Electra Glide In Blue

There were two brothers way ahead of the curve in the late 40′s. Harley Davidson didn’t offer hard bags for their motorcycles until 1952. “Royalite Plastic” bags first appeared on the 1952 “K” model Harleys and then on Big Twin models in 1954.

Back to the two brothers, Resto’s dad and brother came up with this mock-up and offered it to the Harley Davidson Motor Company sometime around 1949. The HD Motor Company decline the brothers hard bag idea, due to the effort and popularity they had in their leather bag line. Harley Davidson offered about five different leather saddle bags for 1950.

Back to the hard bags on the 1948 Panhead, the brothers Hand crafted these bags using Cadillac fender and bumper shapes as the core. Then incorporating the Caddy’s glove box door and lock. Restoman tells me, he remembers seeing these bags when he was a little kid, before his dad let someone talk him out of them. I wonder was that someone a young Arlen Ness?

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