Wood motorcycle "saddlebags"?

I figured what the Hell, and did a bit of looking. I actually
found a picture of an off-road Suzuki with something like what was
wanted, except I don't know if they're wood or not.
http://tesf.org/images/team/panniers-lg.jpg

JOAT
Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

Life just ain't life without good music. - JOAT
Web Page Update 15 Sep 2003. Some tunes I like.
http://community-2.webtv.net/Jakofalltrades/SOMETUNESILIKE/

Not a pretty sight when you drop it in the parking lot.

M Hamlin
"dan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi,
>
> I am thinking of combining my two hobbies; woodworking and
> motorcycling, by making some wood "saddlebags" for my motorcycle (2003
> Suzuki Volusia). Has anyone ever done this, seen this, or even heard
> of this being done? I'm looking for some design ideas and suggestions.
> Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dan
> Austin, TX

"Chris" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

>
> Don't let the naysayers discourage you (especially BAD). It could
> look really good if done right! And PLEASE post pictures if you do it
> - there are other rider/woodworkers out here.

OTOH, he asked for input and he should hear the negatives. I know my plastic
BMW saddlebags take a real beating. I'd hate to put a fine wood project
through what my bags go through. Depends on his riding habits and needs.

M Hamlin

Chris wrote:

> Don't let the naysayers discourage you (especially BAD). It could
> look really good if done right! And PLEASE post pictures if you do it
> - there are other rider/woodworkers out here.
>
> -Chris

Spare a thought for the Brits this week.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/photo_gallery/3115618.stm

Some wonderful and irreplaceable machines gone forever.

Steve

I have made a set for my vtx 1300 and auto clear is best.. hold up to vibrations vary well and have had them on the bike for 3 years I would post a pic but will not let me

replying to dan, O-B-1 wrote:
> zbassman wrote:
>
> Hi,
> I am thinking of combining my two hobbies; woodworking and
> motorcycling, by making some wood "saddlebags" for my motorcycle (2003
> Suzuki Volusia). Has anyone ever done this, seen this, or even heard
> of this being done? I'm looking for some design ideas and suggestions.
> Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Dan
> Austin, TX



I saw a pair of wood saddlebags on a HD here in Tri-Cities Washington.
They looked GOOD...

I was thinking making some of side panels of thin plywood, then use
steam-shaped veneer around top/front/rear/bottom. Epoxy them all together.
Then wrap them in leather so I have leather "hard bags".

As for durability? Have you seen the stock plastic saddle bags on the
Internet for sale after being down on the pavement? Not pretty, but they
still want $800 a pair after they've been thrashed...

I would say go for it if you haven't yet. The set I saw on the HD looked
like red cedar or redwood...

O-B-1

--

John Grossbohlin wrote:
> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
>> I have made a set for my vtx 1300 and auto clear is best.. hold up to
>> vibrations vary well and have had them on the bike for 3 years I would
>> post a pic but will not let me
>
> You can post photos to alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking
>
The best and easiest method is to use imgur,just put the jpg into imgur
and post the resultant URL,bit of learning curve but it is not hard.

Take a look here for inspiration...

Not saddlebags, but quilts, caps, and jackets made from wood. A must see.

http://home1.gte.net/fraser/

Dan, don't let Chris make a BAD idea seem palatable...

:)

dave

Chris wrote:

> [email protected] (dan) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
>
>>Hi,
>>
>>I am thinking of combining my two hobbies; woodworking and
>>motorcycling, by making some wood "saddlebags" for my motorcycle (2003
>>Suzuki Volusia). Has anyone ever done this, seen this, or even heard
>>of this being done? I'm looking for some design ideas and suggestions.
>>Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Dan
>>Austin, TX
>
>
> Dan,
>
> Don't let the naysayers discourage you (especially BAD). It could
> look really good if done right! And PLEASE post pictures if you do it
> - there are other rider/woodworkers out here.
>
> -Chris
>
> (Remember, a dork on a bike is still cooler than anyone in a car!)

"Bay Area Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'd do it if my main focus was to look like a total DORK!

That's just waaaaaaayyy to easy.

MSH wrote:
> OTOH, he asked for input and he should hear the negatives. I know my plastic
> BMW saddlebags take a real beating. I'd hate to put a fine wood project
> through what my bags go through. Depends on his riding habits and needs.
>
> M Hamlin
>
>

I came upon a BMW with factory saddle bags lying on it's
side on one of it's saddle bags on a twisty road one day.

After I helped the owner get the bike upright and off the
road, we inspected the damage. A minor scuff on the grouded
saddlebag and some minor scrapes on the rest of the bike.

I still think some nice wooden bags would be a neat idea for
the person who wants them.

Dick

If it has two wheels and makes you smile, it's a good bike.
That must be why so many Harley riders scowl.


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On 16 Sep 2003, Bay Area Dave spake unto rec.woodworking:

> I'd do it if my main focus was to look like a total DORK!

I have never seen a kettle so black.

wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

>I have made a set for my vtx 1300 and auto clear is best.. hold up to
>vibrations vary well and have had them on the bike for 3 years I would post
>a pic but will not let me

You can post photos to alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking

[email protected] (dan) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Hi,
>
> I am thinking of combining my two hobbies; woodworking and
> motorcycling, by making some wood "saddlebags" for my motorcycle (2003
> Suzuki Volusia). Has anyone ever done this, seen this, or even heard
> of this being done? I'm looking for some design ideas and suggestions.
> Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dan
> Austin, TX

Dan,

Don't let the naysayers discourage you (especially BAD). It could
look really good if done right! And PLEASE post pictures if you do it
- there are other rider/woodworkers out here.

-Chris

(Remember, a dork on a bike is still cooler than anyone in a car!)

Steve <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Chris wrote:
>
> > Don't let the naysayers discourage you (especially BAD). It could
> > look really good if done right! And PLEASE post pictures if you do it
> > - there are other rider/woodworkers out here.
> >
> > -Chris
>
> Spare a thought for the Brits this week.
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/photo_gallery/3115618.stm
>
> Some wonderful and irreplaceable machines gone forever.
>
> Steve

Not just Brits, but bikers everywhere. I few years back I was
traveling to London every other week for a few months. I usually had
a day to myself when I arrived and I always wanted to make the Bike
museum one of my daytrips. I was always sorry that I didn't once my
traveling came to an end. Now I am regret it even more.

-Chris

I'd do it if my main focus was to look like a total DORK! You are
trolling, aren't you, Danny boy??

dave

dan wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I am thinking of combining my two hobbies; woodworking and
> motorcycling, by making some wood "saddlebags" for my motorcycle (2003
> Suzuki Volusia). Has anyone ever done this, seen this, or even heard
> of this being done? I'm looking for some design ideas and suggestions.
> Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dan
> Austin, TX

"Bay Area Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> to go along with the wooden saddlebags, perhaps he could try his hand
at
> turning some lovely custom wheels? Would oak be up to the task...say
> top speeds of 100MPH, a couple of wheelies a week? and a nice wooden
> seat to park his keister on...
>
> dave


So a dipshit who can't even figure out how to make a drawer is
criticizing what someone else wants to do?

Let me guess - you already made the wheels but you forgot the spokes?

I think durability would be a real problem. Not so much
from impact, but from the constant vibration of the bike
shaking them apart. Maybe if you glass them real good?

OTOH. How about starting with OTS fiberglass ones
and applying veneer?

Art

"dan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi,
>
> I am thinking of combining my two hobbies; woodworking and
> motorcycling, by making some wood "saddlebags" for my motorcycle (2003
> Suzuki Volusia). Has anyone ever done this, seen this, or even heard
> of this being done? I'm looking for some design ideas and suggestions.
> Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dan
> Austin, TX

Dan,
I would consider leather/wood combinations
Rand
Spring, Tx.

"dan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi,
>
> I am thinking of combining my two hobbies; woodworking and
> motorcycling, by making some wood "saddlebags" for my motorcycle (2003
> Suzuki Volusia). Has anyone ever done this, seen this, or even heard
> of this being done? I'm looking for some design ideas and suggestions.
> Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dan
> Austin, TX

to go along with the wooden saddlebags, perhaps he could try his hand at
turning some lovely custom wheels? Would oak be up to the task...say
top speeds of 100MPH, a couple of wheelies a week? and a nice wooden
seat to park his keister on...

dave

Chris wrote:

> [email protected] (dan) wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
>
>>Hi,
>>
>>I am thinking of combining my two hobbies; woodworking and
>>motorcycling, by making some wood "saddlebags" for my motorcycle (2003
>>Suzuki Volusia). Has anyone ever done this, seen this, or even heard
>>of this being done? I'm looking for some design ideas and suggestions.
>>Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Dan
>>Austin, TX
>
>
> Dan,
>
> Don't let the naysayers discourage you (especially BAD). It could
> look really good if done right! And PLEASE post pictures if you do it
> - there are other rider/woodworkers out here.
>
> -Chris
>
> (Remember, a dork on a bike is still cooler than anyone in a car!)

Made along the same lines as a wooden canoe, with fiberglass over coating.
Make ribbed frame and overlay with thin strips of wood like the bow of a
canoe and then but on fiberglass. Seem to hold up well in use, color can be
a problem, they do not contrast well with a lot of bikes, you might consider
wood trim on other parts of the bike such as fairing etc. I have seen ones
coated with poly that did not hold up to weather and road conditions at all.
Very hard project to do but very nice if done right. If you can make hats
out of wood why not motorcycle accessories
"dan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi,
>
> I am thinking of combining my two hobbies; woodworking and
> motorcycling, by making some wood "saddlebags" for my motorcycle (2003
> Suzuki Volusia). Has anyone ever done this, seen this, or even heard
> of this being done? I'm looking for some design ideas and suggestions.
> Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dan
> Austin, TX