I'm worried about the position of the taillights... it seems like the bags are going to interfere with the lights, but like I said, I'm a total noob. I'm not even sure how to install them or where the position of the bags should be.
I have these same OSI bags -- many thanks to Buickguy -- and they've worked out very well. No adjustment of lights needed and they're very big.
I just mounted some homemade supports for them, as explained in the video below, but the bags don't necessarily need them. I used the OSI bags for a year without but wanted to put heavier stuff in for a recent trip so thought supports would be good.
If you don't plan on riding with a passenger, you can probably mount those bags farther forward on the brackets and not have to relocate the turn signals. If you want to keep carrying a passenger an option, get bags that aren't as long.
The 16" long saddlebags won't fit between the shocks and turn signal. Mine are 14"X11", on my 87 450, and that is the maximum length, without relocating turn signals. Look for a 14" set, unless you go to some other style.
What fits in bag supports are those which fit your bolts to the siderail.....also can't be too big depth or widthwise....when you shop for them online, some vendors supply fitment info and you crank in your bike's model and year and they say if the accessory fits or not...
River Road slants. 12"wide, 10" high. Each holds twelve twelve ounce cans
I've had mine for five years. They are starting to look ratty, and I've patched a couple small holes in the last few months. Five years for 130.00 seems reasonable to me. I may buy another pair.
I have these on my Amazon wish list because for less than the price for leather throw overs, I get 3 bags I can use in any combination and none require any modifications on a Rebel. They also have reflective strips on them that just adds to night riding safety.
I love Viking bags and I have a set on my Magna but they would be too big for my Rebel.
Their hardware is pretty bad though. I went and bought guards on ebay that were one piece and chrome to match my bike--unlike the weird stuff they sent.
I did read the 2 star Rebel rider's review - however:
I also read 4 and 5 star reviews from people with smaller or same sized bikes. This lead me to believe that the Rebel rider may not have hooked them up correctly. Some of the Amazon reviews are written by people with little patience and even littler IQs. I tend to keep reading even after I see a bad review.
I have leather saddle bags that came with my 86 Rebel if you want em. They fit underneath the back seat and you dont need the brackets. I dont have any use for em.
Cool opinions on saddle bags. I found going to a dealer or a accessory store and asked them you could test fit by holding the bags next to your bike. I see angle hard or soft saddle bags has more of an advantage for the rebel model.
4 years too late, but figured I would give it a try. Which bag supports did you go with? I'm having a heck of a time finding supports that fit my 87 rebel 450. I am not trying to make mods. Thanks, in case anyone reads this (hate to do another post )
I went with viking bags because they gave me supports for free with the saddle bags.
I prefer the 3 piece to the 1 piece so that I can rack it out of square to the best position for the specific bags I'm hanging.
cutting down bolts to the correct size is not difficult. thread a nut on, cut the bolt with a hacksaw or such, grind/file the cut face flat and then grind/file to restore the 45° bevel about a half to one thread worth . remove the nut to clean the last thread.
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