These are leather bags I made a few years ago. Still on the bike and holding pretty good.


2011 HD xl883l with my homemade leather bags

I used 1/4" thick leather hide. each bag is two pieces stitched together

The bag ties, I bought a couple of flint arrow heads and used a diamond drill to put two hole in them so I could sew them to the bag.

Inside the bag, I made a square frame from 1" x 3/16" stainless steel. Then I folded the leather over and put #10-24 ss button heads on the underside and secured them with ss acorn nuts.

I Used another piece of 1" x 3/16" Stainless on the outside to sandwich the leather between the inner bag hoop. I also kept the quick release for the sissy bar.

Bags mounts I replaced the stock bolts with grade 6 bolts long enough to reach the nut in the fender.

I had to relocate the turn signals So I forged a curved bar with a hammer and a file. I powder coated it black along with the turn signal housing..

Two pieces stitched together. At some point I hope to tool a leather strip and use it with a finer stitch to cover the seam.

i forged an drilled Helmet hook for the side of my bag.

Leather Tank bag with flint arrow head for the tie down.

 

Nice job. Looks secure and well made. I like the helmet hook...good idea. Probably need to fab a brace for the cover so it doesn't bowl and collect water. Thanks for sharing.

 

Yea, the thread on the quick release got me focused on my bags again. When I made them the main goal was getting what ever I put in them to where ever I was going. But after looking at a lot of the bikes here my bags could use a little attention. One of the links in that thread did give me a new approach to the problem. When figure a way to get them on and off easier, I will do a little polish work on them, like a liner, do something with the covers like you said, and cover the seam down the back and front. Also thank you for the response.

 

i got the same but 08

this summer i wanted to strip my bike down or make changes for pure aesthetics , after riding last weekend in the 30's im pretty jealous of those leg and hand guards, i bet you got the heated grips too! great ride man, love the red

does my bag count?

 

Of course, thanks for sharing. This thread is open to any type of bag or carrier....may give someone ideas to resolve their own issues. Beats wearing a backpack for sure.

 

 

This is my1200T without the bags or the wind screen as I use it daily for local rides and day cruises. I won't bore you with details, but the 1200T is the perfect bike for how I use the bike, and I love the way it handles. Plenty of power for a solo rider.


Bike at delivery with OEM equipment, including bags.
I purchased a 2017 SL 1200T in August. It was equipped with the OEM bags that are standard equipment on the SL 1200T. Since I ride solo and only plan to do short trips, the OEM bags are good enough. I also like that they are easy to remove so that I can remove them most of the time because I don't like bags hanging off the back while just cruising locally. I purchased acorn nuts to put on the mounting attachments to protect them.

 

Nice bike just the way it is (without bags). Just curious, how do you carry stuff i.e. backpack?