Saddle bags

Accessories and other various gadgets that can be mounted on or otherwise used with the Vulcan 500. Links and pictures are welcome. Performance mods go in the appropriate forum below.
huskerden
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Apr 25, 2012 12:38 pm
I ride: 09 Vucan 500 LTD

Saddle bags

Postby huskerden » Wed Apr 25, 2012 1:08 pm

A number of questions here. I am looking at saddle bags, and I am not sure how they attach. Some universal ones are connected at the top, and you drape them over the rear fender. Do they need the saddle bag supports? The OEM bags Kawasaki sells don't connect at the top. Do those just attach to the side and bottom of the metal supports? I have seen some aftermarket supports that have a bend on the side bars that are half the price of OEM. Has anyone used these? http://www.ebay.com/itm/310331803834?ss ... 1438.l2648

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Turbojoe
Posts: 162
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:35 pm
I ride: 2004 Vulcan 500
Location: Mesa, AZ

Re: Saddle bags

Postby Turbojoe » Wed Apr 25, 2012 2:45 pm

I bought my 2004 EN-500 with saddle bag supports already installed. They are factory Kawasaki but if I was buying them myself I would have gone with something like the link you posted. I HATE paying extra for a brand name! I don't think I'd try using bags without the supports. They'll keep the bags out of the wheel.

My bike also had these bags installed. http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=saddlebags+willie+and+max&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=15165816087402618245&sa=X&ei=x1KYT4PvEIme2AXZvNmyBw&ved=0CKYBEPICMAg They drape over the fender under the seat and stay in place pretty well but I added a few zip ties to keep them from sliding side to side when I have uneven weight in them.

Oh, and welcome to the forum! :D

Joe
The nonsensical ravings of a lunatic mind.....

2004 Vulcan 500

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Triangles
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I ride: '94 Black Cherry Vulcan 500, '06 Candyfire Red Vulcan 500 LTD
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Re: Saddle bags

Postby Triangles » Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:10 pm

SAW ammo cans make a great "hard saddle bag" drill a hole and add and eyebolt and they're lockable too!
Image
ImageImage

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Turbojoe
Posts: 162
Joined: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:35 pm
I ride: 2004 Vulcan 500
Location: Mesa, AZ

Re: Saddle bags

Postby Turbojoe » Thu Apr 26, 2012 1:13 am

If my bike didn't come with the bags it did I would most likely have a pair of ammo cans hanging on her. I'm starting to see a lot of bikes with them on the road now. Some with some pretty cool paint jobs too. I haven't seen any done yet but I'll bet chrome would look pretty sharp and shouldn't be crazy expensive.

Joe
The nonsensical ravings of a lunatic mind.....

2004 Vulcan 500

GeorgiaRider
Posts: 168
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2010 5:51 am
Location: NW Georgia

Re: Saddle bags

Postby GeorgiaRider » Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:34 am

huskerden wrote:A number of questions here. I am looking at saddle bags, and I am not sure how they attach. Some universal ones are connected at the top, and you drape them over the rear fender. Do they need the saddle bag supports? The OEM bags Kawasaki sells don't connect at the top. Do those just attach to the side and bottom of the metal supports? I have seen some aftermarket supports that have a bend on the side bars that are half the price of OEM. Has anyone used these? http://www.ebay.com/itm/310331803834?ss ... 1438.l2648


I use Saddlemen Large Slant Cruiser bags. These have been discontinued, but they have the same size with lockable openings, which I may replace mine with soon. You will need saddlebag supports. You can see in the bottom pic that mine are draped over the fender, underneath the seat. You can buy the same version and hardware it in so you don't have this, but too much trouble for me. You can tied them down to the supports.

Here are some pics:

Image

Image

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GeorgiaRider
2006 Vulcan 500

Kuryakyan Foot Peg Extenders and Pegs
Memphis Shades Alley Cat Windshield
Saddlemen Large Slant Saddlebags
Powersports Mini-Tachometer
Kawasaki Luggage Rack
Kuryakyan Iso-Grips
Airhawk cushion
Marlin's Clock

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Druncle Kev
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Sep 08, 2013 1:25 pm
I ride: 96 Vulcan 500 LTD
Location: Huntsville, TX

Re: Saddle bags

Postby Druncle Kev » Sat Sep 28, 2013 8:06 pm

Wow triangles that's a great idea, so you just bolt them right to the two bolts under the passenger seat?

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Triangles
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I ride: '94 Black Cherry Vulcan 500, '06 Candyfire Red Vulcan 500 LTD
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Re: Saddle bags

Postby Triangles » Sun Sep 29, 2013 8:47 pm

The cans bolt to fender using the two bolts that go thru the chrome side piece. I used a 3/16" thick aluminum "support plate" in a configuration similar to the saddle bag supports and leather saddle bags. It is in between the can and the bike. I had to buy longer bolts 60 or 70mm long I don't remember exactly. I put a rubber fender washer between the plate and the chrome to protect the chrome from getting scratched should I decide the remove them. I also used a fender washer and rubber fender washer under the bolt head to seal and help distribute the load. I ended up gluing a rubber strip to the plate in between the plate and can to minimize rattle. After 17k miles they're still holding up great. When I was in an accident and the bike went down the ammo can took most of the impact and saved the muffler and my seat from some serious road rash. I was able to mostly straighten the can out and it still works. I eventually plan to replace it but it's still functional in the mean time. I also put an eye bolt thru the can/handle so I can lock the ammo cans. Google ammo can lock and you'll get some ideas. I bought some hard cases to replace the ammo cans and half way thru installing I changed my mind. I'm going to install more ammo cans. I should take some picts and post the hard cases up for sale. When I replace the ammo cans I'll take pictures and post a How-to.
ImageImage

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Triangles
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Re: Saddle bags

Postby Triangles » Sun Sep 29, 2013 8:51 pm

almost forgot. the reason for the support plate is because the sheet metal the cans are made of is too thin in my opinion to support the weight of the can and the 12 pack of BEvERage cans inside it :)
ImageImage

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Druncle Kev
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Sep 08, 2013 1:25 pm
I ride: 96 Vulcan 500 LTD
Location: Huntsville, TX

Re: Saddle bags

Postby Druncle Kev » Tue Oct 01, 2013 6:58 am

Oh yea if your transporting beers then you'd defiantly need some support.

Check out what this guy did.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Motorcy ... /?ALLSTEPS

It looks like with the small 7.62 cans you can just bolt them right to the bike.

Roachin
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2019 5:00 am
I ride: Vulcan 500

Re: Saddle bags

Postby Roachin » Fri Feb 01, 2019 6:57 am

What saddle bags is everyone using currently? I'd love some recommendations if you've been using a saddle bag for years and you love it. I'm in the market for one.

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Triangles
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I ride: '94 Black Cherry Vulcan 500, '06 Candyfire Red Vulcan 500 LTD
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Re: Saddle bags

Postby Triangles » Sat Feb 02, 2019 12:40 am

50 caliber SAW ammo cans, cheap, durable, and lockable. Plust a 12 pack of beverages or a gallon of milk fits easily in one.
ImageImage

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bikerbill
Posts: 105
Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2010 2:07 pm
I ride: 1997 Vulcan 500LTD named Hidalgo

Re: Saddle bags

Postby bikerbill » Sat Feb 02, 2019 7:58 am

Hidalgo has worn several saddlebags in her life. The bags she as worn most are Willie and Max touring bags (that are currently mounted on Sioux, another Vulcan 500 in the stable) and a set of Viking Classic saddlebags (that she currently wears):

Willie and Max
https://dowcopowersports.com/willie-max ... -58370-00/

Viking
https://www.vikingbags.com/kawasaki-vul ... 7-prd1.htm
--
'Biker' Bill
'97 EN500LTD 'Hidalgo'
269,000+ miles so far
VROC #3833
IBA #635

SlipStreamer Enterprise II, Vista Cruise,
Cobra Spots, Drifter solo seat,
Pro-Tac backrest, ScottOiler,
F&S luggage rack, LED lights,
4-gal AUX fuel tank


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