Mending WLA saddlebags

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David V
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Mending WLA saddlebags

Post by David V » Fri May 13, 2022 7:17 am

Well bad news, I went a little fast over a speed bump the other day (yes I know they are there for a reason) and my right hand side bag ripped the leather around the metal studs and nearly jumped off. The leather is super dry and just tore. I've never managed to get it supple.
Anyway, the poor bag is clinging to the bike with zip ties now.

I have pretty nice repro bags from the 80's so they're nice and beaten up. I'd like to keep them so I will take the bag to be fixed by a saddle maker I think.

I will have to grind off the studs to take the metal bar off so my question is how do you flatten the new studs (MV Spares set).
Would I need a press ? Do they need to be heated ? I am at a loss here. Who could do this.

Of course if anyone has a set of NOS bags for sale well...pigs might fly I guess.

David
44 MB 356111 "Charlotte" since 21/02/06 - Capstan winch
42WLA 70443 "Lily" since 16/1/10


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199th MP
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Re: Mending WLA saddlebags

Post by 199th MP » Fri May 13, 2022 2:35 pm

David, perhaps you can find someone nearby who has spent many years in the auto glass business. i own a variety of rivet setting tools, punches, and screw thread tools, all designed to repair that sort of part. they also worked on my M151 canvas parts, such as the grill cover and mount studs. they might also work on your problem, though i haven't looked closely at WLA bags in many years. good luck. if you can't find a saddle maker, perhaps a shoe repair shop?

OLDABEWLA
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Re: Mending WLA saddlebags

Post by OLDABEWLA » Sun May 15, 2022 4:48 pm

Sound like time to retire the bags and put new set on all my original leather is only put the bike for shows or displays and run reproduction wile riding.
☆42WLA Harley-Davidson #19,246 Type III

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David V
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Re: Mending WLA saddlebags

Post by David V » Sun May 15, 2022 11:32 pm

OLDABEWLA wrote:
Sun May 15, 2022 4:48 pm
Sound like time to retire the bags and put new set on all my original leather is only put the bike for shows or displays and run reproduction wile riding.
Maybe the solution IF I can find some good repros. And that's a big IF. It would be a shame to change when only one of the bags is in a bad way.

Anyone have a source of good, nice looking repros ? That won't lighten my wallet too much ?
44 MB 356111 "Charlotte" since 21/02/06 - Capstan winch
42WLA 70443 "Lily" since 16/1/10

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Re: Mending WLA saddlebags

Post by OLDABEWLA » Mon May 16, 2022 9:28 am

They make some nice pebble grain ones in Europe.
☆42WLA Harley-Davidson #19,246 Type III

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David V
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Re: Mending WLA saddlebags

Post by David V » Mon May 16, 2022 9:31 am

yep and these are what I have. Dark brown with a pebble grain. I reckon about 30 years old.
I haven't found a good supplier at a reasonable price yet.
44 MB 356111 "Charlotte" since 21/02/06 - Capstan winch
42WLA 70443 "Lily" since 16/1/10


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