mrfixit Report post Posted August 17, 2012 I've got a vision for my bike, it's gonna take a while to get there but I'm ready to start working on it. Basically, what I have in mind is a "cowboy" or "old west" style to it. To that end, I am ready to start saddlebags. I'm planning on some tooling details, and brown leather not black. What I am asking is what design details make a better saddlebag? Things like pros or cons of the flap fasteners, depth versus width, and even thickness of leather, or to use a lining or not. Basically, what changes would make a good saddlebag into a great saddlebag. . I'm not looking for patterns but the details. I am planning on matching the seat and bags Looking forward to advice. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbob Report post Posted August 21, 2012 I've got a vision for my bike, it's gonna take a while to get there but I'm ready to start working on it. Basically, what I have in mind is a "cowboy" or "old west" style to it. To that end, I am ready to start saddlebags. I'm planning on some tooling details, and brown leather not black. What I am asking is what design details make a better saddlebag? Things like pros or cons of the flap fasteners, depth versus width, and even thickness of leather, or to use a lining or not. Basically, what changes would make a good saddlebag into a great saddlebag. . I'm not looking for patterns but the details. I am planning on matching the seat and bags Looking forward to advice. Make ur self a paper pattern and attach to the bike....so you see it three imensional....then go to the almighty internet and look for Cavalry (spelling?) saddle bags....the soft, floppy kind....then get some oil tan leather or semi veg tan in 4-5 oz and sew you some bags,,,,use a weld on seem's tomake it last....decide if you have singles or doubles, depending on how you mount it.....take some fine sandpaper and tooth paste, work the leather over well ...oil well and you have ur self a nice set of bags..dont think you need a liner.... James Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoubleBarP Report post Posted August 21, 2012 Do not know if this is exactly what you are looking for. I obtained several drawing from Springfield Arsenal some of which were US Cav saddel bags... Ghostsoilder was kind enough to clean some of them up. They can be found here... http://leatherworker.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=41199&st=30 If you dont find what the pattern there. Let me know by pm with your email address and I will send your a link to my storage. You'll have to search for the exact drawing your looking for as they are numbered and not named.. DBP Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mrfixit Report post Posted August 23, 2012 Thanks for the help. I think the Calvary style is what I am looking for. The question now is, how does the "floppy' leather work at highway speeds? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DoubleBarP Report post Posted August 23, 2012 Thanks for the help. I think the Calvary style is what I am looking for. The question now is, how does the "floppy' leather work at highway speeds? Actually the Cav bags have tiedowns in the origional pattern...One could always use heavier wt leather to "stiffen" it up somewhat... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ironhead13 Report post Posted August 23, 2012 Make ur self a paper pattern and attach to the bike....so you see it three imensional....then go to the almighty internet and look for Cavalry (spelling?) saddle bags....the soft, floppy kind....then get some oil tan leather or semi veg tan in 4-5 oz and sew you some bags,,,,use a weld on seem's tomake it last....decide if you have singles or doubles, depending on how you mount it.....take some fine sandpaper and tooth paste, work the leather over well ...oil well and you have ur self a nice set of bags..dont think you need a liner.... James Toothpaste? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimbob Report post Posted August 23, 2012 Toothpaste? Yup, tooth paste is a very fine grained abrasive....and used with wet sandpaper makes the leather look used and vintage.... dont forget to whipe of wet, let dry and gud coat of oil. Done.... James Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
