Triumphrat

truebrit · 07-19-2006

Sorry to re-ask something that has possibly been asked many times before, but I have some questions about saddlebags. I have searched through pages of material on-line, here, and at other fourms/web sites, but I can't get the specifics I need.

So far, I have concluded that I am going with Easy Brackets (or similar) as I want to take the bags off the bike when just out and blatting around. in order to leave the bikes lines fundamentally unaltered.

Bags too seem relatively easy (and cheap) to find - especially if you go with some of the new synthetic materials.

However, my question is this. What is the maximum width (length) of bag that I can fit using Easy Brackets without failing the indicator stems? Also, are the dimensions that the manufacturs give the external dimensions (which I suspect they are)?

The reason I am poncing around so much with this relatively simple decision is that I am fundamentally buying the bags for the commute to work and I have to be able to fit my lap top in there. It is 15" x 10.5" ... and this counts out many of the standard bags. I have seen some "slanters" that are 17"+ ... but I don't know if these will fail the indicator stalks and or hold the lap top anyway.

Any help would be appreciated. I don't want to go through the hassle of ordering and returning umpteen bags to get the right ones.

Oh, and while I think of it, just how do the bags "connect" to the Easy Bracket itself. Do you actually have to damage the bag (i.e. make it non-returnable) to fit the bags to the bracket?

tba-golfer · 07-19-2006

truebrit-

I'm not trying to be a wiseas$ here, but have you considered a backpack or courier type bag? There would be less bouncing around, I think, on your lap top.

Yes, you do have to drill through the bag to attach it to the easy brackets.

truebrit · 07-19-2006

I have considered (and use) a very nice backpack ... but by the time you have the thing loaded with a laptop, cables, paperwork and some kit for racquetteball ... it weighs a ton. It would be easier to just drop the stuff in the s/bags and then use the tote handle to carry them into the office.

Thanks for the heads-up on the drilling ... I suspected as much which is why I want to be sure as to what fits ...

mag10 · 07-19-2006

Your post touches on a concern of mine as well. I have the saddlemen drifter bags, which are fine for generally carrying stuff. Due mostly to the price of gasoline, I find myself taking the bike on bussiness trips in addition to just commuting. My laptop (dell 610) does fit in the drifter bags but I do not feel comfortable with it. I have ordered a rack to go on the rear fender so that I can just bungee on a bag with everything in it.

truebrit · 07-19-2006

- mag10

I am not so worried about it "rattling" around in the s/bags as I have a neoprene padded sock for the laptop itself. It is more just a case of getting bags that are big enough to hold it and small enough to fit on the bike.

bobw3592 · 07-19-2006

http://leatherneckjim.safeshopper.com/index.htm?586

truebrit, here is a link for leatherneck jim. he has leather, fabric and easy bracket info. There is also directions with a diagram on how to measure for proper bag size.

Good luck,
BobW.

truebrit · 07-20-2006

Hey, thanks Bob ... the "triangle" at leatherneck jim is a good place to start.

I am assuming that once I have the maximum length I can accomodate, it is just a case of bolting the bags to the brackets at the optimum point so as not to interfere with the indicators or passenger knee room, right?

I'll take some measurements and see where it gets me ...

07-20-2006

I had the dealer put Triumph bags on because my wife wanted to ride it to school while I was gone for the week. And she does. She uses the bags for her books. She COULD put her laptop in there if she had to. She says it's the same size as her Med book...
But regular Triumph bags seem to work good, although I can only swear to the fact that they hold a six pack of glass bottles of beer per bag pretty easy.

truebrit · 07-21-2006

Quote:

...although I can only swear to the fact that they hold a six pack of glass bottles of beer per bag pretty easy.

I'll do some extensive research over the weekend, alcohol66, stacking empty bottles on my laptop to determine how many would have to fit in a s/bag in order for my laptop to fit in there ..
:chug:

Bryan · 07-22-2006

truebrit; Here is a link to Saddlemens.Link to Saddlemens Jumbo Drifter Bags. I really like mine and would buy them for my next bike. Here's a link to the brackets I made for mine. They are removable and lock with the push of a button. Link to my photo album showing the brackets.