RKC bags aren't soft like the Heritage ones are. They are leather around plastic. They already hold their shape unless something goes wrong with the leather or the glue.

 

Never had the Classic bags but have run leather for a long time, now have hard bags. I had a set of late eighties Heritage bags, the fringed leather ones. When they would lose some of their shape, I would get them good an soaked, stuff them with newspaper to shape them and let them sun dry. Once dry, a good soaking with Feibing's leather cleaner and conditioner, they were good to go for a long time. While you have the leather conditioner out it's a good time to hit the jacket, chaps, gloves, boots, etc. also.

 

Tom from http://harleygoodies.com/ here. How about some pics so we can understand better what you are talking about in order to provide a good answer? Thanks.

Regards,
Tom
Harley Goodies

 

I treat my bags with Doc Bailey's once a year and the bags look almost new.

 

Maybe just take a ride thru the homeless section of town...where they don't give a flip about your bags, they just want to know where their next meal is coming from. ( Not trying to offend here )

 

I used the (sample) H-D leather treatment that came with the bike. The next day after putting it on the bags were rippling up on the top. Thought I had really f*cked them up but after a few days they tightened right up again. It's just the moisture content in the leather - they get softer and stretchier when they get damp. They'll tighten up again.

 

That's a bunch of good info. I just got my new RKC, and have been reading about how to take care of the bags. Kind of a cool feature of the leather bags, is that they will be different on every bike. Gives it character.

S