Saddlebag woes

[Snype]

Ok.. I said it would never happen to me and it did.  Zipping to work in the am my side bag popped off. 

I need to find a new side bag cover or a way of redressing this one without breaking into my kid's college fund.  A new one is about $325.

I was thinking of sanding it and spraying it with a bed liner or something, but was worried about look and adhesion.

Suggestions?

Snype

[philipintexas]

I had a pickup bed done in "LINE-X", it was professionally applied to scuffed paint and lasted forever. It looks good and I've even recommended it for luggage racks to protect the finish.
I think it will do your job perfectly.

[VirginiaJim]

Did you hit a bump or it just disengaged?  What year bike is this?

[martin_14]

Did you hit a bump or it just disengaged?  What year bike is this?

another point: do you take the bags off often? when was the last time you put it on, and did you check that the latch was properly closed? not blaming you, just checking possibilities before I start worrying about my bags 

[VirginiaJim]

Based on looking at his previous posts, it appears to be a 2012.

[JS_racer]

my 09, 74k miles, the bags are feeling loose, but never lost one. usually have some stuff in them.
not sure if there is a way to tighten the fitment up some.

[RedBombardier]

Pin 'em.

[rocknrod]

Pin 'em.

Which means what?

[gPink]

Reply #18
http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=1152.15

[rocknrod]

That'l work, thanks 
They have retainer pins for tractors that have a locking bale: http://www.mcmaster.com/#linch-pins/=tjs394

[ljcorby]

I have a set of retainer clips that don't require any modification to the bike or bags.  Got them off of ebay and they are made specifically for the C14.  Can't remember the gentleman who made them but will see if I can find his ebay name.

[Rhino]

I have a set of retainer clips that don't require any modification to the bike or bags.  Got them off of ebay and they are made specifically for the C14.  Can't remember the gentleman who made them but will see if I can find his ebay name.

That's what I use but I cannot find them anymore.

[VirginiaJim]

Zteve was his name here..I think.....

http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=473.0

Not sure if he frequents here that much anymore or if he makes the brackets.  You can try sending an email through the forum.  That's all I can tell you to do.

[B.D.F.]

Yeah, we have seen this before. I believe the basic problem is that there is sufficient looseness for the bags to come off the bike under exactly the right circumstances of forces generated by that very specific bump. One bag on my bike is pretty loose but the other one is reasonably tight.

There are a few solutions for this- the already mentioned 'pinning the bags'. Another is the steel rods that someone sells on Ebay. A third option is a tie- wrap wrapped around the handle on the saddlebag and onto the lifting rail above it on the bike. Of course that must be cut every time the bag is removed and a new one fitted.

I am going to just shim the latch on my bags so when they latch, there is a little pressure on the latch and no real 'jiggle room'. No evidence that that will prevent the problem but I think it will, it adds nothing that must be dealt with to put the saddlebags on / take them off, and basically will make the latches behave as they always should have IMO.

Brian

my 09, 74k miles, the bags are feeling loose, but never lost one. usually have some stuff in them.
not sure if there is a way to tighten the fitment up some.

[B.D.F.]

Some people who have done this find the holes wear after a lot of miles (Easy Boys!) and the pin is quite loose. The block on the bike can be replaced easily enough but the tabs on the saddlebags cannot. Just something to consider before doing this IMO.

Brian

That'l work, thanks 
They have retainer pins for tractors that have a locking bale: http://www.mcmaster.com/#linch-pins/=tjs394

[ljcorby]

Here you go....just found them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Concours-14-GTR-1400-All-Years-Saddlebag-Retaining-Brackets-/281423678321?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4186288b71&vxp=mtr

[Rhino]

Here you go....just found them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Concours-14-GTR-1400-All-Years-Saddlebag-Retaining-Brackets-/281423678321?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4186288b71&vxp=mtr

Thanks. Lost my right one and haven't bothered to replace it but this thread makes me want to go ahead and get it now.

[maxtog]

Here you go....just found them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Concours-14-GTR-1400-All-Years-Saddlebag-Retaining-Brackets-/281423678321?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4186288b71&vxp=mtr

Yep.  I have used those for years, just as a safety precaution although I probably could just have well used nylon zip ties, since I almost never take the bags off.

[VirginiaJim]

The cases should not depth charge.  At the very least, whomever this happens to, should complain to Kawasaki directly.  The more people that complain, the better chances of Kwak Central doing something about it.

[MAN OF BLUES]

Some people who have done this find the holes wear after a lot of miles (Easy Boys!) and the pin is quite loose. The block on the bike can be replaced easily enough but the tabs on the saddlebags cannot. Just something to consider before doing this IMO.

Brian

I've got 40k milez on my pinned bags... and never have an issue with the pins being loose. If drilled correctly, and not oversized to start with, the 3/16 pins work perfectly, if located correctly, the go thru the metal tab on the bracket also... wear ain't an issue. Mine are as tight as the day I drilled them....(easy boys).