Bubble bags for 1955

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1955fle
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Bubble bags for 1955

#1

Post by 1955fle »

I am looking for a set of bubble bags for my "55 FL. From Palmers book I got part number 90851-54 Type 1 was used 1954 - 1956 and 90851-54 Type 2 from 1957 - 1962. The picture of the bag in Palmers book has 2 speedball decorations. I have seen several different decorations for the bags. What is correct? Did thet have different options? What have you guys found?

-Carl
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Re: Bubble bags for 1955

#2

Post by VPH-D »

The Speed Ball variety is correct for a 56. The bags were black.
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Re: Bubble bags for 1955

#3

Post by Casaba »

yep... squashed bird was 58 i think and also first for white. I just bought a set new from BB Reproductions and was quite happy with them (other than payment!)

these still fit original brackets although i bought new ones as I had nothing. My only complaint was I didn't get the spacers and mounting bolts for the brackets but Ace Hardware took care of that
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Re: Bubble bags for 1955

#4

Post by 1955fle »

VPH-D wrote:The Speed Ball variety is correct for a 56. The bags were black.
VPH-D
What I meant was the 1955 version had the double speed comets and the studs in an L shape towards the front of the bag.
I looked at BB Reproductions, they look great, but $700 for reproduction bags and brackets is a big bite for me.
Are the other styles also acceptable.

-Carl
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Re: Bubble bags for 1955

#5

Post by Casaba »

Trust me, I hear you! From the pics I've seen online the speedballs and L shape are correct. I looked for a while but by the time I bought bags and brackets, then lids if not attached (seems a common problem) I was looking at close to the same money and would have to do repairs
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Re: Bubble bags for 1955

#6

Post by RUBONE »

Don't know where my last post went so I'll try over...

'54-'56 bags are the same with the exception being that in '56 optional colors were offered. The pre '54 type had two parallel trim strips and were K model only. The Bags with speedballs and studs appeared in '54 on Big Twins. The new emblem became available in '57 and until '59 were black only. In '59 white bags were offered for the first time. There are also police bags with no emblem on them.
The mounting system allows any bag to fit any mount. If you have later type bags they will fit fine on rigid frame mounts. The rocket emblem was the last type and was offered from '63 until '68 however most folks went with the new for '63 fiberglass bags.
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Re: Bubble bags for 1955

#7

Post by 1955fle »

RUBONE wrote:Don't know where my last post went so I'll try over...

'54-'56 bags are the same with the exception being that in '56 optional colors were offered. The pre '54 type had two parallel trim strips and were K model only. The Bags with speedballs and studs appeared in '54 on Big Twins. The new emblem became available in '57 and until '59 were black only. In '59 white bags were offered for the first time. There are also police bags with no emblem on them.
The mounting system allows any bag to fit any mount. If you have later type bags they will fit fine on rigid frame mounts. The rocket emblem was the last type and was offered from '63 until '68 however most folks went with the new for '63 fiberglass bags.
So I can get a really good deal on these original bags and should buy them. The question is, does anyone sell the bag decorations and are they changeable or molded into the plastic? So I would need to remove the rocket emblem and add the speedballs and studs. The bags would need to be sanded and repainted to the correct finish, so replacing the emblems would not be a big deal.

-Carl
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Re: Bubble bags for 1955

#8

Post by Larry »

The speedballs and studs have tabs that go through slits cut into the bags and are then bent over inside the bag. It may be a challenge to accurately place and cut all those slits. I've purchased these emblems from V-Twin and they fit the original bags well.
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Re: Bubble bags for 1955

#9

Post by Casaba »

bb repro sells the emblems as well I'm pretty sure, check the site
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Re: Bubble bags for 1955

#10

Post by 4pans1man »

I HAVE A SET OF THE DOUBLE SPEEDBALL AND "L" STUD BAGS. BOTTOMS ONLY! I GAVE THE LIDS TO A FRIEND. THE BAGS ARE BLACK, PAINTED WHITE, THEN PAINTED GOLD. PIMP BAGS. MOST OF THE PAINT HAS BEEN REMOVED. VARNISH REMOVER WORKS FOR THAT. I'M NOT GOING TO BE USING THEM. PM ME IF INTERESTED. I THINK ALL THE STUDS ARE THERE AND I HAVE THE SPEEDBALLS EMBLEMS ALSO. LIDS CAN BE FOUND FOR THEM.


....TONY.
1955fle
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Re: Bubble bags for 1955

#11

Post by 1955fle »

4pans1man wrote:I HAVE A SET OF THE DOUBLE SPEEDBALL AND "L" STUD BAGS. BOTTOMS ONLY! I GAVE THE LIDS TO A FRIEND. THE BAGS ARE BLACK, PAINTED WHITE, THEN PAINTED GOLD. PIMP BAGS. MOST OF THE PAINT HAS BEEN REMOVED. VARNISH REMOVER WORKS FOR THAT. I'M NOT GOING TO BE USING THEM. PM ME IF INTERESTED. I THINK ALL THE STUDS ARE THERE AND I HAVE THE SPEEDBALLS EMBLEMS ALSO. LIDS CAN BE FOUND FOR THEM.


....TONY.
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