Saddlebag Top Rails

**nomadbehappy** · 02-27-2011, 10:04 PM

Well after sitting and looking at the saddlebag top rails for the past week, and rereading the advice from others a few times I sat down today and installed them. Followed the advice of others, and yes MAC I threw away the washers that came with it and got some new faucet washers. I have to say the hardest part is making that first hole in the top of your saddlebag. I measured once, twice, checked it, double checked it, lined up the drill, then checked it again! When I was absolutely positive I had it lined up right I put a hole in the saddlebag. It wasnt as hard as I thought to get everything lined up, but it definitely is scary to make that first hole.

Thanks everyone for the advice on how to do it, they look great!

ndbigfish · 02-27-2011, 10:07 PM

The only draw back is cleaning under and around them. Enjoy. We are waiting for the pics.

pirate · 02-27-2011, 10:10 PM

Ah yes, I remember my escalated blood pressure when I installed mine! You're right, that first hole is the toughest to drill. After that, you're all in! Congrats on the install!

Netnorske · 02-28-2011, 09:06 AM

Nice job! They do look great, but for sure cleaning around and under them is a PIA. So what's next.....bottom guard rails...?? It's a long list you know....

!

cajun2wheels · 02-28-2011, 10:30 AM

I don't have saddlebag top rails but I do have one on my rear fender.Cleaning is not really a problem.I give it a shot of detail spray and slide my microfiber towel all the way through from one side to the other and do my best shoe shine boy imitation.Works for me.

**nomadbehappy** · 03-05-2011, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cajun2wheels

I don't have saddlebag top rails but I do have one on my rear fender.Cleaning is not really a problem.I give it a shot of detail spray and slide my microfiber towel all the way through from one side to the other and do my best shoe shine boy imitation.Works for me.

Great idea I will have to try that when I need to clean under them

**cnc** · 03-05-2011, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nomadbehappy

Quote:

Originally Posted by cajun2wheels

I don't have saddlebag top rails but I do have one on my rear fender.Cleaning is not really a problem.I give it a shot of detail spray and slide my microfiber towel all the way through from one side to the other and do my best shoe shine boy imitation.Works for me.

Great idea I will have to try that when I need to clean under them

I do the same sort of thing with a small chamois when I dry my bike after washing.

dakota7557 · 03-05-2011, 03:05 PM

Great Job, did mine last year and it's certainly a relief when it comes together...They really dress up the bags though along with protecting the top. Jody

**canuckrider** · 03-07-2011, 11:19 AM

For cleaning under the saddlebag rails and any of the other tight areas of the bike check out the EZ Detail Bike Brush at http://www.bikebrush.com . It's got very soft bristles and can get into the really tight places. I picked one up at the bike show in January and have used it only once (hey how often do you need to wash a bike in Alberta during the winter??) but it seems to do good job.

Their website shows only 1 size but at the bike show they had the large and a smaller version available.

ballast · 03-07-2011, 12:27 PM

Good Job!

I didn't really calm down until the eigth hole was done and I was looking at a completed job. I am going to take them off and wax the heck out of the bags before I start riding. I figure that will make cleaning a little easier.

**brote** · 03-07-2011, 12:30 PM

I can remember measuring the locations over and over. Once I drilled the first holes I was committed and glad I did it. I was always hitting the top of the bag with my boot. I use the micro fiber and detail spray to clean under the rails and that seem to work very well. You will enjoy having them installed.

cajun2wheels · 03-10-2011, 03:17 PM

I have been thing about some bag top rails myself.There is a guy always selling them for $39.00+shipping on Ebay.Has anyone tried these?

**nomadtom69** · 03-10-2011, 05:23 PM

You get them done and are proud you did not mess up and take pics of them and post on here and THEN someone replys You put them on backwards and your heart jumps out of your chest untill some one says they are kidding

**nomadbehappy** · 03-10-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cajun2wheels

I have been thing about some bag top rails myself.There is a guy always selling them for $39.00+shipping on Ebay.Has anyone tried these?

They are the ones I bought

joe3407nomad · 03-10-2011, 08:14 PM

There the ones I bought also. For the bucks they are pretty good!
Ballast, when I put my rails on they were really tight, had to coak them to fasten them, I won't take them off to clean the bags, I'm gonna wax around them.

02-27-2011, 10:04 PM	#1
nomadbehappy Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Barrie, ON Posts: 332	Saddlebag Top Rails Well after sitting and looking at the saddlebag top rails for the past week, and rereading the advice from others a few times I sat down today and installed them. Followed the advice of others, and yes MAC I threw away the washers that came with it and got some new faucet washers. I have to say the hardest part is making that first hole in the top of your saddlebag. I measured once, twice, checked it, double checked it, lined up the drill, then checked it again! When I was absolutely positive I had it lined up right I put a hole in the saddlebag. It wasnt as hard as I thought to get everything lined up, but it definitely is scary to make that first hole. Thanks everyone for the advice on how to do it, they look great! __________________ Brian Muscat bamuscat@gmail.com Barrie, ON KawaNOW #1404 2008 Kawasaki Nomad (Ultra) *Red* and Black because they're the fastest colours! Winter is nature's way of telling us to add more *Chrome!* Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-27-2011, 10:07 PM	#2
ndbigfish Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Braunfels, Texas Posts: 1,162	Saddlebag Top Rails The only draw back is cleaning under and around them. Enjoy. We are waiting for the pics. __________________ Brik VBA #1047 07 Electra Glide Ultra (43,300 & counting) 03 Nomad - 37,972 (traded 5/6/13) 99 Nomad - Only a memory since 4/27/13
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02-27-2011, 10:10 PM	#3
pirate Sr. Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,865	Saddlebag Top Rails Ah yes, I remember my escalated blood pressure when I installed mine! You're right, that first hole is the toughest to drill. After that, you're all in! Congrats on the install!
	0

02-28-2011, 09:06 AM	#4
Netnorske Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Everett, Washington Posts: 5,709	Saddlebag Top Rails Nice job! They do look great, but for sure cleaning around and under them is a PIA. So what's next.....bottom guard rails...?? It's a long list you know.... ! __________________ *Kris Olsen* VBA #0691 2017 HD Ultra Limited Low 2013 Victory Cross Country Tour 2012 1700 Vulcan Voyager 2008 1600 Vulcan Nomad 1997 Vulcan 800 Classic *"Growing old is mandatory,* *but growing up is optional"* Custer 2009\|Kalispell 2010\|Cortez 2010\|Crescent City 2011\|Kanab 2012\|Canmore 2012\|Estes Park 2013\|Orofino 2014\|Lake Tahoe 2015\|Red Lodge 2016
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02-28-2011, 10:30 AM	#5
cajun2wheels Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria La. Posts: 636	Saddlebag Top Rails I don't have saddlebag top rails but I do have one on my rear fender.Cleaning is not really a problem.I give it a shot of detail spray and slide my microfiber towel all the way through from one side to the other and do my best shoe shine boy imitation.Works for me. __________________ Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

03-05-2011, 03:05 PM	#8
dakota7557 Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Rapid City South Dakota Posts: 286	Saddlebag Top Rails Great Job, did mine last year and it's certainly a relief when it comes together...They really dress up the bags though along with protecting the top. Jody
	0

03-07-2011, 11:19 AM	#9
canuckrider Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Okotoks, AB, Canada Posts: 1,088	Saddlebag Top Rails For cleaning under the saddlebag rails and any of the other tight areas of the bike check out the EZ Detail Bike Brush at http://www.bikebrush.com . It's got very soft bristles and can get into the really tight places. I picked one up at the bike show in January and have used it only once (hey how often do you need to wash a bike in Alberta during the winter??) but it seems to do good job. Their website shows only 1 size but at the bike show they had the large and a smaller version available. __________________ "Sun on my face, wind in my hair, sound of my bike in my ears and peace in my soul..." VBA Member #01514 2008 "Ultra" Nomad 1600, Candy Plasma Blue
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03-07-2011, 12:27 PM	#10
ballast Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Orting, WA Posts: 1,394	Saddlebag Top Rails Good Job! I didn't really calm down until the eigth hole was done and I was looking at a completed job. I am going to take them off and wax the heck out of the bags before I start riding. I figure that will make cleaning a little easier. __________________ Charlie "Ballast" Krogh 2005 1600 Nomad "Tangerine Dream" VBA #999 VROC #29355
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03-07-2011, 12:30 PM	#11
brote Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia Posts: 905	Saddlebag Top Rails I can remember measuring the locations over and over. Once I drilled the first holes I was committed and glad I did it. I was always hitting the top of the bag with my boot. I use the micro fiber and detail spray to clean under the rails and that seem to work very well. You will enjoy having them installed. __________________ Hank Brote W1HCB 2008 Diablo Black Nomad Lawrenceville, GA VBA # 1234 VROC # 32837 Patriot Guard Riders Naval Advisory Group Vietnam 69-70
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03-10-2011, 03:17 PM	#12
cajun2wheels Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Alexandria La. Posts: 636	Saddlebag Top Rails I have been thing about some bag top rails myself.There is a guy always selling them for $39.00+shipping on Ebay.Has anyone tried these? __________________
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03-10-2011, 05:23 PM	#13
nomadtom69 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Maryville, Tn Posts: 2,656	Saddlebag Top Rails You get them done and are proud you did not mess up and take pics of them and post on here and THEN someone replys You put them on backwards and your heart jumps out of your chest untill some one says they are kidding __________________ (NomadTom69)Tom Green Previous bikes - 2004 BMW R1200 CLC 2006 Nomad 1600 Black -1985 BMW K100 RT VBA #001609 Viet-Nam Vet 71-72 Maryville , Tn. Maggie Valley '11-Townsend '12-Estes Park '13- Copperhead fall rally "13- Elkins WV '14- Eureka Springs ' 15- Helen Ga. SE Rally '16
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03-10-2011, 08:14 PM	#15
joe3407nomad Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Upstate South Carolina Posts: 265	Saddlebag Top Rails There the ones I bought also. For the bucks they are pretty good! Ballast, when I put my rails on they were really tight, had to coak them to fasten them, I won't take them off to clean the bags, I'm gonna wax around them.
	0

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