I had been thinking about replacing my Triumph soft saddlebags as I wanted something waterproof but hard saddlebags typically cost close to a thousand dollars and you have to figure out your own mounting brackets for a "non touring" bike like the Bonneville. I had found Ortlieb bags in the Aerostich catalogue and they seemed reasonable at $180. http://www.aerostich.com/ortlieb-thin-dry-bag-saddlebags.html The Wolfman bags cost more http://www.wolfmanluggage.com/Expedition/expd_dry_saddle_bags.html but they don't sell a mounting kit for the Bonneville and their complex mounting arrangement is designed more for off road uses. Ho hum.
I looked at the Australian soft bags by Andy Strapz http://www.andystrapz.com/ and they appealed but they aren't cheap at $350 (US approximately) plus liner bags to make them waterproof plus they have no brackets for the Bonneville. Ouf! This is complicated. Hepco Becker makes a Bonneville sized rack and hard bag kit for $1300! Plus the bags are huge which was not what I was looking for which also means you have to relocate the rear turn signals. Then I found what I wanted from Pelican Cases. Two 1430 sized, top opening plastic cases cost $130 plus $25 shipping and I figured I could bolt them directly to the soft saddlebag rails I already have on the bike. I pulled out my tools as soon as they arrived. 
I looked at the Australian soft bags by Andy Strapz http://www.andystrapz.com/ and they appealed but they aren't cheap at $350 (US approximately) plus liner bags to make them waterproof plus they have no brackets for the Bonneville. Ouf! This is complicated. Hepco Becker makes a Bonneville sized rack and hard bag kit for $1300! Plus the bags are huge which was not what I was looking for which also means you have to relocate the rear turn signals. Then I found what I wanted from Pelican Cases. Two 1430 sized, top opening plastic cases cost $130 plus $25 shipping and I figured I could bolt them directly to the soft saddlebag rails I already have on the bike. I pulled out my tools as soon as they arrived. 
I bought ten bucks of D rings and nuts and bolts at the Summerland Ace hardware and went to work. In an hour I was done. 
Even though we can't lane split in Florida traffic I wanted bags large enough to fit my man purse and keep it dry in summer rain but not too huge for my size of bike. I also wanted secure bags for my longer trips but I am not the kind of traveler who likes to ride with a grossly overloaded bike so I didn't need room for the kitchen sink. Plus I like their rugged functional look for my rugged daily rider.
Installation was dead simple. I unbolted the soft saddlebag rails (two nuts) and drilled eight slightly undersized holes in the back of the bags, applied copious quantities of silicon and through bolted the rails to the bags with the D ring straps and lock nuts. Thus:
I bolted the rails back to the bike and there they were. If I want to remove them unbolted the rails is a slightly fiddly task but very simple. If I need a quickly removable piece of luggage the Emgo topcase comes off with a quick release. 
And I hope that my silicone holes are waterproof. 
They will be put to the test this summer during Florida's rainy season, and perhaps on another Iron Butt ride later this year, if things go well.
There are myriad on line sites to buy Pelican Cases. This one sold me mine: http://www.pelican-case.com/pelican-top-loader-protector-case-1430nf-black-no-foam.html
And I hope that my silicone holes are waterproof. 
They will be put to the test this summer during Florida's rainy season, and perhaps on another Iron Butt ride later this year, if things go well. There are myriad on line sites to buy Pelican Cases. This one sold me mine: http://www.pelican-case.com/pelican-top-loader-protector-case-1430nf-black-no-foam.html
5 comments:
Those look great, and are a nice, affordable option. Thank you for the link to the Pelican website. Do the screws stick out too much into the case?
Mr Conchscooter:
welcome to the world of farkles. First the Bags, then the GPS, then the heated grips, then the heated seats, and so it goes . . .
they look very nice. I wanted a narrower set myself
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Richard: I used one inch bolts and lock nuts and put a daub of silicon on the ends. Since then I've stuffed my backpack into one back and the ends don't seem to get in the way at all, much to my surprise. I've hosed them and no water got inside.
Bobbie: no such luck. I remain a minimalist. It took me ages to decide i really did want waterproof bags ( the zips on the Triumph bags let water in) and I saw these pelican case son the triumphrat website where the owner didn't actually like them... but I did and used asimpler mounting system than he tried. he wanted quickly detachable bags. Extra complexity of course...
Dear Conchscooter:
First of all, congratulations on devising a blog format that actually discourages smart-ass remarks because three new posts are up before I can properly respond to the one I have in mind. I get a headache trying to keep up with these. And all you are doing is actually cutting up regular essays for a timed-release version... But it is damned disorienting.
These bags look great on your Bonneville and will go a long way to enhancing your cargo carrying capacity. Should you decide you need some external mounting points, like bungee buddies, they will easily affix to the top or sides of the case. The Pelican bags almost look like a match for the barbecue grill on the top deck. They also look as tough as hell. I don't think you could beet that price anywhere.
I used to just pulls the bags off the K75 (which takes a second) when checking into a hotel. But in truth, I started using liners which are lighter to handle and leave the bags on for those day rides when I do a little shopping.
I would like to point out that your Bonnevile is becoming more BMW-like with each new addition.
Good luck with these. I am very impressed.
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
I would have much preferred to see the Obama adminsitration take down the banks, bring order and regulation to trans national corporations who put making an even larger profit over a smaller profit and supporting Anerican workers. However with 50 million Americans without health insurance, 47 million on food stamps and a plan to balance the budget deficit by de funding Planned Parenthood and taking away medicare for kids, I do not see a bright future ahead for any of us, even those of us holding our own for now. I want to try to be prepared, and farting around amusing myself on the blog when it too could be put to work seems improvident. What can I say?
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