Leatherworks Swing Arm Bag

[Geoff]

I'm considering this swing arm bag for my Softail Custom. The bag attaches to the left side swing arm with four belts that buckle inside the bag. It has enough room for rain gear or a jacket. What do you think of this bag...cool, gay?  

[atadaskew]

Saddlebags do not affect unsprung weight.  A swingarm bag does.  
This of course matters to you if it matters to you.
 

[SVTNate]

I like them and if I owned a Softail I'd have one.  It's a cool looking, low profile way to carry some basic stuff.

One thing, IIRC they sometimes rub the paint on the swingarm.  Maybe have your wife/a ladyfriend/pay someone to stitch some felt or other soft material to the straps where they would touch the swingarm?

[Geoff]

One thing, IIRC they sometimes rub the paint on the swingarm.  Maybe have your wife/a ladyfriend/pay someone to stitch some felt or other soft material to the straps where they would touch the swingarm?

Some people wrap electrical tape around the swing arm. I've seen others fit plastic flexible tubing over the swing arm.

[bomber]

Saddlebags do not affect unsprung weight.  A swingarm bag does.  
This of course matters to you if it matters to you.
 

This is, of course, accurate.

The rain gear would likely be made of lead to be noticeable in this application.

;-]

[Geoff]

This is, of course, accurate.

The rain gear would likely be made of lead to be noticeable in this application.

;-]

 

[chornbe]

Won't it get absolutely filthy and be prone to stuff kicking up at it and wearing at it?

It also doesn't look like it'd survive a deep left turn.

$.02

[Rincewind]

What do you think of this bag...cool, gay? 

Since you asked, I would go with the latter.  No offense to gay folk <3. 

I know it's a stretch for a Softail, but it looks highly scrapable in left hand turns, like Chris said.

Personally I think a simple set of leather saddlebags would look better.

[stevent]

Since you asked I'd say a little on the gay side, plus if you only have one it'll look odd. I'd pop for some saddlebags and be done with it,  

[ConPilot1]

you can definitely fit a couple doo-rags in there, and maybe a pair of assless chaps, or a vest with lots of patches on it.

[atadaskew]

 maybe a pair of assless chaps

c'mon people, let's get this right for once.
Chaps = assless.
Chaps w/ ass = pants.

No need to mention assless, it's already a given.  Like sayin' ugly Kawasaki.  No need.  We know they are ugly, the name is enough.
Thank you.

[85V65]

You could name your bike 'One hung low'....

[ConPilot1]

Like sayin' ugly Kawasaki.  No need.  We know they are ugly, the name is enough.

Coming from a Vespa rider. Now that's funny.  

[Geoff]

You could name your bike 'One hung low'....

The ladies have already given me that moniker.  

[atadaskew]

Coming from a Vespa rider. Now that's funny.  

See.  All you had to say is Vespa.  Gorgeous Vespa, beautiful Vespa ?  Unnecessary, we already know.
For your reference check out the Pin ups thread in off topic...

[EricJ]

I kind of like it... I would pimp it!

Eric

[Geoff]

I bought the swing arm bag. However, when I installed it, the leather mounting straps were only 1/16" from the pulley and belt. I tried using heavy duty zip ties in lieu of the straps, but they were still too close for comfort.

Harley added a 200 series tire to the Softail Custom in 2007. This moved the pulley and belt closer to the swing arm than previous model years. I called Leatherworks (mfr.) and explained the problem. They were aware of the fitment issue and had actually stopped selling the bag for 2007 and later Softails. But after many riders insisted they could make it work, they began selling it again.

Leatherworks understood my concern and granted me a full refund.