Basic Guidelines For A Motorcycle Saddlebag Installation

Most people don't think that the size of a motorcycle saddlebag would be an issue, but it seems to be one of the major issues for saddlebags. If you purchase a saddlebag that does not fit correctly to your motorcycle then there will be some complications down the road.

The following is information about how to fit and install your motorcycle's saddlebags.

Measurements:

One of the first things you should do is measure the motorcycle starting at the seat base and ending at the pipes. Then you will need to measure starting at the taillights then go to the motorcycle's front. This will then be your maximum length for your motorcycle.

Adjustment, Comparison, and Brackets:

During this step you will want to make any necessary adjustments to your measurements. A deduction of two inches to the maximum height will prevent burning of the saddlebag on the pipes of the motorcycle. If you have shocks that are exposed a slanted saddlebag may be a better option.

Once you have determined all the measurements you will need to compare these to multiple saddlebags to find the best fit. If you find a saddlebag that you desperately want but the dimensions are a little off you could consider relocating items on the motorcycle, such as the turn signals, for a better fit.

Throw over saddlebags with Easy Brackets could also be an option as you will have the advantage of being able to remove the saddlebag whenever necessary. There are also saddlebags that have clips, meaning they will simply clip on and off preventing you from having to remove any seat whenever you'd like to remove the saddlebag.

Basic Steps for Throw Over Installation:

Knowing how to install a throw over is great knowledge for any motorcyclist. The following steps will take you through the basic installation process.

Step #1: Removal of the seat

Get your Philips head screwdriver and then begin gliding the seat forward to remove the bracket keyholes. Then you will need to glide the seat backwards on the motorcycle to remove the tongue of the seat that is attached to the back tank bracket.

Step #2: Positioning the yoke

When you hear the word yoke you may be confused, but this happens to be the portion that will go underneath the seat of your motorcycle. You will need to untie this section to place the saddlebags in position on your motorcycle. Then covering one yoke side with the other portion of the yoke will need to be done. Take the time to mark the following sections on the yoke:
a)Where hardware is blocked
b)Outline perimeters of the upper yoke, which is where the lower yoke wing is being partly covered.

Step #3: Aligning marks

This is where the marks will come in handy. Place your saddlebag onto a flat surface and line up all the marks that you've just made in the previous step.

Step #4: Securing saddlebag

During this step you will be securing the saddlebag onto your motorcycle. Make sure you position it correctly to get the best fit.

Step #5: Safety check

The final step is to ensure that everything is attached correctly and that it's not going to go anywhere. Safety is key so double check everything.

It can be quite simple installing a motorcycle saddlebag if you follow the instructions that come with the saddlebag and the above steps. Don't get frustrated with your saddlebag. If it doesn't seem to fit correctly don't force it. A saddlebag needs to fit perfectly, just like you'd want your shoes to fit, so take the time to install it correctly to get the best results.