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ABOUT US
For over 28 years
Willie and Max have been designing and producing the highest
quality, most affordable motorcycle luggage available to the
rider. Our entire line is made with our high-tech synthetic
material which resembles the look, feel and strength of
leather. This high-tech material is flame retardant and also
contains ultra violet light and anti-microbial inhibitors. It
will not fade, peel, crack or stain and repels water. In
addition, our material will not mold or mildew. Our corporate
motto represents what we believe in: "Designed by Riders for
Riders."
The Willie & Max Story
Written By: Ken "Hawkeye" Glassman
Printed in Roadbike, May 2002, pg. 82.
In the late '70's, two friends,
nicknamed Willie and Max, were planning a three-day ride from
suburban Chicago around Lake Michigan. They searched in vain
for luggage to fit their Triumph Bonnevilles. Harley Davidson
had heavy leather bags for its motorcycles, but they were
expensive and unsuitable for the Triumphs. The friends
resigned themselves to tying clumsy duffel bags onto their
seats (those were the days before bungee cords) and hoped that
it wouldn't rain and drench their stuff. Then, Max had an
idea. The contract sewing company he worked for had just
received a sample of a new synthetic leather material called
"naugahyde". He thought something could be made out of the
stuff to fit the bikes. Willie, a talented artist, sketched a
saddlebag design on a lunch napkin, and Max took it to work.
Soon after, they had prototypes that suited their needs -
strong, lightweight, waterproof, good looking luggage that
would hold what they wanted and attached securely. At the
first stop on their ride, they pulled into a diner as other
motorcyclists were leaving. The bikers asked Willie and Max
where they had gotten their neat bags. Max replied that he'd
made them. One guy said he would like to buy bags like that,
asked Max if he would make a set for him, and handed them his
name and number. That same scene played out at stops along
their route. By the time the guys got home they had 10 orders,
and the seed of a business was sown.
From the start, the partners were sold on the synthetic leather material. Because of the
irregular size and shape of natural hides, there is a lot of
waste when cutting them up for patterns. That makes real
leather twice as expensive as synthetic and prices many folks
out of the market. Leather bags are heavier, require
maintenance to keep them looking good, and aren't waterproof.
They did ask the manufacturer of the synthetic leather to make
some changes. They wanted the material thicker and therefore
more rugged, and a UV coating was added so that sunlight
wouldn't cause it to fade or deteriorate. They use the best
quality roller pin buckles they can find, D-rings that
wouldn't rust, and chrome studs and conchos for decoration.
Later, they brought out more styles and sizes and developed
adjustable yokes, which go over or under the seat, so the bags
fit just about any motorcycle. Now, all Willie & Max bags,
including touring trunks, tool pouches, and sissy bar bags are
lined with corrugated plastic to maintain the bags' shape,
even when empty. "It wasn't really necessary", says Max, "but
we know how much our customers care about their bikes'
looks."
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![[Willie and Max]](../images//willie_and_max_photoin.jpg)