Topic: Warning! Bag came loose (Read 8706 times)

4fun · « **on:** April 29, 2016, 08:08:16 AM »

I guess it was about a month or so ago that I had the recall done for the clips that hold the bags on. Never had a problem with it. While out on a ride with my son, I opened the one bag to put his jacket in and on the bottom of the bag was the clip and the bag was just being held on by one.

I guess we need to continue to check these clips.

Has anyone else had this problem?

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RGlideKid · « **Reply #1 on:** April 29, 2016, 08:45:32 AM »

Yes, many of us have.
Search the forum and you'll find a few threads with fixes.
The cheapest fix is to not rely on Harley's "new and improved" quick clips but to make your own.
Go buy some bolts and some pre-threaded threaded clips nuts and a few large washers. You'll fix the problem permanently for less than $5.

Joel · « **Reply #2 on:** April 29, 2016, 09:41:11 AM »

Those are panel clips. Most part stores have them.

deldago · « **Reply #3 on:** April 29, 2016, 11:00:53 AM »

If you don't want to try and source them yourself this company makes a great set up. More expensive, yes, but they give more security with a special bolt head that the average crook will not be able to steal your bags with a pair of pliers. He also makes a matching screw to secure your seat.http://brukus.com/brukus-products/saddlebagsecure-for-harleys-victory-cross-bikes-and-yamaha-stratoliners/

4fun · « **Reply #4 on:** April 29, 2016, 07:53:29 PM »

Thanks for the replies, I like the way the bags are easy to remove for cleaning, but I guess losing one would be worse, guess I should just bolt them on as suggested.

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CVODON · « **Reply #5 on:** April 29, 2016, 09:15:38 PM »

Been using Dzus fasteners for 40 years, Never had one come loose that was securely fastened... Unless someone forced it when it was not aligned and bent the securing cross wire or they didn't twist it all the way to Begin with. Otherwise if they twist and lock I honestly can not think they would come loose. I do see several places selling panel clips, that can be bought at Home Depot or a thousand hardware stores, for 4 times what they are worth.

mjb765 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 29, 2016, 09:25:51 PM »

Quote from: 4fun on April 29, 2016, 07:53:29 PM

Thanks for the replies, I like the way the bags are easy to remove for cleaning, but I guess losing one would be worse, guess I should just bolt them on as suggested.

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They are harder to clean after picking it up off of the highway after it comes loose.

4fun · « **Reply #7 on:** April 29, 2016, 09:36:41 PM »

Quote from: mjb765 on April 29, 2016, 09:25:51 PM

They are harder to clean after picking it up off of the highway after it comes loose.

You are so right, funny thing is I never had a problem before having the recall done. Buying bolts tomorrow.

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RGlideKid · « **Reply #8 on:** April 29, 2016, 09:49:22 PM »

Buy yourself a set of about 10-12 self-sticking small firm pads, not foamy, but firm (like from Wally world), clean the bottom of the saddlebags with some lacquer thinner and let dry, then stick the pads to the bottom of both your saddlebags. Every time you take them off after that, you won't have to set them on a towel to protect the paint on the bottom of the bags as they'll be resting on those pads.

68 XLCH · « **Reply #9 on:** April 30, 2016, 01:01:16 AM »

The new HD Dzus fastners with more tension will probably work fine, i never had a problem with the originals.

However, I changed them out for the Lowes/Home Depot version, 10 dollars, and no more concerns.

Loosing a bag, the amp etc. is too expensive a proposition for this easy, inexpensive, secure fix.

skycat · « **Reply #10 on:** April 30, 2016, 05:44:27 AM »

Yep i lost a bag off my 2015 Street Glide it was 2 weeks old. So annoying when this happens it took 2 months to get it completely sorted thank god under warranty.

I biffed the factory pins and clips in the bin and purchased a security fixing system on Ebay for around $20.00.

The next thing i did was to drill two holes in the bottom of the bag and loop a large cable tie around the support bar, the bags will never come off now, and you cant see the cable ties, safe and sound.

Now on bumpy roads i don't even think about a bag coming off

grc · « **Reply #11 on:** April 30, 2016, 08:43:38 AM »

If one prefers the threaded clip and bolt approach, that doesn't necessarily mean you have to give up easy removal. Instead of opting for one of those overpriced systems that require a special tool for removal, or even a standard hex head bolt that requires some kind of hand tool, you could always look at using thumb screws or even knobs. Many hardware stores sell short studs up to 1/4-20 with hand wheels on the end, usually plastic but you can also find nicer and stronger metal ones as well (see photo below for an example).

Jerry

RoadMonkey · « **Reply #12 on:** April 30, 2016, 02:42:10 PM »

I have not had this issue, but I did hear about the issue before.
thanks for the post.

I'm liking the idea from grc with the knurled thumb screw deal

Better safe then sorry...

RonandJanet · « **Reply #13 on:** May 06, 2016, 12:55:25 PM »

Well yesterday while riding home my right saddle bag came off and went skidding across the interstate. Luckily no one hit it, it didn't break up and I was able to get it real easy, just lots of road rash! I was able to reconnect it and got home.

I did have the new pins installed due to the Harley recall so I was surprised this happened. I bought the u-nuts and bolts to install but had not got to it yet!

The price to replace the bag (top, bottom, latches, electrical) is ~$2K!

I have contacted my dealer (and they are a good dealer) to see what Harley may do to help. They are calling Harley and will call me back.

This is literally the first real scratch she has (a few marks on the fairing). I am still a little shocked at the cost but not too much.

I was just in the saddlebag a few weeks ago to get my rain suit out and I don't recall it being loose but I didn't really look for it!

I just hate this happened!

grc · « **Reply #14 on:** May 08, 2016, 10:05:04 AM »

If I remember all the details of that recall, they screwed it up more than once. So if you had it performed as soon as the first recall came out, you may not have received the correct parts. They started out by just trying to sort out what they thought were good pieces from the total number of retainers the supplier produced (more than one machine involved). Relying on a visual sort by human beings rarely results in a great outcome, and ultimately there was more of a problem than what they originally indicated.

I'm amazed that Harley had ongoing problems with a simple Dzus style fastener that others have been using successfully for many decades, but on the other hand they've managed to take other seemingly foolproof stuff and cheapen it to the point of failure as well. Some of us have been using those kinds of quarter turn fasteners with no problems for decades, so it's not the basic idea or design that's the problem. Customers who want to be sure and who don't trust the MoCo to do the right thing when one of those very expensive bags flies off on the highway probably should look at this case as further reason to just fix it themselves.

JMHO - Jerry

Joel · « **Reply #15 on:** May 08, 2016, 10:36:40 AM »

The clips on my 15 were replaced the day I pick the bike up new. And always felt them lock into position. After my first washing of the bike last fall I found out that some water had gotten inside the bag, I always take the bags off, and the water got through the pin mounting holes.
Anyway the liners were wet so I removed them to let them dry in the sunshine.
Yesterday while I was checking the bag retainer pins before going for a ride like I usually do,
One didn't feel like it was going over center to lock in position, found the problem to be the liner was getting pinched between the pins washer and the bag.
I had been pulling the liner away each time before when installing the pins, and the dealer had just replace the rear tire do to the nail that it had in it.
This may be happening on other bikes and why this is a long responce, I going to reposition the liners today to try to get the holes more centered with the pins.

MrSurly · « **Reply #16 on:** May 08, 2016, 10:46:54 AM »

I used "j-nuts" or clip nuts as pictured above and some knob screws from Lowes that are frankly Perfect for the task. They even have a stepped design that works with the liners and no washer is needed. I installed one in each bag and left the stock Dzus on the rear. Bag removal takes no tools and maybe five seconds longer than stock. The bags are not going to fall off OR get stolen. I think the whole cost was under five bux.
The bolts could benefit from cutting off maybe 3/4" but, the little extra length doesn't cause any issue and their plating is intact, so I'll probably not cut them.
Best and cheapest upgrade yet.

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Joel · « **Reply #17 on:** May 08, 2016, 01:30:57 PM »

I like that idea, next time I'm in the store I'll pick up a set for me and my employee . It will be an early xmas bonus for him.

4fun · « **Reply #18 on:** May 08, 2016, 01:47:59 PM »

I waited until this spring to have the recall done. I think that they should have had it sorted out by then.

I like the knob screws that Mrsurly found. Do you think that they will interfere with the luggage bags? My wife usually needs every square inch possible.

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MrSurly · « **Reply #19 on:** May 08, 2016, 05:12:21 PM »

I use the luggage bags, no issues whatsoever.

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RonandJanet · « **Reply #20 on:** May 09, 2016, 01:39:14 PM »

Once this is settled I will use the j clips. I had bought them already but had not put them on.

Harley asked the dealer for pictures of the bag on the bike, off the bike and close ups of where the pins connect. I also had to answer about 10 or 15 questions.

I am hopeful they will cover this. I know I didn't do anything wrong but I can see from their POV they don't know that. I just told them the bags should stay on and since there was a recall once clearly there is an issue here.

My wife is adamant they should cover this and I think they should as well.

Hopefully I will know more before long. Then the first thing I will do is put the j clips on to make sure this doesn't happen again.

bakon · « **Reply #21 on:** May 09, 2016, 10:17:27 PM »

5/16-18 U Nuts, 5/16 x 1 1/2 bolts, 4 lock washers and used the stock washers.

Home Depot even sells chrome ones. Under 10 bucks. Just throw an Allen key in saddlebag. Or better yet a set of them in a common handle type tool in case you need it on road for something else. Takes a minute or less to remove. Maybe 6-10 turns. Big deal

RonandJanet · « **Reply #22 on:** May 10, 2016, 01:39:30 PM »

I got the bolts that have the turn knob on the end so you just twist them off. It will take a little more space in the saddle bag though.

4fun · « **Reply #23 on:** May 10, 2016, 08:48:14 PM »

I finally found the knob screws today, the install took five minutes. I feel such much more confident that I won't lose a bag. Thanks Mrsurly for the suggestion on the knob screws.

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Joel · « **Reply #24 on:** May 16, 2016, 06:00:02 PM »

I also did this add on, works great, really doesn't take any packing space away.
I did cut 1/2 inch off the stud, ends up with about 4 full turns to tighten with the original washers on it, than painted the bottom of it to seal it from water.
If you didn't notice, the picture is up side down

Joel · « **Reply #25 on:** May 16, 2016, 06:04:25 PM »

just another shot

Joel · « **Reply #26 on:** May 16, 2016, 06:05:14 PM »

shown with stud shotened

RonandJanet · « **Reply #27 on:** May 17, 2016, 08:30:18 PM »

Well I got some great news today! Harley is covering the bag.

It will take a few weeks to get the stuff in but I can handle that! I know some dealers are not the best but mine is great!

MrSurly · « **Reply #28 on:** May 18, 2016, 10:00:08 AM »

Outstanding! Now, run down to Lowes...

RonandJanet · « **Reply #29 on:** May 18, 2016, 11:24:25 AM »

Yup I have the stuff already. I figure I will put them on the other bag first and once the new one is installed I will put them on that one as well!

MrSurly · « **Reply #30 on:** May 22, 2016, 11:31:38 AM »

I stumbled across this record, thought I should put it here.

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4fun · « **Reply #31 on:** June 02, 2016, 10:13:43 PM »

I was on Amazon.com and a suggested item for me to buy was a set of saddle bags screws to replace the clips. I don't know why they call them security screws though, it is the same as the ones were got at Lowes but a few dollars cheaper. below is the link if anyone is interested (that is if I did the link correctly).

http://www.amazon.com/Black-2014-Security-Deterrent-Saddlebags/dp/B00X9LGXDK/ref=pd_sbs_263_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=517BCOKepTL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1K9WGFB70GWRJF1QPAH0

RonandJanet · « **Reply #32 on:** July 05, 2016, 10:06:16 AM »

It took a little while but Harley and the dealer came though. I go the new saddle bag installed Friday! Yeah! Now I will add the more secure latches! Glad this all worked out!

Author Topic: Warning! Bag came loose (Read 8706 times)