America Saddlebags

If you can find a factory set they're good...but rare. I also used a pair of Held Denver panniers at one time. They worked quite well.

 

OK, a little long-winded here. Apologies in advance, but I solved my saddlebag quandry.


This is on my new 2018 Speedmaster. I don't see why this wouldn't work for the America (nice machines, BTW).


I searched high and low for bags. Most were WAY over the top expensive!

Also, you had to buy the metal braces for them as well. They too were expensive.


I ended up with Saddleman "Highwayman" throw overs. $113 U.S. They are not leather. They are made of Saddleman's proprietary material "SaddleHyde." They really do look and feel like leather - honest. I contacted Saddleman and asked if they were waterproof. I was told they were "Water resistant" and much more so than leather.


Now, a couple things. The passenger pillion on the Speedmaster is a separate piece. I know the America has a one-piece seat. I had to Dremel out the hole on the front metal tab of the pillion a tad and bend it down a bit to get the bolt back in. The yoke between the bags lifted the pillion a little. Also, they give you what are basically shoe laces to tie the two halves of the yoke together and secure the bottoms of the bags to the frame through a little nylon loop. I used zip ties for both. After a couple weeks I noticed the holes in the yoke were stretching where the halves of the yoke were zip tied. I marked where the halves came together and took the bags to a local leather shop and had them stitch the halves together - problem solved. The zip ties holding the bags to the frame are OK. I found I didn't need the metal braces for the bags. The Speedmaster has a little red reflector on either side and they hold the bags away from the chain guard and brake parts nicely. The bags look good and work well.