Options for Saddle Bags for '78 BMW R100/7

topic posted Mon, May 4, 2009 - 5:05 PM by 
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I'm looking to put a set of saddle bags (locking hard cases, really) on my 1978 BMW R100/7 but I am not really interested in Krauser or Hepco & Becker suitcase style bags. They are expensive and I prefer a top loading bag. Does anyone know if other hard cases fit these bikes? All searches and websites only return these suitcase bags as options for BMW's.

Keep the wheels on the pavement (unless you meant to do that)!

cheersblessings
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  • I don't know if this will help, but I've seen some bags on HD's that look like older saddle bags but there fiberglass. Might take some adapting..........
    • that may be a way. It seems there should be stuff for dual shock rear bikes that would work with the older bmws.
      • Unsu...
         
        Army surplus stores sell ammo cans for cheap. .50 caliber will be about as big as any large set of saddlebags, watertight with a rubber gasket, lockable top lid, and tough!

        I don't know if this suits your style. Some people really like em, some people find em too 'ratty' lookin. But they definitely get the job done and they only cost about $15 each. you wanted to know all options available, right?
        • Actually .50 caliber or even larger might be just the thing. I really want something that I can leave on the bike and lock up but take off and tote away when I need to. That's a fine idea! Thanks! I think I've seen some for small canon belt ammo....
          • Unsu...
             
            You'll need to fabricate your own suspension frame for them, or modify an existing one that will work. It'll take some doing. Most installations consist of simple brackets permanently bolted to the bike, and the cans. You could make a locking system but you're looking at some engineering and experimentation, and that usually means time. I would guess it would take the average backyard mechanic about one to two hours to rig up a bolt-on mounting system, and about six hours to work the bugs out of a locking/removable system. Access to a welder would be awesome but you could hacksaw and bolt your way around it if you had to.

            .50 cal ammo cans are about 14''x16''x7'' ... if you think you need more than that, maybe you oughta get a sidecar and a trailer? haha

            I made a hard 'T-bag' case for a bike once, out of plywood. It had a locking lid, weathertight gasket, and a locking system to keep it on the bike which used the same key as the lid lock. It was alright. Got the job done, cost less than $40, looked alright. But it was pretty heavy for it's size. I figure it took me about 8 hours total, but a lot of that was finishing and painting.
            • Hit the airheads list, those guys have been doing this stuff for 40 years.
              • Unsu...
                 
                Well, after this thread I went and got an ammo can this afternoon. I just picked up the little one, the .30 caliber was only five bucks at the local milsurp and my bike is tiny. I just needed one, for the little items you might want to put in a lockable case. it's offset on the other side of the bike by the high muffler, so it balances out in a funny assymetrical sort of way.

                Took me about an hour to fabricate a three-point mounting bracket for it, now it's really solid and looks nice on the bike. I haven't yet fitted a lock to the box, I haven't even taken it for a ride yet. I am anticipating I will need to do something to quiet any vibration, the top handle is really rattley and some extraneous parts of the clasp mechanism also. But it's coming along well.

                I'll post pictures soon.

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