LUGGAGE BRACKETS:
New Brackets:
Why are the rubber washers necessary?
To prevent "pulling in" the back of mounted bags when bolted to the crossbar. They are not needed for
"over-the-seat" saddlebags --only for bolted on applications.
Will the New brackets work on the Scrambler?
Yes (see below). Due to an increasing number of requests, it is now possible to buy only the left side
bracket.
You recommend slant bags but what if I have straight bags?
The concern is not with out brackets but with the placement of the rear shocks. The slanted position of the
shocks determine what bags work best. If a straight bag hangs over the shock absorber, it must clear the
shock to avoid contact. This can be accomplished with a spacer plate bolted to the bracket. An example
of a spacer plate can be seen on the instruction page for Luggage Brackets.
What size bag can I use?
Original Brackets:
Why aren't the luggage brackets stainless steel?
The Luggage Brackets are finished in powder-coat black to match the frame. Why black? Because we
feel it is a utility product hidden by luggage in normal use and, without luggage, it tends to detract from the
lines of the motorcycle. Luggage brackets are not an appearance enhancing product . . . they are simply
useful. Owners of all-black Bonnevilles will find the black finish very appropriate.
Are the Luggage Brackets made for a specific brand of luggage?
The design of the Luggage Brackets was directed toward soft luggage. We used large leather slant-bags
to test the design. It's easier to design supports for soft luggage because mounting demands are minimal
as opposed to the many mounting schemes used by hard-bags. The purpose of the brackets is to
provide horizontal support for luggage by preventing contact with moving parts and using tie-downs to
minimize wind effect. They work very well with soft-bags but modifications should be made to provide
more vertical support for hard-bags. Almost any style of bag will fit the brackets.
Do the luggage brackets work on the Scrambler?
Yes, and no. The right-side exhaust of the Scrambler makes mounting any bag difficult and unwise
(unless you like smoking leather!). The left side is fine for mounting one Luggage Bracket and will work
with a soft bag by unlacing the set and only using the left bag. If you attach hooks to the crossover strap, it
will be possible to secure the bag to the frame tube either over or under the seat. Actually, we've heard of
some riders preferring one bag for daily use --it's not that much of a sacrifice for a Scrambler!
Can the Luggage Brackets be used with hard luggage?
Yes, if the three mounting points (holes) allow it. Some riders have build a hard luggage support that
bolts to the three mounts and others have drilled the hard-bags to bolt directly to the Luggage Brackets.
The Luggage Brackets are easily weldable if a permanent hard luggage support is desired.
If heavy hard-bags are to be used, additional support should be provided. An adapter can be fabricated
like the hard-bag modification below or any user design that provides vertical support. "Heavy" is a
relative term but large hard-bags carrying a load in excess of 10 lbs can be considered heavy. However,
loads vary in composition and how they affect road shock, e.g., 10 lbs of clothes will produce less shock
than 10 lbs of steel. If you think your bags are heavy, provide support for them.
MODIFICATIONS:
Any modification will invalidate the warranty but, if necessary, accessories can be customized for
individual needs. Welding is not recommended on grade 8 stainless unless you are very experienced
and use the proper equipment and correct stainless wire (MIG/TIG). Attaching anything with screws or
bolts is possible but avoid aluminum because of galvanic corrosion (a cathodic metal in direct contact
with an anodic metal) --the aluminum will corrode, not the stainless steel.
The Mounting Plate and Luggage Brackets are made with regular steel and can be modified (if needed)
with simple welding techniques. Applying a protective finish (powder-coat or durable paint) is strongly
suggested for any modification.
New Brackets:
Why are the rubber washers necessary?
To prevent "pulling in" the back of mounted bags when bolted to the crossbar. They are not needed for
"over-the-seat" saddlebags --only for bolted on applications.
Will the New brackets work on the Scrambler?
Yes (see below). Due to an increasing number of requests, it is now possible to buy only the left side
bracket.
You recommend slant bags but what if I have straight bags?
The concern is not with out brackets but with the placement of the rear shocks. The slanted position of the
shocks determine what bags work best. If a straight bag hangs over the shock absorber, it must clear the
shock to avoid contact. This can be accomplished with a spacer plate bolted to the bracket. An example
of a spacer plate can be seen on the instruction page for Luggage Brackets.
What size bag can I use?
Original Brackets:
Why aren't the luggage brackets stainless steel?
The Luggage Brackets are finished in powder-coat black to match the frame. Why black? Because we
feel it is a utility product hidden by luggage in normal use and, without luggage, it tends to detract from the
lines of the motorcycle. Luggage brackets are not an appearance enhancing product . . . they are simply
useful. Owners of all-black Bonnevilles will find the black finish very appropriate.
Are the Luggage Brackets made for a specific brand of luggage?
The design of the Luggage Brackets was directed toward soft luggage. We used large leather slant-bags
to test the design. It's easier to design supports for soft luggage because mounting demands are minimal
as opposed to the many mounting schemes used by hard-bags. The purpose of the brackets is to
provide horizontal support for luggage by preventing contact with moving parts and using tie-downs to
minimize wind effect. They work very well with soft-bags but modifications should be made to provide
more vertical support for hard-bags. Almost any style of bag will fit the brackets.
Do the luggage brackets work on the Scrambler?
Yes, and no. The right-side exhaust of the Scrambler makes mounting any bag difficult and unwise
(unless you like smoking leather!). The left side is fine for mounting one Luggage Bracket and will work
with a soft bag by unlacing the set and only using the left bag. If you attach hooks to the crossover strap, it
will be possible to secure the bag to the frame tube either over or under the seat. Actually, we've heard of
some riders preferring one bag for daily use --it's not that much of a sacrifice for a Scrambler!
Can the Luggage Brackets be used with hard luggage?
Yes, if the three mounting points (holes) allow it. Some riders have build a hard luggage support that
bolts to the three mounts and others have drilled the hard-bags to bolt directly to the Luggage Brackets.
The Luggage Brackets are easily weldable if a permanent hard luggage support is desired.
If heavy hard-bags are to be used, additional support should be provided. An adapter can be fabricated
like the hard-bag modification below or any user design that provides vertical support. "Heavy" is a
relative term but large hard-bags carrying a load in excess of 10 lbs can be considered heavy. However,
loads vary in composition and how they affect road shock, e.g., 10 lbs of clothes will produce less shock
than 10 lbs of steel. If you think your bags are heavy, provide support for them.
MODIFICATIONS:
Any modification will invalidate the warranty but, if necessary, accessories can be customized for
individual needs. Welding is not recommended on grade 8 stainless unless you are very experienced
and use the proper equipment and correct stainless wire (MIG/TIG). Attaching anything with screws or
bolts is possible but avoid aluminum because of galvanic corrosion (a cathodic metal in direct contact
with an anodic metal) --the aluminum will corrode, not the stainless steel.
The Mounting Plate and Luggage Brackets are made with regular steel and can be modified (if needed)
with simple welding techniques. Applying a protective finish (powder-coat or durable paint) is strongly
suggested for any modification.
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Frequently Asked Questions
That's best determined by what you want to
carry. You could mount something as small
as a sissybar bag or a bag as large as the
frame will tolerate. It's a personal preference
but this diagram can provide some practical
dimensions (in inches). The only absolute
limitation is to position the bag high enough
to prevent being burned by the exhaust.
carry. You could mount something as small
as a sissybar bag or a bag as large as the
frame will tolerate. It's a personal preference
but this diagram can provide some practical
dimensions (in inches). The only absolute
limitation is to position the bag high enough
to prevent being burned by the exhaust.