Securing my Domke J-3 on a Harley Sportster 883

Hey all,

After going about 9 months without a bike, I broke down and bought a Harley this past week. I pick it up tomorrow.

My #1 main concern is how I am going to get my camera gear onto the bike. My last two bikes were Sport/Tourers and had plenty of storage room. The Sportster (883 Hugger) only has a solo seat. My first thoughts were to strap it down to the fender, but I was hoping someone else out there has a similar dilemma and solution. I am NOT interested in changing my bag. Though I have a backpack bag, I am simply in love with my J-3 and can't live with anything else.

Hate to say it, should have hept your sport-tourers!

I really think you're going to have to lose the Domke - Seriously, you may want to consider using that back-pack bag you have. No mods needed for the bike. Also, you will know immediately should the camera try to get away. Finally, it will keep the gear away from the constant vibration of that V-twin (rubber mounted engine, or not!)

You could carry the Domke empty and flattened, and fill it when you dismount.

I carry my F-803 on my pushbike with the shoulder strap cinched right down but across the shoulder as usual so that the bag sits flat against the small of my back - you may be able to do something similar with yours.

I have an interest in this as well, as I'm thinking of getting a 60 mpg vehicle like the Sportster.

What about addlng a sissy bar, and securing the bag to it?

Have Fun,

CoolToolGuy wrote in post #5771484
I have an interest in this as well, as I'm thinking of getting a 60 mpg vehicle like the Sportster.

What about addlng a sissy bar, and securing the bag to it?

Have Fun,

First check the mileage on the Sportster - 60mpg? I have a 750 that can get 45, and my 1200 gets 40. My old 350 never got much above mid 30s (100 mile tank, 3.3 gallons) The STE 1300 does get 50 mpg with a large tank. 60 mpg? Think Vespa...or Get a small hybrid.

Sissy bar? I've used them for travel. they work reasonably well. The trick is to get it tight enough to not move, but not crush your gear. Also, pack rain gear for the bag - no matter where you are - well it isn't a matter of if, but when. The load does try to move around from the front to the side or back - check it often. Up there, the load does get shaken quite a bit, too.

A luggage rack would work, as would saddle bags (of sufficient capacity). The OP sold his Sports Touring machines with plenty of space for the gear - The top case on many touring machines would be perfect - and waterproof - and went with a Sportster. That is a style choice. He specifically got one with a single seat. I seriously doubt that putting a luggage rack on the bike would, shall we say, fit in.

fxk wrote in post #5771609
First check the mileage on the Sportster - 60mpg? I have a 750 that can get 45, and my 1200 gets 40. My old 350 never got much above mid 30s (100 mile tank, 3.3 gallons) The STE 1300 does get 50 mpg with a large tank. 60 mpg? Think Vespa...or Get a small hybrid.

60 mpg? Well, that's what the Harley-Davidson web site says.

I would actually consider a step-through, but I have to go on 2 Interstates to get to work, and I can't find anybody who will recommend a step-through for that.

Have Fun,

CoolToolGuy wrote in post #5772557
60 mpg? Well, that's what the Harley-Davidson web site says.

I would actually consider a step-through, but I have to go on 2 Interstates to get to work, and I can't find anybody who will recommend a step-through for that.

Have Fun,

At the risk of turning this into a motorcycle link...

I think HD may have been a bit optimistic stating 60mpg... But who's to argue with HD? The folks I know with the 883 are not getting that kind of mileage...

As for the step through - I've been to a number of ralleys this year and have seen a number of step-throughs there with distant out-of-state tags - ridden, not trailered. The larger ones - Wikipedia calls them Maxi-Scooters like the Gilera GP 800, Piaggio X9, and the very unique 3-wheeled Piaggio MP3. http://www.piaggiousa.​com/

Suziki makes the AN650 Burgman 650 Executive - The Executive package typically adds ABS, an electic adjustable windshield, electric adjustable folding mirrors and a passenger backrest. Sounds like a daily commuter piece to me...

As for their "Photo gear" carrying capacity - I'm sure your camera kit will fit on this one. Heck, load it up like this, and you could bring nearly a complete studio!
http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Image:BKK_Vespa​078.jpg

My 883 Custom gets 49-50 mpg highway, haven't been able to squeeze out any more than that.

For the Hugger, look into a solo rack, you can even get a detachable one if you hate the look but want to pop it on to secure your camera gear. I've got detachable gear on my 883 Custom and love the flexibility.

Thanks all, I knew I'd find some people with similar interests. . .

I bought an 18" netting from HD, the price was pretty reasonable. It turns out it is too big to securely hold the case onto the fender. Even with the bike stationary I could get it to slide to one side or the other. With the bike running, I'd expect it would slip within a minute.

Fxk - I hear you on the vibrations, I was thinking about that and the effect it could have on my [camera] gear.


I'm looking into replacing the very uncomfortable solo seat with something like a mustang 2-up seat. I might have to forgo the Domke on the Sportster should I go that route.

I do have a smaller bag that will hold the 40D and a single lens, but no flash. It would fit on the sissy-bar/rack option (which I don't have).

In the short-term, I plan on re-discovering my S3-IS! Perhaps I could now justify the G9, it would fit in my jacket.

(I can see this becoming a bike thread, we could move the bike-specific to the general forum)

Any concerns about bad camera juju from vibrations if you put the case in close contact with the bike. I screwed up a camera touring Europe with a camera in a back pack strapped to the fender. (Granted it was 35+ years ago and I hear things have changed since then.)

GSansoucie wrote in post #5786193
Thanks all, I knew I'd find some people with similar interests. . .

I bought an 18" netting from HD, the price was pretty reasonable. It turns out it is too big to securely hold the case onto the fender. Even with the bike stationary I could get it to slide to one side or the other. With the bike running, I'd expect it would slip within a minute.

Fxk - I hear you on the vibrations, I was thinking about that and the effect it could have on my [camera] gear.

I'm looking into replacing the very uncomfortable solo seat with something like a mustang 2-up seat. I might have to forgo the Domke on the Sportster should I go that route.

I do have a smaller bag that will hold the 40D and a single lens, but no flash. It would fit on the sissy-bar/rack option (which I don't have).

In the short-term, I plan on re-discovering my S3-IS! Perhaps I could now justify the G9, it would fit in my jacket.

(I can see this becoming a bike thread, we could move the bike-specific to the general forum)

Actually, that two-up Mustang seat may be a reasonable platform to rest teh domke on - and absorb some of the bad vibes (sorry, kust couldn't help myself). The 18" net may work - if they are tight, they do a hell of a job - if not...

Rider Warehouse also sells a bungee net - but it is unique in the fact the squares are much smaller, and it has movable "power clips" to tune the size of the net. Also, make sure that nothing in the bag is touching - any motion will cause rub wear marks in no time flat.

I ride a S/T machine - but usually bring my wife's SD900 on trips - nice and handy in the tank bag - for me, it is not just the gear, but trying to balance the time between riding and photography. For some reason, I just can't seem to make them work well together.

fxk wrote in post #5788971
for me, it is not just the gear, but trying to balance the time between riding and photography. For some reason, I just can't seem to make them work well together.

I hear you, the two should mix nicely as I usually take the "longer" way to get to point 'A' and it is usually more scenic. The more I think about it, the G9 would be a nice fit. Lets see, G9 $$ is about Mustang Seat $$, choices, choices.

GSansoucie wrote in post #5791442
I hear you, the two should mix nicely as I usually take the "longer" way to get to point 'A' and it is usually more scenic. The more I think about it, the G9 would be a nice fit. Lets see, G9 $$ is about Mustang Seat $$, choices, choices.

I like the back roads, too - I'm adding about 700 miles to a M/C trip next month just to avoid Conn, NYC, and NJ - it will be worth it. One trip through Glacier, (in a car) it took 10 hours to go 80 miles - and there wasn't any traffic! You get the idea. Kind of tough to enjoy a curvy road, like the Three Twisted Sisters in the Texas Hill Country (300 mile round trip) and stop to photograph everything interesting. I've just accepted the fact that I can't do both... (sigh...)

I think the G9 might be a good middle ground. And you won't die from the loss of broken equipment should (God forbid!) you go down. Ride safe - also - consider taking the "Total Control" class given by Lee Parks. Best money I ever spent. And I thought I knew how to ride!

I've done the MSF initial course back when I was in the Air Force, it was a mandatory class in order to ride on base (and was a great class). I took the MSF's experienced riders course about 6 or 7 years ago, I might be taking it again (the range would be a breeze on the Sporty).

Consider a Domke F-802 or 803. As another poster said, they will sit flat across your back. I use my J-series insert in the F-series since I prefer the way it divides the main compartment. Working out of an F- messenger bag isn't as easy as the J- but it is a good bag, nonetheless.