Hard Cases

[the boy blunder]

Hey everyone!

I just bought my second bike- an '81. I am very excited.

I am hopefully taking it on a trip this summer and would love some advice on saddlebags/hard cases.

I have done one other big tour but I just strapped my hiking backpack on the back of my bike and it was a bit sketchy when my fiance was on there too!

So, i am looking for something a little better this time. Ideally something that locks and is used/not too expensive (looking to spend about a hundred.)

How universal are hard cases? will just a bout anything fit on my bike or do i need a CB specific case?

thanks!

Jordan

[sgtslag]

Here is a trunk I used on my Kawasaki 440 LTD (I had the smaller version):  JC Whitney link.  As long as you have a rack to bolt it onto, it's good.  I removed the orange plastic bars around it, painted them gloss black, and it looked much better.  There are soft saddlebags, as well, but I would suggest you shop at Leatherup, for those:  Leatherup Saddlebags.

A tank bag is also a great way to store smaller stuff.  Be sure to observe the load triangle, for where to put your luggage on the bike:  the rider's head is the top, and the two other points project down to the two wheels; all weight needs to be distributed within the triangle, not outside -- going outside the triangle causes the bike to be unbalanced, and extremely tippy, balance is like standing on a razor's edge!  Tank bags are well within the triangle, as long as you don't get one which is extremely tall.  I'd suggest getting one with a clear top, which can hold a map, for reference when driving -- just be careful about looking down for too long.
  Cheers!

[the boy blunder]

Hey,

thanks for the tip. Do you know if most saddlebags/harcases are universal for bikes? I know that most are not but I am looking just for a generic locking hardcase that would FIT AN 81 CB 750....

thanks for the site!

JLM

[sgtslag]

Soft bags are pretty universal, but hard cases, not so much.  The key is the mounting brackets:  on soft bags, they typically include a zip on/off strap for under/over the seat mounting; on hard cases, they are metal brackets, which mate to your bike's frame.  Sorry, but for a bike 30+ years old, you would likely need to troll e-Bay/Craigs List for Vetter luggage, made for your bike year and model -- they appear, but not too often.  Shipping can get expensive, as well, as they are quite bulky.

Another option is to use detachable soft bags, and just carry them into your motel/hotel with you.  That is what we did with our '79 K model.  I bought a generic set of metal guard brackets, to keep the bags out of the wheel's spokes, and to clip them to, to keep them from flapping in the wind, when empty (inexpensive carabiner clips through the fabric loops on the bottom of the bags, clipped to the metal brackets).  I purchased these brackets off of e-Bay; they bolted to existing bolts along the bike's seat (had a steel bracket for the hard trunk, which came with the bike).  Take a look here, at the first & third photo's, to see them on my old bike:  link.

The included, wide, zip on/off 'strap' did not work very well for us.  We made up some custom straps using webbing, and metal, duffel bag type, spring clips, from a fabric store, which went over the top of the bike's seat, to hold the bags up, above the exhaust.  They were easy to make, had clips to quickly detach from the bags' loops on top (most bags include a zipper on/off strap; if the over-the-seat strap, included with the bags, works for you, this won't be necessary...).  Once you get a set of soft bags, you will see the loops, top and bottom, for attaching them.  It only took a minute to attach/detach the bags; the bags came with carrying handles, so they were easy to use.

Otherwise, search e-Bay for universal hard saddlebags, and see what you like/can use for your bike.  Cheers!

[the boy blunder]

Thank you. So helpful. I found one hardcase that might fit (its for a 79). I may just throw the old backpack on the back for this trip and then get some really nice saddlebags afterward. thanks for the site.

your old bike is beautiful.
thanks again for the help

JLM

[the boy blunder]

PS. i grew up in Rochester. My parents still live there in NE.

[sgtslag]

Thanks.  Best of luck with your touring, and luggage.  (I'm in the SE part of town -- the 'bad' part...)    Cheers!