From: cjackson@adobe.com (Curtis Jackson)
Subject: Re: Carrying things on a Nighthawk
Organization: Adobe Systems Incorporated, Mountain View
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 20:10:13 GMT

In article <1992Oct7.044852.12933@netcom.com> jfh@netcom.com (Jack Hamilton) writes:
}I bought my first motorcycle today, a 1984 Honda Nighthawk 650.  I bought
}it from someone at work; it's now at the dealer recovering from a mechanical 
}inspection (which it passed), and I'll pick it up tomorrow. 
}
}I'm going to want to carry groceries, luggage, etc. on it occasionally.  It
}came with a small saddle bag which could perhaps carry two cans of
}Coca-Cola, but not much else.  Any recommendations for larger capacity
}carriers?  I'm interested in hearing about specific makes and models of
}bags/baskets/carriers, or general information on what to look for and what
}to avoid? 

Most dealers (who ride) and other folks swear by saddlebags. You can get
nice large ones made of nylon for only a small fortune; three separate
dealers recommended them to me.

Unfortunately, my Maxim's turn signals are mounted on the side such
that any saddlebags would lap over the turn signals and look like
Oprah Winfrey's hips from behind, so I was left with the following
choices:

1) remount the turn signals and get saddlebags
2) get a tank bag
3) use a backpack
4) get a trunk

Since I already had a strong and generous rear rack, I chose option
#4. I got a SHOEI generic aftermarket trunk from Hap Jones through
my local bike shop. It cost $140, and after using a hacksaw to take
3/4" off the rear mounting bar it mounted easily. I am *very* happy
with it. I detest the helmet lock on the Maxim, and now I can just
lock my helmet in the trunk.
	 
 My setup (by weeks end) will look like this:

SHOEI trunk on back (candy red for that tiny extra bit of visibility)
Leather toolbag mounted on front forks just below headlight
Generous nylon backpack, bungees, and $4 cargo net rolled up in toolbag
	(along with flares and tools, natch)

The backpack and cargo net are for times when I fill up the trunk
(hasn't happened yet).

Some advice on options:

1) If you decide on a trunk, remember that to be stable it needs to
be mounted decently forward on your rack. If you have a backrest,
like the Maxim did, you'll have to remove it in order to allow the
trunk to open fully. So you should probably not make the mistake I
made -- you should get the aftermarket trunk with the built-in
backrest for passenger.

2) If you decide to go with a tank bag, you can get them now with
quick-release clips.

3) If you decide to go with saddlebags, you might want to look at
the Cordura bags that simply drape across the seat and then are
lifted off at your destination and carried as a shoulder strap. Very
useful for carrying in groceries, and for taking goodies with you
in high-crime areas. And Cordura is wonderful durable stuff but
affords you stuffability above and beyond that of leather.

If you are in the SF bay area, I'd check Santa Clara Cycle Salvage
and Road Rider, in that order. Don't buy aftermarket trunks that are
just lying around in bike shops -- they tend to be hideously
expensive. Again, if you are in this area, I got Anna at Yamaha
Country in San Jose to order my trunk out of the Hap Jones catalog,
and she picked it up and had it for me the next day.
-- 
Curtis Jackson		cjackson@mv.us.adobe.com	(415) 962 4905
USPA #A-10080 (lapsed)				DoD #721  '81 Maxim 650
  "They that can give up an essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
   safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin (1759)