Rakaposi bags and sold them by way of this site. But I did think the quality was very nice.
Dan dwclocks@aol.com
Thank you...still thinking. How's your clutch problem coming along?
Troll I had a problem with torn retinas so was not able to ride for a couple months due to blood floaters. Over the past week I have been going out for short rides and the problem seems to be lessening. Leads me to believe that the cluth plates were sticking. Seems to be getting better. I will keep you posted.
Dan dwclocks@aol.com
I've got some on my 1500 Drifter for two years now. The leather quality is good, they are formed and shaped which is nice that they won't ever sag. Installation was as easy. They are pretty water resistant when riding. Just did a ride down Old Route 66 and caught some rain and my stuff stayed dry. They only complaint I have is that they are not very deep or wide. I attached a picture with a close up. I had them off while I was building a luggage rack for the trip. By the way, they luggage rack is 3/4 inch plywood with about 3 coats of gloss black enamel and 3" L-brackets from Home Depot if you ever need one in a pinch.
I am trying to mount these saddlebags on my Drifter. No instructions came with the bags (and yes, I have the mounts). Trying to figure out how they attach correctly to my bike. Any assistance would be appreciated.
You must first have your mounts bolted up on your frame then hold the bag up against the mount and from the back side with a pencil make a mark through the mounting holes to show you where to drill , then drill your munt holes and bolt them on. Really very simple.
Dan
I attached my bags to the stock bag brackets that I got when I bough my Drifter using Ghost Brackets and the luggage rack as a brace between them.
1 - Order Ghost brackets for a Vulcan 800
2 - Get the luggage rack/bag brackets bolted in place.
3 - Go to hardware store and get replacement metric STAINLESS steel bolts that are just long enough to attach the special mounts to the bag brackets.
(while you're there, get the biggest fender washers you can with 3/8" holes)
4 - Once that's all solidly bolted on, attach Ghost Brackets to the special mounts and lock in place.
5 - Put bags against the Ghost Brackets and adjust until you're happy, clamp in place (I used a couple of auto body Vice-grips with the swivel pads)
6 - Using a grease pencil, mark the outline of the Ghost Brackets on the hard backing of the bags.
7 - Unlock and remove the Ghost Bracket, with the bag still clamped if possible; if you can't just realign the GB's with the grease pencil markings, then re-clamp.
8 - Drill starter holes through the GB into the back of the bags, remove GB and drill 3/8" holes. Clean off burrs.
9 - Run Bolts through GB mounting holes into the bags, use those fender washers and run the nuts tight (the washers will squeeze the foam inside down.)
10 - Remount everything and make sure of clearances.
I had to use some washers as spacers to get everything adjusted properly, but I've got 3 riding seasons with them and never had a problem and my bags come with me into my room at night.