"Poor man" saddlebags

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 9:35 pm

I got tired of making two trips (@ 28 miles) to the store in 35 degree weather so I got a bright idea of tying two resuable bags together and securing them under the seat. Everthing made it home fine, top speed was only 50mph but I wasn't real confident on the straps holding at higher speeds.

I'm actually designing my own pair of saddle bags so this test run gave me some great feedback.

Happy holidays all and keep scoot'n

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Tue Nov 22, 2011 11:47 pm

From my experience, speed isn't what kills setups like this...it's bumps. Awesome that it works for ya! Just make sure to check the stitching every now and then and have at least a few inches clearance between the bag and exhaust so's ya don't burn your bag.

siobhan · Post by **siobhan** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 1:20 am

Hilarious! I once had cherry tomatoes flying out of my milkcrate because I didn't secure the top of the bag with anything more than a couple of bungees.

I also had an eBay package fly out at some point and I considered it lost as I never found it. Because it had full postage, it somehow made it to the winning bidder. I still have no idea how that happened!

If you're making your own, you may want to add a zippered top. I've since switched to shopping bags with zip tops and I haven't lost any tomatoes!

That Scooter Guy · Post by **That Scooter Guy** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 1:28 am

I'll tell you another trick that a guy in my club does. He uses the saddlebags that are designed for dogs! I don't know that they are any more sturdy or roomy than other options, but he seems to like 'em.

http://www.amazon.com/Stansport-Saddle- ... 546&sr=8-2

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 2:22 am

I've finished designing my own bags using canvas, two-tone green/tan, I had around the house. I plan on using a zipper top. My wifes friend is a seamstress and hopefully she'll sew them up for me. As far as straps I have a couple of dead backpacks I'm going to utilize. They should be done in a couple of weeks, I'll post pictures when the're done.

rsrider · Post by **rsrider** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 2:35 am

Find a way to attach the bottom of the bags to the scoot so they don't flop around, and you should be OK.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 2:39 am

rsrider wrote:Find a way to attach the bottom of the bags to the scoot so they don't flop around, and you should be OK.

+1

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 2:46 am

Best idea I've seen around here somewhere - two Tactical Bail Out Bags hooked together with their shoulder straps. Either the regular TBOB or the Jumbo ($30 ea) might do a good job.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 2:49 am

PeteH wrote:Best idea I've seen around here somewhere - two Tactical Bail Out Bags hooked together with their shoulder straps. Either the regular TBOB or the Jumbo ($30 ea) might do a good job.

I did that one time with the two that I bought on the MP3. It looked pretty cool.

DanteG · Post by **DanteG** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 1:36 pm

Don't forget the Tractor Supply bags which have been so popular amongst out more thrifty members. A quick serach should bring up a model number.

Cheshire · Post by **Cheshire** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 2:58 pm

That Scooter Guy wrote:I'll tell you another trick that a guy in my club does. He uses the saddlebags that are designed for dogs! I don't know that they are any more sturdy or roomy than other options, but he seems to like 'em.

http://www.amazon.com/Stansport-Saddle- ... 546&sr=8-2

Why did that never cross my mind? I'm going to try that. I have two sets of dog packs that puppy doesn't use anymore (due to hip dysplasia).

tbonestone · Post by **tbonestone** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 2:59 pm

Swiss army surplus "bread bags" work great and are super cheap.

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Wed Nov 23, 2011 3:10 pm

rsrider wrote:Find a way to attach the bottom of the bags to the scoot so they don't flop around, and you should be OK.

Either that or attach a couple of rare earth magnets to the bag and glue a small piece of sheet metal inside the rear panel. Prime and paint it first and it wount rust.

BootScootin'FireFighter · Fri Nov 25, 2011 12:29 pm

DanteG wrote:Don't forget the Tractor Supply bags which have been so popular amongst out more thrifty members. A quick serach should bring up a model number.

Saddle bags for a horsy. $30, I've used them a few times and had no problems. I like how you've taken on this project yourself, show us what you end up with.

Post by **ericalm** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 6:37 am

I've got the tractor supply bags. They're okay for occasional use. For a trip, I'd want something much better.

Watch out for the exhaust and heat from the side. You can melt through most of these nylon bags PDQ and have all kinds of mess on your hands.

jijifer · Post by **jijifer** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 8:00 am

ericalm wrote:I've got the tractor supply bags. They're okay for occasional use. For a trip, I'd want something much better.

Watch out for the exhaust and heat from the side. You can melt through most of these nylon bags PDQ and have all kinds of mess on your hands.

and anything loose that could get sucked into the fan or wheel.

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 3:59 pm

Well, it took awhile to get the bags back from my wifes friend, but wow she did a great job on putting them together. I put straps on them lastnight and mounted them on the scoot and I think they look great. Today is the first test run to the store, I'll post updates.

Cost: $6 for zippers, $15 for material (mine was just leftover from prior project), $0 for straps (I salvaged them from old backpacks and bicycle helmet), $15 for my wifes friend to professionally sew them. Total: $36.00.

Well it seems I can't upload any of the pics, apparently the maximum filesize for all Attachments is reached.

Edwub · Post by **Edwub** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 4:02 pm

try imageshack.us for quick/free image hosting

They'll give you the link to use in seconds

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 4:12 pm

I registered and uploaded the pic but could you explain exactly how to do this, I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to stuff like this, took me 3 months to figure out how to post my fuelly banner, tee hee

.

I've been messying around and found the link so here it is if you want to see the pics click here: http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/2660/saddlebags.gif

slusher5 · Post by **slusher5** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 6:19 pm

siobhan wrote:Hilarious! I once had cherry tomatoes flying out of my milkcrate because I didn't secure the top of the bag with anything more than a couple of bungees.

I also had an eBay package fly out at some point and I considered it lost as I never found it. Because it had full postage, it somehow made it to the winning bidder. I still have no idea how that happened!

If you're making your own, you may want to add a zippered top. I've since switched to shopping bags with zip tops and I haven't lost any tomatoes!

what an interesting story =)

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 7:09 pm

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 8:43 pm

Thanx Ericalm.

Well, test run didn't go as planned. With the weight of the groceries the bags sagged more than I thought and the right side got too close to the exhaust. So I am going to have to put a strap secured on the outside that comes over the top and connects under the seat. Ohter than this set back I managed to put 3 large bags in each side, I got home with a $100 worth of grocerries.

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Jan 10, 2012 10:32 pm

Some people hate front racks, but they're essential for balancing your load.

On Thanksgiving Eve, I had 3 bags of ice in a top case, pet carrier and floorboard crammed and my scoot was very unbalanced and a pain to maneuver! If it had been more than a couple miles, I'd have had to stop and redistribute.

kmrcstintn · Post by **kmrcstintn** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 2:14 pm

I guess I lucked out...

I was able to get a set of lightly used Tecnic expandable saddle bags for $40; always be on the lookout for used stuff that was gently used

Scooterboi · Post by **Scooterboi** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 5:20 pm

I picked up an extra freebie briefcase at the last conference I attended. By sewing the flap a little higher I created a sleeve for some aluminum rod and then closed off the ends by sewing straps. The rod keeps it out of the way of the seat and holds it open should the straps start to slip.

Works great with light loads (10 lbs ea). The bags have a zipper top under the flap and a zipper on the bottom for 2" expansion to 6" max. I have no idea what the max is for handling but I could probably but about 25 lbs in each.

Scooterboi · Post by **Scooterboi** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 5:30 pm

The Pictures:

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/861/13991591.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/210/16147878.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/861/86157917.jpg/

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 8:13 pm

They look great

.

iMoses · Post by **iMoses** » Mon Jan 16, 2012 9:07 pm

BootScootin'FireFighter wrote:
Saddle bags for a horsy. $30, I've used them a few times and had no problems. I like how you've taken on this project yourself, show us what you end up with.

Yes and you can eat oats if you get hungry