Saddle bag pin failure
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
I have to believe that the vast majority of lost bags are due to the 1/4-turn bolts being not completely and properly locked in place. Having at least one of the Brukus type set-ups per bag is good for theft deterrant if that is an issue for you. I know my bags won't fall off because I still have the bag guards in place though I would consider bolting one pin per bag if the bike was vulnerable to theft.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
The tips of the OEM clevis pins will spread making them less secure--the spring/bracket assemblies are not difficult to move ever so slightly.
I've had my bags on the bike for many years and miles, but went w/ the Brukus hardware. Thanks to the guy who posted on the less expensive hardware to replicate the Brukus solution.
Yes, it's less convenient to use threaded screws instead of the clevis pins to secure the bags, but it only takes a minute to remove the screws to remove the bags.
Carl
I've had my bags on the bike for many years and miles, but went w/ the Brukus hardware. Thanks to the guy who posted on the less expensive hardware to replicate the Brukus solution.
Yes, it's less convenient to use threaded screws instead of the clevis pins to secure the bags, but it only takes a minute to remove the screws to remove the bags.
Carl
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 943
Likes: 41
I did this yesterday on my Ultra using the suggested parts from Ace Hardware. The 5/16 18 U nuts come in two sizes (long and short). Get the short ones because the long ones are too long. I used allen bolts with my stock washers and replaced all 4 fasteners. Whole job took about 45 minutes. The bags are rock solid now and price was about $6. Thanks for the tip.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,808
Likes: 285
From: Green Country Oklahoma
lots good ideas on how to secure these bags and saddle bag guards also come in play to minimize the damage to the bag in case it does get loose. Stock pins do wear out and spread apart after few years of use.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
1. Stock(dzus) fasteners, if someone is using them enough to wear them out, I'd think putting in bolts would be a huge inconvenience
2. Mine are almost 4 years old and they are not wore out or spread apart.
3. I can buy more dzus pins if they get wore out
4. If you are truly worried about theft, keep the stock dzus fasteners in place and remove the whole saddlebag, because if they want whats inside, that bolt aint gonna keep them from getting inside it or removing those bolts and getting the bag itself.
Last year I had a pin come out twice, so I got the Burke kit for the bags and the seat. No problems since.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 1
From: Northern MI
Has anyone heard of this. The other day 4 of us were stopped at a light . After making a right turn my freinds right saddlebag came off and skidded down the road. He rides a 2009 S/E. All the paint on his bag was scratched up So he goes to the dealer and the service Mgr tells him that you should replace the pins every 2-3 years. Has anyone heard of this?
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 1
From: Northern MI
Pins looked fine, they were in the bag. Funny how both could fail at the same time. We even had a conversation questioning if he felt the bag rattling prior to seperation. He felt nothing. What is this Burkus system? Sounds like the answere to a problem. I have a new 11 FLHTK and after this happened to him I constantly worry about my bags.