Author Topic: Who makes these saddlebags? (Read 2171 times)

moto_marco · « **on:** February 04, 2021, 12:48:54 PM »

Would anyone happen to know who makes these saddlebags and what is the model? I originally thought they looked like Viking Bags, but after contacting them they said it wasn't theirs. Thanks for the input!

bigbikerrick · « **Reply #1 on:** February 04, 2021, 01:20:00 PM »

Those seem to be a "Willie and Max" product to me. They are not real leather, but actually Naugahyde.
Rick.

Don G · « **Reply #2 on:** February 04, 2021, 02:25:36 PM »

Saddlemen make a similar product as well. DonG

slopokes · « **Reply #3 on:** February 04, 2021, 02:36:48 PM »

Looks like Willie & Max..

moto_marco · « **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2021, 02:52:44 PM »

I agree they look like Willie & Max, except that they appear to have a lock on the top and Viking is the only bags that seems to have these. There's also a logo on the side, that doesn't look like anything I can find.

ampm7 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 05, 2021, 11:45:14 AM »

That's my bike and they are Viking bags. I added a few conchos and glass reflectors from Jerry Greer's engineering (Indian). That is an older photo, here is a newer one. I had to make the mounting supports plus I utilized Viking's mounts also. If you need further pictures of the mounts just say so.

ampm7 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2021, 11:54:54 AM »

Here is a picture of some of the mounting and also some LED lights that I installed in the bags. Unfortunately, Custom Dynamics does not make them anymore but I am sure there are substitutes out there.

ampm7 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2021, 02:42:35 PM »

They still do make them. They're under "leather bags" and they are the "Charger braided saddlebags".

moto_marco · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2021, 12:55:42 PM »

Thanks Peter!

I actually wrote Gregory and asked him if he would contact you on my behalf and he sent me your address, but you probably never got my email. Funny thing is, I sent a photo of your bags to Viking and asked "do you make these bags?" and they said, "no... that's not a model we make." But now I'm sure and will order today. Any tips on mounting to your Eldo?

Thanks so much!

ampm7 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2021, 03:41:58 PM »

Hey Moto, glad to help. Here are some photos and a layout of the installation. It is necessary to have the rear rack (MG cycle/Harpers) as the aft portion has a tab that a bolt can fit through. I used 6061 aluminum for the cross member that holds the saddlebag. It measures approx. 2" x 12". You can use any size bolt to fasten the bag to the aluminum m6, m8, 5/16. Use fender washers on the inside of the saddlebag. On the left hand side I used a threaded coupler to stand off the shock and used the same bolt size for the shock tie down only longer to accommodate the coupler. Now, I have passenger hold downs but, I don't think that will make a difference as long as the coupler is 1 1/2" or 40mm. In the case of the right hand side the outside bolt goes through the upper portion of the Viking mounts (included with the bags) followed by a spacer and a nut on the other side of the tab. Again, a fender washer on the inside of the bag holding the Viking strut. I believe I used a Delrin spacer on the Viking strut as the bag would be turned inward at the lower portion. You may have to experiment with the appropriate spacer. The bags are very secure and do not move at all. However, they are not easily removable. I like to put my own touch to bags and especially the Viking as they have a logo on them that I take off and put either a reflector (Jerry Greer's Engineering-'48 Chief lighting/rear fender) or a concho from Texhas conchos or Concho's.com. Hope this helps.

ampm7 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2021, 03:44:10 PM »

Oh, I might add that this install will work for a variety of bags both leather and fiberglass.

moto_marco · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2021, 10:15:51 AM »

Thanks so much for the photos and drawing. I will mount my bags as soon as Viking fixes my ISSUE! Bags arrived yesterday. No keys, no mounting kit, and one of the bags had holes drilled in the back indicating they were obviously a return. So their quality control is clearly less than stellar. I contacted them immediately, and they are figuring out the best way to resolve my issue. I'm sure in the end it will all work out, and using your write-up I'll be on the road in no time. By the way, they DO look great!

ampm7 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2021, 05:06:32 PM »

They've always been spot on for me. But sometimes things go wrong. I may be buying another Ambo as my next door neighbor can't ride anymore and he has one that he had Cyclegarden restore several years ago. I is much cleaner than the photos portray.

moto_marco · « **Reply #13 on:** February 17, 2021, 11:47:40 AM »

Just wanted to provide an update on the progress of Viking saddlebags installation. After a week, Viking has confirmed that they muffed my order and new bags are supposed to arrive today. I have fabricated aluminum crossmembers like Pete shows and will include pics when the bags are mounted. However, if you order from Viking be aware that Moto Guzzi is not a supported brand. In my case I went round and round with customer support about what uprights and cross members would be needed, and then they informed me I would NOT be receiving washers, nuts or bolts because they didn't know what size was required for the MG frame. What? Come on Viking... Do a little research and offer a package for our bikes! In the case of the early Eldo/Ambo, we have a mounting hole under the rear seat which would connect to the rear upright; the front upright could connect to a short flange that attaches to the shock absorber threaded stud. That's your kit!

ampm7 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2021, 06:26:58 PM »

Moto Guzzi is such a small brand you better expect to use your ingenuity when fitting any accessories.

moto_marco · « **Reply #15 on:** February 24, 2021, 03:48:12 PM »

Completed installation of Viking bags and could not be happier. I wanted a fixed-mount setup, and settled for an 11"x2" aluminum panel mounted between the shock tower stud and the frame tab with a cutout near the shock for clearance. (I happened to have the aluminum lying around but an 11" wide by 1" tall metal flat bar would be my preference.) For the bags I used the factory mouting holes at the top because they are re-enforced. That meant I only had to drill two holes on the bottom of the bag for mounting the uprights. I also attached the aft bolt directly to the bike frame, which helped a lot with stiffness.

As for the included uprights, I tried mounting them both ways - wide tube at the top, then wide tube at the bottom. The wide tube on the bottom worked better for me for two reasons: First it allowed the top of the bags to sit closer to the frame (which looked better to me aesthetically), and second, they pushed the bottom of the bags slightly outward. Under this tension there's almost no movement, and when filled with gear the bags sit vertically and don't sag inward. To fill the gap between the bike frame and aluminum panel I found nice 1" aluminum spacers at my "real" hardware store for a few bucks.

The bags themselves are first rate! Geniune, heavy-duty leather with lockable lids, quick release hidden buckles, metal frame, plastic-fortified lid and body, with included mounting kit. Viking often provides discount codes and coupons so you can purchase this model for under $200, which is an unbeatable value. I highly recommend them for loop frames.

ampm7 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 25, 2021, 10:36:04 AM »

Way to go Marco!

moto_marco · « **Reply #17 on:** February 25, 2021, 11:58:58 AM »

Thanks for your suggestions Pete -- they made my job a lot easier. I purposely did not include a side-shot of the bags because the photo of your bike is unsurpassable!

ampm7 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 26, 2021, 05:55:13 PM »

By the way Marco, if your are in need of a good re-do on your speedo or know anyone that has any Veglia's that need restoration, Joe's speedometer in Reseda is your place to go. I just took him a speedo that needs a total restoration as I bought the white Ambo and the speedo that is in the bike has a broken needle so I took him one of the extras that I got in the purchase to restore. I'll take the broken needle one on the return trip. Here are a couple pictures of the one on my black Ambo. Before and after...

News:

Author Topic: Who makes these saddlebags? (Read 2171 times)