Broken saddlebag support bracket
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 515
Likes: 41
From: long island ny
Let' s see now, I've welded both left and right bag brackets, both fairing brackets ( to speakers ) and both of the main upright brackets and more than once on some of them. I tell you owning a HD has sure improved my welding techniques.
Ron
Ron
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 1
They will break again. What you need to do is loosen up everything then reassemble. When you put it back together make sure you aren't pushing or pulling on any pieces to line up the bolt holes. There shouldn't be any tension on any of the pieces as tension, coupled with the vibration, will eventually cause it to break. Use washers or spacers to get the holes as close as possible before bolting it all up.
Stage I
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
possible reason for broken bracket
one of the problems i found with the bracket is the tab on the left bracket flares out at an angle ever so slightly, > 90 degrees. when you thru-bolt the saddlebag support it puts way to much pressure on the bend. over a period of time the bracket support cannot carry the stress and a stress fracture developes. take an angle gauge and measure the right support bracket at the thru-bolt tab and match it to the left side. if you haven't replaced the right(i haven't) it could show a difference. this was my personal experience with 3 brackets ordered through my local dealer. i finally gave up and i'm in the process of looking for old stock; making sure that angle is right!
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Westchester Co, NY
I have a 2006 FLHX with about 29,000 miles on it. Rode home about two weeks ago and noticed that my left saddlebag support was broken at that bottom bend.
I ordered the part, picked it up the other night and finally had the opportunity to install it this morning...
...only the find that the right one was broken too. Sonuvabi7ch!!!!!
It took some calling around to find the thing, and the fact that 3 of the dealerships in my area have closed in the last 4 months didn't help getting the part.
Long story short, every single open shop I called was more than helpful, and when I got the part at Bergen H-D their parts guy was really helpful and even gave me a break for having to "travel all that way".
Word of advice if you've got to replace either or both of the damned things: Use a torque wrench. You do not want to overstress those bend points.
I ordered the part, picked it up the other night and finally had the opportunity to install it this morning...
...only the find that the right one was broken too. Sonuvabi7ch!!!!!
It took some calling around to find the thing, and the fact that 3 of the dealerships in my area have closed in the last 4 months didn't help getting the part.
Long story short, every single open shop I called was more than helpful, and when I got the part at Bergen H-D their parts guy was really helpful and even gave me a break for having to "travel all that way".
Word of advice if you've got to replace either or both of the damned things: Use a torque wrench. You do not want to overstress those bend points.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,875
Likes: 32,915
From: King George, VA
I just went through this as mine broke twice in the past couple of weeks. This thread showed what I did.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...oad-glide.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...oad-glide.html
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
JohnScrip
Touring Models
51
Jul 4, 2016 10:10 AM
