Swingarm Bag Review And A Problem Solved

A while back I posted about a guy I met through the wonders of the cyber world named Shaun Oneal. He makes custom leather products like seats, tool rolls and swingarm bags. I'd had my eye on a swingarm bag for awhile and after reading some reviews on Shaun's work and visiting with him a little via email, I decided I wanted an SO Kustom swingarm bag.

So that's where the blog came in. I introduced Shaun in a previous post, and now, after receiving my bag and trying it out, here's the review.

First off, the bag is heavy 8-9 oz. leather, which make it rigid and sturdy. This is something I was a bit concerned about. No one likes saggy bags, LOL! Second, the twist clasps are both functional and not a headache to get into like comparable bags with buckles. And lastly, the bag is ample size for a tool kit, sun glasses, gloves, some bandannas, and a bottle of water, or whatever.

When it came time to mount the bag, I was concerned that the zip tie method of securing the bag to the swingarm would damage the powdercoat over time. So, I employed a little ingenuity and came up with a mounting system that utilizes the existing belt guard holes.

PARTS LIST:

1 - piece of 1/8" Diamond Plate

2 - 15/16" Coupler Nuts

2 - 15/16" Bolts

4 - Chrome 15/16" Button Head Bolts

4 - Large 15/16" Washers

5 - Small 15/16" Washers

Red Loctite

Blue Loctite

First I started by cutting a piece of cardboard to make a template of the back of the bag in order to transfer the shape on to the diamond plate. Next, I didn't have a way to cut any heavy steel or metal so the aluminum diamond plate was great for me. I used an $80 tile saw I already had and it ate through the diamond plate nicely. I took a flat metal file and cleaned up the edges. To wrap it up, I used a wire wheel on my bench grinder and really put a smooth finish on the piece. Here's a pic of the plate and the method I used to get the dimensions correct:

I wanted the bag to look like it was floating, no brackets visible from the side. By using the existing belt guard mounting holes, I took avoided any alteration of the frame and was able to achieve the look I wanted. I used two 5/16" coupling nuts. I installed the front one using the OEM beltguard bolt. I had to use 5 washers to bring the front coupling nut flush with the rear due to the mounting tabs being mounting at different depths on the tubing of the swingarm.

The rear coupling nut posed a bit of a challenge. The rear mounting hole on the belt guard is actually a threaded hole, so I had to use my coupling nut with some threaded rod that I cut to length and fashioned a bolt for this application. I used Red Loctite to secure the threaded rod in the coupling nut. See below:

Now it was time to mount the plate to the bag. I drilled 4 holes (one on each corner) of the plate to align with the holes Shaun had already put in the bag. I used 4 5/16" chrome button head screws and inserted them through the plate, and the bag and used a secured it with a large washer and 5/16" nut.

Once the bag and plate were joined, I simply put all the pieces together and added some Blue Loctite for good measure. I had previously drilled holes in the plate that aligned with the coupling nuts. The finished plate looked like this:

As you can see, clearance was perfect.

After putting it all together the finished product was exactly what I wanted. A clean, strong mounting system that won't damage the powdercoat and helps me get the most out of the bag.

Ride Safe and Happy New Year!!!

TRT

Fatboy Just Got Fatter!!!

I posted several months ago that I had a major mod in the works. Well, this past week it finally came ot flourishion. I have loved 3/8" spoke wheels every since I started researching mods for my bike 4 years ago. My lovely wife decided to pick me up a set last June from KC International. The wheels are made by DNA and called Mammoth 52s.

I decided to deviate from the stock size of 16x3.5 and go with a bigger diameter wheel. The 18x3.5 was a nice comprimise between stock and radical and allowed me to still run my stock fenders without modification. I also took the opportunity to add a DNA Superspoke pulley and rotor set. This combination really set the bike off and I can't imagine it could have turned out better.

After going back and forth on doing the install myself and posting pics. However, after examining my honey-do list and considering Christmas is 10 days away, I decided to take it in to a local indy shop called American Motorcycle Trading Company. They are good to work with and seem to value my business, unlike the local HD dealers. Dropped it off at 11am and it was ready by 2:30pm. Not bad for a project that took 6 months to gather all the parts.

I finished the conversion off with a set of Avon Venom X tires. I again deviated from the stock size on the front tire by going with a 140mm instead of a 130mm. There are no clearance issues and the tire fills out the stock fender nicely. I've only ridden a short distance so far, but I am looking forward to the stickier tires.

Okay, without further adue, here's the good stuff:

Shaun Oneal Kustom Leather

Since I bought my Harley, I have searched near and far for different parts and accessories to take my sled to the next level and make it "MINE". I mean, that is what we all want right? To make these factory motorcycles unique and put our own personal imprint on them. Through the evolution of my own motorcycle, I have often ran into vendors, dealers, etc. that seem to think that I am privileged to buy their product or ride their motorcycles. I actually have grown quite tired of this attitude and, as a result, have stopped doing business with these individuals.

However, that's not what this is post is about. I am pleased to be able to introduce you to a business I've discovered that specializes in leather products like swingarm bags, tool rolls, and custom seats. I have had the opportunity to converse via email with the owner, Shaun Oneal. What I have found is the same that many of his customers have found. He is friendly, eager to answer questions, and happy to have your business. That's something I've found a shortage of in the motorcycle aftermarket. People just don't seem happy to have your business anymore. If you take a look at Shaun's website, you will see his craftsmanship is stunning and he can do just about anything. I am a frequent poster at www.hdforums.com, and Shaun regularly receives rave reviews from customers. While, I haven't ordered my swingarm bag yet, it won't be long. I will certainly post pics and reviews afterwards. Until then, here are some pictures of Shaun's work that I've gotten off his website, www.sokustom.com, with his permission of course.

My personal favorite, the solo swingarm bag. I'm not a fan of saddle bags. At least not on my bike. However, I do like to have a few essentials with me. This bag makes it possible without converting to 100% bagger.

Another option for personal storage is the tool roll pictured below:

And lastly, these seats scream old school craftsmanship!

From my short emails with Shaun, I have found that he is a family man, loves to ride, and is carrying on a family tradition in working with his hands. These are all qualities I embrace, and I hope you will visit his website, or jump over to http://www.hdforums.com/ and ask for references, you'll get plenty.

Ride Safe,

TRT

A Break From The Heat...

Summer time is the best time of year if your a biker. The days are longer, sunnier, and, if you live in Texas, just plain HOTTER (not sure if that's a word). I don't mean to be a buzz kill, but Summer is pretty much my least favorite time of year to ride my bike. I guess the one week a year it gets below 30 is probably worse, but that's just a week.

Anyway, I know you folks up north love the Summer and try to put on as many miles as you can before the white stuff starts to fall. Then it's time for Stabil and the battery tender, and driving the cage to work. Not so here in the Great State. I love the fall weather, and would rather bundle up than get sunburned, so I am looking to the coming months with much anticipation. The days when my air cooled twin cam won't roast my legs and I can actually put on a pair of jeans without having sweat rings in all the wrong places.

I know for a lot of folks, riding season is winding down...but for me, it's just about to begin. Bring on the Winter!!!

Ride Safe, see ya down the road!

It's Been Awhile...But, New Mods Are Coming!

Hello to everyone out there who reads my blog (when I have the opportunity to post). Pics to follow soon, I'm excited about this one. I'll try not to keep you waiting too long.

First Ride Of Spring

I had the opportunity to get out this weekend and ride my bike for the first time in six weeks. As I have recently discovered, Mr. Motorcycle and I share the same occupation. I work in the insurance industry specializing in catastrophe work. I mention this because my work schedule is what has kept me off the two wheeler for such a long stretch. I got to spend a good chunk of the last several weeks bouncing around a few states for my job.

However, Saturday I got to ride over to a buddy's place and we put the bikes up on the lift and did a full service. We got all the fluids changed, new filter, checked primary chain adjustment, belt tension, greased the steering head bearings, etc., etc. Today, I pulled her out and gave her a good wash and will get her nice and polished up this weekend.

The fatty is officially ready for riding season. Now I get to park her again and head to Austin to work a hail storm. Oh well, at least I got the first ride of spring in, and I may just get the second in before I leave.

Mr. Motorcycle, good luck in Fargo.
Fasthair, I took your advice and changed the background to color in my signature photo. I like it better that way.

TRT

SHE IS MINE, MINE, MINE!!!

Well work has been busy. I'm back at it, travelling, chasing the storms. But, in the mids of it all, I made my last payment on the Harley today. As the title of my post indicates, "she is mine"!!! Paid her off in a little over 3 years. Not bad, especially for also having two kiddos in that same time span. Now the Harley is paid for, the other two are still costing me money. But what a joy they are. Anyway, greetings to all of you in blogger land. I am still around, just a little busy.

Greetings and best wishes to all.