RFC

You guys should have fun with this tonight. I can't believe I just bought a purse on the Bay. Although, I am not opposed to the Man Bag and have a multipocket khaki version I refer to as my tactical briefcase.

As I have been rebuilding my recently acquired Univega Gran Touring, I have been thinking about what kind of C&V - esque carrying capacity I can add. I want to go with the largish seat bag approach as opposed to a rear rack.

I looked at the usual Riv type commercial seat bags, which are all nice. Then I got to thinking, why not a leather woman's purse. Following advice from my wife about what brands might be suitable, I just snagged this one:

https://cgi.ebay.com/Dooney-Bourke-pu...d=p3286.c0.m14

To me, this just looks like a seat bag.

So, I would very much appreciate it if those of you who are creative problem solvers could give me ideas for a fastening system to make it a seat bag. This is an experiment and I am not opposed to cutting and slashing.

I am rearranging and reorganizing my office tonight, so I will check in for your comments.

Many thanks,

RFC

iab

Ummmm ... nice ... ummmm ... "man bag".?

But seriously, it does look nice. I would remove the strap and use it for parts. The stitching in the straps looks decorative, if it is, remove the stitching and cut it to the appropriate size for straps for the saddle loops and a strap for around the seat post. Go to your local hobby store, Hobby Lobby/JoAnn Fabrics/etc., and get some waxed thread and a stitching awl for leather. It should run you about $10.

You can use duct tape to mock-up your design before start putting holes into the purse/bag. You may also want a piece of leather on the inside of the bag to act as reinforcement. If you can, use the the pre-existing holes in the strap, it will make easier work. Google "stitching leather" and you are good to go.

nlerner

I made a saddle bag out of an LL Bean medium-sized canvas shoulder bag. Some pics here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lerner.n...BagConversion#

Given the material, it was easy to put in a couple of holes with grommets for a strap that goes around the saddle rails, and a couple of holes with grommets for a strap that goes around the seat post. After taking those pics, I put in a wood dowel with a couple of wood screws through the fabric to act as a stiffener. It works pretty well though it's not currently on any bikes in my fleet.

Neal

Panthers007

Well the middle strap area is rather suggestive. Kind of like why the Ford Edsel (front-grill) was doomed to failure.

I'd ride with it.

EraserGirl

i'd ride with it too, but i'd use a seam ripper and remove the corporate logos

i am looking at adding straps to my Domke camera Bag

but i haven't as yet decided on exactly how. I love my bag and wouldn't want to injure it.

RFC

All great suggestions. Thanks!

Let's see how this turns out. BTW, my wife suggests that "Coach" bags is another brand we should look at -- high quality leather construction.

I agree about the strap area. Perhaps a good place to insert a big, obnoxious blinky.

RFC

Camera bags were my second category of inquiry.

Panthers007

How 'bouts some purses on the back, and some Army gas-mask bags and/or ammo-pouches up front?

RFC

Sounds good. Sort of a ying yang thing.

thestoutdog

My wife would kill me if I made a Dooney & Bourke purse into a bike bag, but I think its a great idea.