Installing Bags and Supports for C50

L

liz v

New member
I attempted installing my new saddlebags and brackets on my C50 this weekend. The bolts that the vendor sent with the brackets are about two threads too short. I have contacted them and am awaiting a response.

My problem is this. I cannot get the front bolts (nearest the seat) to tighten again. Is there a trick to get these things back in or am I just mechanically inept?
 
I found out the hard way the trick is not to remove the back bolt until you have the front bolt back in. Now that you have them out the front bolt is almost impossible to get lined back up, short of taking the whole brace off. To do that take off the seat and take out the 3 large bolts . Line up the front bolt on the fender first, then put the 3 large bolts back in, and lastly the rear fender bolt. Now you can put the seat back on. When you do the other side , remember what I said in the first sentence.

The 3 large bolts have loctite on them so I had to use a cheater bar on the allen wrench to get them loose. Really not as hard as it sounds but a PIA anyway.
 
I believe I have found out the hard way too. Wish I had asked the question before I put the wrench to it. I will give your suggestion a shot and let you know how it goes.

Then again, it might be worth $60 (per hour charge @ my local bike shop) to get them to do it and be done with it.

Just wait until I try to install the backrest. That will be a 3 or 4 page thread.

Ole Smokey
 
Like I said, it is easier than it sounds. If you put on a sissy bar like the MC enterprises one like I did you have to take the whole fender brace off.As long as you put the front fender bolt in first it is a piece of cake.

Your bike shop works cheap. Around here they charge $79.00 an hour :mrgreen:
 
Would that be the one bolt under the seat and the two on the sides? I took the seat off and that is all I can find.

Also, what size wrench for the big bolts? I do not have one that large so I will have to go get one.

I took the bike by the shop today. They said it would be a minimum of $120 to do it. They had run into this problem on a C90 and had to take the rear wheel off to get it back right.
 
I'm new to the forum.... so "Hi" to all!

I purchased a new 2008 C50 :mrgreen: I already ordered a Memphis Fats shield, and now want saddlebags. I want to order the Saddleman Midnight Express Drifter Slant Saddlebags (22x11.5x7) (saw them at cruisercustomizing.com) and I'm confused about the supports. Can I order any supports? (ie. Cobra, ghost, MC) Or, are the supports bag specific?

While I'm at it... I will be getting a lightbar. Does anyone know if the Cobra lightbar will fit with the Memphis Fats Shield? Or, should I consider the smaller Baron lightbar?

Thanks for any reply, in advance!!!
 
Count me in as messin this up too. My fix was to put a very snug phillips head screwdriver thru the front hole,bracket,etc,then reinsert the back bolt and tighten. Pull out the screwdriver and the bolt threaded right in the front hole. Didn't make the same mistake on the other side...:mrgreen:
 
I have the memphis fats...and the Cobra lightbar. it just barely works together....but it does. The lights make the windshield a bit hard to get off...but you can still do it.

to order a fitting set of EZ or Ghost brackets you should need to specify the bike, the brand of sissy bar if you have one. They bolt thru the back of your bag so the bag mfgr should indicate if the bag is compatible....but I beleive you can make most bags work with a stiff liner inside the bag. Mine are coming now and that is what I had to do......
 
TallAnnie....Thanks for the input. I understand the required info to order the brackets... that makes sense. But do I have to order ezbrakets, or would the ones that just look like a bent bar do? But then how do the bags get secured to the bar? I really appreciate the input. Thanks again!
:bluethum:
 
you dont have to have ghost brackets. THat is only if you want the convenience of pulling the bags off easily and taking them into the motel with you or something similar. You can use the 'bent bar' style just fine...they are cheaper by far.....and dont need to attach anything to the bag with them...but the bags are usually semi permanent attached...well, at least a bit of work to get off. Make sure you get the right 'bent bar' for your bike so the bolt pattern matches. You simply bolt the bar in to the siderails with longer bolts and that is it. Be careful to only replace ONE bolt at a time...many folks have trouble getting the last bolt in if you loosen them all at once !. Then you can buy any throwover style saddlebag and the bar holds the bag away from the wheels. Throwover styles have an adjustable leather band between the two bags that straddles the fender to hold up the weight of the bags. (that style might eventually dull your paint ).
 
Went to the bike shop a while back - I was told it would be a 2 hour job. He told me they would have to take off the rear wheel, fix the fender and re-install the wheel. Well, I saw right through that one. I think he did not want to fool with it.
 
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