Add A Pair Of Toolbox Saddlebags To Your Bike On The Cheap

If the kitty litter bucket set didn’t tickle your fancy, perhaps this pair of more normal-looking toolbox saddlebags will inspire you to add some storage to the sides of your bike or motorcycle. They’re cheap, easy to attach, offer a lot of storage and look good at the same time.

Instructables user Kamiana8 wanted a cheap way to add some saddlebags to his motorcycle without spending a lot of money for a custom mount and set of expensive bags. He managed to scrape together the components for this setup for about $US20, but he admittedly had some of it in his garage beforehand. He used a pair of standard toolboxes, some hose clamps to attach it to the motorcycle, and modded an old refrigerator rack to make the baskets that the toolboxes would rest in (he notes other similar racks and baskets would work here as well.)

Afterward, he bolted the toolboxes to the racks and attached the racks to the bike with metal hose clips. When finished, the end result is functional, adds a lot of storage and surprisingly doesn’t look out of place at all. We imagine this would be a bit easier with a bicycle, since there are more places to bolt or mount the toolboxes. What do you think, too much effort or a decent DIY project? Share your tips in the comments.

Toolbox Saddlebags for Under $US20 [Instructables]