So, pre or post 86 bags on my Venture?

[Great White]

Alrighty, right up front this thread is pretty much going to be full of guys personal opinions so there are no wrong answers.

 

I'm going to be tearing my 83 down this winter and its pretty much going to be a different bike when it roles out in spring.

 

I'm torn back and forth over which luggage to put on it. I have both pre and post 86 bags. I've got an 85 top box which will work with either and still be removable.

 

I just can't decide which way to go with the bags. Both have pluses and minuses.

 

I like the pre 86 bags because they are smaller, look lighter visually and allow you to see enough of the rear tire so that the bike still looks like...well, a bike.

 

The post 86 bags offer more storage, look more integrated and allow me to install a hitch (not for a trailer, but to use a platform for large items like golf bags, etc) without an add on looking bumper (don't like those at all). But the also make the bike look visually heavier and I'm not a fan of it looking like a "scooter" from the rear. I'm also not super keen on having the turn signals down so low.

 

To toss one more wrench in the works, I'm not sold on the bigger 85 top box. The 83 box is smaller and IMHO also looks better. But the 85 box would work with both the 83 bags (just like an 85) and it is essentially the same box as the lost 86 so it would also work with those bags.

 

I've got all the brackets, bits and pipes to hang whichever ones I want, I just can't seem to decide which ones I want.

 

Truthfully, I may just end up painting both sets of bags the wine color of the bike and switch back and forth until I settle on which way to go.

 

So let your opinions run rampant: which way would you go and, just as importantly, why ?

 

[videoarizona]

((Truthfully, I may just end up painting both sets of bags the wine color of the bike and switch back and forth until I settle on which way to go.))

 

 

That's what I would do. Use whichever bag system suits the ride.

Why? 1: Versatility. 2: You will always be pleased with the scoot.

 

[SilvrT]

Put pre-86 bag on one side and post-86 bag on t'other .....

 

now yer gonna be fussin over which side to put what on .... LOL

[Prairiehammer]

The simplest answer:

Buy a running 1986+ Venture and have one of each to ride depending on your mood that day.

If you want an even lighter look, leave the trunk off altogether.

[Great White]

The simplest answer:

Buy a running 1986+ Venture and have one of each to ride depending on your mood that day.

If you want an even lighter look, leave the trunk off altogether.

Nope. Won't work.

 

Too many toys and not enough space as it is.....

[Prairiehammer]

Too many toys and not enough space as it is.....

 

I can dig that.

I've got lots of toys, but fortunately, lots of space(s); but I am constantly reminded of the adage: "Nature abhors a vacuum." (The more space you have, the more stuff you get to fill that space.)

I own space for eight cars. And yet, even though I don't own eight cars, it is sometimes a struggle to discover space for the latest toy.

[Great White]

I can dig that.

I've got lots of toys, but fortunately, lots of space(s); but I am constantly reminded of the adage: "Nature abhors a vacuum." (The more space you have, the more stuff you get to fill that space.)

I own space for eight cars. And yet, even though I don't own eight cars, it is sometimes a struggle to discover space for the latest toy.

 

Well, nature may abhore a vacuum but the wife is just fine with it when it comes to an empty garage!

 

[Great White]

I think I have a plan, at least one thaysbset in jello.

 

I'm going to strip down the 86 bags I got off "The Pile" and see if they are structurally sound. If they're not, I'll see if they are repairable. If they are, I'm going to send them out to be color matched to the 83's color. I'll send the 85 top box out to also be color matched.

 

Then I'll fire up the sewing machine and stich myself up matching covers for the 86 seat and the 85 top box pad.

 

While I'm at it, I'll stitch up some cloth bags for the side boxes since they aren't removable.

 

The chrome bracing is all sort of "so-so" and have seen better days. I'll try polishingnit up first and send it out for chroming if necessary.

 

I'm not planning to install the 86 chin fairing, but I'll send that out for paint too just to give me the option if I want it.

 

Everything will get keyed alike so 1 key will work it all.

 

All the 83 oem stuff will get bubble wrapped and carefully srored away in case I chnage my mind and go back to it.

 

The 86+ bikes just look so much like they've got a big fat butt that I'm not completely sure I'm going to like it once on there.

 

I really don't like fat butts......

[Prairiehammer]

I really don't like fat butts......

 

Agree.

 

But sometimes one has to bite one's tongue, for the sake of household harmony.

[Great White]

Agree.

 

But sometimes one has to bite one's tongue, for the sake of household harmony.

 

I'm lucky that way in my house: fattest butt is mine.....

[Prairiehammer]

I'm lucky that way in my house: fattest butt is mine.....

 

Interesting.

What's her name and number?

 

 

JK:big-grin-emoticon:

[Great White]

Interesting.

What's her name and number?

 

 

JK:big-grin-emoticon:

 

1-800-win-3030

 

 

[Prairiehammer]

1-800-win-3030

 

 

 

What happened to "1-800-gogetyerown!"?

I tried to call the 1-800-win-3030 number and I got some dude with an Indian or Pakistani accent. I couldn't understand everything he said, but he did indicate that I could get a small butt if I would simply purchase the snake oil he was selling.

Thanks alot, BJ. Lotta help you are. I already have a bony butt. Mine.

[Great White]

What happened to "1-800-gogetyerown!"?

I tried to call the 1-800-win-3030 number and I got some dude with an Indian or Pakistani accent. I couldn't understand everything he said, but he did indicate that I could get a small butt if I would simply purchase the snake oil he was selling.

Thanks alot, BJ. Lotta help you are. I already have a bony butt. Mine.

 

Lol!

[Snaggletooth]

 

 

I really don't like fat butts......

 

I got distracted and confused. We talking about the bike or what's on the bike? Lot of difference.

 

[Prairiehammer]

WoW! Mike! THAT is one freaking big BUTT! (tire)

The butt sitting on the bike is however, much smaller. Your "honey butt" look like that one, BJ?

[Great White]

I got distracted and confused. We talking about the bike or what's on the bike? Lot of difference.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]100646[/ATTACH][/QUOTe]

 

Talkkng abouta little bit of both i guess....

[Great White]

WoW! Mike! THAT is one freaking big BUTT! (tire)

The butt sitting on the bike is however, much smaller. Your "honey butt" look like that one, BJ?

 

I'm a little confused, are you talking about me or my wife?

 

Ya gotta be really careful these days......

 

But, if you mean the wife: better.

 

And that's all I've got to say about that....

Edited July 17, 2015 by Great White

[Snaggletooth]

Ya gotta be really careful these days......

 

You ain't kiddin. Everything you say comes back to bite ya over time. After my divorce several friends had commented on how much weight I'd lost and had asked "How much?". My answer was about 270 lbs. Got a lot of blank confused looks and "I didn't know you were THAT heavy".

 

Well, it's like this. I personally lost several pants sizes and 140 lbs. Then add the ex to that and its 270 lbs. Needless to say that comment got back to my ex resulting in several colorful messages from her defending her weight. All I could do was agree with her reminding her that was how much she weighed when she was 27 years old. That set off another tangent of colorful language. I had to remind her that her life (the numbers 27 and 130) is like the lettering on her rearview mirror. (appear to be larger).

 

Any questions on why I'm divorced?

 

But sir, as this thread got jacked I'll say this. On my '84 I went through the same issues on rather or not to change to the larger top trunk and bigger bags from an '86. I wanted more space to pack when I traveled. When it came down to the cost of the modification (which you have found a way around) and figuring the space gained for my needs, I decided to purchase a trailer instead. Kept the slim lines of the bike and reduced the load on bike suspension. To rethink it today I should have done the '86 bags and left the original trunk in place just for the day trips. I'm not a fan of adding weight or bulk up high.

 

Those suitcase style bags have their benefits but to me the '86 top closing bags have more to offer when traveling. Just my opinion. Late, but connected to your original post.

 

So meanwhile.......back at the ranch................

[Great White]

So I made it home and pulled al the saddlebag stuff out of the attic.

 

Yeah, its in rough shape.

 

Plastics aren't the problem, that's fairly easily fixed with a bit of bodywork and paint.

 

The chrome prices are pretty rusty and scratched.

 

It's either rechrome them or maybe go to a black paint scheme.

 

Hmmm, that nice deep wine color and black might look pretty darned nice.....

[Great White]

Size difference is actually considerable.

 

In the 83 saddleboxes I can get my bike cover and that pretty much fills one box. Sure, I can stuff a few small items in around it, but the cover (stuffed into it's storage bag) essentially fills one whole saddle box.

 

I took the cycle cover and dropped it in the 86 saddle box. Then I put my frog togg suit (in it's storage bag) In with the cycle cover. With both those items in the 86 side box, there was still some room left. Not a lot, but some.

 

I'm still not a fan of the wider look, the fake rear "bumper" chrome Or not being able to see the rear tire, but it's hard to argue with that extra storage capacity. I'm also not a fan of burying that tail light further under body work, but turning the upper and lower reflectors in to running/brake lights will help that. Not liking the turn signals being so small or down so low, I'll have to think about that one.

 

And there's an "S" load of body work and repairs to be done before I can even consider paint and/or re-chrome.

 

Still not sold on it......close, but not sold.

 

trailer is pretty much out as an option. Kind of ruins the whole idea of having a bike for me....

[Flyinfool]

Bigger is better.

On my 88 the right bag is always stuffed full, the left bag is always half full and the trunk holds my helmet and extra clothes.

 

I dont know IF I could survive with the small luggage.

 

I have 528 LEDs so far, People do see me from all sides at night and should have no question of my intentions any time of day.

[Great White]

Bigger is better...

well, yes and no.

 

On one hand, I could use the extra space on longer trips (not so much day to day).

 

On the other hand, the way I ride I'm a little worried the wider crash bars may start grounding on corners like I've seen in some pics of MKII's on twisty roads. I get enough grounding of pegs and stands on my 83 the way it is already.

 

I suppose I could always mount slider pucks on the crash bars if they are a bit low and just let 'er burn 'em down.....

[Flyinfool]

My foot pegs are both ground down on the ends, My crash bars have never touched In a curve.

The foot peg should be the first thing to drag and on my 88 they are.

[Great White]

My foot pegs are both ground down on the ends, My crash bars have never touched In a curve.

The foot peg should be the first thing to drag and on my 88 they are.

 

I'm....ummmm....kinda past just dragging peg feelers........

 

cant find em at the moment, but ive seen mkii pics where the bars have been dragged. I thinknit was a tail of the dragon thread that had the pic in it im thinking about....