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Aug 7, 2008 | 05:38 AM

#11

biz44

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 2,424

Likes: 0

From: Hoboken, New Jersey

Quote:

Originally Posted by savingforhog

is there any way to better secure or lock the damn things in place?

Sure.....you could remove the twist pins that hold them on with two bolts.....no? Or I guess even just replacing one of the pins with a nut/bolt, would prevent it from comming away from the bike in most cases.

I also want to say to the rest of you guys with the newer style bags......make 100% sure they are locked with the key before you head down the road, and still reach back every now and then to make sure they are in place and closed tight. Last year while riding my 08' SG down the highway, my riding buddies pulled up next to me and told me one of the bags was wide open. It just popped open when I hit a fairly big bump.

Aug 7, 2008 | 05:39 AM

#12

SoCal_Pappy

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 4,602

Likes: 5

From: Southern California - Palm Springs Area

The JUNK saddlebag pins make it to easy for a low life to get your bags even when locked a pocket screw driver and 5 sec & they got them, happened to my son on the 3 days after he brought the bike home and $1500.00 later to replace them... Bolt them on...

Aug 7, 2008 | 07:22 AM

#13

Nightrider2

Road Warrior

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 1,379

Likes: 13

Quote:

Originally Posted by savingforhog

is there any way to better secure or lock the damn things in place?

JB weld??

Aug 7, 2008 | 07:35 AM

#14

pandol34

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 260

Likes: 1

From:

Sorry to hear about the bag. Anyways, thanks for your service to the flag!

Aug 7, 2008 | 08:31 AM

#15

bulldogmoe7

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 6,095

Likes: 0

From: clearwater, fl

bolt them in. i dont really like them locking pins they have. i am afraid the metal pin will start to bend. sometime i put a lot of weight in the bag and the stress will pull that pin out

Aug 7, 2008 | 09:06 AM

#16

mrsr71

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 2,661

Likes: 1

From: Santa Clarita

I bolted mine on. Little tougher to rip-off as well.

Aug 7, 2008 | 09:28 AM

#17

ctmedic

Road Captain

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 588

Likes: 2

From: Naugatuck, CT

bolt them on

Quote:

Originally Posted by savingforhog

is there any way to better secure or lock the damn things in place?

I check mine often, but when I leave on a trip to reduce the chance of someone walking off with my classic bags. I replace 1 of the pins with a nut and bolt. Cant remember the size, but it works fantstic. (quick turn of a wrech) and they are off again

Aug 7, 2008 | 09:43 AM

#18

AustinRider

Cruiser

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 238

Likes: 0

From: South Austin Texas

I had this happen coming back from buying beer. I'd taken the saddlebags off at the house and I guess I didn't get the right one secured properly. Drove all the way to Speck's, picked up two six packs (two fit nicely in one of the bags) and was almost home. I'd gotten off of the Interstate and made a right turn going up a little hill. So I was only going about 35 MPH when the bag just seemed to JUMP right off the bike and go sliding down the hill behind me. It made a scrapping sound that made my skin crawl.

Fortunately I kept a good 4D Mag Lite in my bag on the left side. So I was able to pick up the bag and find both pins and secure it to the bike. Not a single beer was broken! Some minor scratches on the bag. I've since got some touch up paint and clearkote and just need to take the time to sand the bag and touch it up. The scratch on the latch I'll just have to live with.

Now I make DAMN sure those pins are secure before I take off. Never had it happen since.

I've also had my bag pop open on me... same bag same side only there wasn't anyone around to tell me it had popped open. I only found out when I got home and went to pull into the garage which was converted some years back to a game room and only has a sliding glass door to drive through. I've just got a few inches on each side which is enough but not with a saddlebag open.

I was pulling into the garage when WHAM!. Scarred the chit out o' me. Broke both the plastic mounts that the bag strap secures too. Fixed 'em with PC 7. This worked fine until the mechanic at the shop opened the bag and broke it again...

Now off course I check the bags more carefully and neither of these things has happened to me again. I don't fault the latching system. I figure we just have to be more careful and take our time...