Does anyone else have this problem? my hard bags don't seem to latch properly anymore, when riding i have to lock them and even then they sometimes undo and partially open. its a 98 flht. Last year someone pried open both bags (they were locked) and stole my gloves jacket etc.
is it possible to bend the part that is shaped like a "U" on the bag part so that the lid part will intersect better? I searched through the forum and could not find a reference to this problem. Am I the only one? Are the bags plain wore out?

 

Probably the entire hinge/latch assembly is damaged. If the body of the bag and the lid are both undamaged, you can replace the bent parts pretty easily. Voila! Like new.It's just the inner pieces that need replaced, not the lock plate. Ask how I know!.

 

Mine didn't actually unlatch, but I saw this in a thread on here. Worked for me. I had to take a pair of needle nose pliers and reshape mine. Now I have to actually push on the latch till they click. They hold very firm now.

 

Yes there have been times when a bag has become unlatched...and both times it was the high bag...must've been me. I would bet if your bags were pried open, the folding latch handles/hinges are tweeked. Also-make sure the two pressure tabs on the fender side of the bags are properly set before forcing (oops) the handle down.

 

I had one that kept popping open, it was a bad spring

 

Had one on my 2007 that wouldn't stay latched, I just locked it. I think they just get worn with time.

 

Also be sure that the material that folds out as the bag is opened and acts as a "restraint" isn't "folded up" when you close the bag ... this can cause a problem also

 

thanks for the input. Mine unlatch whether locked or not, they just seem to not catch on the tire side of the bag?

 

The anchor tabs don't glide into place when closing the bag, at least both of mine don't, but rather I have to ensure I'm placing the 2 tabs under the bracket before securing the lid and locking it. But then again, you stated your bags were pried open in the past, so the hardware may be compromised in some way. And...if you haven't already, swap out those OEM twisting bag pin locks for some real hardware to prevent theft of the entire bag and contents. 5/16's stainless bolts and nylock nuts work great. Just make sure you have the proper wrenches in your tool kit for removal.

 

Had the same problem and fixed after replacing springs. They do break. Otherwise I saw somewhere recently a video of bending the tabs at the bottom of the latches up until they stayed locked. Being as that your bags were compromised I would try to bend the latch tabs.