More pictures are up, same URL, good shots of the finished product. Now, some details of the process.
First off, I love these bags, they are exactly what I needed, and they look fantastic. I'm going to talk about the issues I had, but don't take that as a sign that I am in any way unsatisfied with the end result. Everyone go send Brent all your money and get some
One odd thing was that there were no instructions that I could find in the kit itself. Maybe I just lost them in the packing material. In any case, I printed out a copy from the manufacturer's web site:
http://www.tsukayu.com/Installation_rev3.htm, and that got me through the install.
False start #1: I didn't have the right bolts to attach the brackets to the bike. Needs an M8X50 I think it was, maybe M8x40. Same diameter/thread as the bolts in the kit for attaching the bags to the brackets. Some 5/16" washers also come in handy for spacing out the rear bracket.
False start #2: I didn't have a 3/8" drill bit! I keep all my tools over in my friend's garage, because I don't have a good work space at my current apartment. But it seems I didn't have my drill index there, and his bits stop at 5/16". Silly me.
Day 3, success!
The recommended method of locating the brackets on the bags using dry erase marker on the bracket and then transferring it to the tape on the back of the bags by pressing them against the brackets was not all that useful. I did get a little bit of transfer, but mostly the physical indentation on the tape was what I used to locate the holes. They didn't come out perfect at first, but the Dremel was exactly what I needed for opening the holes just so. I highly recommend having one on hand for this install. Also, when test fitting I found that the top would just hit the front mounting bolt when opening it, but this was alleviated by the thickness of the rubber washers in the final install.
The stock blinkers were definitely an issue. You can see in my test fitting shot that they were preventing the lid from closing. I removed them at that point, so they wouldn't be in the way during the install. Positioning the bags out of their way is really not an option. The coil-overs prevent you from moving them forward, and the length of the brackets prevents moving them down further. (Jeff: that is the stock blinkers, and yes, they are quite sturdy.) I ended up using the Dremel to cut the stock blinker/plate bracket a little, and bend each of the blinker back a little. You can see the detail of the cuts here (3MB file download):
http://www.e3rpt.com/gallery/v/Blake/Speedmaster/Bags/IMG_0446.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=2Two on each side, above and below where the blinker stalk mounts to the bracket. Be *VERY* careful with that cutting disk an inch from your fender, it will go through your paint with just a touch. I used a strip of wood as a buffer just in case. One of these days I'll get around to wiring up the lights on the bags, and then I may just dispense with the stock ones all together. Shortening the stalks would have been another option, but that would have been a lot more difficult based on my brief observations.
Unfortunately, when I was doing the final install of the right bag, I put too much pressure on the wrench for the front bracket bolt, and stripped the fender. A little longer bolt and a M8 lock nut should take care of that. I may end up putting nuts behind all 4 bolts, for added strength. I think I may get some 5/16" fender washers for the mount points on the inside of the bags as well, distribute some of the load a little. The install instructions refer to fender washers in that position, but the ones in the kit are just regular washers.
I started installing on the right side, because the stand leans it to left, and when I got over to do the left side install, the front bracket is very close to the rear brake caliper. So close in fact, that when the shocks compress it just rubs against it. I don't think this will be a problem, but it's worth mentioning.
Questions?
