Folks,
I got them installed and thought I would share my experience...
with pictures...cause we all like pictures....
First the hardware...
Here is what comes with the bags:
It’s fairly obvious you will need to go out and buy additional hardware so here is what I wound up going out and buying...
I made sure all parts were stainless steel to prevent rusting and you’ll notice I made the effort to find rubber washers. Stay tuned and you’ll see why....
So ... after reading many postings about that darn caliper I did the left side first. I found a 50 degree angle on the brackets to work best...here’s a pic of the brackets on the bike...I held the camera a little crooked but the bike was on a jack and level. I used a level to make sure...LOL.
Here’s why I went with 50 degrees...I a bit AR at times and I like things to align....
Notice the angle of the bag and the lip that is molded into to allow it to mount closer to the bike.
To get the bags lined up to the correct height I used a long level across the back and stacked boxes and stuff till I got one where I wanted it, marked the back (I put on some masking tape so I could mark and make a template for the other bag)... (YES...I have it and if you want it just ask. BUT use carefully...it’s not perfect. I transferred it to cardboard).
Anyway....
Holes drilled and mock up looked good so it was time to get to the serious mounting....
Here are the washers.
I layered them as follows...
Top left...rubber fender washer.
Top right...rubber fender washer with stainless fender washer on top.
bottom left...small washer added for additional shock absorption and to allow the not so perfect mounting brackets to mount without unnecessary pressure on the fiberglass bags.
Next I mounted the brackets to the bag...trust me...this is way easier than trying to mount the bag to the brackets while they are already on the bike....ask me how I know...
I used the button head screws inside the bags with the stainless fender washers. The washers sandwich the bag for better support and pressure distribution. I prefer the button heads to prevent some scratching that might happen to contents if they are not protected. I plan on covering the heads at some point. I should have taken a pic of the inside of the bags...Ill add it later.
Next are some shots of spacing and alignment...I am having some nice Stainless spacers made so in the mean time I just used some nuts I bought and a couple washers the kit came with. Not back looking but again...I’m a tad AR at times...
Top view between bag and fender...sorry but there is reflection off the dirty paint and shiny bags.
I set them back a bit cause I wanted the bag to flow with the fender as best as I could get it to.
Full rear shot...no lights yet.
Left side spacing...cleared that caliper baby...
Side view...They are slightly tilted forward.
