Securing saddle bags
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 699
Likes: 13
From: Northeast
I also made my own. 2-U-nuts, 2-stainless steel button heads 5/16 -18 (1-1/4") and 2 5/16 lock washers from Ace Hardware. I only use one on each side in the rear and use the stock pins on each side in the front. Takes less than than 2 minutes to take them all out. Cost less than 10 bucks.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,570
Likes: 2
From: East Tennessee
You can get to your shock valve by just opening the lid on left saddle bag. You shouldn't need to take it off. I check my tire pressure by rolling the bike so the fill valve is just below the back fender.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 761
Likes: 9
From: lewisville, nc
I also made my own. 2-U-nuts, 2-stainless steel button heads 5/16 -18 (1-1/4") and 2 5/16 lock washers from Ace Hardware. I only use one on each side in the rear and use the stock pins on each side in the front. Takes less than than 2 minutes to take them all out. Cost less than 10 bucks.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 191
Likes: 2
By all means, bolting the bags on, you will less likely loose a bag while your riding down the highway because you didn't install the stock pins correctly. But honestly, if you can pop the lid when it's locked so easily, how are bolts going to stop a thief from taking them. Brukus security bolts, now that's a different story. They cannot be removed with a screwdriver or wrench. You need their tool, so unless the thief has one, the bags are staging or maybe he will take the whole bike instead.
Thread Starter
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
I've noticed that on other bikes. For some reason, mine sits quite a bit below the top of the bag, with the lid open. I can barely get two fingers in there to put the cap back on when I forget about it.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 191
Likes: 2
The air valve is located and accessed at the left fiberglass side cover on my 96 RK. It protrudes through a hole in the cover and is mounted to frame behind cover. Easy to get at, no bag lids involved at all. Why does Harley have to screw with something that works just fine. Having to open the lid to fill air shocks means they located it in a stupid place, period.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: ontario, Canada
By all means, bolting the bags on, you will less likely loose a bag while your riding down the highway because you didn't install the stock pins correctly. But honestly, if you can pop the lid when it's locked so easily, how are bolts going to stop a thief from taking them. Brukus security bolts, now that's a different story. They cannot be removed with a screwdriver or wrench. You need their tool, so unless the thief has one, the bags are staging or maybe he will take the whole bike instead.
Last edited by ShadowMonster; Oct 8, 2012 at 09:14 PM.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
Geez - I dunno . . . maybe because the bags fetch a significant price all by themselves.