I picked up a set of the hard, leather covered HD saddlebags (53050-04A) on ebay from what appears to have been a salvage bike. The leather on the bags was pretty much trashed, but the tubs are intact, and re-covering them is easy for me.

Problem is, none of the mounting hardware came with them, so I will need to get the pieces.

Has anyone installed a set of these bags, and still have the install paper that came with them? I don't even need the paper itself, just the parts list from it, with the exact descriptions (and part # if provided) of all the mounting bits.

I'm going to have fun re-covering the bags. It gives me the opportunity to color-coordintate them with the bike, and do some custom carving on the leather.

 

If you call H-D Customer Service, they'll fax (for free, believe it or not) a copy of the instructions - you just need to give them the part number. The toll free # is on the web site (can't remember it off hand). When you call (business hours, of course) you get some voice prompts to navigate, but you do eventually get through to a live person. And they're real helpful. I got my instructions (different set of saddlebags, similar situation) faxed to me just a few minutes after I hung up with them. Good luck!

 

Very cool, thanks for the pointer.

 

I must just be cheap - picked up a set of bags for 38 clams - 53.95 with shipping - well worth it IMO for what I needed and for what I plan to do - if I trash um I won't be too upset

 

It's called being frugle with your clams. Nothing wrong with saving cash to pay for other chrome accessories and gas for a trip or two.

 

Not sure if this is what you're looking for but it was in the link you provided.

DOCKING HARDWARE FOR SPORTSTER® DETACHABLE RACKS AND SIDEPLATES

DETACHABLE ACCESSORY MODEL FITMENT DETACHABLE SIDEPLATE DOCKING HARDWARE
1994-2003 XL Detachable Docking Kit Fitment Matrix
Detachable Sideplates 53545-95, 53609-01 or Detachable Solo Rack 53495-95:With
Leather Saddlebags; 90598-04 or 90342-04 1994-2001 XL Models
53545-95 - Chrome
53609-01 - Black 90465-98A
2002-2003 XL
Except XL Sport 53545-95 - Chrome
53609-01 - Black 53532-02
Detachable Sideplates 53545-95, 53609-01 or Detachable Solo Rack 53495-95 without Leather Saddlebags. 1994-2003 XL Models 53545-95 - Chrome
53609-01 - Black 53528-95B
Detachable Sideplates 53545-95, 53609-01 or Detachable Solo Rack 53495-95 with Hard Saddlebags 91370-00XX
1994-2003 XL Models (except XL 1200 Sport or 883R with remote reservoir shocks) 53545-95 - Chrome
53609-01 - Black 53528-95B & 91385-00
2004-later XL Detachable Docking Kit Fitment Matrix
Detachable Sideplates 53913-04 or Detachable Solo Rack 53494-04 or Detachable Solo Tour-Pak® P/N 53655-04 with Leather Saddlebags 53050-04A. (Detachable accessories are not compatable on 2004-later models with Leather Saddlebags 79073-04, 79052-04, 90598-04, 90342-04.) 2004-later XL Models 53913-04 - Chrome
53544-04
Detachable Sideplates 53913-04 or Detachable Solo Rack 53494-04 without Leather Saddlebags. 2004-later XL Models 53913-04 - Chrome 53529-04
Detachable Sideplates 53913-04 or Detachable Solo Rack 53494-04 with Hard Saddlebags 91412-04XX
2004-later XL Models 53913-04 - Chrome 53529-04 & 91405-04


Note: Docking hardware fitment is dependent on model bike and saddlebag configuration.

 

Not much different from what I'm doing. The bags cost me $75 including shipping. Re-covering them will cost me around $20-$30 plus a few hours of my own labor. Somewhere around $20-$40 will get me the parts needed to mount them, even if I have to have spacers fabricated.

So, for around $100-$140, I'll have two hard bags, lockable, with a custom leather covering job. As opposed to the list price for the same bags, which is $700, in nice, boring black.

 

I wish it was that easy.

That's for the detachable docking hardware for sissy bars, luggage racks, etc. You need a specific set if you have the hard bags, but you also need the spacers that come with the hard bags. I already picked up the appropriate set, and did a test-fitting.

 

Oh well, somedays I suck at the internet Hope you get it figured out.

 

I've got no major worries, really. Absolute worst case scenario is I measure the offsets needed, and have a machine shop cut and drill me some spacers from metal dowel stock. It's just easier if I know the measurements ahead of time.