Great Stuff!!!
"DIY MODS" and TRICKS to SAVE $$$$$$
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 937
Likes: 22
From: Ontario, Canada
I was searching all over for how to secure the hard bags so they couldn't be popped off from the outside and stolen for my husband's '12 Street Glide. All I could find are kits that charge anywhere from $50 to $100 to lock them down. I found a quick and cheap solution with parts from Home Depot thanks to the suggestion of an ex-GM mechanic turned Home Depot employee. We took a 1" x 5/16" inch stainless hex bolt and a speed nut and fastened the outside of the bag with the speed nut which hooked over a flat support under the bag. From the inside of the bag we took the hex bolt and cranked down the bags. The shape and structure of the speed nut makes it damn near impossible to pop off. The price of everything at Home Depot was $7.60
Speed Nut:
http://www.imperialsupplies.com/item/0370790
Speed Nut:
http://www.imperialsupplies.com/item/0370790
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: N. Carolina
LED mod
I have used some of these mods and thank you. I did a mod for my 2011 SG and If it is already on here sorry but I didn't see it. I did see it on a bike at a bike night and asked him about so it wasnt my idea, thought i would pass it on. Some of you have posted using the led lights from auto parts store for lighting in the TP and saddle bags. I went and purchased the 24" led and put them on the rear of my bike. I placed them on the cover that is between the saddle bag and fender. I placed them on the edge so they are not that visible when looking at the rear end. The great thing about them you can cut them to length. I tapped into my brake wire and now I have more lights. Everyone I rode with said they couldn't see me that well after installing led brake lights. I do have an after market led lights that came with a load stabilizer , so if u decide to do this maybe one of the members on here will chime in and let u know if it can be done without it. The lights cost me 30.00 compared to 300.00. I will try and post picks . They have been on for about two months and no problems and my buddies that I ride with are happy , said when I brake there is doubt that is what I'm doing. Ride safe
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Washington D.C.
Ok, obviously this is before the fillers...
I started with a sheet of .050 6061-T6 Aluminum. Cut into two equal smaller 12"x 4" pieces. Then bent about a half inch on a 90 degree...using 3M double sided tape, attached the filler to the bag. Using a drill stop (as to not penetrate the bag) drilled two (top and bottom) 3/32" holes. Using very small p/k screws for added attachment.
Now I just don't know weather or not to paint em, polish em, or leave em alone...
I started with a sheet of .050 6061-T6 Aluminum. Cut into two equal smaller 12"x 4" pieces. Then bent about a half inch on a 90 degree...using 3M double sided tape, attached the filler to the bag. Using a drill stop (as to not penetrate the bag) drilled two (top and bottom) 3/32" holes. Using very small p/k screws for added attachment.
Now I just don't know weather or not to paint em, polish em, or leave em alone...
Nice mod - I love the ingenuity!
I'd paint them to match your bags IMO
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 416
Likes: 24
From: Dubuque, IA USA
How I hid the saddlebag guard hole
Found a leather hair thingie at J&P for $11.00. Used it to cover the holes in saddlebag guards after removing side rails.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 36
Likes: 1
From: Foristell, MO
I was searching all over for how to secure the hard bags so they couldn't be popped off from the outside and stolen for my husband's '12 Street Glide. All I could find are kits that charge anywhere from $50 to $100 to lock them down. I found a quick and cheap solution with parts from Home Depot thanks to the suggestion of an ex-GM mechanic turned Home Depot employee. We took a 1" x 5/16" inch stainless hex bolt and a speed nut and fastened the outside of the bag with the speed nut which hooked over a flat support under the bag. From the inside of the bag we took the hex bolt and cranked down the bags. The shape and structure of the speed nut makes it damn near impossible to pop off. The price of everything at Home Depot was $7.60
Speed Nut:
http://www.imperialsupplies.com/item/0370790
Speed Nut:
http://www.imperialsupplies.com/item/0370790
If you use this fastener with loc-tite that won't be a problem.
I got mine here: http://images1.mcmaster.com/Contents...g?ver=19733236