1947 Saddlebags

[Chris in Japan]

Dear all,

I hope you are doing fine! Weather is getting better and I guess you are more in the road now...

Is somebody willing to share with me his expertise on saddlebags? I need an assessment on the following ones:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_500wt_1097

After design they seem to match to the 1947 BT model but I suspect these are repops... (simply to nice and in seems that the original should have also a line of square patterns below the row of nickels on the lid - I make here reference to Palmer...)

If these are OEM, I need also none of you to bid!

Kind regards and thanks to all.

Chris.

[bmh]

Don't know if 47 & 48 were different, but this photo is of what I believe to be an original 48 bag. they don't look the same to me.

[Chris in Japan]

Thanks, bmh! I will check Palmer later today for the changes on 48... Certainly some minor ones, but anyway... From your picture I share your same opinion. Lock is different and I see no big HD logo on it. I think ebay one is a repop... Thanks again!

[Chris in Japan]

I have to correct myself: 48 introduced a completely new saddlebag - the "King Size". 47 was a one-year saddlebag and is the one in the picture of bmh. Kind regards! Christian.

[bobdo]

Chris,
The saddlebag image sent by bmh is correct. That saddlebag should have the row of square details & harley wings embossed in the leather, its just not showing in the image. I think the Loctite bags were available in 1946 also, not sure though. I have a set that look like bmh's image on my '47. They were difficult to find. I wasn't able to see the ebay post. There are repops out there that, in my opinion, don't look right. If I didn't have originals, I'd buy the ones made at Worsham Castle. Even if you find them, they're usually pretty dry to actually use. Good luck in your search. Bob

[Paquette]

The locktite bags in question for sale on eBay are reproductions. As previously posted, on the originals,there is a line of embossing on the bottom of the lid, the "Locktite' hardware is incorrect, as is the spot on the botton of the bag where the nickle spots form a V shape. In addition, the bottom rosettes on originals are pointed ( not rounded) and are orange with a 1 1/8 inch washer, 7/8 round orange rosette and a nickle plated rivet. Contrary to what Chris in Japan posted , yes the king size saddlebags ( the first side specific bags ever offerd by H-D) were introduced in 1948, but the Locktite bags were still available as late as September 1952, although not shown in regular accessory catalogs, only in accessory lists. I have hard copy documentation for this. According to my research, 1947 vin #'s 1001--about 10050 would have been a 5 hole mount and 10051--September 1952 a 4 hole mount plate.

[Chris in Japan]

Wow! Crystal clear, Paquette! Many thanks for the detailed description - now I am much better prepared for the search!

Maybe I overlooked the explanation but what about embossed logos in these 47 saddlebags? A big winged one in the lid? Nothing at all? Many thanks again!

[Chris in Japan]

Paquette! I hope you are not on summer holidays yet...

I need your professional expertise on following ones, please!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...T#ht_500wt_893

Are these both original and correct for 1947?

Many thanks!

Chris.

[Chris in Japan]

Hi everybody!

And some new loctite again... sorry for being such a pain!

Can somebody please get a look on these below and tell me if original and if 1947?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...g#ht_500wt_893

They look old - no doubt on that - but I miss now the nickels "V" in the lid! This chasing for correct parts ain't easy...

Thanks!

Kind regards,

Chris.

[Chris in Japan]

Sorry, I made a mistake... I meant the "V" in the face and the row in the lid's edge. I see yes the square patterns (in the lid's) edge but I see no trace of removed nickels - at least not with this picture quality!

[Paquette]

Chris--These are very early Locktite bags. the early ones did not have the spots. I hope whoever buys them will ignore the sellers advise to use cooking oil on them!!!!That is a sure way to ruin them forever--Michael 6671