First try at a sissy bar bag

[gregintenn]

I didn't think it turned out too bad. It sure takes a lot of hand stitching! I'm still thinking about making a pair of saddlebags, but haven't committed to tackling that yet.

[Dwight]

If you first glue about a 3/8 bar of glue up the edge of each piece with Weldwood Contact cement . . . you can then come back every 3/4 of an inch with a bright shiny rivet . . . whole bunch easier and faster than hand sewing . . . and they look pretty darned good too.

May God bless,

Dwight

[gregintenn]

Thank you, sir. That would be much easier.

 I'll probably go with some pre dyed leather next time as well.

Edited February 8, 2022 by gregintenn

[AzShooter]

Fantastic job.  Very professional looking bag.

[Samalan]

That's a very nice job for first try my friend .

[Blackjack21]

Rivets will never replace a great hand sewn product. You have made a really nice bag and am sure you will make fine saddlebags when you get to it. I myself have built hundreds of  motorcycle tool bags and saddlebags and all have been hand sewn or laced. I usually use harness weight leather for the large bags.

[gregintenn]

2 hours ago, Blackjack21 said:

Rivets will never replace a great hand sewn product. You have made a really nice bag and am sure you will make fine saddlebags when you get to it. I myself have built hundreds of  motorcycle tool bags and saddlebags and all have been hand sewn or laced. I usually use harness weight leather for the large bags.

Thanks for the kind words, everyone! I’ve made belts, holsters, wallets and such for several years now, but getting back into motorcycles, this is new to me.

Blackjack21,

I have a specific question for you. If I use a stiff, thick harness leather, can I use saddlebags without the wire guards you need to buy for commercial bags that protect the bags from getting onto the brake rotor/belt pulley?

[Tugadude]

Very nice indeed.  Personally, I'd stay with the stitching, but that's just me, the rivets make a lot of sense.  

[jrdunn]

4 hours ago, Blackjack21 said:

Rivets will never replace a great hand sewn product. You have made a really nice bag and am sure you will make fine saddlebags when you get to it. I myself have built hundreds of  motorcycle tool bags and saddlebags and all have been hand sewn or laced. I usually use harness weight leather for the large bags.

Yeah, that.

[Frodo]

I also Think hand stitching is a better product on leather goods than rivets.  BUT, When it comes to motorcycles  EVERYONE knows that Chrome makes a bike go faster. The Leather color Black with Chrome is a tradition on Harley Davidson. It just IS. So In this instance, Mr Dwight has hit the nail on the head

Nice bag by the way. VERY nice job