Regarding ear plugs, I've been using them all my life for shooting, yard work, tools inside and outside, my job in an industrial plant and anywhere else that sound may jeopardize my hearing. However, for some unknown reason, when I wear them with a helmet, the noise is amplified much louder than if I don't have them in my ears. I wear a full-face helmet which covers my ears and I suspect the wind on my helmet is more noticeable with the ear plugs than without them. I'm sure that wearing the ear plugs is better for me but the "apparent" noise inside my head is SEEMS than the actual noise and is very uncomfortable.
I know that I have a hearing difference from other people which is called, central auditory processing disorder, which is not really a hearing problem; it's a brain problem. The filter in my brain which is supposed to filter out background noise doesn't do it; I hear everything at an equal volume. When people would talk to me in the manufacturing plant where I worked, no matter how loud, I couldn't understand them. I could see their lips moving but no matter how loud they yelled, all the noise was equal. My daughter was diagnosed with this when she was young by a hearing specialist. She couldn't hear the teacher unless she sat up front in class. That's how I found out that I had the same disorder.
Bottom line: I wear ear plugs when I ride but it sure is weird sounding. Everything sounds like it is underwater to me.

 

I'm sure we're getting off topic a bit, but if earplugs only sound weird when you're wearing a helmet, then maybe they're making contact with the helmet in such a way that transfers vibration through them? Maybe try ones with shorter stems like the Earpeace brand instead of Eargasm.

Also, if you use them THAT frequently, perhaps investigate custom moulded earplugs. Future Sonics (https://futuresonics.com/ear-plugs) specializes in things like this, and there's different swappable inserts (like with the brands above) for gunshots vs general noise. Another benefit of custom earplugs would be less issues with protrusion from your ear causing rubbing.

 

Finally made some brackets for the saddlebags (OEM HD Sporty leather covered hard bags) that make the bags easier to take off. A 1/2" wrench to loosen 4 nuts and they come right off....takes about a minute for both bags. Only thing on the bike when the bags are off is four 1 1/2" slotted tabs.....almost un-noticable against the black tire.

 

Pics? Are the bottoms supported, do they flop when riding?

 

Actually, I believe the ear plugs are doing such a good job that I can actually hear the vibrations the helmet sends through my skull - sort of like sticking a screwdriver handle to your ear with the tip on the car's engine when trying to troubleshoot a noise. I don't actually "hear" as much as I "feel" the sound. The ear plugs are doing exactly what they should be doing by isolating the outside noise, letting me hear my internal noise. Maybe I just have too much air space inside my head....which would explain a lot.

 

LOL, I resemble that remark. Explains all my helmet noise now.

 

When fitted with the detachable sissy bar mount these bags are held on by two 1/2" nuts each side. The mounting bolts are turned round to leave a stud sticking out.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...ags/p/90201321

 

I quit doing pictures after being screwed by Photobucket.......I can text/email them to you if you would like. They vibrate a bit while riding but no worse than if they were direct mounted to the fender rails. They have a metal framework that supports the bag and that bolts to the bike.

 

Mine are quite a bit different from those.....in fact that site says they will not fit my 03' 88s Hugger.

 

Washed and checked it over before putting it away for the winter months.