JD-VL saddlebags

[T. Cotten]

Thanks for the magnification, Craig!

Dude?

I don't get it.

Looks like a nymph to me. (Or is that a damn 'man-bun'?)

....Cotten

[41craig]

Thanks for the magnification, Craig!

Dude?

I don't get it.

Looks like a nymph to me. (Or is that a damn 'man-bun'?)

....Cotten

The "Dude" somewhat looks like a jockey. This made me think that they could be for a horse. But horse saddle bags don't have the reinforcement patch sewn on the back sides. Nor do they mount M/C style or have side straps to hold them to the frame. If they went on a Harley, it would have to be a VL or later because they would have to mount to the fender side panel. I think that I bought them at a swap meet in Springfield, Il. in the mid 1980's.
Craig

[T. Cotten]

Its like a Rorschach Test, Craig!

Everybody sees something different.

She needs a riding crop.

....Cotten
PS: I really like the bags, and wish I had beat you to them, since I was probably there...

[41craig]

I'm thinking a $20.00 bill took them home.
Craig

[T. Cotten]

That makes her even more beautiful, Craig!

My elektronik eye sees a dancer...

....Cotten

[bselph]

Michael Paquette from Worsham Castle makes exact repops. He has all blueprints from the factory going back to the beginning.

[Jim]

Michael Paquette from Worsham Castle makes exact repops. He has all blueprints from the factory going back to the beginning.

Hey Bob... how did the original (or repops) attach? Were they different from the early VL fender to the later one? I'm not saying I'll buy a pair, but just wondering...

[Steve Slocombe]

The early VLs took the four 'towel rail' saddlebag hangers, and I've seen these on a 36VL so I think they were used throughout for the utility bags. The half moon saddlebag hangers seem to have come out in 1936-39 and are designed for an 18" wheel and not a 19" as on the VL, explaining the odd holes on the sides of original VL mudguards where the later style saddlebags have been fitted.

[camsaure]

JDSaddlebags.jpg from Oct 1 1930 dealer accessories catalog.

[41craig]

Well. I finally found out who made my mystery saddle bags shown earlier in this discussion. It looks like they came from T.J. O'Conner & Sons, Inc. of Baltimore, Md.

image0.jpgimage0-001.jpgimage0-002.jpgimage0-004.jpgimage0-005.jpg

Craig