Can fork bag damage chrome?

[indianapilot]

I've modified a handlebar bag for the fork tubes and it seems to fit right. However it does lean against the chrome fork covers and I wonder if it will eventually damage the chrome finish. The bag is leather with vinyl seams.

Has anyone else had problems with a setup like this? TIA.

TL

[Kawhead]

That same thought occurred to me so I only put mine on when I'm on a long trip. I can tell you for sure any place the bag or straps touch the paint it will scuff or rub through.

[dkdixie]

Originally Posted by indianapilot aka TL

I've modified a handlebar bag for the fork tubes and it seems to fit right. However it does lean against the chrome fork covers and I wonder if it will eventually damage the chrome finish. The bag is leather with vinyl seams.

Has anyone else had problems with a setup like this? TIA.

TL

Chrome scratches very easy! :-[

Check the picture for an alternative location on the rear sissy bar. No problem rubbing anything there.


Just took a piece of 1" aluminum (Ace Hdwe), bent in vise, drilled couple holes, primed/painted black and mounted the bag.

[psychocycle]

It will rub over time and wear anything it rubs against. You also have to be careful of the clearance between the bottom of the bag and the top of the fender when combined with potholes and ruff roads, they can touch with less than happy results.

[macmac]

indianapilot, I think that bag is going to eat the paint right off your fender, when you brake.

One of the chrome lowers plates is on backwards too..

[dabull]

Originally Posted by macmac

indianapilot, I think that bag is going to eat the paint right off your fender, when you brake.

One of the chrome lowers plates is on backwards too..

nice catch macmac;)

i took my wal-mat tool bag back...i got it to plug that air hole, but after "putting it there" discovered that i didnt like the look and felt the back was going to hit the fender...

[macmac]

I had a tool bag there untill I saw it was eatting paint, it did eat paint, but I was able to buff that out. I have tools to buff paint out, but I wouldn't have done it, had I know the bag was going to hit paint.

I like the look myself, but when I am ready i will make a mounting plate, so the bag shows and the plate don't, and Then since no bag I have seen will fit, I willl sew one up myself.

Another place I have been looking at for tools is where the goat belly used to be.

If i could find a stainless steel pot I could fit in there with a few brackets and the lid was something looking like a bike part should look, I would polish the stainless to a chrome finish on just the cover.

I am not too sure how good/bad the Nomad chrome really is. Once, and I mean just once I set 2 plastic drinking water bottles between the pillon grab rails and ride some distance. When I grabbed these bottles again they had already made marks.

Some things commonly done on other bikes don't work out so well on Nomads.

It all depends on the little details, as to how something else fits and whether or not you care about a finish.

[indianapilot]

Thanks guys, I hadn't thought of it hitting the fender and messing up the paint. I like your idea dk dixie, I have some 1" alum strips and I'll fasten it to the sissy bar too.

I was hoping the bag mounted on the lightbar might help the helmet buffeting problem I'm having, but I don't want to cure one problem and create another.

That was a good catch Mac. I've had the bike for 2 months and never noticed it.

I'm a new owner and appreciate all the help and suggestions offered here. I hope as time goes on I can contribute to the forum and repay the debt.

Thanks,
TL

[dogdoc]

Ive got the wal-mart bag in front and it doesnt come close to the fender. My question is qhy would it eat paint if its 2 inches above the fender? It does lay on each chrome fork cover. I took a small piece of adhesive foam and the foam now touches the chrome so it soft not the leather. it does block the air under the triple tree. Ill watch it closely.

[dkdixie]

Originally Posted by indianapilot aka TL

Thanks guys, I hadn't thought of it hitting the fender and messing up the paint. I like your idea dk dixie, I have some 1" alum strips and I'll fasten it to the sissy bar too.

I was hoping the bag mounted on the lightbar might help the helmet buffeting problem I'm having, but I don't want to cure one problem and create another.

That was a good catch Mac. I've had the bike for 2 months and never noticed it.

I'm a new owner and appreciate all the help and suggestions offered here. I hope as time goes on I can contribute to the forum and repay the debt.

Thanks,
TL

If you do mount it on the rear, couple things you might want to keep in mind.

You will find the side stock reflectors are in the way. Take them off and if you want to reinstall, turn them 180 degrees, drill a hole and remount. They'll be much lower this way. You'll see what I mean when you take them off.
I can send you picture if you need it.

When you bend the strip of aluminum, put something round in the bend, large screwdriver, center punch, etc, and bend over it to make each side consistent.

You need anymore help, just let me know.

[psychocycle]

Originally Posted by Doc (Lonewolf)

My question is qhy would it eat paint if its 2 inches above the fender?

Hi Doc, I don't see your tool bag in your signature picture but 2" above the top of fender is not much clearance when you use your front brakes the forks will compress way more than 2" forcing the weighted tool bag down onto the front fender and or bumpy roads will do the same thing. (Don't ask why I know this)

[cyclecat]

Go to an auto trim and detail shop and buy a piece of the clear plastic they put on the front of cars and headlights to protect against rock chips. put it on the fender where the bag will touch and it will stop the bag from damaging the paint. We've had fork bags for years, with the piece of plastic on the fender and no paint damage. No one even knows the plastic is on the fender unless we point it out.

[macmac]

No need to wait to repay the favors... We all accept BEER

Ain't that right boys?