Introducing "Revolutionary Saddlebags"

Having removed the ultra-utilitarian front basket from my bike to make room for a light, I was in a bit of a bind. I mean, my bike IS my car, so I have to at least be able to haul some goods too and from the store. Sure I can use the rat-trap package rack on the back of the bike, and often do, but what I really needed was saddle bags.

The postmen and the other delivery agencies often use saddlebags, but these are of colossal proportions. I was looking for something of a more modest dimension.

Then I recalled spying these hand bags at a tourist area shopping center. They are modeled after People's Liberation Army courier bags. They were about the right size, so maybe I could put two of them together and make a pannier set?

Yes, indeed! After discussing with a local seamstress and having her measure the package rack, it was determined that there was enough nylon in the shoulder straps to join them together. There was also enough to form a velcro strap which can bind the bags to the package rack post to keep them from swinging into the spokes.

Originally, being hand bags means that there are lots of neat little compartments, and the top zip shut. There is a front compartment just under the large Red Star flap which looks good for storing papers. There are side pockets on either side and a little zip pouch in the main compartment which will become my tool pouch.

Additionally there is another "secret" zip envelope on the back of the bag. In this one I have put some cardboard to give the bags a little more rigidity.

But how do they look? Mighty fine, I think. Here they are on my Pigeon, parked in front of my favorite "La Mien in a Plastic Bag Noodle Joint". Basically, there are three straps which run under the rat trap on the package rack. The back of the bags are tied to the package rack down posts by velcro strips. My bike is a 26", but I have thrown them over a 28" bike and they fit just as well if not better.

If anyone is interested in having a set of "Revolutionary Saddlebags" made, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Comments

[Larry Bone]

Clever and quite attractive... though, I daresay the graphic may draw more than a curious stare or two in my locality. ;-)

I do know the angst that can be pursuant to on-machine carriage capability.... not so much for my velocipedes as they're not "cars" per se... but my motorbike, being a Kawasaki Vulcan Drifter... did not offer much at all in the way of bags.

Particularly when I first got it as it was equipped with solo saddle... there was nothing to hang the bags on.

Very nice... practical.. .and even better, readily removed. Lemme guess... can you toss them in the laundry if they become soiled?

Nicely DONE, sir!

Cheers!

Larry "Boneman" Bone
Dingmand Ferry, PA, USA

[JS]

Thanks Larry-

Had the same issue on my BMW R50/2. No bags. So I adopted some WW2 repro-bags which were essentially the same as German aftermarket panniers sold right through the 60's.

I'm suprised that the Drifter didn't have accessory bags. Seems mandatory for any cruiser.

If you don't like the Red Star, I can also offer you bags with a picture of Mao or, strangely, Che Guevara.

[heath]

hey those look great. how do i get a pair?

[Frank Onstinre]

The bags are very cool, I have a Feng Huan which looks identical to your bike.

Frank Onstine
Blue Lake, CA

[Rich]

I just put together my buddy's new purchase of a Pigeon.

I have some more work to do on it, but those saddlebags look great! How much are they? I might get them for ma bud.

[Georgina Lee]

This seems so late but I just started following your awesome blog and came across this post. I would absolutely LOVE one of these improv panniers. I'm looking for something just like it. Would you be able help me get one please? I'll leave my email address here.