RK Custom bag problem
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 986
Likes: 32
From: Georgia
RK Custom bag problem
I got back from Daytona today and i noticed that my saddle bags are a little puffy on the sides, It looks like they have some air trapped between the leather and hard bag. I did ride in a good bit of rain yesterday and it got soaked over night in the parking lot of the hotel (cheap cover) and Im wanting to know if the leather will flatten back out or are the bags ruined?
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
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RE: RK Custom bag problem
It's a pretty common occurrence with both the RK custom and classic bags. Mine doe the same thing when they have got wet. They soon smooth out in the sun as they dry. I put HD leather dressing on the bags with regularity and it seems to help.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,143
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From: Snowflake, Arizona
RE: RK Custom bag problem
I have a set of RK Classics, and a HD leatherhelmet I have had for years (real leather) and they both get loose when wet.....I keep mine well oiled and they do fine...
Hogback
Hogback
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
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From:
RE: RK Custom bag problem
Mine have several "wrinkles" on the sides of the lids all the time. Today I tried soaking them with water hoping that they would shrink tight upon drying. I do not think it is going to work because they did not seem to be absorbing the water. I have thought about trying to get them replaced under warranty but doubt that the dealer will go for it as the bike is a year old. The original owner never complained about it.
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Joined: May 2006
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From:
RE: RK Custom bag problem
I have never had an issue with the bags on my rk custom. Although, I live in NM and even though it does rain here, we don't get nearly the rain fall as most places. Best of luck...
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Fugitive from justice
RE: RK Custom bag problem
My RKC bags get puffy now n then...they always shrink back......
Carry them in the house and allow them to dry out good.....Don't attempt to hurry the process by applying heat or blasting them in harsh sunlight.....then soak those suckers down in leather dressing, but not untill they dry out completely.
I keep my bikes in the house so you could consider that 'climate controlled storage', but I often ride the RKC to work where it sits out in the damp night air and gets a good coat of morning dew.....that's when the bags will puff....when my shift changes and I'm working days, they shrink back....So far no damage....I've noticed tho that since I started really treating them with leather dressing, they tend to puff less.
Carry them in the house and allow them to dry out good.....Don't attempt to hurry the process by applying heat or blasting them in harsh sunlight.....then soak those suckers down in leather dressing, but not untill they dry out completely.
I keep my bikes in the house so you could consider that 'climate controlled storage', but I often ride the RKC to work where it sits out in the damp night air and gets a good coat of morning dew.....that's when the bags will puff....when my shift changes and I'm working days, they shrink back....So far no damage....I've noticed tho that since I started really treating them with leather dressing, they tend to puff less.