Vintage Big Dog Saddle Bags

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BigDogRick

BigDogRick

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I have a pair of nearly new BD saddlebags that I found on e-bay this past summer. I bought them to get the hardware for my new custom bags. I had already mounted new custom bags on my Vintage Classic but had mounted them on my old detachable hardware that was old and subject to being rear ended at Bike Week about five or six years ago. We were able to repair the fender and straighten out the hardware enough to remount but it was never the same. It was loose and rattled. So.... I found this set of bags with original hardware and took the hardware off and used it with my custom bags. I have no use for the BD saddlebags that are virtually brand new so far as I can tell. These are just like the set I used for the first 10 years. I have the old hardware pictured but must qualify that it is well used and a bit deformed. The bags would mount beautifully on someones undamaged hardware if there is anybody out there with a Vintage or a Pro Sport with aged bags. Very high quality and cheap. I straightened the hardware and used my old bags for another four years because the replacement set was $1200. I would be glad to get $200 bucks out of these plus shipping. The hardware is free, for what it's worth.
 

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BigDogRick

BigDogRick

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It was stressed by the impact so that it is a little loose. It actually looks right and fits just like it should on the double slot studs that mount on the fender struts but there is a little play in them once they are set. So a sharp jolt or bump produces rattle because the whole assembly can move a little. Original hardware is very, very snug. There are some great aftermarket detachable assemblies that work essentially the same way but do not require the spreader. The interior side of the bags is 1/4" thick plastic and will receive any bolted mounting system. Specifically the receivers for the spreader have a bit of play and the semi-circular hooks that rotate under the studs to secure the bags are now slightly deformed to produce slightly larger diameter than it takes to grip the studs perfectly. I was on the verge of having a light gage metal pipe welded on the spreader bar to increase its diameter very slightly and to try to reduce the diameter of the semicircular hooks when I saw the bags with hardware on Ebay and simply did not have to. Someone with a little bit of shop skill could probably fix it right up.
 
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BigDogRick

BigDogRick

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The fender studs are needed from Big Dog

I was able to get replacement studs from Big Dog four years ago. Hopefully they are still available.
 
BigDogRick

BigDogRick

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I have had a couple inquiries and thought I would post some more pics that show some detail. Inside is lined with heavy plastic to hold shape. Edges are reinforced with riveted plastic. Big Dog emblem is embossed into bag. Traditional BD conches. Shell is 100% heavy duty leather except the side that receives the hardware and faces the fender. Heavy galvanized frame is inside to be through-bolted from the mounting hardware. Very sturdy. Hope this helps.
 

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gnturboray

gnturboray

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These look like my old bags that I sold last year. I bought them new in 2002 with my 02 BD Bulldog from Strokers Dallas. I never mounted them and they sat in my garage until last year. I traded them for some other parts to a guy in Colorado.
 
BigDogRick

BigDogRick

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Ha! Well if they are, they ended up with a multi-seller on ebay in California. I bought them last summer. It's all good. They really are rare. My old set of leather was all studded and included tool fork bag and windshield bag. They were doing fine until I had to store my bike in negative humidity in AZ for a winter/spring under a tarp. I could never bring them back after that. I had been in Phoenix for several years but kept the leather oiled and healthy. Took a job in Wisconsin and left them to the elements. Defenseless they were.
 
gnturboray

gnturboray

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BigDogRick said:
Ha! Well if they are, they ended up with a multi-seller on ebay in California. I bought them last summer. It's all good. They really are rare. My old set of leather was all studded and included tool fork bag and windshield bag. They were doing fine until I had to store my bike in negative humidity in AZ for a winter/spring under a tarp. I could never bring them back after that. I had been in Phoenix for several years but kept the leather oiled and healthy. Took a job in Wisconsin and left them to the elements. Defenseless they were.
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Nice, I traded them last Spring (2012) around March so I bet its them. I just sold the matching tool pouch on ebay yesterday. Someone posted it in here a couple of threads down.
 
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