Traveleer Saddlebag?

[T. Cotten]

Just for reference, Folks,...

The example I posted shows no obvious evidence of ever having fringe.

That makes them extra special, no doubt!

....Cotten

[FCJ]

[FCJ]

[T. Cotten]

Thanks for that scan, Fletcher!

The example I posted most closely resembles the "Chieftain", with a folded (pleated?) lid, and a lack of the rosettes of spots fore and aft upon the lids.

But upon inspection again, there is absolutely no indication of ever having fringe, as the 'welt' or 'vinyl pipeing' is in great shape.
And its not wavy like brandx or even BUCO pipeing seemed to age. The lids are edged in white pipeing, unlike the accessories page example.

"Mystery bags",.. huh.

....Cotten
PS: Uh oh, what's this on the lid?

[FCJ]

"Mystery bags",.. huh.

I haven’t seen very many Indian catalogs or bags. Would not be at all surprised if your style of bags (a) is pictured in some other catalog or (b) was produced without being pictured in any catalog. Some suppliers regularly and expressly offered certain models with or without fringe. And, those that didn’t may have been willing to consider requests.

[T. Cotten]

Just for confusion, Fletcher,..

Your accessory page mentions the Chieftains' "mounting plate permanently riveted to bag".
This set has removable plates with 3/8" studs and nuts (which have been lost, presumably when the mounts were painted with a brush).
The rivets seem to secure the bag to itself quite well.

At least they have the 'expanders'!
They are surprisingly clean inside, and have never been molested with neats'foot or mink oil fungus food.

The backside of the bags are tailored for clearance over a shock, but much, much less of a pocket than some sculpted BUCOs on the wall.
(The underside has a rectangular plate riveted.)

....Cotten
PS: We might have answers for these questions if the AMCA hadn't ostracized those who know.
The so-called "judging system" has destroyed far more History than it ever, ever preserved.

[FCJ]

Your accessory page mentions the Chieftains' "mounting plate permanently riveted to bag".

Chieftain bags were listed and pictured in other catalogs without mounting plates. Would be happy to look at any photos you can share.

Don’t know if you saw item #12 in this thread, but my guess was and still is Chieftain. Possibly just a different production version. Possibly shown in some catalog I haven't seen or never shown in a catalog.

Don’t know what distinguishes (a) “permanently” riveted bags (e.g., Chieftain and Roamer) from (b) other riveted bags (e.g., Traveleer) or mounting plate fitted bags (e.g., Vagabond) or other bags shown with mounting plates (e.g., Tourist). According to Indian, the separate accessory replacement mounting plates are permanent too.

I don’t know what Indian was like, but things may have been crazy as and after they went under. Someone was still putting out accessory catalogs and selling accessories.

[FCJ]

[Jim]

I think in an earlier post, I think I mentioned showing the inside and backside of my bags. Here you can see the metal bar (inside) the bag that attaches to the mount on the back fender. There are 2 Wing Nuts on each bag that hold the bags to the fender. These are pictures of the LEFT SIDE saddlebag.

DSCN0614.jpgDSCN0616.jpgDSCN0615.jpg

[T. Cotten]

That's how the bags in my previous posts mounted, Jim!

But I'm confused about two wing-nuts: Aren't there five studs?

Your 'shock-pocket' is a sewn-in separate piece of leather, however my example was only cut and shaped before stitching, and probably giving a lot less clearance.

....Cotten

[Jim]

The three posts in the center are (I suppose) alignment "pins" and are not threaded studs like the outermost two, which is where the wing nuts attach. I take it the center three pins also help the weight of the saddlebag "hang" on the extra pins rather than just hang on the two outer threaded posts.

[T. Cotten]

The three posts in the center are (I suppose) alignment "pins" and are not threaded studs like the outermost two, which is where the wing nuts attach. I take it the center three pins also help the weight of the saddlebag "hang" on the extra pins rather than just hang on the two outer threaded posts.

Uh oh, Jim,..

My example has only four threaded studs for each bag.

No idea what the nuts were...

...Cotten