Shu --
I just ordered a set of the pony express bags - can you please share some pointers/suggestions?
Thanks
The photos below show some suggestions that you might want to try when mounting your Pony Express Bags. These are quick and simple things, but by no means are they mandatory. I simply attached the bags and logged about 1,000 miles before I ever removed them for cleaning and detailing. That is when I saw a few things that I could've done differently when I first mounted them.
Be sure to remove the side plates even though you have the option to lay them over the side plates. If you lay them over the side plates they will leave dull spots where they rub and chaff the surface. I had removed mine so this was not a problem, but it would have been.
I would wrap black electrical tape around the frame tube where the leather straps attach and even where you tie the leather cords. All of those points had worn to a dull finish on the powder coated frame. I was able to get the shine back with polishing compound but one small spot had worn thru to the metal.
Also put a strip of black electrical tape along the upper belt guard where the bag lays against the raised edge of the guard. Mine had worn a dull light colored stripe into the plastic along that raised edge. Same goes for the other side where the bag touches the plastic battery cover. Mine had worn a dull light colored spot similar to the belt guard.
The only other thing is to be aware that it will be difficult to access the retaining bolt that holds the seat in place. I ended up cutting a small hole on the inside of the bag so that I could slip a socket and extension thru the hole from the inside of the bag. This works fine to remove the bolt, but then it has a tendency to drop out of the socket and fall into abyss somewhere under the seat. I resolved that problem by turning the hole in the seat tab into a slot that is open toward the rear of the bike. Now I simply loosen the bolt and then slide the seat forward while lifting upward. The bolt stays threaded into the frame. You simply reverse the process to install the seat. I also changed the hex head bolt to an allen head bolt with a little more thread length.
Please don't interpret these items as being negative feedback. These bags are great and they are the only bags I was willing to put on my bike. I just don't like typical saddle bags even though they hold more than the Pony Express Bags. I use my bike as a commuter along with occasional all day rides on the weekends. If I had intentions of taking long trips over several days I would never have chosen the SCR.
