Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: Zteve on May 16, 2011, 04:03:29 PM

Title: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: Zteve on May 16, 2011, 04:03:29 PM
There have been reports of saddlebag issues on the Concours 14. Here's a video I found....
 Concours Crossroads - Day 1, Hood River, OR. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTnei5Ide6g#)     The video is pretty long so advancing the progress bar to 4.40 will get you to the actual bag loss.

These rubber coated steel Saddlebag Retaining Brackets fit all years of the Concours 14s. The brackets lock in place when the bag handle locks.  Once the brackets are locked in place the bags simply will not come off over bumps or by lifting them off.  No modifications to the bike or bags are necessary.  The brackets go on and off in seconds and can fit in your pocket.

They are $26 shipped in the US.  PM me for more info.
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: Bosco on March 01, 2012, 07:55:52 AM
Sent you a PM.
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: Cool McCool on May 05, 2012, 10:06:45 PM
I just installed mine today. Purchased from this person on eBay. Locks down the saddlebags completely. No play at all after slipping them on. Very happy, wish I had come up with this idea.  :thumbs:
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: Rhino on May 06, 2012, 02:30:16 AM
I've been using these since I bought the bike.  I simple effective solution to the problem.
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: RIP50AK on May 31, 2012, 10:34:59 AM
Have been using these since I first got my bike. Not elagent but sometimes simple is better. I seldom remove the bags so these work great from me.
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: FZBear10 on August 03, 2015, 01:08:19 PM
This seems to be the simplest solution just for peace of mind so I ordered a set of these also.
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: Conrad on August 04, 2015, 04:46:01 AM
 :thumbs:
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: maxtog on August 04, 2015, 05:21:17 AM
Have been using these since I first got my bike. Not elegant but sometimes simple is better. I seldom remove the bags so these work great from me.

Same here.  They are easy to use and work as advertised.
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: Gigantor on August 04, 2015, 06:29:02 AM
I use tyraps to secure my panniers, but will consider these in the future
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: JoeRau on August 04, 2015, 07:59:15 AM
These look really nice, but I went with the pins.

(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f109/dcso3009/2015/_20150521_084501_zpsdpcb77w2.jpg) (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/dcso3009/media/2015/_20150521_084501_zpsdpcb77w2.jpg.html)

(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f109/dcso3009/2015/IMG_20150521_084339979_zpsw3f00gx5.jpg) (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/dcso3009/media/2015/IMG_20150521_084339979_zpsw3f00gx5.jpg.html)

(http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f109/dcso3009/2015/IMG_20150521_084353509_zps1vdcbyju.jpg) (http://s46.photobucket.com/user/dcso3009/media/2015/IMG_20150521_084353509_zps1vdcbyju.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: sailor_chic on August 04, 2015, 11:52:37 AM
I am a big fan of the pins as well. 100% positive engagement.
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on August 04, 2015, 12:25:11 PM
I am a big fan of the pins as well. 100% positive engagement.

I agree, when I posted the pinning, it was done because it completely prevents any bag movement whatsoever, with minimal cost, and effort, and does not involve the latching mechanism at all... you could basically run without latching the bag, and it cannot dislodge.


but then I'm just simple like that. ;D
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: VirginiaJim on August 04, 2015, 12:53:27 PM
My wife says I'm simple as well..
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on August 04, 2015, 01:55:34 PM
My wife says I'm simple as well..

you should have called me when you went to the Rock Hall Of Fame, I'm like 25 minutes from there...
simpleton....
heheheh
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: fmwhit on August 05, 2015, 08:09:24 PM
I have been using Zteve'  retaining brackets for several years now.  They work well and are simple.  The only thing is that after a while the plastic coating on the brackets seems to wear.  Yes I would recommend these to anyone that is reluctant to drill for the pins as there is no drilling with Steve's retainers and they are relatively simple to use and are effective.

Fred
Wa2gzw
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: Hamsters00 on August 05, 2015, 09:43:14 PM
Quote
I've been using these since I bought the bike.  I simple effective solution to the problem.

+1 on these, they work!
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: stevewfl on August 05, 2015, 10:59:17 PM
no need for pins on my bike, and >108,000 miles nekkid and pinless now  ;D

But i do keep a fresh battery in my FOB, the mad pow-ah of Kipass is relentless (http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j180/stevewfl/bikepeace.gif)
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: VirginiaJim on August 06, 2015, 04:56:24 AM
+1 on these, they work!

+2
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: FZBear10 on August 09, 2015, 05:58:37 PM
I received them, installed them, and they work great. The rear of the bags have no more up and down wiggle. I am very happy with them and recommend them to anyone thinking about getting them.
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: Conrad on August 10, 2015, 04:53:17 AM
I received them, installed them, and they work great. The rear of the bags have no more up and down wiggle. I am very happy with them and recommend them to anyone thinking about getting them.

+3
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: zarticus on August 10, 2015, 03:44:06 PM
I use both the brackets & pins, No bags falling off my bike  :finger_fing11:
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: Conrad on August 11, 2015, 04:27:38 AM
I use both the brackets & pins, No bags falling off my bike  :finger_fing11:

Belt and suspenders eh?
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: connie_rider on August 11, 2015, 06:34:20 AM
Was the bag problem fixed on Connies after 2011?
I have a 2014. Any need for the fix?

Ride safe, Ted
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: sailor_chic on August 11, 2015, 03:08:50 PM
Was the bag problem fixed on Connies after 2011?
I have a 2014. Any need for the fix?

Ride safe, Ted

Ted, for the $6 investment at McMaater, I decided not to risk it.  I've read too many posts of losing a bag.
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: maxtog on August 11, 2015, 05:51:51 PM
Was the bag problem fixed on Connies after 2011?
I have a 2014. Any need for the fix?

It was improved.  I am not sure it was completely "fixed", which would require a redesign (which didn't happen).  It is probably very rare that one could lose a bag, but most of us just like the extra safety.
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: VirginiaJim on August 11, 2015, 07:04:59 PM
It hasn't been fixed and Kwackers Central has their heads up their as* ignoring it hoping it will go away.  Latch or pin the cases, you can't go wrong.
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: elp_jc on August 15, 2015, 12:20:44 PM
As a comment, sent a message to the eBay seller of those rubberized metal brackets to check if they work on a 2015, and he was going to check that at his dealer. From his pictures, it seems my 2015 grab mounts where those brackets latch, are different. Mainly requiring longer brackets. When he replies back, I'd post his answer. Mine seem pretty sturdy, but will probably buy them for added piece of mind.

My question is in case of a low-side, are we and the bike better or worse off with the bags piinned/bracketed? If they don't detach (a big 'if'), we (our legs) might be better off. But don't know about the bike's damage.
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: MAN OF BLUES on August 15, 2015, 02:36:49 PM
same grab handles, only difference is color code, silver 2008, vs black 2015

the "hook" parts the bag mounts to do have a different number, I'm betting they beefed up the part where the latch fits, and the rest is the same, I.e. the bag mounting slots...

they didn't change the frame... so the bag to frame, to grab handle dimensions should remain the same..

I know the McMaster pins work....
Title: Re: Saddlebag Retaining Brackets
Post by: sailor_chic on August 15, 2015, 03:51:52 PM
same grab handles, only difference is color code, silver 2008, vs black 2015

the "hook" parts the bag mounts to do have a different number, I'm betting they beefed up the part where the latch fits, and the rest is the same, I.e. the bag mounting slots...

they didn't change the frame... so the bag to frame, to grab handle dimensions should remain the same..

I know the McMaster pins work....

They work perfectly and they are cheap!!