Craven Equipment Panniers For Speedmaster?

Being in the US, you are taking a big gamble on buying from a small UK manufacturer. They seem to be the ONLY people making hard bags for the water-cooled Speedmaster.
If I were you, I would give them a call and express your concerns. Try and get a feel what they are like as people and for their customer service.
They do offer a 10 year warranty on their product.

Hope this helps,
John (in UK)

 

Craven Equipment panniers used to be THE staple for "aftermarket" panniers throughout the '60s and '70s. I bought (and still have) a complete set - carrier; top box and side cases - for a '72 Commando Interstate and they were used to carry camping equipment around the country in my young (and foolish .... I mean, camping!!!) motorcycling years. Still got 'em (and the Commando) somewhere.

I seem to recall that the only real drawback with the Craven gear was that it was made of fibreglass so it could - and did - get brittle if it was over exposd to, for example, exhaust heat. High level pipes and fibreglass are not a happy combination.

The fibreglass was also slightly less forgiving than the "plastic" used by Krauser; Sigma et al., which, in the event of an off - or even tip over - would absorb some of any impact and, I imagine, result in less damage.

I would be surprised if Craven's production quality is in any doubt but due diligence is, of course, always recommended.

 

Steve O Connor
Craven were the or one of the choices when Triumphs were young. I believe the police even used them on there 500's. I always liked the sigma boxes they just seemed classier. Didn't even know they still existed.
Joe.