SADDLEBAG LATCH...No it's not the "spring"
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 136
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From: ross ohio
SADDLEBAG LATCH...No it's not the "spring"
I have seen/heard from a lot of riders of touring bikes with hard bags that they had to "rebuild" the l;atches because they wouldn't properly close/latch.
I believe most of these prob's come from operator error much less than any mechanical problem....thats the reason for this post, to save folks form believing they must "rebuild a latch".
On my bike it was as simple as pushing the black flap/hinge limiting strap inside the bag away from the latch mechanism when it is closing. About 20% of the time the flap folds outward (towards the hinge) and binds it up...won't let the latch fully close. With a few fingers pushing it away as I close the bag problem solved. This is more likely to occur when the bags are loaded or something interferes with the straps movement "into" the bag but not always.
Anyway thats all I got...hope it helps somone.
I believe most of these prob's come from operator error much less than any mechanical problem....thats the reason for this post, to save folks form believing they must "rebuild a latch".
On my bike it was as simple as pushing the black flap/hinge limiting strap inside the bag away from the latch mechanism when it is closing. About 20% of the time the flap folds outward (towards the hinge) and binds it up...won't let the latch fully close. With a few fingers pushing it away as I close the bag problem solved. This is more likely to occur when the bags are loaded or something interferes with the straps movement "into" the bag but not always.
Anyway thats all I got...hope it helps somone.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 527
Likes: 25
my 06 had problems closing. i tightened all the screws and this helped. i also think the previous owner didnt use the bag much. i'm in and out of it everyday. seems to have seated in better now and no problems popping open.
head
head
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
I've had times when my saddle bags would not close correctly. In every case the problem was that I did not push the top of the bag far enough back (towards wheel) to properly engage the U shaped bracket on the lid to the accepting bracket on the base of the bag. Human error.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 5
I've had times when my saddle bags would not close correctly. In every case the problem was that I did not push the top of the bag far enough back (towards wheel) to properly engage the U shaped bracket on the lid to the accepting bracket on the base of the bag. Human error.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 8
From: General Sherman's Christmas Location 1864
Mine was the Spring!!!!..rusted and broke..after installing JUST a new Spring I gave it a once over ,lubed,etc etc..and found the I had to adjust it ,twick it as it would not completely go over center......Ended up leaving the screws snug and operating it until; it found it's happy medium...
Sometimes the brackets that the clips are attached to get shifted slightly. When that happens, the saddlebag can get very slightly torqued out of alignment. If nothing else seems to work, loosen up the bolts holding the brackets just enough to be able to move them. Set the saddlebags back in place, and clip them in. Then tighten up the bolts.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 17,717
Likes: 1
From: NY
Make sure you check the nut on the inside holding the latch on. Mine was getting loose and I had to tighten it up.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
+1 on that, the nut fell off on my right side bag, and when I checked the left side it was quite loose
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