Hardbag Flew Off at 60 MPH
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 56
From: north of Daytona
I see allot of saddlebags stolen. How about windshields? Seats (one fastener)...side covers? Foot pegs? sparkplugs? Horns? How many things on a Harley are held on by three bolts/screws or less? Headlight/turn signal rings? Chrome dipsticks? Me? I remove my right saddlebag to check my rear tire pressure every two weeks. I guess I would detect a bolt holding by bag coming loose. Left bag may fall off....right one will be solid. (Head light is flopping around).
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 103
From: Massachusetts (NE)
FWIW
My saddle bag was falling off once - but - it was the pin receiver (one of two) that had vibrated loose (not the pin itself)
so now I check my bags before, during, & after each ride ...
And as said I also check lots of other things that may loosen up - every ride - horn, ignition, side covers, rear plate, floor boards, pegs, front fender (you get the idea) can't hurt ...
My saddle bag was falling off once - but - it was the pin receiver (one of two) that had vibrated loose (not the pin itself)
so now I check my bags before, during, & after each ride ...
And as said I also check lots of other things that may loosen up - every ride - horn, ignition, side covers, rear plate, floor boards, pegs, front fender (you get the idea) can't hurt ...
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 204
Likes: 4
From: Fort Worth, TX
I did the Home Depot hardware on the previous bike nd have also done it on the current one. Have checked them occasionally but never seen any loosening. I didn't worry about it on the FLHTC as I had the bag rails. The limited doesn't have them but I still don't worry about it. I am in and out of the bags frequently enough that I will likely notice if they are loose enough to fall out and if by chance they do, well, that is what I pay the insurance premiums for.
With the stock fasteners you really just have to make sure the teeth on the 1/4 turn are properly engaged. Sometimes it will feel like it is hooked up when it really is not. I have learned to verify engagement.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
From: Illinois Corn Desert
Ditto on that!
So what he is saying is it doesn't matter whose fastener it still comes down to operator error.....hmmm. So I guess you can buy the newer mousetrap if it makes you feel better. Like he said above.....I ain't lost one either with HD's factory stuff so I guess I must check mine.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
From: Illinois Corn Desert
[quote=Arizona;11415388]Sorry to hear about your bag. Things happen I guess. Maybe a little blue Loctite on the threads would help if you don't take your bags on and off a lot.
This isn't something I've heard about with the Brukus bolts, so they may have just backed out on you over time if you didn't tighten them quite right. You do hear of the bags having this happen far more often from the OEM fastener - due to improper installation when put in.
However the risk you take is BOTH bags flying off - into the trunk of a dirtbag's car when you're parked at the mall, if you run with the OEM fasteners.
That's crap! They want they get 'em no matter how you got them fastened.
This isn't something I've heard about with the Brukus bolts, so they may have just backed out on you over time if you didn't tighten them quite right. You do hear of the bags having this happen far more often from the OEM fastener - due to improper installation when put in.
However the risk you take is BOTH bags flying off - into the trunk of a dirtbag's car when you're parked at the mall, if you run with the OEM fasteners.
That's crap! They want they get 'em no matter how you got them fastened.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 651
Likes: 12
From: Broomfield, Colorado
I bought the bolt kit not so much because I was worried about the original pins coming loose as I was having my bags stolen. I know of one person who had their bags stolen off their bike in broad daylight up in Estes Park last summer, I was parked right beside him. It didn't look like they touched my bike but the damn thief did scratch up the fender getting the bags off the other bike. I hate thiefs.
Paul in Colorado
Paul in Colorado
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,524
Likes: 57,080
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
I have no dog in this hunt ... but ... It just occurred to me that Brukus is usually one of ( if not thee ) first to respond to saddle bad problems regarding fasteners ... Is it just me? ... It would seem that the OP ( probably? ) didn't fasten them ( or torque? ) them properly but I would think that Brukus would have chimed in by now ... Just an observation ... Brukus seems like an upstanding vendor ... Just my .02 cents worth.
Last edited by Uncle Larry; Jun 17, 2013 at 10:05 AM.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 791
Likes: 2
From: Canada
Running one Brukus and one HD fastener on each bag. but will be paying more attention in the future. Thanks to OP for the Heads up. When I installed the Brukus I figured they had to be more reliable than the MoCo setup , for staying fastened due to screw design but could be wrong on that assumption.
Yeah figured Brukus might have made comment , even if was to warn folks to check their hardware periodically ?
Yeah figured Brukus might have made comment , even if was to warn folks to check their hardware periodically ?