A couple of comments: Don't use the torque wrench to loosen, or for general use, on bolts. Use it only to tighten to spec. Inside the bags, the large washer was used between the bolt and support plate. It should be used on the outside of the bag, between the bag and barrel bolt, under the bracket. Remember, nuts and bolts should not directly touch the materials they secure. A washer is used to spread the mechanical force across the material. You want a compression force, not a torque force on material. Especially, thin materials. Also, there was a comment on the M8 - 1.25 x something bolt as being in inches. These are metric. The 1.25 number refers to the pitch of the threads. Tip: IF, you were to cut that one extra long bolt to length with a saw, put a nut on it first. Once the cut is made, back the nut off to clean up the thread. Otherwise -- great video. I am about to install these bags on my wife's bike. I needed this. Thank you.
exactly what I was thinking ref bottom support plate, it needs to be on the outside. to prevent vertical struts at the bottom being pressed into the bag when they are under a load.
If you put the bolts through from the other side with a lock nut on you could fix these inside the bag with a wing nut to aid quick release for cleaning the bike
Just added a set of Viking bags to my wife’s Vulcan S yesterday. This was a huge help! Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Much appreciated!
Moto, thanks for the detailed demonstration of installing the Viking bags on your Vulcan. Even showing us your blunder of forgetting to put the washer on the bolt before the install. I found that helpful, because it shows us that you do make mistakes and aren't ashamed of exposing your "oops"! This is why the viewers, like myself, look to watch you "install videos"! Doug
I've got a set of Viking bags that are (I believe) the exact same set you have. I bought them last weekend and they're slated to arrive this Friday. Thanks to you and your video, I think I'll take a whack at installing them myself rather than paying my mechanic. Great video and many thanks!
Really good video, thanks for taking the time to record it. I just recently bought a 2020 Vulcan S and my Viking Brown Warrior bags came in today. Thanks to your video I now have a weekend project. I will go to the hardware store first and replace all of the bolts that screw into the fender strut. My research had shown that the length of two of those bolts is way off ( as you mentioned ) and also the actual strength of the bolts have been reported to be unacceptable. I plan on getting the strongest bolts I can find and hopefully that will do the trick. Thanks again,
Thanks for the bolt size tip. But for my 2017 Vulcan S 70's were a little too long, an M8 1.25x60 worked for me. Also smaller washers for the lower bolts were needed.
Just found this. Very nice! I have to get me some of those. I like the looks and they are definitely one of the better priced bags I have seen. Thanks for posting this video. Makes me think I can install them as well ;-)
So did you just leave the existing holes as open holes?? I'm really tripping here. I get everything about this installation except how to plug the unused holes that came with the bag to hold the throwover flaps.
Just installed mine, did your bolts from the inside of the bags to the bike ever get hard to turn? Mine are tight into the bike but still turn in the bag with medium force
thanks for the quick reply. One side did get to the point they wouldn't turn any further.... the other side is solid but I can still turn. I've tried removing the bag and putting it back on and even switched bolts from side to side. Still doesn't completely tighten on the brake side.
Agreed. I know. Made this video a couple years ago when I was a young married guy with no tools. Only wrench I had was the one I used, so I had to make do. I've since expanded my tools in their own garage 😀 Thanks for watching!
Great video, very helpful! Would you mind listing the specs of the extra bolts needed to your parts and tools list, too? Thanks! Keep up the good work, and ride safe!
discoviking I will see what I can do. It's been so long I don't remember, so I will have to find the old parts list. Will post it in the description if I can find it!
yeah the back one broke.....45 mins later and one broken easy out I learned my lesson. What I will say is that the top seems to flex after a couple months of use so I have mine off till I can make a support bar to stretch between the mounting bolts and the bolts included don't seem to thread as nice as the oem ones
Zachary Gebhard Wow, sorry to hear that. That has definitely not been my experience. These bags have held up extremely well, and I've been abusive to them. Very tough and we'll built for my needs.
Hello. Do you maybe know if there's any chanse to ship these bags in Europe? I'm from Europe and that's why i can't order the bags. But i would so wanted to have that kind of bags. Thank's for answer...
Just found your video, and very grateful for it! Quick question though, the long bolt that Viking sent that you ended up having to purchase a shorter version, could you have taken a hacksaw to it to shorten it? Or would that have impeded the threading?
No Drama Mama I chose to buy the bolts just in case since they were o my like a dollar each. I could have taken a hacksaw, I was just being cautious. My bike is my baby. Didn't want to screw something up.
MOTOBLADE, ha! I totally get that! My bike is my baby too! I just bought the slant version of the Viking bags and expect them to arrive early next week, so was most grateful for your installation video!
Did this say what size those bags were? small/med/large etc? Just curious. I ordered some bags they will be here tomorrow. Different bike but the concept is universal so tyvm for your time man!
Great quality tools, i would say I have i tool in my kit that would cost mort than your whole set..... Oh and now all jokes asside but you never un do boltz with you torque drive, they are only for tightening........ you will ruin you torque xribd5
Holy cow. I just went through the insulation in this was a huge pain. first of all he's correct in saying that one of the screws doesn't fit properly. but also drilling it turned out to be a nightmare because if you did it just a little bit off doesn't fit. the bottom holes are really close to the bottom of the bag, and they don't fit properly because the bottom of the bag has a nylon liner inside which is actually just above where the seam is. It looks like a half-assed job, and is no better way to do it
Yes you do. They are general fitment. Just mark the distance of your fender bolts on the bag and where you want them positioned, and drill. Only takes about 2 mins.
@@MOTOBLADE OK, I was hoping that might be the jist of it. I've been reading some absolute horror stories about people having major fitment problems and hardware issues....haha I already ordered mine and it kinda scared me a little bit 😱
@@fraghead9813 take your time with lining them up and marking where you want them and you'll be just fine. I've installed several sets on my bikes over the years and they always end up looking quite nice.
@@MOTOBLADE if it's essentially plug and play with just marking the spots for the bolts and what not I'll be good as gold. It's when it gets to become an geometry problem I start to falter...not my strength haha I'll have the bags tomorrow so hopefully it'll go smooth as possible!
Cruiser John no problems whatsoever. Viking provides rubber plugs that seal the unused mounting points in the back. They have been through rain and a pressure washer at the car wash. I had papers inside of them - not a single bit of moisture got in. I highly recommend these bags. They served me well.
Thanks for making this because I've been looking for saddlebags that don't instantly offend me when I see the price :D. I do have a question. The bottom 2 holes that your drill (and attach the Cross member to @4:55), have bolts that come out the other side, Are they in any danger of hitting the bike on a turn? Or are they to protect you from exactly that? If so, they don't hover the bike chain do they o.0??
Spaceman360 The purpose of the cross member and the uprights and all the metal you're attaching to the bag is to hold it rigid. It won't swing or come near the bike on turns like it would if you soft mounted it with a strap (it comes with a strap if you wanted to do that). Plenty of clearance on my bike away from all moving parts. I put a gallon of milk in each bag and they still hold rigid. Glad I could help you with this video!
MOTOBLADE the saddlebags arrived and i stuck them onto the bike yesterday, pics amd probably a response video to follow. I think you should do another review of these saddlebags another 6 months (or a year) to see if they stand the test of time.
I have a kawasaki vulcan 900 i brought these saddlebags , take my advice and throw the bolts that came with the bags away buy stronger bolts . those furnished will beaks on you .
Jimmy Hall I agree, it happened to me. After a year of hot then extreme cold weather they broke off. Fortunately it was just one on each side and they were still holding when I got off the highway.
Awesome video, im about to buy them. I am just making sure, the bags will not block the passenger's foot rests, anybody tried it with the back seat on and ride with a passenger???
Like the video so much! Thanks for your sharing. I will appreciate it very much if you could measure the length of two screws for me. ( the video stop at 3:26 )
Thanks for the instructions...The supplied piece of paper "instructions" they give you are a joke. Putting mine on tomorrow with a couple slight differences. Fender washers on both inside and outside of the bag, lock washers, and blue locktite. I don't want these things vibrating loose. None of the supplied bolts are the correct length or thread. Which is fine, I'm surprised they include them at all. All this has to go thru my backrest docking hardware too so there's no way they'd be right. Plus they feel really light duty for bolts. Those barrel things on the bottom bolts seem light duty as well. The bags themselves seem ok for the price point, but time will tell I guess.
Very easy installation. Just take your time and you'll be fine. I had no idea how to do it before I bought them. Done several sets now. TH-cam videos are helpful. I'm sure there's some other videos that can help as well.
Was the first time I'd ever worked on a bike. First bike, 5 years ago. Had to buy a Torque wrench just to do the job. I've learned a lot since then and am now doing full engine conversions and all kinds of stuff. Gotta start somewhere, no need to be a dick about it 😎
Adding to the good vibes!
Just finished my Vikings bags install and it went well thanks to your video/info.
I’m very pleased with the outcome.
Awesome! Glad it went well for you and I hope you enjoy your new bags! Glad I could help, Thanks for watching!
What did you do about the holes you did not use?
A couple of comments: Don't use the torque wrench to loosen, or for general use, on bolts. Use it only to tighten to spec. Inside the bags, the large washer was used between the bolt and support plate. It should be used on the outside of the bag, between the bag and barrel bolt, under the bracket. Remember, nuts and bolts should not directly touch the materials they secure. A washer is used to spread the mechanical force across the material. You want a compression force, not a torque force on material. Especially, thin materials. Also, there was a comment on the M8 - 1.25 x something bolt as being in inches. These are metric. The 1.25 number refers to the pitch of the threads.
Tip: IF, you were to cut that one extra long bolt to length with a saw, put a nut on it first. Once the cut is made, back the nut off to clean up the thread.
Otherwise -- great video. I am about to install these bags on my wife's bike. I needed this.
Thank you.
Thanks for the feedback! Been so long and I don't have this bike anymore, but I'm glad you found it useful!
I know I cringed when I saw that too
So why does the wrench have a scale for both directions?
@@CHEVYK10 lefthand thread and right and thread
exactly what I was thinking ref bottom support plate, it needs to be on the outside. to prevent vertical struts at the bottom being pressed into the bag when they are under a load.
6 years later and your videos are srill being a great help to the community
Glad I could help! Thanks for watching!
If you put the bolts through from the other side with a lock nut on you could fix these inside the bag with a wing nut to aid quick release for cleaning the bike
Just added a set of Viking bags to my wife’s Vulcan S yesterday. This was a huge help! Thank you for taking the time to make this video. Much appreciated!
Glad I could help! Hope you enjoy the new bags. Thanks for watching ✌🏻
Moto, thanks for the detailed demonstration of installing the Viking bags on your Vulcan. Even showing us your blunder of forgetting to put the washer on the bolt before the install. I found that helpful, because it shows us that you do make mistakes and aren't ashamed of exposing your "oops"! This is why the viewers, like myself, look to watch you "install videos"! Doug
Glad you liked it and glad I could help! Thanks for watching!
I've got a set of Viking bags that are (I believe) the exact same set you have. I bought them last weekend and they're slated to arrive this Friday. Thanks to you and your video, I think I'll take a whack at installing them myself rather than paying my mechanic. Great video and many thanks!
You're welcome! I'm so glad I could help! Thanks for watching - and good luck!
Great video. I like it . Your bike looks cool with those set of Viking Saddlebags
Thank you, it is a great looking bike!
Really good video, thanks for taking the time to record it. I just recently bought a 2020 Vulcan S and my Viking Brown Warrior bags came in today. Thanks to your video I now have a weekend project. I will go to the hardware store first and replace all of the bolts that screw into the fender strut.
My research had shown that the length of two of those bolts is way off ( as you mentioned ) and also the actual strength of the bolts have been reported to be unacceptable. I plan on getting the strongest bolts I can find and hopefully that will do the trick.
Thanks again,
You are very welcome. I'm glad I could help you with my video. Thanks for watching, and congrats on the new ride!
Okay, this is top of heap as far as instructions go. Thank you.
You are welcome! Glad I could help. Thanks for watching :)
Great video, thanks for the info on the bolts too.
VTX88 No problem! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this video man! I'm about to attempt this on my Fatboy; Viking's instructions are nuts, so this is great!
You're welcome! Glad I could help!
You would think when you buy these bags from Viking they would come with better instructions thank you for this video amen
You're welcome! Glad I could help!
I just ordered those same bags. Thanks for the heads up on the bolts. 👍
You're welcome! Enjoy the bags.
@@MOTOBLADE Your video help take all the guess work out of the install.
Very good video. Made my install much easier. 2 sets of hands are a huge plus. Thanks for the video.
Tony Cox You are very welcome! Glad I could help!
Thanks for the bolt size tip. But for my 2017 Vulcan S 70's were a little too long, an M8 1.25x60 worked for me. Also smaller washers for the lower bolts were needed.
Good to know! Glad it worked for you. Thanks for watching!
Those look awesome. Super helpful video.
Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for watching!
fitting the studded version of these to a 2001 Classic in the next two days. handy vid.
Just found this. Very nice! I have to get me some of those. I like the looks and they are definitely one of the better priced bags I have seen. Thanks for posting this video. Makes me think I can install them as well ;-)
Very detailed and well done. Nice bags! I chose GIVI Trekker 33 hard cases for my Vulcan.
MrEye4get Thank you! How do you like your bags?
glad i watched this before i go and damage anything
It's not a bad install. Just plan some time to do it, if you've never done something like it before. Hope the video helped! Thanks for watching!
Great video. Just got my bags today. Can't wait to install them👍
Another GREAT video. Keep it up.
Thanks! I will keep the great stuff coming!
Great video- thanks!!
Awesome video! Very helpful.
I already have a sissy bar that uses those exact same holes! I think that I might need the longer bolt.
Longer bolt is a quick and easy fix. Worth it
So did you just leave the existing holes as open holes??
I'm really tripping here. I get everything about this installation except how to plug the unused holes that came with the bag to hold the throwover flaps.
Just installed mine, did your bolts from the inside of the bags to the bike ever get hard to turn? Mine are tight into the bike but still turn in the bag with medium force
Mine eventually got to the point they would not turn anymore even with a torque wrench... Now I'm curious about what might be going on with yours...
thanks for the quick reply. One side did get to the point they wouldn't turn any further.... the other side is solid but I can still turn. I've tried removing the bag and putting it back on and even switched bolts from side to side. Still doesn't completely tighten on the brake side.
Is the front bolt the correct length? Both front and rear seem too long. Excellent video...this really should be on the Viking website!
Thank you for the great video, my bags don't even match with the holes on the fender.
Awesome bags man I like it
Chris Stacy They are really great. Very useful!
Excellent video however you should never use a torque wrench for general use. It should only be used once you feel you're close to torque.
Agreed. I know. Made this video a couple years ago when I was a young married guy with no tools. Only wrench I had was the one I used, so I had to make do. I've since expanded my tools in their own garage 😀 Thanks for watching!
Great video, very helpful! Would you mind listing the specs of the extra bolts needed to your parts and tools list, too? Thanks! Keep up the good work, and ride safe!
discoviking I will see what I can do. It's been so long I don't remember, so I will have to find the old parts list. Will post it in the description if I can find it!
yeah the back one broke.....45 mins later and one broken easy out I learned my lesson. What I will say is that the top seems to flex after a couple months of use so I have mine off till I can make a support bar to stretch between the mounting bolts and the bolts included don't seem to thread as nice as the oem ones
Zachary Gebhard Wow, sorry to hear that. That has definitely not been my experience. These bags have held up extremely well, and I've been abusive to them. Very tough and we'll built for my needs.
Hello. Do you maybe know if there's any chanse to ship these bags in Europe? I'm from Europe and that's why i can't order the bags. But i would so wanted to have that kind of bags. Thank's for answer...
Awesome video. I’m missing one of the barrel nuts that you tighten with a flat head. How do I get another?
You can't, I tried and Viking bags won't give you one, they just tell you to purchase a normal lock bolt. 😡
Just found your video, and very grateful for it! Quick question though, the long bolt that Viking sent that you ended up having to purchase a shorter version, could you have taken a hacksaw to it to shorten it? Or would that have impeded the threading?
No Drama Mama I chose to buy the bolts just in case since they were o my like a dollar each. I could have taken a hacksaw, I was just being cautious. My bike is my baby. Didn't want to screw something up.
MOTOBLADE, ha! I totally get that! My bike is my baby too! I just bought the slant version of the Viking bags and expect them to arrive early next week, so was most grateful for your installation video!
No Drama Mama Awesome! I like my Viking bags a lot. So glad my video was helpful :)
Did this say what size those bags were? small/med/large etc? Just curious. I ordered some bags they will be here tomorrow. Different bike but the concept is universal so tyvm for your time man!
Great quality tools, i would say I have i tool in my kit that would cost mort than your whole set.....
Oh and now all jokes asside but you never un do boltz with you torque drive, they are only for tightening........ you will ruin you torque xribd5
I would have added a little loctite in there... better safe than sorry. Nice Vulcan S btw!
Holy cow. I just went through the insulation in this was a huge pain. first of all he's correct in saying that one of the screws doesn't fit properly. but also drilling it turned out to be a nightmare because if you did it just a little bit off doesn't fit. the bottom holes are really close to the bottom of the bag, and they don't fit properly because the bottom of the bag has a nylon liner inside which is actually just above where the seam is. It looks like a half-assed job, and is no better way to do it
Do you have to drill holes in the bags? I thought they were readily made for my shadow sabre.
Yes you do. They are general fitment. Just mark the distance of your fender bolts on the bag and where you want them positioned, and drill. Only takes about 2 mins.
@@MOTOBLADE OK, I was hoping that might be the jist of it. I've been reading some absolute horror stories about people having major fitment problems and hardware issues....haha I already ordered mine and it kinda scared me a little bit 😱
@@fraghead9813 take your time with lining them up and marking where you want them and you'll be just fine. I've installed several sets on my bikes over the years and they always end up looking quite nice.
@@MOTOBLADE if it's essentially plug and play with just marking the spots for the bolts and what not I'll be good as gold. It's when it gets to become an geometry problem I start to falter...not my strength haha I'll have the bags tomorrow so hopefully it'll go smooth as possible!
That was amazing
Thank you!
Great share Fam
Thanks!
Did I have to relocate the rear lights
Nope! Not on the Vulcan S.
Those bags does not look waterproof.
What are your experience when it comes to riding in the rain with those?
Cruiser John no problems whatsoever. Viking provides rubber plugs that seal the unused mounting points in the back. They have been through rain and a pressure washer at the car wash. I had papers inside of them - not a single bit of moisture got in. I highly recommend these bags. They served me well.
Thanks for making this because I've been looking for saddlebags that don't instantly offend me when I see the price :D. I do have a question. The bottom 2 holes that your drill (and attach the Cross member to @4:55), have bolts that come out the other side, Are they in any danger of hitting the bike on a turn? Or are they to protect you from exactly that? If so, they don't hover the bike chain do they o.0??
Spaceman360 The purpose of the cross member and the uprights and all the metal you're attaching to the bag is to hold it rigid. It won't swing or come near the bike on turns like it would if you soft mounted it with a strap (it comes with a strap if you wanted to do that). Plenty of clearance on my bike away from all moving parts. I put a gallon of milk in each bag and they still hold rigid. Glad I could help you with this video!
MOTOBLADE the saddlebags arrived and i stuck them onto the bike yesterday, pics amd probably a response video to follow. I think you should do another review of these saddlebags another 6 months (or a year) to see if they stand the test of time.
Spaceman360 I've got a review video now. I will probably do one at the one year mark.
I have a kawasaki vulcan 900 i brought these saddlebags , take my advice and throw the bolts that came with the bags away buy stronger bolts . those furnished will beaks on you .
Jimmy Hall I agree, it happened to me. After a year of hot then extreme cold weather they broke off. Fortunately it was just one on each side and they were still holding when I got off the highway.
What is the torque when you remove the bolts?
Where did you get the luggage rack?
That's a genuine Kawasaki part. Can order it directly from them, unless they've discontinued it for some reason.
Does this come with throw-over stuff as well for the Vulcan S?
Is anyone selling the fender struts? I lost mine and am looking to buy some thank you
2:57 is what I was saying, those plastic twisty bits.
This is fantastic thank you
Rozman11 You are very welcome! Glad I could help!
2020....promo code still works 👍🏼
Nice 😁
Awesome video, im about to buy them. I am just making sure, the bags will not block the passenger's foot rests, anybody tried it with the back seat on and ride with a passenger???
Like the video so much! Thanks for your sharing.
I will appreciate it very much if you could measure the length of two screws for me. ( the video stop at 3:26 )
I want to buy it how
smule heboh Jhosanto Awesome! Just go to the link in the description.
Thanks for the instructions...The supplied piece of paper "instructions" they give you are a joke. Putting mine on tomorrow with a couple slight differences. Fender washers on both inside and outside of the bag, lock washers, and blue locktite. I don't want these things vibrating loose. None of the supplied bolts are the correct length or thread. Which is fine, I'm surprised they include them at all. All this has to go thru my backrest docking hardware too so there's no way they'd be right. Plus they feel really light duty for bolts. Those barrel things on the bottom bolts seem light duty as well. The bags themselves seem ok for the price point, but time will tell I guess.
Glad my video could help! They aren't the best bags in the whole world, but for the price you really can't beat them. Mine held up really well.
Bro you don’t use a torque wrench to break torque, get a breaker bar or make a cheater handle
I know. Was just married, still in school. Had very few tools. Had to work with what I had. 3 years later, I have all the right tools now:)
Ok deal with
This is hard I wish I would've not bought them
Very easy installation. Just take your time and you'll be fine. I had no idea how to do it before I bought them. Done several sets now. TH-cam videos are helpful. I'm sure there's some other videos that can help as well.
@@MOTOBLADE the bags don't fit my bike and I'm using the throw over attachment but they suck
Low quality bag. I was going to buy a set. When i see this video .i down...
Actually a very good bag. Not sure what you're seeing.
You make the bike ugly with those
I happen to think they are great looking saddlebags actually. But that's just me.
I think they look great! You should be more discerning.
Why would you even think that Karl, let alone write it? There is absolutely no point posting disparaging comments.
He used a torque wrench to losses a bolt!? Just for the incorrect use of tools I disliked this video, and it’s a Vulcan.
Was the first time I'd ever worked on a bike. First bike, 5 years ago. Had to buy a Torque wrench just to do the job. I've learned a lot since then and am now doing full engine conversions and all kinds of stuff. Gotta start somewhere, no need to be a dick about it 😎