Recommend saddlebags for 78 GS750?

[Taflet]

Does anyone have recommendations for some decent saddlebags for a 78 GS750? These would be for just a short 1 or 2 day tours.

On a similar subject - I'm looking for a rear rack with backrest for the same bike. On the 83 GS750T I used to own, there was a rack/backrest that pivoted and locked in two positions - rider only, or rider and passenger. It was a great system because I could swing it forward and use the backrest when I had no passenger. Does anyone know of a manufacturer that makes this, or something similar? I had heard of a now-defunct company in New Jersey that made it, but can't recall the name.

Thanks!

[gotjeepzj]

Don't know the brand, but I have the rack you're talking about. It's gathering dust as we speak as I just removed it. I too want somee saddle bags. I don't travel on the bike, but it's nice to be able to hold some things. I bought a small backpack and use that instead of my duffle on the luggage rack.

edit: My backrest doesn't pivot, it has to slide clamps and you slide the bar up for driver or back for passenger

[Taflet]

Don't know the brand, but I have the rack you're talking about. It's gathering dust as we speak as I just removed it. I too want somee saddle bags. I don't travel on the bike, but it's nice to be able to hold some things. I bought a small backpack and use that instead of my duffle on the luggage rack.

edit: My backrest doesn't pivot, it has to slide clamps and you slide the bar up for driver or back for passenger

Hehe....Do I understand from your post that you're perhaps looking to get rid of the rack...or that you just removed it since it wasn't being used?

Thought I'd ask... :-))

Thanks for the reply...nice to know those racks are out there somewhere.

[kalessin]

There aren't any current suppliers of backrests that will fit GS bikes, as far as I know.

KG was the company that supplied the generic racks with fittings for various different bikes of our era. They made a model with the sliding backrest. I find most of my KG parts in junkyards, and there's some out there on fleaBay....

[Taflet]

Yes...KG is the company I was thinking of. Thanks. It seems a stroll through one of the local scrapyards might be the answer. Nothing on eBay that I've seen comparable to that KG design.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions guys.

[gotjeepzj]

Hehe....Do I understand from your post that you're perhaps looking to get rid of the rack...or that you just removed it since it wasn't being used?

Thought I'd ask... :-))

Thanks for the reply...nice to know those racks are out there somewhere.

I haven't fully decide on keeping the rack. It does have a few problems though. It has a small amount of surface rust on the chrome along the sides. Also the backrest was recovered but never reinstalled on the bars. I'll see about getting some pics.

[UTgws]

Found listed on ebay - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1981-...QQcmdZViewItem

[Taflet]

Found listed on ebay - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1981-...QQcmdZViewItem

Too bad this guy will only ship within the US (I'm in Alberta). That setup pictured on eBay looks a lot like the one that gotjeepzj described.

Thanks for the link UTgws!

[gotjeepzj]

Similiar, but mine is MUCH beefier. It has square tubing for the rack and has a flat plate with holes drilled that is on either side for attachment points. I'll try and post a pic tommorrow.