VT400 Saddlebags?

[GhostMonkey]

Hi All,
Ghost Monkey here with a question about Panniers for a 2008 Vt400 Shadow.

I'm looking to bolt on a couple of panniers onto the back of my new bike but couldn't find any available that weren't "Universal"  on evil-bay, bumtree, farcebook etc.
I read in a forum somewhere (possibly here, can't remember) that the VT750 Aero's are virtually the same frame
and panniers + other mods that suit the Aero's will also fit the 400's.

My question is, how true is this? i did some rough measurements and the math doesn't seem to add up,
either numbers are against me or I've misread some stuff.


Anybody on here have similar "problem" or found a solution to my predicament?


links below for the panniers i have my eyes on for size reference.

any and all hints/tips are greatly appreciated (please be gentle, I literally got my first bike today)



links:

www.motorcyclehouse.com.au/honda-750-shadow-aero-charger-large-slanted-leather-saddlebags-15384-prd1.htm

and

www.motorcyclehouse.com.au/honda-750-shadow-aero-side-pocket-leather-saddlebags-16770-prd1.htm.

[Frank]

G'day GM
I've got a 2009 400 and just got standard saddle bags that sit across the back of the bike
I cut the butt that goes over the rear fender off
Used some shert aluminium (an old speed sign[no i didn'tsteal it]) inside the bag for support and voila

[GhostMonkey]

Evening Frank.
Your rig looks sick! where did you buys your bags from?
I was looking to try and get my hands on the rigid type saddle bags (like in the links) to hold their shape better over time.
how hard was it for you to mount them? needed to do any rocket surgery to make em fit or pretty easy?

[Frank]

G'day mate
I got the bags from Motoadelaide (Honda dealer) as replacement for the originals that were wrecked in a tumble
I just cut off the leather (PU leather actually, eg vinyl) between the 2 bags and drilled 2 holes in line with the bolts in the side of the rear fender
Cut a piece of 3mm sheet aluminum and matched the holes in the bags, bought some slightly longer bolts and fitted the whole thing together
All done in about 2 hours including a run to get the bolts when I realised the ones on the bike were too short

There are heaps on ebay like these

rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F202777041659

And even heaps of leather ones for not much more like this

rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F264240167770

Frank

[GhostMonkey]

Thank you very much for the handy info Frank!

The aluminium you cut, was that like a plate that sat on the inside of the bag
or just a strip to give better support so the bolts don't tear through the leather?

Trying to get a visual in my head of a type of shopping list I need
once I get all the gear and McGyver this together!

I greatly appreciate the links and info you've given!
Thank's Mate.

[Frank]

Yeah, sorry I thought about this during the night and remembered that I hadn't told you about the supports
Behind the bags attached to the chrome strip on the side of the mudguard I have supports similar to these

rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F282937659285

Mine are one piece but they were buggers to find to get the right size these (which were not available then) are adjustable so would be great I think
They support the bags and stop them from going back onto the wheel, holding them out and level
Then inside the bag is a strip of aluminum (I bought an old speed sign from a second hand place)

[Frank]

Hope these help

[GhostMonkey]

NOW it's making much more sense haha.
I'll have a hunt around and see what I can get my hands on!

Greatly appreciated Frank, thanks!

Will keep you posted on how I go, hopefully I can upload a piccie or two.

[GhostMonkey]

Update!
after doing some phone tennis with different shops and online reps
I found that the panniers i had my heart set on would fit the 400!

So I ordered those quick smart, along with a turn signal relocating bracket.
Few hours and a couple of trips to the bolt shop later and manage to perma-mount the bad-boys.

Oh and fortunately enough, my new short shot pipes and O2 sensor eliminators turned up at the same time!
so I bolted those on as well and I'm super stoked at the end result!

Attachments:

[Frank]

Looks great well done

[george]

Good job, looks great. I have the same saddle bags on my VT1100 but with chrome studs to match my seat.