Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

cover not closing right

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 06:35 PM
  #1  
pk54's Avatar
pk54
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: North Dakota
Default cover not closing right

The right side saddle bag cover doesn't seem to lock as secure as it once did. I saw a friends cover open up on him one day so now I'm locking mine until I figure out what changed. When I go to snap the locking mechanism it just seems a little spongy. Doesn't have that solid snap to it any more. Any suggestions? Thanks.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 06:40 PM
  #2  
davidwruth's Avatar
davidwruth
Outstanding HDF Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,824
Likes: 153
From: Street, Md.
Default

Is anything caught in the latch mechanism or gasket maybe or material holding lid on
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 06:41 PM
  #3  
ChromeDomeDWG's Avatar
ChromeDomeDWG
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 51
Likes: 1
From: Flint
Default

Had the same problem on my '12 SG... found the latch hardware inside the bag under the canvas flap missing in one and loose on the others... tightened up and got new hardware... snaps tight again.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 06:45 PM
  #4  
2black1s's Avatar
2black1s
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 173
From: Simi Valley, CA
Default

Check the canvas flap (or strap, or retainer, or whatever you want to call it). Sometimes it can get folded such that it gets between the weatherstrip and the lower bag. When that happens it will act exactly as you describe. If it has been folded in there, there will be a sharp crease in the canvas that you can repair by removing the canvas and ironing it out.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 06:51 PM
  #5  
robvg's Avatar
robvg
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 374
Likes: 15
From: Alberta, Canada
Default

Same problem years ago. A wise member suggested removing the 4 screws that hold the piece of material...the strap....that holds the lid to the bag. Flip that piece up side down and reinstall. Worked for me
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 07:21 PM
  #6  
Joe12RK's Avatar
Joe12RK
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 2,564
From: CT/FL
Default

Originally Posted by 2black1s
Check the canvas flap (or strap, or retainer, or whatever you want to call it). Sometimes it can get folded such that it gets between the weatherstrip and the lower bag. When that happens it will act exactly as you describe. If it has been folded in there, there will be a sharp crease in the canvas that you can repair by removing the canvas and ironing it out.
that's what happens - ironing may help but it'll fold again...
just poke it in with your finger and it'll close fine
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 09:18 PM
  #7  
RollaMo's Avatar
RollaMo
Grand HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 673
From: Rolla
Default

Originally Posted by 2black1s
Check the canvas flap (or strap, or retainer, or whatever you want to call it). Sometimes it can get folded such that it gets between the weatherstrip and the lower bag. When that happens it will act exactly as you describe. If it has been folded in there, there will be a sharp crease in the canvas that you can repair by removing the canvas and ironing it out.


This happens quite a bit.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 10:57 PM
  #8  
2whlr4life's Avatar
2whlr4life
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Loved
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,914
Likes: 3,205
From: On one of 10,000
Arrow

Check the spring underneth the latch/cover plate. One of mine broke (rusted, I think), and caused a similar problem. You can compare it's positioning to your other bags spring. That spring has its own part number, and is replacable with a little effort. Check all the nuts & bolts for tightness (which you've already done).
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 11:01 PM
  #9  
Iceman24's Avatar
Iceman24
Seasoned HDF Member
Veteran: Air Force
15 Year Member
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,310
Likes: 2,446
From: Eastern NE
Default

They loosen-up over time. Took mine off & switched w/new edge-cut latches...now they twist/lock shut like new again.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 11:30 PM
  #10  
DannyZ71's Avatar
DannyZ71
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Default

Originally Posted by 2black1s
Check the canvas flap (or strap, or retainer, or whatever you want to call it). Sometimes it can get folded such that it gets between the weatherstrip and the lower bag. When that happens it will act exactly as you describe. If it has been folded in there, there will be a sharp crease in the canvas that you can repair by removing the canvas and ironing it out.

Bingo. This is more than likely the problem you're having. It is very common. I usually just get the lid in place, then run my hand under it to push the "tether" toward the interior of the bag, then lower the lid and latch it.

Of course the easiest solution of all, lock them when you shut them.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:45 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE