The leather bags on my RKC have the "dog collar" type closures that are a PITA to use. I am installing HD bag guards P/N 91265-98A and my thought is to cut the straps at the top where they meet the lid. Then use some contact cement to glue the strap to the bag so that when the lid is closed, it appears that the straps are still attached. The lids stay closed at highway speeds and don't really need to be latched. And as for theft, they were never a deterrent anyway. Is there a better solution? Am I ruining the value? What say you all?

Thanks,
Mark

 

talk to a leather shop.

mike

 

I wouldn't do it. I would keep using the quick plastic latch you don't like. I had the older style bags on my '98 Heritage that actually buckled like a belt. (Like the decoy buckle on your RKC). So coming from that, I loved the RKC bag latches.

But, it's your bike. Configure it like you want.

 

The whole purpose of the quick disconnects are so you don't have a REAL PITA dealing with straps and buckles. Maybe you're just not looking at it in the right perspective.

 

Yes you will ruin the value if you cut the straps. Learn how to use them as they are. I did with the bag guards. It's no big deal.

 

Curious why you think they are a PITA to use? They are a simple quick disconnect and generally pretty easy and simple to use or at least I thought the were.

 

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...estions-5.html

post 46, I used short sheet metal screws.

 

You can also just leave the entire strap flapping. Mine are that way more than I care to admit.

I've never had the lids pop fully open, but they do bob around a little. They are far from being securely closed.

There is a recent thread here about using either the Harley barrel type lock, or the emblem lock on the lids, and afixing the straps as you describe. Even had some pictures of it. Didn't look bad.

 

I bought a pair of hard bags off of this site same color as the bike (smoky gold) which was a nice find for my 04 rkc. Hard bag latches and hardware are bought but I am thinking about adding lid speakers to them, so I still have the leathers on there. Having had other styles of throw over bags on other bikes, I would have to agree with the others that I like the snap feature instead of real buckles. I would not cut them and I would try to get used of them. However it is your bike. Ride safe.

 

Thank you all for your advice. I think I'll leave well enough alone.