Saddle Bag Latch Spring Install
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 4
From: South Jersey, AC area
pdf instructions left out some important info... mainly that you need to put some tension on the spring to get it in the right way.
It's almost like the person that wrote it has never done it..... LOL!
It's almost like the person that wrote it has never done it..... LOL!
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 325
Likes: 2
From: Texas
I didn't even realize my springs were broken because they were broken when I bought my bike and I thought the hinges were just supposed to be loose and floppy 
I recently put the edge cut saddlebag latches on and when I had it apart I noticed the springs were totally rusted out and broken. Jumped on the forums and bingo, found a few threads about it including this one. Very helpful info 
Just replaced them, took about 10 to 15 minutes per side.
One thing I did that makes the job a little easier is to push the pin in until it's about halfway into the spring before tensioning the spring. To tension the spring I used needle-nosed pliers to grab the loose end and twist it to the other side of the hinge to tension it, then I held it there while using a hammer to gently tap the pin the rest of the way in. The pin went easily about 2/3 of the way through the hinge and then hung up because the hinge knuckles weren't aligning right, at that point it was easier to open the hinge up (which aligns the knuckles better) and hold it open to tap the pin the rest of the way in.
I covered both springs with a healthy coat of dielectric grease. I used this type of grease because it's clear and practically invisible once on.
This whole job is the kind of thing that is really easy if you use the right technique but has the potential to be a real pain-in-the-butt if you don't
Wow, the latches sure have a nicer feel to them with good springs on them
I recently put the edge cut saddlebag latches on and when I had it apart I noticed the springs were totally rusted out and broken. Jumped on the forums and bingo, found a few threads about it including this one. Very helpful info Just replaced them, took about 10 to 15 minutes per side. One thing I did that makes the job a little easier is to push the pin in until it's about halfway into the spring before tensioning the spring. To tension the spring I used needle-nosed pliers to grab the loose end and twist it to the other side of the hinge to tension it, then I held it there while using a hammer to gently tap the pin the rest of the way in. The pin went easily about 2/3 of the way through the hinge and then hung up because the hinge knuckles weren't aligning right, at that point it was easier to open the hinge up (which aligns the knuckles better) and hold it open to tap the pin the rest of the way in.
I covered both springs with a healthy coat of dielectric grease. I used this type of grease because it's clear and practically invisible once on.
This whole job is the kind of thing that is really easy if you use the right technique but has the potential to be a real pain-in-the-butt if you don't
Wow, the latches sure have a nicer feel to them with good springs on them
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 127
From: Republic of Texas
Once again the forum and it's member prove to be so valuable. I determined that one of my saddlebag latch springs was broken. Thanks to the forum and threads like this I am now back in business.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,196
Likes: 0
From: U.S.A.
Glad to see this on here. Been having to lock my bags all of the time since the latches are not snapping into place as they once did. A good enough bump in the road and the bags open..... No fun turning around to pick up your stuff. I'll be changing these out this week.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,907
Likes: 69
From: Wesley Chapel Fl.
Mine broke yesterday! Good info thanks. JR
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 95
From: lancaster, pa
I open the lids by the latch/rails and never noticed my springs are toast.rest of the hardware still in excellent shape so may not need any springs if you have added rails/sabblebag rack.
Had a couple TP latches go south.
Had a couple TP latches go south.