Motorcycle saddlebag apparatus and method

A method of storing articles on a motorcycle comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a motorcycle, the motorcycle having a side saddlebag, the saddlebag having outer wall panels, the panels being a front, two side, a rear, and a bottom panel, the panels defining an interior with a bottom and a top, the top having a top cover which can be opened providing access to the interior, the saddlebag having items stored in the interior at the bottom;
• b) providing a shelf, the shelf having top and bottom faces, forward and rear ends, and left and right sides, the shelf including a handle and cooperating connecting portion located at its forward end;
• and
• c) with the top cover of the saddlebag open, from the top of the saddlebag inserting the shelf into the interior of the saddle bag at a level which is below the top of the interior and above the bottom of the interior, and attaching the cooperating connecting portion of the shelf to the front panel of the saddlebag to lock in place the forward end of the shelf to the front panel of the saddlebag at a first vertical level between the top and bottom of the interior, while the left and right sides along with the rear of the shelf are not vertically locked in place, but with the rear end of the shelf being located at a second vertical level between the top and bottom of the interior, the rear panel of the saddlebag restricting vertical movement of the rear end of the shelf towards the top of the interior while simultaneously not restricting vertical movement of the rear end of the shelf towards the bottom of the interior, and allowing the bottom of the shelf to rest upon the items stored in the interior of the saddlebag, the shelf dividing the saddlebag interior into upper and lower chambers.