Saddlebag Imperfections...what would you do?

[Monkeyman]

Here are some of the saddlebag imperfections. These are the hole plugs I used to fill in the holes left by my botched chrome rails. I'll mount well fitting rails eventually and they may hide this somewhat but not completely. Other than having someone fill in the holes (and repaint...maybe next winter), what would you do? The only options I can think of are to install chaps or leave it be. I can't think of any good way of covering up the holes with anything else (that would look good).

http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq269/Primatepapa/bagplugs.jpg

[ragnagwar]

If you stay with the plugs spray them with some OEM matching paint. They'll blend in a little better. JMHO.

[ringadingh]

Id patch them and touch up, they wont be that noticeable. Id still install chrome rails as well.

[Loafer]

Wow, I would have them repaired and painted later, touch them up and buff.

[Top Cat]

I think we pretty much answered this in another thread.
Put the freekin chaps on until you get into your bank account and get the money to have them professionally fixed.
Forget the bag lights for now and concentrate on the faring project. That seems to be a major project.
You appear to bite off more than you can chew most of the time.
Hey, you asked for opinions, I'm just saying......................

[danimal2]

Here are some of the saddlebag imperfections. These are the hole plugs I used to fill in the holes left by my botched chrome rails. I'll mount well fitting rails eventually and they may hide this somewhat but not completely. Other than having someone fill in the holes (and repaint...maybe next winter), what would you do? The only options I can think of are to install chaps or leave it be. I can't think of any good way of covering up the holes with anything else (that would look good).

I have the same situation. My bag rails are in perfect condition, but I never used them and prefer the cleaner look without. Lucky for you your bike is black. Mine's green and the black hole plugs really stand out. I've also got them where my back seat rack/mount used to be for a total of 12.

Considering going with the bag/fender chaps too. Not sure what I'm going to do just yet.

[Monkeyman]

Put the freekin chaps on until you get into your bank account and get the money to have them professionally fixed.

You appear to bite off more than you can chew most of the time.

I have high aspirations, I guess. Usually, I look at a project and only see the big picture. I don't realize all of the little things that go into a project until I'm knee deep into it. By then, it's too late to back out. Also, I rarely give up on anything. I'll piss and moan and stress about it until it's finally done. There ARE times when the hassle of something just isn't worth it. Might be time to give up on a few things.

[Monkeyman]

If you stay with the plugs spray them with some OEM matching paint. They'll blend in a little better. JMHO.

Id patch them and touch up, they wont be that noticeable. Id still install chrome rails as well.

I think that may be the best idea. I'll get a can of black paint and see what they look like painted. At least they'll be shiny like the rest of the bike. If I don't like that look, I'll put chaps on.

I'm going to try to rebend my rails. If they won't bend with the 2 center bars, I'll cut those out and bend the outer bars. Once they're bent correctly, I'll remount them in the right spot. If I hadn't been in such a big hurry when I got them, I would have sent them back and got ones bent right and I wouldn't have this problem.

[ringadingh]

I wouldn't cut any bars out on the rails, you may as well throw them out if you start doing that.

[Monkeyman]

Why's that? I don't plan on carrying anything on them. I've tried bending them as is but they won't give. I might have gotten a 1/4 degree more but that's not nearly enough. I was thinking (here I go again) if I cut the 2 center bars out they would be easier to bend. If I'm careful, I might be able to tape them up enough to use some of that fake chrome paint. If that didn't work, I could wrap the ends in leather. Of course, this is just me thinking again and you know how that usually goes.

[Monkeyman patiently waits for TC to comment.]

[ringadingh]

Youll ruin them and they will look worse than the three holes you have. They shouldn't be that hard to bend anyways.
You really seem to be trying to reinvent the wheel, theres no need to make it harder than it is.

[Bdog]

If your going to rebend them (??) then place them over a spare tire and apply pressure to the area that you want bent. If you use a spare tire, like a mag wheel for your car then to help out bending, use tie downs and increase the pressure desired..just sayin..Bdog

[Top Cat]

Why's that? I don't plan on carrying anything on them. I've tried bending them as is but they won't give. I might have gotten a 1/4 degree more but that's not nearly enough. I was thinking (here I go again) if I cut the 2 center bars out they would be easier to bend. If I'm careful, I might be able to tape them up enough to use some of that fake chrome paint. If that didn't work, I could wrap the ends in leather. Of course, this is just me thinking again and you know how that usually goes.

[Monkeyman patiently waits for TC to comment.]

:lmao: Well here I am, didn't want to disappoint you. http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/images/icons/ornwink.gif

Try Bdogs suggestion and if that doesn't work toss the rails. They are getting to be more hassle than they are worth. You are going to end up ruining them anyway. If you cut them they will rust.
Go with chaps for now till you get enough money to have the bags fixed by a professional.
When I had my bike painted the painter fixed the holes from the first set of lights I had on the bags. You can't even see where they were.
Now just my opinion but I have the rails on my bags and they serve no purpose to me. I thought they would keep me from scuffing the bags with my boots. Didn't help. I will not put them on my next Nomad. They are just more bling.

[Jared]

Why not just post the old rails on ebay? Post a picture and state that they didn't fit you bike quite how you had wished. I'm sure someone would appreciate some cheap rails.

Then buy some new ones and mount them correctly.

All this bending and painting with fake chrome paint, etc is just going to look bad. Rechroming them would cost more than replacing them. Those rails are only $39 on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SADDLEBAG-TOP-RAILS-KAWASAKI-VULCAN-NOMAD-/270897808246?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3f12c48376#ht_1930wt_932

[Rotorboy]

You could pull the plugs and put some of these in there place.http://studsandspikes.com/buy/spikes.html

[recumbentbob]

I would pull the plugs fix the holes and have the bags dipped to look like carbon fiber.

This guy is close to me and his work is amazing. He does do MC parts.

http://www.duckvilleimaging.com/

[danimal2]

You could pull the plugs and put some of these in there place.http://studsandspikes.com/buy/spikes.html

I got a set of these and I didn't care for them on my bike. I took em off and they're in the spare parts bin now.

[cnc]

Why's that? I don't plan on carrying anything on them. I've tried bending them as is but they won't give. I might have gotten a 1/4 degree more but that's not nearly enough. I was thinking (here I go again) if I cut the 2 center bars out they would be easier to bend. If I'm careful, I might be able to tape them up enough to use some of that fake chrome paint. If that didn't work, I could wrap the ends in leather. Of course, this is just me thinking again and you know how that usually goes.

[Monkeyman patiently waits for TC to comment.]

Chris as Steve says you will just ruin them if you cut them. If you can't bend them yourself, cut out a cardboard template of the curve of the saddle bag and take them to a machine shop. They should be able to bend them to shape with a hydraulic press in very little time.

[Top Cat]

Chris, forge the spikes they look stupid.
Forget the carbon fiber dip also. That would look real out of place on the bags with the rest of the bike painted.
Man, some of you guys have no taste at all.:D

[Monkeyman]

I never have been much for spikes or CF. I'll just paint the plugs and silicone them in place this year. If I can find a shop to rebend the rails, I'll probably do it. If not, I'll put them on a shelf and buy new ones. Next year when I get the bike repainted, I'll have someone fill the holes correctly. A bit beyond my talents.

[dogleg]

I think we’re missing the obvious for the rear holes. I’m thinking a pair for smoke screen and a pair for oil slick. The old game spyhunter comes to mind.

[Dave]

Other than having someone fill in the holes (and repaint...maybe next winter), what would you do?

I'd blow my brains out. It does look like a big deal.

[mobandy78]

I think we’re missing the obvious for the rear holes. I’m thinking a pair for smoke screen and a pair for oil slick. The old game spyhunter comes to mind.

Hell yea! How about a flame thrower for those cagers that follow too close?! :tup:

[blowndodge]

"I fixed it!" :tehe:

[Monkeyman]

I'd blow my brains out.

Um. Ok?

"I fixed it!" :tehe:

What did you fix?