I didn't remove my fender accents. Bored out the holes in the fender accents and fit the spacers in the bored out holes. Mine fit perfectly. Leaving the accents on bring out the bags atleast a half inch more. .5 in clearance from the belt guard. 2 inch clearance above pipes on right side. Use a level.
Viking Bags Installation Questions
Hey fellow VOGgers and Octane owners. I'm in the process of mounting my Viking hard bags and see there are some slight clearance issues on the left side, right over the belt guard. Just eyeballing it the bags have to be kind of high. Can y'all upload some pictures of how you mounted your bags to share some insight? Maybe some pics of how the stock bags sit on the bike as well for reference. I just don't want the bags to be really high up - like level with the passenger seat. That would be mighty uncomfortable for my wife.
Here's a pic of the brackets installed. I used both the thin and thick spacer stacked together to move the brackets far enough from the fender. Thanks!
![Wheel Tire Vehicle Fuel tank Automotive tire]()
Here's a pic of the brackets installed. I used both the thin and thick spacer stacked together to move the brackets far enough from the fender. Thanks!
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Thanks for the info, I'll be doing something similar this afternoon. I have also noticed that the bags rattle quite a bit so I'm going to use some aluminum bar-stock to make supports along the insides of the bags. Here's how it looks today.
I'm thinking vertical supports between where the bag bolts to the brackets. This will keep the bags aligned and hopefully reduce vibration/rattling. When I have more disposable income I'll go to a local machinist and see if they can make up something specifically for this since the Viking mounts are heavy as f$$k.
Okay, Viking Bags Installation part 2 on the Octane. Just to reiterate, the "universally fits nothing" hardware is passable. As expected, I had to fab up some stuff myself and make a second attempt. I want it to look clean and feel solid. I am definitely going to be doing one more round in the coming months to get the "OEM Look" I want. Anyhow, let's move along.
First, you'll need to make up a template from cardboard to match the shape of the bags. I used this to position where I would like the bags to hang and eyeball clearances on each side. Here's the template lined up with the backside of the back. Holes punched to line up with the brackets.
![Hood Bumper Rectangle Gas Automotive exterior]()
Here's a shot of thr brackets, lined up where I wanted them. In order to prevent the bags from rattling and slapping against the mounts - thus breaking off - I also cut up some 1.5" x 1/8" aluminum stock into horizontal supports. After some miles if there's too much vibration I can put an additional hole or two along the aluminum supports to attach the bags. One thing to remember: remove the lower sliding portion of the brackets. Saves some weight and they just interfered with the belt guard anyways.
![Land vehicle Tire Wheel Motorcycle Vehicle]()
![Tire Vehicle Wheel Automotive tire Hood]()
After getting everything lined up with the template and the brackets it's time to drill into the bags. Ugh. The one thing I DID NOT want to do, but no way around it. Testing alignment of the supports. I drilled holes that were 3/8" instead of 5/16" (8mm) for wiggle room.
![Gas Eyewear Hood Bumper Auto part]()
![Motor vehicle Hood Automotive tire Fender Automotive exterior]()
On to the next step... You know those 4 philip's head bolts they give you? Throw them out. Go to your local hardware store and get 8mm x 1.25mm x 20mm bolts, nylock nuts, and some 1.5" flat washers. Good hardware will make all the difference in supporting the bags. The large flat washers distribute the load against the brackets.
![Material property Auto part Tool Circle Composite material]()
Then, assemble it all. I used two 1/2" spacers for each bracket to bring them out far enough. I would like to get some spacers that fit more precisely and are a single 1" piece. I guess everyone needs projects...
![Vehicle Hood Automotive lighting Motor vehicle Automotive tire]()
![Light Automotive exterior Trunk Automotive design Hood]()
First, you'll need to make up a template from cardboard to match the shape of the bags. I used this to position where I would like the bags to hang and eyeball clearances on each side. Here's the template lined up with the backside of the back. Holes punched to line up with the brackets.
Here's a shot of thr brackets, lined up where I wanted them. In order to prevent the bags from rattling and slapping against the mounts - thus breaking off - I also cut up some 1.5" x 1/8" aluminum stock into horizontal supports. After some miles if there's too much vibration I can put an additional hole or two along the aluminum supports to attach the bags. One thing to remember: remove the lower sliding portion of the brackets. Saves some weight and they just interfered with the belt guard anyways.
After getting everything lined up with the template and the brackets it's time to drill into the bags. Ugh. The one thing I DID NOT want to do, but no way around it. Testing alignment of the supports. I drilled holes that were 3/8" instead of 5/16" (8mm) for wiggle room.
On to the next step... You know those 4 philip's head bolts they give you? Throw them out. Go to your local hardware store and get 8mm x 1.25mm x 20mm bolts, nylock nuts, and some 1.5" flat washers. Good hardware will make all the difference in supporting the bags. The large flat washers distribute the load against the brackets.
Then, assemble it all. I used two 1/2" spacers for each bracket to bring them out far enough. I would like to get some spacers that fit more precisely and are a single 1" piece. I guess everyone needs projects...
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