Photo Gallery

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Please note this page is for informative purposes - none of my systems REQUIRE you to notch your bags. 

Basic problem :

The saddlebag has to clear the blinkers and  shocks, the FL bags are built for touring bikes, the shock tunnel is at a different location & angle behind the bag than the vrod shock. 

If you want to pull the bags in closer to the fender the brackets are fully adjustable so you can set the width and angle of the bags. This changes the look of the bags on the bike so you can adjust it to your liking. I have found that if you pull the bags in close to the shock at the front, then use the adjusters to pull the back in about 1" closer (removing the blinkers)   the bags still look straight, gives a not quite as wide (better) appearance.  I know that sounds funny but FL bags are not the same width front and rear to begin with, and 2013 down vs 2014 up bags are different sizes too - so you have room to play - eyeball what you like.  

Sometimes that is not enough you might want the FL bags pulled in super tight to the fender - this especially is the case if its a custom  bagger tail or larger diameter shocks (arnott shocks with their 1"  standoff).  The solution for this is to angle the bags slightly or "notch the bags".  You cut a  hole to clear the shock - basically making a new shock tunnel. 

Then  to cover the hole by buy a piece of abs plastic- cut to shape of the  bags and plastic weld or glue it in place connecting the shock tunnel to  the front of the bag. 

This is a sacrifice quite a few of the Bagger vrods have done to run FL bags and custom fenders to obtain the right "look".  

As the process is hard to describe and a picture is worth 1000 words I will defer to the pictures below. In a few of the pictures there is just a small hole cut for the shock, then on a different install I did a whole new wall. 

I use 1/4" ABS plastic available 12"x12" squares are 15$ on amazon and plastic weld chemical bond (IE heavy duty glue)