I am going crazy looking for a way to mount saddle bags to my 1999 1500 drifter. I want to install the Saddlemen crusin deluxe bags. I have spent hours searching online for a way to mount these bags. Any ideas? I thought that the Saddlemen universal mount would work but when I called the company the representative was not to sure. Would the Willie Max mounts work? I have read on this forum that I would need the fire and steel but Im having difficulty locating the black struts and loops. Please help!!! I have a trip coming up, my only vacation time out of the year I would like to have those bags mounted for it. Thank you guys!!!
Well... which seat do you have? Some folks have made theirs. two-up corbin seats require some work to get the kaw stuff to work.
I have some F&S hardware for sale, struts and loops... look in the FOR SALE section of the forum... I have some national cycle loops as well.
I have the 2 person oem seat. Where could I find the diagram to make the mounting struts. Iam not mechanically savey but If i had specific detailed measurements and pics I could probably find someone to make them for me.
Do I need specific saddle bag mounts for my oem 2 man seat. Or can I purchase universal brackets like the saddlemen universal mounts or the Willie Max mounts. Any feed back would be appreciated. Im pressed for time . Also has anyone ever put on Saddlemens cruisn deluxe bags on a 1500 drifter? If so can I see the picks. Thank you guys. Please respond!!!!
You need special brackets because you have to mount it to the saddle support frame.
I do not know anything special on your saddle bags but I used http://mo-tique.com/en/product/saddlebag-supports/1690/405/tdr0-1029-support-saddlebag. (http://mo-tique.com/en/product/saddlebag-supports/1690/405/tdr0-1029-support-saddlebag.) They look a little different because on the picture is a Drifter 800 bracket shown.
What I like about is that it supports the bag also on the bottom so when heavy luggage come in, the bags will not hang and keep shape.
Below a picture of my Drifter 1500 with saddlebags and the mounts.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/263567_223341624363395_1838496_n.jpg)
i have gone to the likn but it looks llike its broken. Can you please guide me to the site im desperate and pressured on time to get these bags mounted on my bike. Thank you
Here, try this. I cleaned up the link and now it works
http://mo-tique.com/en/product/saddlebag-supports/1690/405/tdr0-1029-support-saddlebag (http://mo-tique.com/en/product/saddlebag-supports/1690/405/tdr0-1029-support-saddlebag)
Here is everything you need to mount bags on a 1500.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPLETE-MOUNTING-BRACKETS-KAWASAKI-VULCAN-1500-DRIFTER-HARD-FIND-/140806263851?hash=item20c8b5142b&item=140806263851&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr (http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPLETE-MOUNTING-BRACKETS-KAWASAKI-VULCAN-1500-DRIFTER-HARD-FIND-/140806263851?hash=item20c8b5142b&item=140806263851&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr)
Those really don't look like oem/F&S ... looks like they would work.
They are kinda strange looking, but the bottom support looks like a good idea..
OK I GOT THE BRACKETS TODAY. THANKS TROLL FOR THE LINK. HOW DO I MOUNT THEM. ANY PICS OR GUIDES WOULD BE OF MUCH HELP.
Depending on the seat you have, the mounts either go directly on the frame, there are 2 tapped holes, 12x1.25, I believe, on each side of the frame, or if you have the 2-up seat, they bolt onto the seat frame and then into the same 2 holes on each side...the holes are right above the bosses for the helmet locks on each side.
Drifter22... ok, I take it you are now not interested in the F&S struts and loops you asked me about.
I was a week ago but you never responded to my posts or emails. I bought some on ebay. I dont think they were ligit because I had to redrill the holes and the mounting hardware was missing. Can you please send me a pic of what your product actually looks like.
I sent you 4 emails. Better check your spam filter. At this point, I have someone else interested in the set I had held for you. I do still have a set of struts, but the powder coating is really bad on those. They will likely need to be painted or powder coated again. The base material's in good shape.
I have an '02 and my problem was with the ridiculous "floating" saddle bags!! ;)
Since they are mounted to the seat support frame, they move up and down with the rider/seat?!?! There is also a problem with mounting the OEM ones I had on a bike that had an OEM 2-Up seat WITH the back rail!?! They had to be modified to fit properly... did not understand that at all!?!
---- Mine are now mounted like the Osprey brackets...
So I found a better way! ;) Mounted them rigidly to the rear rail. A 1/2" STAUFF (tubing) clamp fits perfectly around the rail... eventually I will have two clamps modified to wrap the top and bottom rail but for now I have u-bolts. Then the front bolt is the other support location. After I tweak the length of the bar stock to fit the bags i intend to get, I will get them welded so there is nothing that can wiggle loose!!! I also intend on designing an integrated luggage rack to connect the two brackets since my future bags are looking more and more like large rigid ones!!
Good Luck!