GoldWing World    

I guess I finally talked Corbin into making beetle bags for my bike but they didn't bother telling me, and when I found out and queried them about when they'd be ready etc. I was (as usual) ignored.  Being the irascible sort I decided to spite them and save some money so I'm going to try and make something myself.  I found a used set of Venture Royale bags that I thought would work and here is stage one:

1.    Sitting  them on the bike (precariously via bungee cords) and getting some idea of placement.

I actually like the look and believe once painted to match this will be a good solution.  I'm not certain yet about using the mounts and whether or not I'll have to remove / modify the rear tailpiece off the FZ1 but I have high hopes from my initial test.  Click the images for larger pictures:

I think that by cutting or shaping the front of the bags to match the curved bodywork on the FZ1 I can use the original Venture mounting system and have a nice key-removable set of luggage without modifying the FZ1 at all.  If not then I may have to move them out another 3/4 of an inch then is shown above to prevent rubbing or modify the rear cowl of the FZ.  I realize it's kinda hard to imagine what they will look like painted but the effect is not bad ... here is a shot from the side:

2.     PLACEMENT. My next step was to place and get an idea for the mounting hardware / brackets necessary to mount the hard mount points that won't look bad or interfere with the bike with the saddlebags off.  I thought at first I might have to sacrifice passenger accommodations but it doesn't appear that will be necessary.

3.     Bracket manufacture.  I have placed the brackets where they will need to be mounted, and will investigate modifying / hacking the bodywork to get closer in then this.  I suspect I will throw together a wooden "frame" first to use to mount the Yamaha Venture quick-release racks to and once I'm satisfied take those and the racks to a shop to have some aluminum ones made. In the placement above you can see that a rear-rack would be possible and that the rear turn signals will need to be relocated onto the brackets themselves.  Fortunately the brackets are DESIGNED to hold the Venture turn signals so this shouldn't be much of a problem.  The real advantage to these bags and the standard mounting hardware is that they are key-removable.  The styling isn't bad either, although I'd prefer a slightly rounder look for the FZ1.  I may still wind up with Beetle Bags someday when / if they ever become available but for now I'm pursuing this approach.  More as I get it!

4. Support Brackets.  I created some tubular support tubes which fit really well - I will eventually get some custom-made that are stronger so I'll not have to worry long term but these work for now.

5. Paint to match. Well, almost to match. I put a silver center and black metallic on which is 'close enough' to fool the naked eye but not color matched.  I'll have them professionally painted someday if and when they start to look ragged or if I paint the entire bike but for now they look pretty good considering I've only got about $250 in them total!

Page modified: 05/25/2006