Saddlebag repair

RHoschett · #1 02-08-2010, 06:10 PM

I am busy rehabbing the 1995 VN750 I got and it has original Kawasaki OEM saddlebags on it that need to be reconditioned and repaired. The last owner put the bike down on the right side so the right bag has some road rash and the internal opening stiffener is broken. Can anyone offer up a place I can send them to be reconditioned? The previous owner said they dont make them anymore and I really like the look and size so would hate to part with them...

VN750Rider/Jerry · #2 02-08-2010, 08:03 PM

If you are talking about the Auburn Leather bolt on bags that were sold by Kawasaki under different names, I have those. They were not cheap, full price was over $400 a pair, but I got them from an online dealer for about $320, no tax no shipping. They may very well still be available, or at least something very similar. If you decide you want new ones, and Kawasaki doesn't have them, check directly with Auburn Leather.

As far as repair, the only thing I can suggest is a leather shop. It will depend on the amount of damage, and how nice you want the repair to be. Jerry.

cglennon · #3 02-08-2010, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VN750Rider/Jerry

As far as repair, the only thing I can suggest is a leather shop. It will depend on the amount of damage, and how nice you want the repair to be. Jerry.

A good shoe cobbler/shoe repair/saddle/leather shop (names vary) can repair and recondition just about anything leather. However, it has been my experience that they are almost impossible to find (just like a good carpenter, plumber or electrician). Ask around, especially folks that have an investment in leather goods such as saddles or high end men's shoes.

slimvulcanrider · #4 02-08-2010, 09:14 PM

Are you talkin gthe leather bags, or the Hard bags that were part of the KF&S tour package?

VN750Rider/Jerry · #5 02-08-2010, 10:39 PM

Yeah, if you are talking about the Kawasaki hard bags, those things are as scarce as hens teeth. They were only made for a short time. All I could suggest for those would be an auto body shop. I believe there are other hard bags that will fit the 750. Jerry.

slimvulcanrider · #6 02-09-2010, 12:38 AM

If its hard bags, fiberglass repair isn't that hard to do... just need a little bit of patients some fiberglass resin, bondo, and spot putty, sand paper, a rasp, and a sanding block... there are plenty of how to guides on the internet to do fiberglass work... I taught myself from a book when I was 10 Years old... and if a 10 year old can build a fiberglass kiak that is ocean worthy (and looks good to boot) then an adult should be able to repair a set of saddle bags quite easily.

flitecontrol · #7 02-09-2010, 09:21 AM

And if you should mess up, just rasp it off and do it over again!

slimvulcanrider · #8 02-09-2010, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flitecontrol

And if you should mess up, just rasp it off and do it over again!

exactly!!!

RHoschett · #9 02-09-2010, 02:42 PM

The Bags are leather, using OEM kawasaki brackets and the turn signal relocation kit. I have been searching and have yet to find any that match it. I did find something similar called this> Kawasaki Fire and Steel Frontier Saddlebags, Plain - Vulcan Models <But mine are bigger with 3 conchos and buckles, not two. This set I found is $350 and mine are still working, just tired. I"ll look around locally for a leather or shoe repair place to see what they can do for me as my wallet is to shallow for a new set.

slimvulcanrider · #10 02-09-2010, 03:07 PM

you might try using the internet to find a leather repair shop... there are quite a few custom saddle bag places... also might search saddle and tack repair