14 flhxs saddle bag fell off
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 96
Likes: 10
From: Canada
Saddle bad falls off
The older bikes had saddle bag guard rails. If the fasteners came loose (or were forgotten to be tightened properly) the bag would rattle around but never fall off the bike.
Jump to the new bikes. HD has removed the saddle bag guards. Now all that keeps your bags from a trip on the highway is the Dzus fasteners at 1/4 twist. That said, look up!! If you see an airplane overhead and you don't get hit with engine cowl then you know that Dzus fasteners work, and work well. We use them on our own race cars here too to hold the entire front end on the car!
When a bike leaves the shop here, we double check the bags. Then when the customer comes out, I have him double check the bags himself before the bike it allowed to leave. After hearing that the owner of the local dealership had his own bag fall off, there is NO WAY that's happening to a customer leaving here!
Moral of the story, check the fastener! If it is ON properly it will not come off. Tight does not mean locked. Be vigilant!
Jump to the new bikes. HD has removed the saddle bag guards. Now all that keeps your bags from a trip on the highway is the Dzus fasteners at 1/4 twist. That said, look up!! If you see an airplane overhead and you don't get hit with engine cowl then you know that Dzus fasteners work, and work well. We use them on our own race cars here too to hold the entire front end on the car!
When a bike leaves the shop here, we double check the bags. Then when the customer comes out, I have him double check the bags himself before the bike it allowed to leave. After hearing that the owner of the local dealership had his own bag fall off, there is NO WAY that's happening to a customer leaving here!
Moral of the story, check the fastener! If it is ON properly it will not come off. Tight does not mean locked. Be vigilant!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 464
that goes to my previous point of having the washer in place. If the washer isn't there the fastener doesn't have the proper tension. Without the tension, it falls off. You not only have to have the fastener in, you have to feel the proper tension when you clip it on.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 464
if the rubber washer and metal washer don't have proper thickness you won't get the proper tension when you twist/lock the pin in place. It should be obvious when you install it. It needs to snap or click into place.
other than this forum, I have never heard of bags falling off.
other than this forum, I have never heard of bags falling off.
Bolts can and will vibrate loose.
A lot of guys swear by them.
If the Dzus fasteners are installed properly, they can not vibrate loose.
If a man chooses to go with bolts, check them OFTEN.
A lot of guys swear by them.
If the Dzus fasteners are installed properly, they can not vibrate loose.
If a man chooses to go with bolts, check them OFTEN.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
'14 Street Glide...don't listen to the fancy pants guys on here who are perfect and never have problems. They're clueless. Those of you who are regular dudes and understand that this is possible...you definitely need to be over cautious. This can happen for sure. Happened to me and there's not a member on here who pays more attention to the details of his ride than I do. There may be thousands of equals, but none greater and it happened. Here's the most fukd up part of it all...to replace the lid and all of its hardware with OEM parts it will cost you $732 for just the lid and it's hardware plus the cost of the bag, plus repainting, plus the other $10,000 you're gonna spend once you realize you're gonna be down and your bike taken apart and start adding ****, plus the time you're gonna have to wait for Harley to decide to send painted parts which ultimately gives you time to think of all the things you can add. It is a straight *** job no matter how you slice it if it happens to you. So be very afraid! I found a $20 bolt on kit along with the other $10,000 I'm spending in changes means my bag falling off cost me $10,020. But whatever...money spent. It's not that serious, but don't none of you fancy bitches jump on here and act special and tell the man it's all his fault. That's a half cocked inexperienced opinion that translates in to bitch behavior. No one needs you guys piling it on to an already shitty situation. It does happen fancy pants.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 908
Likes: 96
From: Red Deer, AB
It is kind of strange that 3 of my buddies with 14's have had their bags fall off. I check mine religiously and have never had an issue. I have bag guards and swear by them just in case + kids have bumped into them tons of times with tricycles etc.,and no damage. Lids are a different story. Why do women insist on marking my territory by dragging a boot across the lid on my bike. Grrr.