Is this toolbag too close to the exhaust? Only about a 2" gap

[No H2O]

I see a lot of people putting these toolbags on the front of the frame.
I noticed mine's a little big to put on the bottom so I moved it up higher.
However I'm noticing that it's about 2" from where the exhaust begins which would be the hottest part.
Is the exhaust going to melt the straps and I end up running over the bag?

 

[Unsprung]

My concern would be airflow to the engine, I don’t think the exhaust would damage the bag unless you were sitting still for a while. Heat would flow backwards while riding.

 

[Mickeetwo]

Airflow could be a big problem

 

[bdm7250]

Just need to mention one thing...Mothers billet polish.

 

[Reddickracing]

He just got the bike so maybe that's next on the list

 

[Nukeranger]

Just need to mention one thing...Mothers billet polish.

The good thing is it makes me feel good about my Ridgeback only being cleaned twice this year

 

[bdm7250]

The good thing is it makes me feel good about my Ridgeback only being cleaned twice this year

I thought yours could only be viewed with sunglasses..

 

[Jwooky]

Bag will be fine, but I also don’t like the airflow being blocked.

Probably ok, the rear is severely blocked.

I think it looks better low too. I had the same issue, so I put new holes in bad so it sat lower.

 

[Jwooky]

What bag is that BTW?

Why is it too big to go lower?

 

[No H2O]

What bag is that BTW?

Why is it too big to go lower?

It's a Bilt bag from Cycle gear, I'll see about making it go lower

 

[Nukeranger]

I thought yours could only be viewed with sunglasses..

LOL, you're right. When I do polish it, I have to wear Polarized Sunglasses or a Welders Self Darking helmet or I can't see for a while. At night it's not so bad.

Most of the bags I've seen are placed lower so as to not block the air flow

 

[No H2O]

Most of the bags I've seen are placed lower so as to not block the air flow

Upon consideration I'd like to place two bags, one above the headlight and the other above the front fender.
In the past, the leather on the bags has rubbed off the finish on the fork and the paint on the front fender. With those bikes I didn't really care as much.
With this bike, I don't want the finish on the fork, headlight, or front fender to become discolored.

Is there something that can be stuck on to the straps and the bottom of the bag, some sort of one sided sticky cloth or equivalent, that can serve as a barrier between the leather bag and the finishes? If your bag is somewhere on your fork, how are you protecting your finish? (or maybe the answer is to remove the bag when no in use)

 

[francoblay1]

here is how mine sits... no problem there....

 

[Nukeranger]

If you put one above your headlight and it lays on the headlight, it is going to rub the top of the headlight. If you put it on the downtubes, it will probably rub off paint as it moves around. If you put it above the fork fender and it touches the fender, it will rub the paint off. The forks will be really shiny where you attach the bag. You're going to have to decide what will work best for you because something is going to get worn unless you come up with a good way to prevent the attachment spots from moving or maybe putting a piece of microfiber towel between the two to minimize the wear. For me, if it doesn't fit in my pockets, then I don't need it. But, alas.....since I have a girlfriend who like riding with me, I had to put on a sissy bar and bag to carry some items. And I have to put a pillion seat with suction cups on for her to sit on. Those suction cups can leave marks too. My preference is to have very little on the Dog. You'll have to decide what you really need to take with you and what you attach to your Dog.

 

[Sven]

franco has the better position. Why? I'm sure the air whips around the bag and hits the cylinder assembly by having it sit that high as you have it now. The other thing is to ride on a hot day, dismount and check the straps for heat. Check the down tube for heat. If your hand can stay there, I'll assume the straps won't degrade to the point of falling off one day. Dis is just my opinion, but I'd always look for an advantage to keep an air cooled engine running without interference of the cooling effect. The other is having the bag sit lower to the ground. I want an environmental effect of dirt, mud, rain coming off the front tire to add 'patina' to it. The other is deflecting any kind of nail from passing under the frame and then have the nail sitting upright, right into the rear tire.