Leather Saddlebags...

[Hank in Albuq]

Hi!!
I just brought my '05 R3 Standard home, and there's a problem with her that I need to address right away. I prefer long distance touring, and I need a good pair of waterproof (underlined and with exclamation pointe!!) saddlebags. The leather ones that are on it are so shriveled up they look like a couple of prunes. They've obviously been out in the sun way too long. and of course, they are not even pretending to be waterproof. I was peruseing this forum the other day, and found one person who had placed a pair of plastic liners in his saddlebags, giving them their shape back, and (hopefully) making them waterproof. Does anyone have the i.p. for this company?? Also, any help or advice you can give me would be gratefully appreciated. The guys at the dealership (P.J.'s Triumph here in Albuquerque) said to rub saddle soap into them and they would come back, but that looks like a 3 month job!! Greetings from a Rocketeer Newbie!!

Kick the Tires, Light the Fires, and HANG ON!!!

Hank in Albuquerque

 

[Baggage1]

Hey there Hank, our very own flip at flipmeister specialty products on the top of the front page of the site handles the items you're looking for. His kit has done wonders for many here and on the other sites. Welcome to the site and hang on.

 

[Hank in Albuq]

RE: Bags...

'Baggage', Thanks. I'll get ahold of Flipmeister's and see about getting my bags reconditioned. Those plastic inner liners definitely look like the way to go. Thyanks again!

Kick the Tires, Light the Fires, and HANG ON!!

Hank in Albuquerque

 

[Sidecar Flip]

Interestingly, PJ's knows about my Pannier Liners, they inquired as to availability and about ther Blackrock Leathe Care I distribute. Guess they have a short memory. Not to worry though.....

If your Panniers look like old shriveled up prunes, you can send them to me and I'll install the liners and reconditioin the Panniers. Then, all you have to do is use the Blackrock once every few months and all will be good.

I even tried to use Blackrock on my wife...once. Those on here that know my wife, know the outcome of that.

Instructions are on the website or you can e-mail me at sales@flipmeisters.com.

The Panniers retail for 900 bucks a set with mounts. For that amount, why not take care of them and isure they will last the life of the bike. They are excellent examples of hand stiched leather but leather is tissue, once living tissue, just like your skin and just like your skin, the leather need's it's oil's and minerals replaced to stay supple and waterproof.

 

[Sidecar Flip]

Hopefully I explained the procedure in my PM. Have a good day and thatnks for the inquiry.

 

[Koos]

Hi Guys
Greetings from Namibia down in Africa.
I recently bought my first R3 and loves it more then my wife, shhhh she doesnt know it yet.
My problem is i need good looking and quality saddlebags, but being out in Africa getting some from the states is a big issue.
Can anyone advise or give me guidenss on making it your self, leatherwork is no problem its the mounting and design im struggling with.

 

[TOMCAT]

G'day and Welcome Koos .. ain't going near the one about " the wife" ..as far as saddlebags go the SEARCH function ^ up the top will reveal all the different styles of bags and panniers Owners have run on their bikes. Companies like Hepco and Becker sell panniers and racks ( doubt they would have any for the Rockets ) though. You'll find modifying Rockets is often down to the Owners .. using their skills and imagination.

 

[CanberraR3]

Welcome Koos. The standard Rocket bags have a metal mounting frame that bolts to the sides of the guards. I reckon you should either try to get hold of some of those or make some up to give your bags the best chance of holding their shape. I'll try to take some pictures and post them for you or if you want to look through my photo gallery you'll see some older pics of my bike (when it had 3 pipes) showing the mounting frame.

 

[CanberraR3]

This might help give you an idea.

 

[Mittzy]

Welcome Koos