Hi,

I sell an great line of quality bargain priced saddlebags in various styles that fit a huge number bikes. About once a day I get an email asking about fitting the bags on a specific bike. DONCYCLEWARE GREAT GEAR BARGAIN PRICES

Before we start lets's make sure they will fit:

Let's assume you are interested in some of my great leather throw-overs that measure: 16" WIDE X 7" THICK X 11" TALL

This means that each bag is 16 inches long (measured horizontally), seven inches thick and 11 inches tall (measured vertically) 

First Measure from the top of your pipes or chain (if the chain is unguarded), whichever is higher, to the bottom of your seat. You need 12 inches, if the dimension is any less don't buy the bags they are too tall. Don't worry about the shocks. Throw overs go over the shocks.

1.. Remove your seat. Most Sportster seats are removed by unscrewing the Philips head screw located at the rear of the seat. Slide the seat forward while lifting up slightly to detach the keyhole bracket from the seat post. Then slide the seat to the rear to detach the seat tongue from the rear tank bracket. The process is the same for solo and two-up seats.

2. The yoke is the part of the bags that fits under the seat. Unlace the yoke, position both bags in the location you want them to stay. Overlap one side of the yoke over the other. Using a marker, mark where the yoke lays over any obstructing hardware and the outline of outer edge of the upper yoke where it overlaps the lower wing of the yoke. Note: The saddlebags typically lay over the shocks. Some saddlebags are supplied with an additional yoke extender to be used with extra -wide bikes. This is typically not needed.

3. Lay the bags out flat, place the yoke over a piece of wood, telephone book or something similar. Line the marks up that you made in step 2. The existing holes work for the vast majority of motorcycles.

If the holes don't line up, use an awl, ice pick or drill and make about six holes through both pieces of the yoke. Use the piece of leather strip to lace them together.

NOTE: on most motorcycles it is not necessary to make new holes. Some combination of the existing holes should fit.

4. Place the saddlebags on your bike. Reinstall the seat. Use the lower tie downs to secure the bottom of the bags.

5. Give your bike a final safety check. Make sure the seat and saddlebags are secure and the bags cannot come in contact with your wheel, spokes, belt or chain.

I have attached  photos of a VLX , SPORTSTER AND REBEL to give you an idea of how you can mount various saddlebags.

As always don't stab, slice, fold, spindle or mutilate yourself while using sharp instruments!

NOTE:

I have been getting a lot of questions regarding throw over bags fitting various motorcycles. Throw overs are designed to fit your motorcycle without modifying your bike. They typically go over the shocks and in front of the signal lights. Some motorcycle dealers have been telling people that these bags will not fit your bike. They then try to sell you several hundred dollars , sometimes over a thousand dollar set of bags. Measure your bike and decide for yourself! Unfortunately some of these people either don't know or are willing to lie in order to make a sale.

UPDATE: 2/10/08

I HAVE ADDED A GREAT LINE OF HIGH QUALITY LEATHER THROW-OVER SADDLEBAGS TO MY SELECTION SINCE I POSTED THIS GUIDE. THESE ARE THE XL SERIES QUICK RELEASE SADDLEBAGS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO FIT ALL HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTERS. THEY ARE A COMPACT DESIGN  AND ALLOW TWO-UP RIDING WITH NO MODIFICATIONS TO YOUR SPORTY. ALTHOUGH THEY ARE DESIGNED FOR SPORTSTERS I HAVE ALSO MOUNTED THEM ON LOTS OF OTHER BIKES: SUZUKI MARAUDERS, INTRUDER AND BOULEVARD, HONDA SHADOWS AND REBELS AND OTHERS.

XL SERIES STUDED, SQUARE & SLANT