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VINTAGE SADDLE BAGS

2982 Views 24 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  LRC
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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6
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.)
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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Thanks Retired Guy for the feedback. Hopefully someone will recognize where they come from.
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.
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.
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
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.
Thanks Guy...I'll do that.
These are/were stock Harley option bags and are first seen on the 1949 FL Hydra Glide. The bag pattern remained the same but the stud and decorative patterns became more elaborate. These bags appear to be from between 1949 - 1952. The bags were made for Harley by Elgin and were sold on the "pleasure" version of the Hydra Glide. The Hydra Glide was sold by dealers as four versions. Pleasure, Police, Commercial,Trike (Three-Wheeler). I also see some of these bags on the '49 EL Panhead. I have looked earlier but so far the earliest they appear is 1949. I don't see any as stock options after 1952. I know they make repro's and aftermarket, these look in awfully good shape to be 67 to 69 years old.
These are/were stock Harley option bags and are first seen on the 1949 FL Hydra Glide. The bag pattern remained the same but the stud and decorative patterns became more elaborate. These bags appear to be from between 1949 - 1952. The bags were made for Harley by Elgin and were sold on the "pleasure" version of the Hydra Glide. The Hydra Glide was sold by dealers as four versions. Pleasure, Police, Commercial,Trike (Three-Wheeler). I also see some of these bags on the '49 EL Panhead. I have looked earlier but so far the earliest they appear is 1949. I don't see any as stock options after 1952. I know they make repro's and aftermarket, these look in awfully good shape to be 67 to 69 years old.
Wow this is great news Senior. They appear to be as old as I am. Would you mind if I used your comment as part of the description, if and when I decide to sell them?
Thank you.
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