Saddlebag lock fabrication?
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
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Saddlebag lock fabrication?
While spending time with my 07 RKC I noticed that the saddlebags can be removed very easily...not news to you I know......however I don't want them to come off easily......so I searched "locks" and they all seemed worthless....has anyone fabricated something to take the place of the the 2 1/4 turn screws that hold them on so they cannot be removed without a tool or a key for lock? What's the best way to secure them to the bike. I must admit I've rode all over the U.S. and never had a problem however these just offer too much of an opportunity for theft.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 434
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From: Santa Maria di Camisano, Italy
RE: Saddlebag lock fabrication?
The most effective wayis to buy a saddlebag lock (locking the bag to the bike). I don't think they're that expensive. HD carries them.
I knew a guy who came up with a system on his Shovelhead in which he bolted the bags on and put small luggage locks through holes in the ends of the bolts (drilled in like cotter pin holes). The bolts could be backed off only a few threads. Plus he used bag liners with handles so he never really needed to take the saddlebags off; he would just pull the liners up and walk into the motel room like they were luggage.
Anyone with a good tool box with cutters could go through one of those small locks fairly easily, I'm sure, but it was a good deterant. When I'm at a motel I just take the saddlebags completely off the bike and bring them into the room with me at night. That's the best protection.
I knew a guy who came up with a system on his Shovelhead in which he bolted the bags on and put small luggage locks through holes in the ends of the bolts (drilled in like cotter pin holes). The bolts could be backed off only a few threads. Plus he used bag liners with handles so he never really needed to take the saddlebags off; he would just pull the liners up and walk into the motel room like they were luggage.
Anyone with a good tool box with cutters could go through one of those small locks fairly easily, I'm sure, but it was a good deterant. When I'm at a motel I just take the saddlebags completely off the bike and bring them into the room with me at night. That's the best protection.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Charlotte, NC
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RE: Saddlebag lock fabrication?
ORIGINAL: t_m34
The most effective wayis to buy a saddlebag lock (locking the bag to the bike). I don't think they're that expensive. HD carries them.
I knew a guy who came up with a system on his Shovelhead in which he bolted the bags on and put small luggage locks through holes in the ends of the bolts (drilled in like cotter pin holes). The bolts could be backed off only a few threads. Plus he used bag liners with handles so he never really needed to take the saddlebags off; he would just pull the liners up and walk into the motel room like they were luggage.
Anyone with a good tool box with cutters could go through one of those small locks fairly easily, I'm sure, but it was a good deterant. When I'm at a motel I just take the saddlebags completely off the bike and bring them into the room with me at night. That's the best protection.
The most effective wayis to buy a saddlebag lock (locking the bag to the bike). I don't think they're that expensive. HD carries them.
I knew a guy who came up with a system on his Shovelhead in which he bolted the bags on and put small luggage locks through holes in the ends of the bolts (drilled in like cotter pin holes). The bolts could be backed off only a few threads. Plus he used bag liners with handles so he never really needed to take the saddlebags off; he would just pull the liners up and walk into the motel room like they were luggage.
Anyone with a good tool box with cutters could go through one of those small locks fairly easily, I'm sure, but it was a good deterant. When I'm at a motel I just take the saddlebags completely off the bike and bring them into the room with me at night. That's the best protection.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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RE: Saddlebag lock fabrication?
Just take the bail wire off the saddlebag bolt. The thief will have to have a screwdriver to get the bag off. Even if the bag is locked shut, it is easy enough to steal the bags. You can use a 7/16 wrench to take the 2 bolts that hold the hardware on the struts out in about a minute. You can do it even faster if you are using a Gearwrench.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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RE: Saddlebag lock fabrication?
ORIGINAL: fishafly
Have you looked HERE My buddy had these on his RKC and you couldn't even tell they were there... He seemed to like 'em alot, and theyworked well too..
Have you looked HERE My buddy had these on his RKC and you couldn't even tell they were there... He seemed to like 'em alot, and theyworked well too..