VINTAGE SADDLE BAGS

2979 Views 24 Replies 6 Participants Last post by LRC, Jan 18, 2020

LRC

Discussion Starter · Jan 11, 2020

I have had a set of beautiful, what appears to be old saddle bags, which I'm interested in knowing more about.
Having just retired as an artist, due to several physical handicaps, I no longer am able to ride, and would like to find out more about the bags I've had in storage for several years. ie: where they come from and current unrestored value.
I plan on taking some pics which should be available very soon. Hopefully, this will be the place to start....thank you.
Stay tuned!

1 - 20 of 25 Posts

Retired Guy

· #2 · Jan 12, 2020

We'd like to have a look at them, or maybe I should say, some of us would like a look.

(I'll take a look.)

hogcowboy

· #3 · Jan 12, 2020

What's the material? Leather, fiberglass, ABS? Or is that the info you are looking for? You know what, some pictures would certainly help.

LRC

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 12, 2020

6

Retired Guy said:
We'd like to have a look at them, or maybe I should say, some of us would like a look.

(I'll take a look.)

LRC said:
I have had a set of beautiful, what appears to be old saddle bags, which I'm interested in knowing more about.
Having just retired as an artist, due to several physical handicaps, I no longer am able to ride, and would like to find out more about the bags I've had in storage for several years. ie: where they come from and current unrestored value.
I plan on taking some pics which should be available very soon. Hopefully, this will be the place to start....thank you.
Stay tuned!

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Reactions: 1

Retired Guy

· #5 · Jan 12, 2020

My first thought when I looked at them was older Harley Davidson bags, maybe off a Softail.

I think someone adapted them to another bike and added those aluminum plates on them.

LRC

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 13, 2020

Thanks Retired Guy for the feedback. Hopefully someone will recognize where they come from.

Retired Guy

· #7 · Jan 16, 2020

I did a little searching and I found 3 sets of saddle bags somewhat similar to yours. They all had the metal plates attached to them. From what I read they came from the 50's and were custom made for the Harley Panhead and Knucklehead motorcycles as well as Indians.
One of the three I found were claimed to be off a 1947 Harley Flathead motorcycle. Apparently the mounting brackets for these type of saddle bags can still be purchased through J&P Cycles (from what I read concerning one of the three sets).
I did not find a set that exactly matches what you have, and yours may be from the 60's.

hogcowboy

· #8 · Jan 16, 2020

Retired Guy said:
They all had the metal plates attached to them.

I saw those half moon mounting plates too but since they didn't exactly match I just wasn't sure. But they were very similar so if nothing else you could say that's what they are and who would challenge you except someone that might have the exact ones. But I do think they are Harley bags.

LRC

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 17, 2020

Retired Guy said:
I did a little searching and I found 3 sets of saddle bags somewhat similar to yours. They all had the metal plates attached to them. From what I read they came from the 50's and were custom made for the Harley Panhead and Knucklehead motorcycles as well as Indians.
One of the three I found were claimed to be off a 1947 Harley Flathead motorcycle. Apparently the mounting brackets for these type of saddle bags can still be purchased through J&P Cycles (from what I read concerning one of the three sets).
I did not find a set that exactly matches what you have, and yours may be from the 60's.

Retired Guy said:
I did a little searching and I found 3 sets of saddle bags somewhat similar to yours. They all had the metal plates attached to them. From what I read they came from the 50's and were custom made for the Harley Panhead and Knucklehead motorcycles as well as Indians.
One of the three I found were claimed to be off a 1947 Harley Flathead motorcycle. Apparently the mounting brackets for these type of saddle bags can still be purchased through J&P Cycles (from what I read concerning one of the three sets).
I did not find a set that exactly matches what you have, and yours may be from the 60's.

LRC

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 17, 2020

Wow thanks for the research Retired Guy, This is the best information I've seen yet. You're the man. If you had to guess a ballpark value, any clue? Thanks again

Porky

· #11 · Jan 17, 2020

As a side line to my Computer, IT and ISP business, I own and operate a retail leather store and personally make almost anything made from the textile Leather.

Thousands of craftsmen like myself have made custom saddlebags like those for probably over 100 years so trying to determine who, when, where and for what bike will probably be futile.

I can tell that they are 'custom made' by the attention to detail, over use of detailing and expensive hardware such as decorative snaps and rivets. Assembly line production won't allow such customization, in the 'OLD DAYS' if indeed these bags are from the 50's as they would have been expensive compared to the plane ones.

However, Indian motorcycles sells absolutely BEAUTIFUL and very expensive Leather bags that are assembly line made in quantity @ $1,000 to $1,500 per set plus mounting hardware.

Maybe Larry, HogCowboy can post a picture of his absolutely beautiful leather bags on his Indian

The nice leather bags on my Indian Scout look like trash compared to Larry's.

Sam

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Retired Guy

· #12 · Jan 17, 2020

There's no way I could place a monetary value on your saddle bags. If I were you, I'd look for similar bags that are for sale. Read what condition they're in, how much they're asking, then compare them to your own bags.
Good luck.

LRC

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 17, 2020

Retired Guy said:
There's no way I could place a monetary value on your saddle bags. If I were you, I'd look for similar bags that are for sale. Read what condition they're in, how much they're asking, then compare them to your own bags.
Good luck.

LRC

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jan 17, 2020

Thanks Guy...I'll do that.

hogcowboy

· #15 · Jan 17, 2020

Porky said:
Maybe Larry, HogCowboy can post a picture of his absolutely beautiful leather bags on his Indian

Mine are not leather Sam. Thanks for the compliment. They do make a some very nice leather bags though.

Paula HD

· #16 · Jan 18, 2020

Hi Hog, let's see your bags.

hogcowboy

· #17 · Jan 18, 2020 (Edited)

2

Like I said, they aren't leather but you asked so here ya are.

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Reactions: 1

Paula HD

· #18 · Jan 18, 2020

Thanks, nice

Porky

· #19 · Jan 18, 2020

Larry, I thought that they were leather--who am I and what days is it???

Genuine Leather Saddlebags | Indian Motorcycle

These Genuine Leather Saddlebags provide convenient and versatile cargo space to an Indian Scout. These saddlebags feature a spacious polymer tub, wrapped in vinyl, .

www.indianmotorcycle.com

Sam

Porky

· #20 · Jan 18, 2020

2

Here are my Saddlebags.
Sam

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