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Re: Regular Mounts (not EZ Brackets)

I rarely see saddlebag mounts for sale without the bags. What's the going rate for just the mounts?

Do many people use the throw over strap or do most people fasten them to the brackets?

The setup I have now is strapless and utilizes regular mounts with some "pot metal" fasteners welded on to fit into my Saddlemen bags. The fasteners twist 90 degrees to secure the bags. The previous owner made them - but the welds have not held up very well, so I'm exploring other options.

EZ Brackets.

You would never have to think through that decision again!

Yep. I know, and I'm not ruling out EZs... but that's the costliest option and since I rarely take the bags off - I'm considering the more economical options first. As you know, money saved in this area can be spent in other areas (on the bike, of course).

If EZs save my fender from getting all scratched up from the throwover strap... that would be another consideration. Gosh, what do non-Triumph owners spend all their time thinking about?

I use the Honda Magna brackets, bought used here a long time ago.

I also don't have a need to remove the bags. Why do without the convenience?

So, I bolted my Saddleman bags to the rails in three spots using hardware from Lowes. I later reinforced the plastic Saddlemen backs with a sheet of metal. Cable clamps, nylon locknuts and some stainless fender washers on either side.

Here's some pix.

We use our bags like luggage when we go camping. So I pull mine off like I would take a suitcase out of a trunk if in a car. Wendy takes hers off to empty in the tent or hotel room too. Much easier than making trips back and forth to empty at our destination. Then put them back on when we leave to go somewhere. I don't like bags on my bike so if I am not actually carrying something they are not on my bike. They even sell a handle that the brackets clip onto to make them like suitcases. So you pop them off the bike and both onto a handle and carry them both in 1 hand like a suitcase. Those are a little expensive so I have been meaning to make a set but haven't gotten there yet.

I had Triumph throwovers for a few weeks...scratched the living $&!t out of my fender. The racks only serve to keep the bags from contacting your wheel.
I then switched to EZs and ultimately got the hard bags Ive always wanted.

Thanks for all of your feedback... very helpful. I see that the Easy Brackets have some upside that I hadn't thought about. I also learned of a new way to secure bags to regular mounts. ssjones, your pics also gave me an idea that is somewhere between what I currently have and what you currently have. Still not sure if I'm going to spring for the EZs or fabricate something on my own using a regular mount. However, I'll figure it out in due time.

Thanks again!

I've got the EZs on my America now, but not sure I like the look. They ride high, the tops of the bags level with the top of the fender. I'm going to get some Honda Magna brackets and see what the bags look like using them and the throw over strap. That will let me adjust the bag height. I'll sell whichever one I like the looks of less.

As for the strap scratching the fender, I had a strap setup on my last bike. I cut a piece of very soft cloth (like chamois) to the outline of the underside of the strap and used it between the fender and strap. No scratches after 2 years.

I only take the bags off when I'm working on it or giving it a major wash/wax job.

Jim F

Just a note. Had a friend make me a set of brackets like the Magna type and mounted those on the bike. Like the look much better than the EZ brackets. Did the same as before, secured bags to brackets with a couple of zip ties.

Jim F