Hey all. While i love my Road King custom as is, I just have an itch for hard bags. Found a set for what i think is a decent price ($250) but they are white and the bike is black pearl. Once painted to match, they would look brand new as the bags are excellent shape. Ok, so 3 questions:

Is this a difficult job to tackle myself?
Is it worth it to buy used and repaint rather than buy new?
If it is a difficult job for someone like myself who stinks at that stuff, would I just bring them to an autobody to repaint or where?

Thanks guys and gals

 

I priced a new set of hard bags at my dealership for about 1K, color matched vivid black. Thats a dif of 750 bucks and would buy a lot of paint imo

 

Buy a used set and have a painter do it for you

 

i knew I could count on the guys here. will seal the deal now!

 

Absolutely buy the used and paint done by your local painter! Might charge a good penny...but ya know....it's better than 1K.

Ride Safe, Mike

 

Are they stock bags or police bags? The police bags are worth a little less. Just something to consider...

 

damn. i believe they are police bags. i guess i will do a search and see why they are cheaper. if someone wants to enlighten me in the meantime, feel free.

 

Police bags use a hockey puck in the lid to turn a coil to latch them, and have strap hinges on the outside to open. Also, they often have an extra hole in one of the bags for radar or other electrical equipment.

Also, if the bags are from a '05-'07 police bike the right bag will have a substantial narrowing from the fender side, forward of the shock, to accommodate the ABS system HD used then.

Some, myself included, prefer the police bags because they can be opened with one hand. Nice, affordable flush mount chrome pushbutton latches are readily available to replace the pucks, and chrome billet hinges are available to replace the strap hinges to improve the cosmetic appearance.

Good luck with your project.

 

Thanks Harleypingman. I actually just read that post a few minutes ago. I am going blind from so much reading but i do understand the difference now. I think i will pull the trigger. the bags are off a 2000 road king so no worry of the ABS issue. Some flushmount latches, a paint job and I will be good to go! Thanks all for your help.

 

I would definalty buy the used ones, cheaper and sure you can have it painted by someone else. It's not hard to paint them yourself, if your patient enough through the sanding process and and the waiting time involved. I color matched my inner fairing and cap this winter, took me about two months time to do it, and I just bought a set of saddlebag spoilers and tour pak spoiler that I had to strip and paint which took about a week. Anyway, go the cheaper route even if you decide not to do the work yourself, you'll be much happier and so will your pocket book.