SaddleBag Latch Hardware..Check your screws!!!!
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Maine
Like mentioned earlier, change out the the crap pins that hold the bags to the bike! I havent had an issue with the latch screws, but I DID lose a FLippin bag while riding. Good excuse for me to get new stretched ones, but by far the scariest thing ive ever had to deal with.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: S.E. PA
This just happened to me last weekend. Opened the saddlebag and the latch fell to one side, I had one left and that one was on its last thread holding. None of the red lock tight had engaged the threads.
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Joe Kucinski
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 23
From: Summit, Mississippi
I suppose it's okay to revive a dated thread.....I'm gonna' do it anyway.
I learned a lot when I purchsed a set of new hardbags for my RK, which came with the leather hardbags that deteriorate prctically overnite, so I switched to hardbags. I had never in over 25-years of Harley ownership had to monkey with a hardbag mounting system...so I got an education. My particular point of concern were the latch handle covers...that's all they are...covers and mine were plastic. As far as strength goes, dosen't matter a twit, because when you pull the handle, you're pulling the latch hinge and not the cover. Most of the ones you see for sale out there now in the aftermarket are plastic. That in-itself is not a real problem, it's the lock mounting that's the problem. The lock is mounted by two screws thru the hinge backside and are driven into bosses in the cover. That's what holds the lock in place as well as the bottom edge of the handle/cover with sheet-metal screws. I have ordered a set of NOS metal covers and I know the HD PN for the screw is 3656, which is listed as an 8-32x3/8 screw. I do not know if the HD PN is a self-tapping, or if the covers will have the lock-mounting holes tapped for 8-32. Does anyone here have a definitive answer as to if the HD latch covers are tapped....or is the HD screw (3656) a self-tapping screw?
It's a 150 round-trip drive to a dealer from me and I hate to go purchase 4 screws if "normal" 8-32x3/8 screws will work.
I learned a lot when I purchsed a set of new hardbags for my RK, which came with the leather hardbags that deteriorate prctically overnite, so I switched to hardbags. I had never in over 25-years of Harley ownership had to monkey with a hardbag mounting system...so I got an education. My particular point of concern were the latch handle covers...that's all they are...covers and mine were plastic. As far as strength goes, dosen't matter a twit, because when you pull the handle, you're pulling the latch hinge and not the cover. Most of the ones you see for sale out there now in the aftermarket are plastic. That in-itself is not a real problem, it's the lock mounting that's the problem. The lock is mounted by two screws thru the hinge backside and are driven into bosses in the cover. That's what holds the lock in place as well as the bottom edge of the handle/cover with sheet-metal screws. I have ordered a set of NOS metal covers and I know the HD PN for the screw is 3656, which is listed as an 8-32x3/8 screw. I do not know if the HD PN is a self-tapping, or if the covers will have the lock-mounting holes tapped for 8-32. Does anyone here have a definitive answer as to if the HD latch covers are tapped....or is the HD screw (3656) a self-tapping screw?
It's a 150 round-trip drive to a dealer from me and I hate to go purchase 4 screws if "normal" 8-32x3/8 screws will work.
Advanced
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
I know the HD PN for the screw is 3656, which is listed as an 8-32x3/8 screw. I do not know if the HD PN is a self-tapping, or if the covers will have the lock-mounting holes tapped for 8-32. Does anyone here have a definitive answer as to if the HD latch covers are tapped....or is the HD screw (3656) a self-tapping screw?
Also, replace the dzus pins that hold the bags on with screws. 10 dollars at ace hardware for spring clips and screws was money well spent. Mine never came loose; but, there are videos on youtube showing how they can be popper off by a thief.