Saddlebags on 1980 KZ550 LTD

Hi folks;

I have a 1980 KZ550C LTD (as stated in topic) that I'm thinking about going on a long trip on, but wanted some luggage prior to doing so.

I've done some poking around online but can't really find any suggestion about what a good fit might be, and not having ever had to buy saddlebags for a motorcycle before, I'm sort of drawing a blank here.

Anyone have some suggestions?

With the turn signals position on the LTD you will be limited as to the style of saddlebags you can use. The fix is to move the turn signals back towards the rear brake light.



Sorry for the poor pic. Here was my Dad's fix. Barstock bent in a U and mounted to the original turn signal holes. Not pretty but effective.

My solution.


Chase Harper Stealth bags. You can see they still butt up against the signals but they work. I ran the straps under the pillion seat.

Also I have a Chase Harper barrel bag on the back. I can't live without this simple bag. Period. Also mounted the straps under the seat.

Chase Harper is expensive but I've always had great luck with them. Check for sales at M.A.W. (motorcycle accessory warehouse).

An expandable tank bag ( magnetic mount ) will be absolutely necessary. I have NEVER been without one since I placed the first one on my bike. You can never have too much storage space.

Finally, you could get a sissy bar/ luggage rack combo if you want to go all out.

i once did a 3 week trip in europe on a rental GT550, that came with a rear rack and plastic box, and some portable canvas bags to throw over the seat. i also used my own (magnetic) tank bag.

www.bikepics.com/pictures/086109/

i also did a week long trip thru new england on my own KZ550 and used my tank bag and a soft piece of luggage strapped to the rear seat with bungie cords.

both times, the luggage was just clothes, no camping stuff.

Check out digicam's auctions on eBay. He always has some well priced magnetic tank bags, throw over expandable saddle bags and tail bags in the auction.
search.ebay.ca/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQfrppZ25QQsas...ZSTRKQ3aMEFSQ3aMESOI

Post edited by: oldcoldankles, at: 2006/02/01 23:37

My preference would be to fill a tank bag first. I used to ride with saddle bags and found that if they were in any way heavy or were not strapped down properly at the bottom, the handling went in the toilet. With a tank bag you still have the weight over the middle of the Bike where it's easy to control.

I pilfered this pic from the gallery.
thanks Tony, hope you don't mind!



You can really get an idea of were the saddle bags sit because of the turn signals.

"My preference would be to fill a tank bag first"
Can't live without it once you have one!

tganek wrote:

I pilfered this pic from the gallery.
thanks Tony, hope you don't mind!

No problem tganek, I don't mind at all.

Sorry to bump this up..well, not really, actually. This stuff is important too!

How do you strap saddlebags so that they don't tuck under and hit the shocks/wheel? I can figure out how to mount them up top - but the bottom is baffling me. If I wanted to make some hard bags instead of using soft ones, would I rely on the stiffness of the bags themselves, and just mount them up top?

Sincerely,
Confused in Ottawa.

You would need saddle bag supports...

tinyurl.com/y6yykj

those would definitely work!

Thanks

For some cheap leather bags, you can check out Leatherup www.leatherup.com/dept.asp?dept_id=26 . Not sure about the quality, but the price sure is good.