Last updated 01/03/2024
This webpage will be updated weekly to keep our preorder saddlebag bracket customers upto date with the progression of the Australian made saddlebag brackets. This page focuses mainly on the Kawasaki 650s bracket, but to our other preorder customers with other motorcycles your brackets are being done and will be ready at similar a time. Sorry in advanced if below reads terrible, its bit of a info dump. Talking with you on the phone and email im hearing the same thing, keep you in the loop and be transparent with what is going on for the Australian made bracket and you can wait that little bit longer.
READY DATE: Kawasaki 650s brackets have been posted, all orders fulfilled. Feedback received, new order started eta March 2024.
Other brackets are instock and more are on order.
Short story how we are here:
Usa company went bankrupt which put us in a shock position, no other company offers this type of product so couldn't jump ship. After selling this type of item for 10+ years I wasn't wanting to let it go. So I treated it like any other one of our Finn Moto products and designed it from scratch, it was surprisingly easy coming up with all those "wish it did this" ideas. Getting it to technical drawing and sample was another story. The hardest thing was explaining the visualisation to my patient product drawer. With each element came another problem figuring out what would be best for the product, talking with many professionals in all fields and finding the right balance. The material, stainless steel? too brittle at mounting points, Mild steel? too thick once properly powder coated or painted. Settled with Galvanised steel with powder coat and went to 2.9mm for extra strength and allowing the docking posts to slide on nice and snug for a long time.
Locks - could have settled with the existing standard locks but decided to enhance the feature that stops the bracket coming off the bike. After 6 weeks researching, 30+ samples and diving into the details we've settled on 316 stainless steel, our own house mould with narrow columns so the key pins have minimal movement, this gives the "cam / latch" less movement so its more secure and more material hitting the docking post. Cupping the docking post was done, rather than a flat bit of steel that stops the docking post at one small point, I designed the latch to basically catch it so the movement is minimal and secure.
I would of thought we'd have some items out by now but the reality is you take 1 step forward you go 3 steps back. The locks samples should be shown this week 10th July, once I receive them and do my best to test its limits; corrections will be done and straight to production. In the background all the other features such as brackets, docking posts, spacers have been drawn, samples are being made along with the first batch of 650s brackets are cut and folded.
I really appreciate everyone's patience waiting for these items. In my mind there already made and perfect, its really difficult to foresee problems that we run into when developing something that needs to fit precise from scratch. I feel the product is over the hump and its easy from here.
With that said I want to remind customers you have a money back guarantee. If you can no longer wait for this item and prefer to cancel please reach out and I can process this for you. If you decide to purchase again once goods are available please note the first few batches will be allocated to preorder customers. Please know im solely focusing on this day and night, 4 months in has been hard but excited to see everything coming together.
Timeline: (simplified)
March 2023 - USA Company bankrupt. Redesign pro's con's, swot analysis.
April 2023 - Concept drawings for all elements. 3d model to refine designs, material analysis. researched machinery / required components
May 2023 - Outsourced components to manufactures trying to keep majority of it Australian made. Moulds production, development.
June 2023 - Small manufacture run of brackets, powder coating trial. Locks mould sample 2 for locks. Fitment trial customer #1
July 2023 - Lock samples received. Stress tested, fitted to brackets. . Expanding Australian manufactured to handle disruption/delays. Bracket samples received, meeting/adjustments given, tooling ordered awaiting new samples early august. Customer#2 tested 650 setup, finalised spacing. All drawings completed awaiting to be ordered after sampling. Ordered locks
August 2023 - August locks manufacturing. Docking posts, bolts,washers arriving.
September 2023 - Sandblasting, powder coating for bolts, spacers, docking posts.
October 2023 - Receiving locks. Final fitment / test run with local customer. Pack and send Kawasaki 650 vulcan brackets.
November 2023 - Received all other preorder brackets. Handing powder coaters (busy time backlogged). Posting out started 20/11/2023.
December 2023 - Hoping to receive pictures and feedback from customers. Will keep improving product.
January / Feb 2024 - short break, received feedback, and new models developed, order placed eta end of March 2024.
March 2024 -
14/07/2023:
- Lock sample has been produced along with new docking posts, samples will arrive next week to test and make sure everything is working.
- More bracket samples expected to arrive early next week then will be ordered.
- Fitment #2 received prototype for Kawasaki 650, running through options. Once dialed in spacers, docking posts will be ordered.
18/07/2023 - Sample locks on there way eta friday 21/07/2023. Cannot wait to check them out and fit them to new brackets and see how it all fits together. Sample of triumph america bracket arrived, few tweaks required meeting set with manufacturer, will wait for another sample then final preorder brackets for other models will be started. Kawasaki 650 bracket will finish this week with final folding will give to powder coaters this week.
28/07/2023
- Kawasaki fitment trial #2 success, setup finalised for the docking post and spacers. With the help of customers checking the fits we've been able to settle on the best setup. One final check will be powder coating docking post to ensure smooth snug fit. Will test with local 650 rider.
- Locks samples went through wear / tear testing and performed great. Its very rigid yet turns smoothly and movement in cam is minimal for maximum coverage under docking post. Order placed today. will get eta for express order when available.
- samples for other models is progressing, had to organise new tooling to produce better quality folds.
- docking post pallet order from usa cleared customs, will receive in 2 weeks.
Raw fitment: everything will be black. Finn Moto locks on bracket clearances good. New docking post 316 Stainless steel slides on snug. New lock cam hugs docking post with minimal clearance to secure to bike.
05/08/2023
- Vulcan 650 brackets first batch brackets handed to powder coaters. They will be ready in 1 week (told them to take time)
- USA pallet order of docking posts, nuts bolts washers, turn signal relocation kits and other items arrived into Sydney, customs cleared should be able to pickup from port in about 1 week.
- Few quotes for spacers; will wait to see the quantities in usa pallet before ordering more.
- Sandblasting materials received and will trial blasting docking posts, spacers for powder coat sampling. Usually powder takes up 0.07 to 0.1mm per side; this is alot for our docking post especially when the kawasaki bolts are not 0 degrees.
- Lock company received money; other cam mould started, and manufacturing of locks underway.
- Other bracket samples arrived, on track few improvements required. Still waiting for more bracket samples, waiting on new tooling. Confident brackets will be made before locks are available.
12/08/2023
- Picked up pallet order and unpacked. Lots of docking posts, spacers, bolts, turn signal relocation kits. Will start to allocate the bolts, docking post to preorder goods.
- Had meeting with lock company to try and gauge an eta. They need this month to make the raw lock housings. (the moq for custom locks is 1000pc so takes time). They envision receiving the houses will be ready at end of the month and will machine and build the first batch and express post shortly after. With constant reminders and pressure I think 11th to 15th of September is a realistic arrival for the locks. An idea ill put forward is to get access to the first 100pc, rather than wait for all 1000pc to complete.
- Brackets tooling and another sample round still waiting. Waiting on new tool. Will start pushing for action.
- received back 650 from customer 2, now will dial in the slot width for smooth slide on/off with a local 650s owner.
- brackets for 650 are at powder coaters.
18/08/2023
The week flew by;
- Unpacked and organised pallet (1000's of components)
- Followed up with lock company, they are half way with the lock houses, 2 more weeks to go, then they are processing the express lot, so on track.
- Powder coat brackets received, turned out amazing.
- Customer visiting next friday to fit vulcan s brackets to help dial in the docking post width. Machined a few docking posts wider ready to test fit.
- Purchased Vibrometer 0.01mm+- discovered powder coat thickness is approx 0.07; need to factor this in to the docking post width when getting gloss powder coated. Aiming for a snug smooth fit without slop or scraping.
- Ordered another round of brackets will start to increase order volumes after this next batch, (all other motorcycle models aim to be ready before locks arrive).
650s spacers, other spacers and mixture of different docking post designs ready to handle all sorts of setups.
26/08/2023
Creeping closer to the finish line, this week was all about the Friday.
- Ordered in washers, nylon lock nuts. Usually half size zinc nylon lock nuts are used. Trialing the 304 stainless nuts which have a bit more meat behind them. Ill stock the half width zinc ones as well for customers that want to fit the bolts on the inside of the bags.
- Friday Kawasaki Vulcan 650s dropped off at warehouse for final prototyping. A customer was kind enough to let me trial fit the brackets on his Kawasaki 650s for a day.
- The core focus was the docking post slot width. I aimed for a snug, smooth consistent fit. After a lot of machining and trial & error I got it to a really good point. It was nice and snug, without much or little to no slack. You can see from the videos the fit is on the snugger side, so rounding up along with powder coat getting add backed in it should balance out.
- When removing brackets with a offset docking post like the 650s and indian scout you sort of need to do a 3 point turn type removal.
- Docking posts will be ordered this week. Once they arrive, sandblasting and powder coated. Then its just the locks and its ready...
08/09/2023
- Another batch of 650s & honda rebel brackets arrived, will goto powder coaters after cleaning.
- Honda rebel & Triumph America trial bracket arrived and tested with sample lock, works good, with powder coat it will be a nice snug fit.
- All remaining bracket models are now ordered; they will be made with a eta 7 to 10 business days. A quick clean and off to the powder coaters with about 7 days eta, id estimate they will be ready end of the month): Models are: Triumph America/speed-master, speed-master 2018, thunderbird, Rocket, Honda Rebel 500 and Rebel 1100 & vtx1800, Harley Davidson 2018 Softail, 2017 and older Softail, Street 500, Deuce, Slim 12-2017, Dyna's, Indian Scout, Suzuki m109, m90, C50, Bmw, Kawasaki 900 custom/classic. There are enough brackets for the Kawasaki 650s preorders. If you dont see your bike here and your waiting please message me ASAP.
- Kawasaki 650 I tallied up the components, most are instock (bolts, docking post, half spacers, more arriving with locks), a day or two worth of machining. sandblast and off to the powder coaters for gloss black. (aiming to complete this weekend/early this week).
- Locks are at the building stage; First 300pc have been processed and all other components are ready to go. I think the locks are on track for posting next week.
So when are you sending my brackets?
Short answer 22nd to 29th orders will go out assuming locks are posted by 15th.
(powder coating for the bolts, spacers and docking posts need doing; ill hand this over to them with the 2nd batch of 650s brackets that arrived, 11th-12th or 13th).
I see the light!
I know a few have road trips planned that's close to these dates, I suggest a non powder coat version for the docking post, spacers, bolt heads. Then we can switch it out when you get back.
If this is you and it has to happen please reach out so I can make sure there is a plan in place for the express order for locks.
16/09/2023
- Note to self; if it can be cnc'd then cnc it. A simple task of manually machining 100+ existing docking posts gaps to suit the 650s took 2 days, Sandblasting will be next will try tomorrow or Friday to get this done. Trying to get these bits to powder coaters asap so its ready when the locks come in.
- The dial calipers were hit and miss with a consistent measurement; so I put some shims together to the required gap; it helped triple checked the slot gap.
- Spoke to lock company; locks are being assembled this weekend so it can be posted next week.
- Extra spacers are being made and 10 days away. (there is enough spacers instock to cover most of the paid prepaid 650s customers); ill arrange 2 express parcels just in case there are delays with spacers, dont want it holding us back.
- Sandblasting docking posts and bolt heads complete. Will deliver them to powder coaters Monday.
- Spacers that go between bike and cover plate will be sanded for Monday. (enough in stock for prepaid customers), the other half are being made should arrive in 2 weeks then needs powder coating.
- Locks are being assembled today; on track to receive +- 25th sep.
23/09/2023 (25th to 29th September plan)
- Curve ball was thrown this week, locks have not been posted yet, the lock inserts required more machining to fit into the lock housing. Ill be updated Monday 25th September. Ive requested whatever is ready to express so we have something.
- Other half of 650s brackets, bolts, docking posts, spacers dropped off to powder coaters. They should be ready this week.
- Brackets for the remaining models are starting this week, once cut and folded they'll be processed and handed to powder coaters.
- Ive started building the docking post and bolt kits, half way will finish them this week so everything is ready to go once locks and brackets are in.
- Built the washer, nuts, nylon lock nut kits for all preorders. There will be a short nylon lock setup for the top bolt holes. For the lower holes; longer and standard nylon lock nut. (Head of bolt goes inside the bag, or to make fitment easier the top two holes can have the short nylon nut inside the bag which shouldn't take up too much space). Will create fitment instructions soon.
- Designed bracket box that will fit in a Auspost medium satchel and all our saddlebags (except 101L). Visited a local box manufacturing company; very nice setup and glad to keep finding local businesses to work with.
- 650s status: once powder coaters hand over goods its now just the locks, Monday the 25th ill have an update from lock company.
29/09/2023
- Locks have been posted and should arrive mid to late next week. (6th October)
- Powder coating for other half of brackets, docking posts, spacers, bolts are done.
- The other half of spacers order is on its way.
So close to the finish line.
07/10/2023
- Locks have arrived! Enough to fulfil all preorders. Ill be organising to fit a customers 650s bags and brackets for a final fitment check so there are no surprises at your end.
Once this is done ill start packing and sending the 650s brackets. Hoping to fit bike within the next few days.
- What will I be checking? Mainly its the docking post slot width and bracket. I want to make sure they slide on and off.
- The lock sets (left and right) are keyed alike with 2 keys per lock so you have plenty of backups
- Each lock will be 263 Loctited.
- Remaining spacers have arrived for the other half of the 650s order, will sandblast and get them off to the powder coaters (they'll be done with the next powder coat batch).
- Brackets order for all other bikes, finding out status early next week; it should be getting close to completion then off to the powder coaters.
14/10/2023
- Customer received Kawasaki 650 bracket, fitted nicely without any modifications. Now the fun begins, preorders will be posted out I plan to trickle it out slowly to make sure we can catch is issues and rectify.
- large bracket order for all other models is due to arrive early this week, they will be passed onto the powder coaters.
- Time warning we are now into the crazy end of year schedule for the powder coater; they will get the job done it just takes a little longer.
- 130pc spacers for 650s will be sand blasted this week and will hand over with other gloss black items such as triumph speedmaster cover..
- A short list of brackets will be given to powder coater to give the best chance to meet some time sensitive brackets; meanwhile the bulk lot will be done and will be ready when its done. Ill hold a raw bracket in those orders just in case the powdercoating takes longer. If you have a road trip happening between now and middle of November please email me sales@finnmoto.com.au
- Box is design is done, waiting on the company to produce a sample and then tooling will be made and bulk quantities ordered. To keep the brackets protected, each one will be wrapped in a cardboard sleeve then inside the box.
19/10/2023
- Worked on the customers 650s, fitted production brackets and hardware.
- First standard kit fitted slides on and off perfectly. Snug fit without any wobble.
- Due to machining and powder coating having various thicknesses, ive worked out the limits at the low and high end to make it a good fit so I can quality control before sending out.
- The docking posts basically click in to place, it feels really secure and no chance of it being sloppy. There is a trick to taking the brackets off, our first customers summed it up perfectly.
Removing and mounting the bags/brackets onto the spindles is quick and easy so long as the bag/bracket is moved in the correct planes when doing so. Because they are a snug fit if the bag/bracket is pulled out or pushed in too far at the bottom or the front/rear are not pulled off in unison it can snag on the spindles but i think this is a better situation than having bags/brackets that flop around during riding which would cause wear and fatigue on parts.
- Some docking posts will be machined down 0.08mm which will be done on the hidden side of the docking post slot. for your reference 0.08mm would be the powder coat layer on one side of the slot. This amount is enough to take it from not sliding on to a nice snug fit.
25/10/2023:
- About half way sending out the 650s bracket preorders.
- Beta version of the fitment guide for the 650s; will dial it in with more feedback;
Link to the fitment guide information specific for the 650s
- Update for other brackets, met with the engineering shop, end of year craziness is hitting everyone. The brackets are cut and waiting to be folded. Ive given them a list of all the presold brackets so if things linger on they know which ones to work on. Ill receive an updated eta once they figure out how to handle the backlog. Ill follow up Monday. To keep things cost effective and efficient its best to let them do there thing.
- Box design is nearly done, will be picking up final sample Friday. Another product made locally which is awesome.
27/10/2023:
- Box design checked over, another little tweak to the insert is required to stop the bracket moving freely forward and backwards, everything else is snug fitting. Its going to be made from brand new Kraft e flute 1.6mm, by itself the cardboard is quite thin but the design of the box has 4 layers around the edges which provides all the strength, along with each bracket having its own insert cover provides plenty of layers to protect brackets in transit. The small profile allows us to fit the the box in a small satchel and most of the saddlebags. This setup should make things easier when packing and sending along with keeping plastic usage to a minimum. Eg I envision providing the bracket inserts at the powder coaters end so they can easily stack them without having to use plastic wrap or bags. If all goes to plan this should be ready in 10 days; meanwhile existing customers will be receiving the brackets paper, foam, bubble wrapped whilst the boxes are being made.
- Great news, letting the engineers do there thing paid off; 2/3 of the brackets order has been folded. Ive received a small chunk of the order, I envision the remaining will be completed early next week. Speaking with the master folder each bracket fold is checked and any corrections are done on the spot; they've turned out extremely good. Ill do my thing and hand over to the powder coaters this week; they have warned us its busy time, just like the engineering shop I wont push anything just let it naturally do its thing.
- 650s customers - Im getting down to the last handful of prepaid orders, ill be packing them this weekend and it will go out Monday. Ill then move onto the unpaid list.
04/11/2023
- Received all the brackets, cleaned and boxed up ready to hand over to powder coaters.
- Most of the 650s brackets posted out, still running through the unpaid preorders.
- New saddlebag order nearing completion, ready for the next wave.
- Waiting for feedback from 650s customers before getting more made.
- I want to reconfirm prepaid customers with other bikes/models I have your saddlebags allocated to your order number; once I get the brackets from the powder coaters the kits will be built and posted from oldest to newest. If your going away within the next 3 weeks please reach out to me so we can work out whether to supply a raw bracket or push the sending ahead once powder coating is done.
09/11/2023
- Powder coaters have guided ready date is next week, 17/11/2023.
- Saddlebags are reserved and waiting to be posted.
21/11/2023
- Brackets have arrived friday 17th.
- Checking over the brackets to make sure the docking posts will slide on and off nicely, we found the brackets were 0.04 to 0.1mm thicker than anticipated. Some docking posts are not sliding on, solution is removing about 0.05mm from the docking posts slot so it slides on firm. This is being done inhouse at packing stage, because each bracket powder coat the thickness varies so this way you'll get a nice snug fit specific for your setup.
- Some brackets and bags went out Monday.
- Boxes are ready and picked up today.
- Starting early Wednesday, the fun begins, packing and sending all remaining preorders.
22/11/2023
- About 1/3 of the preorders are packed and posted. More will go out tomorrow and Friday. Hoping to have all the paid ones done by the weekend.
- The packing boxes work a treat.
- Unpaid preorder customers I'll start reaching out Monday.
- The printed instructions is quite generic for best fitting process;
https://finnmoto.com.au/product-review/how-to-fit-easy-brackets-saddlebag-guide-australia/
If you have any questions or something is not making sense your welcome to call or email. Reminder loctite the bolts that go into the bike.
- I'm eager to hear your feedback & experiences. Pictures of the bags and brackets on the bike would be great.
- I'm getting that afternoon chilled out feeling knowing most of the orders are being fulfilled and the product is ready just in time for the end of the year. This whole process has been very rewarding yet extremely challenging, for those who have been checking this page regularly thank you for your support and being part of it.
02/12/2023
- Another batch of powder coating is done, items that sold out in the first run such as m109 will now be posted early this week.
- Indian Scout brackets were dialed in on Friday; I got to fit the 510 studded on the bike which is the perfect size, you wouldn't want to go any bigger. The bolts are offset so the docking post gaps needed to be fine tuned. It is a little tricky to slide on but once you get a feel for it and know where it needs to be the lock secures firmly in place. I can now fine tune the docking posts and send out the Indian Scout preorders.
- The locks are running low, but there is still enough to meet paid preorders and new orders that come through. The next batch is due near end of December, so if the locks sell out beforehand the wait wont be long.
21/12/2023:
- Main lock order arrived
- More docking posts have arrived
- Another round of brackets and new models currently at folding stage. Should see this round arrive 3rd week of January
- New batch of saddlebags due to arrive middle of January (102L 110L 510L 510L slim, 511L, backrest bags, tool bags etc).
- Photos and feedback is coming back from customers orders; so far so good will post pictures up shortly.
January: 2024
- Holidays
- Saddlebag order arrived, most preorder fulfilled
February: 2024
- New bracket order covering most cruisers
- New bracket designs added: Honda Rebel 1100, Yamaha Warrior XV1700, Indian Chief Bobber,
- Now have the ability to fit any cruiser bike and hardware setup.
- feedback has been well received, our customers loving how snug they fit on the docking posts; fine tuning for the snug fit yet still able to remove off bike.
01/03/2024
- Placed large bracket order so will be fully stocked in most bike models. expecting end of March completion.
- Preorder customers; Yamaha 650 custom, Triumph rocket, Suzuki m90, Harley Dyna, Harley Softail, Speedmaster cover plates, Kawasaki 650 (gloss black hardware). are on track.
- Listening to customer feedback and enhancing items where possible. Below is the Kawasaki 650s and the new rebel 1100 concept; should be ready by end of March.
- 650s Components sandblasted ready for gloss black powder coat.
- Ability to custom machine docking post to work with an aftermarket backrest in one.
Future schedule:
March:
- Brackets cutting and folding complete middle of March
- Clean then off to powder coaters completion date end of March
- Another round of 650s components (docking posts, spacers, bolt heads machined and sandblasted, now upto gloss black)
- Working on pages to display customers bike photos that have been shared.
- Working on new saddlebag tek Leather; I envision quite a few saddlebag models selling out in the next few months, new saddlebag batch will be held up material being made.
Kawasaki 650s simplified status: 19/10/2023 READY!!!!
TECHNICAL DRAWINGS for all components - Complete
SAMPLES (confirm fitment) - 650s: customer #1 complete. Customer #2 complete. Customer #3 complete
Small order - Brackets complete, spacers,docking post,bolts (complete)
Powder Coating - Brackets/cover plate complete, spacers/docking post (Complete)
Docking Post + Spacers - (complete prepaid customers) - spacers for unpaid preorders (received, will sandblast and paint)
Locks - All components made, currently putting together (Received 06/10/2023)
The 650s brackets and hardware is well and truly dialed in, focusing on larger volumes to meet demand and keep price down.