Saddle bags. Make it yourself.

bblost · 25th December 2008, 21:53

Buy two large backpacks from an army canteen or surplus stores.
Cost about 270 each.

Then get them to guy who has a large sewing machine preferably with a electric motor.
Stitch them together like this.
Those shiny bits are rivets.

Saddle bags. Make it yourself.-bags-2.jpg

The top flaps are connected to each other.
The bottom flap of one bag connects to the top flap of the other bag.

Saddle bags. Make it yourself.-p1010117.jpg

For the bag on the silencer side without any saree guard for support the strap connects back to itself using the buckle removed from the flap that went on top.

The lower straps will go around the stays for support.

Saddle bags. Make it yourself.-p1010118.jpg

the_trooper · 25th December 2008, 22:08

Thats super innovation.

Now please mount them on the bike, load them up with luggage and lets see what it looks like.

Are you coming for RM this time?

Sankar · 25th December 2008, 23:00

Super that's ingenious man!

Fountainheader · 26th December 2008, 08:56

bblost,
With what can be called as the next best invention since sliced wheat bread, you might have just put Cramster out of business

phamilyman · 26th December 2008, 09:34

LOL nice man. But there are cheaper versions

there's a full cramster types saddlebags available in gzb for the delhi folks - used to cost 1100 and designed for pulsars - tested across ladakh etyadi.

The cheapest one are some schoolbags a friend tied up on the corners 150 apiece but yeah, yours has added stability.

Ofc, for someone seriously touring, no point cutting corners - go get a proper saddlebag. Hey, it increases the beauty of your pics too

bblost · 26th December 2008, 11:08

The idea is not mine. Belongs to a dear friend of mine.

His bags are about 6 years old.
Been to Goa, Ladakh (2 0r 3 times), Chennai etc.

Only one issue with his bags was once being improperly loaded the silencer left a burn on the bottom of one side.

For extra stability, I will be using bungee nets/ cords to secure them firmly.

kcstheg · 27th December 2008, 18:30

bblost,
You can put a card board piece on the bottom to give them a flat base and also avoid the chances of burning due to sagging.

Taking this a step further, if you place 4 such peices (on the back, sides and bottom) of the bags, and there you are. Rock solid bags, expandable, dependable and not expensive.

redfire · 27th December 2008, 18:41

Ha ha, super. Actually if you care well and put a cardboard or mica sheet at the bottom, it can serve as good as a cramster. And the canvas bags of green/khakli color give a more macho look too.

Sankar · 27th December 2008, 18:43

Only thing to worry would be rains. Not if you pack everything in polythene covers before putting it into the saaddle bag.

kph · 27th December 2008, 22:08

Inreresting!
wanted to see how it looks on your bike.
please post photo if you have any.

abhinav.gupta88 · 27th December 2008, 22:40

Wonderful idea.
Could help a lot of travelers.
Thanks

Technocrat · 28th December 2008, 10:57

Wow that's some good DIY.

Thanks for sharing bblost

akshay4587 · 28th December 2008, 10:59

Nice Innovative idea.

But I would think twice before using such bags in rains

bblost · 28th December 2008, 20:12

All things that need to be safe from water will be in those large black plastic bags commonly sold as garbage bags.

Am thinking of adding reflective stickers to the bags.
I will try and fabricate a frame for the inside of the bags.

Some more pics with the bags on the bike.

When loaded I will be wrapping them inside a bungee net.
There is only one saree guard and its on the left hand side.
This provides excellent support to the bag.
Getting tempted to get another fitted on the right as well.

live2drive · 28th December 2008, 23:01

Hey the bags look nice and seem to be strong enough to carry the load..
Thanx for sharing bblost.

25th December 2008, 21:53	#1
bblost Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11,301 Thanked: 18,011 Times View My Garage	Saddle bags. Make it yourself. Buy two large backpacks from an army canteen or surplus stores. Cost about 270 each. Then get them to guy who has a large sewing machine preferably with a electric motor. Stitch them together like this. Those shiny bits are rivets. The top flaps are connected to each other. The bottom flap of one bag connects to the top flap of the other bag. For the bag on the silencer side without any saree guard for support the strap connects back to itself using the buckle removed from the flap that went on top. The lower straps will go around the stays for support.
	(7) Thanks

25th December 2008, 22:08	#2
the_trooper BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Chn Posts: 215 Thanked: 103 Times View My Garage	Thats super innovation. Now please mount them on the bike, load them up with luggage and lets see what it looks like. Are you coming for RM this time?
	() Thanks

25th December 2008, 23:00	#3
Sankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Location Posts: 5,780 Thanked: 9,253 Times	Super that's ingenious man!
	() Thanks

26th December 2008, 08:56	#4
Fountainheader Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 1,501 Thanked: 13 Times View My Garage	bblost, With what can be called as the next best invention since sliced wheat bread, you might have just put Cramster out of business
	() Thanks

26th December 2008, 09:34	#5
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,975 Thanked: 4,675 Times	LOL nice man. But there are cheaper versions there's a full cramster types saddlebags available in gzb for the delhi folks - used to cost 1100 and designed for pulsars - tested across ladakh etyadi. The cheapest one are some schoolbags a friend tied up on the corners 150 apiece but yeah, yours has added stability. Ofc, for someone seriously touring, no point cutting corners - go get a proper saddlebag. Hey, it increases the beauty of your pics too
	(1) Thanks

26th December 2008, 11:08	#6
bblost Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11,301 Thanked: 18,011 Times View My Garage	The idea is not mine. Belongs to a dear friend of mine. His bags are about 6 years old. Been to Goa, Ladakh (2 0r 3 times), Chennai etc. Only one issue with his bags was once being improperly loaded the silencer left a burn on the bottom of one side. For extra stability, I will be using bungee nets/ cords to secure them firmly.
	() Thanks

27th December 2008, 18:30	#7
kcstheg BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: hyderabad Posts: 81 Thanked: 0 Times	bblost, You can put a card board piece on the bottom to give them a flat base and also avoid the chances of burning due to sagging. Taking this a step further, if you place 4 such peices (on the back, sides and bottom) of the bags, and there you are. Rock solid bags, expandable, dependable and not expensive.
	() Thanks

27th December 2008, 18:41	#8
redfire BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago, USA Posts: 448 Thanked: 27 Times View My Garage	Ha ha, super. Actually if you care well and put a cardboard or mica sheet at the bottom, it can serve as good as a cramster. And the canvas bags of green/khakli color give a more macho look too.
	() Thanks

27th December 2008, 18:43	#9
Sankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Location Posts: 5,780 Thanked: 9,253 Times	Only thing to worry would be rains. Not if you pack everything in polythene covers before putting it into the saaddle bag.
	() Thanks

27th December 2008, 22:08	#10
kph BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Manali Posts: 156 Thanked: 13 Times	Inreresting! wanted to see how it looks on your bike. please post photo if you have any.
	() Thanks

27th December 2008, 22:40	#11
abhinav.gupta88 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delhi , India Posts: 4,090 Thanked: 341 Times View My Garage	Wonderful idea. Could help a lot of travelers. Thanks
	() Thanks

28th December 2008, 10:57	#12
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,765 Thanked: 2,705 Times	Wow that's some good DIY. Thanks for sharing bblost
	() Thanks

28th December 2008, 10:59	#13
akshay4587 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chandigarh/Mohali/Ambala Cantt Posts: 4,157 Thanked: 4,722 Times View My Garage	Nice Innovative idea. But I would think twice before using such bags in rains
	() Thanks

28th December 2008, 20:12	#14
bblost Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11,301 Thanked: 18,011 Times View My Garage	All things that need to be safe from water will be in those large black plastic bags commonly sold as garbage bags. Am thinking of adding reflective stickers to the bags. I will try and fabricate a frame for the inside of the bags. Some more pics with the bags on the bike. When loaded I will be wrapping them inside a bungee net. There is only one saree guard and its on the left hand side. This provides excellent support to the bag. Getting tempted to get another fitted on the right as well. Last edited by bblost : 31st January 2013 at 13:57.
	(2) Thanks

28th December 2008, 23:01	#15
live2drive BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 525 Thanked: 27 Times View My Garage	Hey the bags look nice and seem to be strong enough to carry the load.. Thanx for sharing bblost.
	(1) Thanks