The Ultimate Sissy Bar Bag: Why We Built a Leather & Waxed Canvas Hybrid That Converts to a Backpack

When you are packing for a long motorcycle trip, you usually have to choose: Do you want gear that looks good on your bike, or gear that actually works when you get to your destination? Most sissy bar bags are just big, saggy boxes that look terrible once you take them off the fender.

At BAD&G Customs, we don't do "saggy." We build American-made leather luggage designed to handle the abuse of the road while looking like it belongs on a custom Harley-Davidson Dyna, Softail, or Chopper.

Today, we are highlighting two bags that changed the game: The original USB01 and our latest 1-of-1 Custom Build that takes versatility to a new level.

The Foundation: The Original USB01 Sissy Bar Bag

The Original USB01 Sissy Bar Bag was built to solve a simple problem: How do you keep your gear 100% dry without strapping a cheap plastic dry bag to your sissy bar?

The answer was a hybrid construction. We use a heavy-duty Leather Chassis (Cowhide or Buffalo) to provide the structure and mounting points, and we pair it with a removable Waxed Canvas Roll-Top Dry Bag. This gives you the classic leather look that matches your seat and saddlebags, with the modern waterproof performance of a technical dry bag.

The Evolution: 1-of-1 Custom "Crazy Horse" Backpack Build

We recently took the USB01 platform into the Custom Shop to see how far we could push it. The result is the Exclusive USB01S Sissy Bar Backpack.

This 1-of-1 build features:

• "Crazy Horse" Water Buffalo Leather: A rugged, distressed hide that patinas instantly.
• Reversible Waxed Canvas Core: A dual-layer dry bag that lets you swap between Olive Green or Field Tan exteriors.
• Backpack Conversion: We added heavy-duty shoulder straps so you can pull the bag off your sissy bar and hike to your campsite (or walk into the hotel) hands-free.
• Helmet Storage: The roll-top is sized perfectly to fit a full-face helmet.

Watch the Build in Action

Words don't do this leather work justice. Watch the video below to see how we built the USB01S and how the backpack conversion works in real-time.

Ready to Upgrade Your Setup?

Whether you need the standard USB01 for your daily commute or a completely custom setup like the USB01S, every bag we make is handcrafted right here in Richmond, VA.

Ride fast. Pack light. Buy American.