Topic: Sagging Leather Bags (Read 7679 times)

leoniru · « **on:** May 27, 2007, 11:39:58 PM »

With only 600+ miles on my SERK, I've noticed that the leather on my saddlebags is already loose enough that there are ripple-like areas on both the lids and the body.
Never even been wet either from rain or a wash. From the pics on this forum, it doesn't seem as though most other bikes are exhibiting this, or maybe it's just not obvious.
Is this to be expected?
If not, might it be covered under warranty?
Anyone been down this road?

leoniru

bisounours · « **Reply #1 on:** May 28, 2007, 03:33:40 AM »

Is it possible to put pics ?

Jacques

youngdave · « **Reply #2 on:** May 28, 2007, 06:32:35 AM »

Yeah, mine are rippling along the body on both bags, tops
are OK. They were like that from new but now getting worse. Dealer
says send some pics for him to forward to MOCO. I will
keep you posted.

youngdave

Smiler · « **Reply #3 on:** May 28, 2007, 07:37:42 AM »

Fired00d · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2007, 07:54:44 AM »

This is the first I've heard mention of this, however the CUSE have noticed similar problem with the leather on their tourpaks.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

FLHRSE3 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2007, 07:58:07 AM »

No issues with mine, I just applied leather dressing over the weekend and I certainly would have noticed it.

leoniru · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2007, 08:23:13 AM »

I will post some pics ASAP. Like Youngdave, mine had some signs of this from new, but have gotten progressively worse.
I didn't think much of it at first as I was so awestruck with the overall appearance of the bike, but as I've come into contact with owners of bikes with leather-covered bags and actually LOOKED closely at their bags, mine look pretty crappy in comparison.

erniezap · « **Reply #7 on:** May 28, 2007, 09:14:01 AM »

My Heritage had the same problem. I bought a kit called Saggy Bags for about $100. It basically was a liner that made them keep their shape.

leoniru · « **Reply #8 on:** May 28, 2007, 10:44:52 AM »

Ok, here are the pics of my left and right bags. Hope I compressed 'em enough. I tried for the obtuse lighting to better illustrate what I'm talking about.
Might be a case of misapplied/missed/failed adhesive? I don't know for sure how these bags are constructed other than the obvious stitching of the leather to the plastic.

leoniru

leoniru · « **Reply #9 on:** May 28, 2007, 10:46:55 AM »

Oops, I only got the one side posted. Here's the other.

bisounours · « **Reply #10 on:** May 28, 2007, 12:27:35 PM »

It's a similar problem with the leather tour pack on the CUSE².

I think that it's not acceptable with the warranty because the aspect of leather depends of the humidity and atmospheric conditions

Jacques

Serkcus · « **Reply #11 on:** May 29, 2007, 11:04:21 PM »

Wow, yours looks to be excessive all right. ???Seems to happen to all leather coverings over hard base material used on HD bags and tour pack. Reason is humidity. Leather skin cannot be complely glued to the entire surface because ofthe natural flexiblity in the leather due to humidity changes. Mine looks slightly rippled at times as does my wifes, but geneally not bad and tend to tighten up into smooth lines when warmer drier air occurs.

hard10 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 29, 2007, 11:19:40 PM »

Quote from: bisounours on May 28, 2007, 12:27:35 PM

It's a similar problem with the leather tour pack on the CUSE².

...

Jacques

I've seen this same thing on other SEUC²'s Tour Pack.

roadking218 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 30, 2007, 06:07:31 AM »

07 FLHRSE3 with 1400 miles, mine look the same. I keep em lubed and I think it is the nature of the beast. Thank god this is the only problem you are having. Good Luck! hope it's better than mine.
Signed, should have bought a Goldwing!

BalDeagle · « **Reply #14 on:** May 30, 2007, 12:42:10 PM »

Quote from: roadking218 on May 30, 2007, 06:07:31 AM

07 FLHRSE3 with 1400 miles, mine look the same. I keep em lubed and I think it is the nature of the beast. Thank god this is the only problem you are having. Good Luck! hope it's better than mine.
Signed, should have bought a Goldwing!

Hey roadking 218 welcome to the site.

I guess it's all a matter of severity. If these bags are going like this after only a short time and some without even having experienced bad weather then I would have thought that the warranty thing would be coming into play.

Nige

P.S. Signed, should have bought a Goldwing!

No blaspheming on here please.

Twolanerider · « **Reply #15 on:** May 30, 2007, 12:46:17 PM »

Just saw the photo. That's butt ugly. And we're talking like my butt, not like Angelina Jolie's.

BalDeagle · « **Reply #16 on:** May 30, 2007, 12:53:37 PM »

Quote from: Twolanerider on May 30, 2007, 12:46:17 PM

Just saw the photo. That's butt ugly. And we're talking like my butt, not like Angelina Jolie's.

I feel quite sick now Don !!

Nige

Twolanerider · « **Reply #17 on:** May 30, 2007, 12:55:11 PM »

Quote from: ahog110 SERK on May 30, 2007, 12:53:37 PM

I feel quite sick now Don !!

Nige

So sorry Nigel. So sorry. FWIW, perhaps I overstated the case.

Fired00d · « **Reply #18 on:** May 30, 2007, 02:34:27 PM »

Quote from: Twolanerider on May 30, 2007, 12:46:17 PM

Just saw the photo. That's butt ugly. And we're talking like my butt, not like Angelina Jolie's.

Well at least mines is only yellow.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

BalDeagle · « **Reply #19 on:** May 30, 2007, 03:22:46 PM »

Quote from: Twolanerider on May 30, 2007, 12:55:11 PM

So sorry Nigel. So sorry. FWIW, perhaps I overstated the case.

Apology accepted Don. I'm sure you could get some kind of cream or other to solve your butt issues tho !!

Nige

BalDeagle · « **Reply #20 on:** May 31, 2007, 03:19:22 PM »

Quote from: Fired00d on May 30, 2007, 02:34:27 PM

Well at least mines is only yellow.

Ride Safe,
Fired00d

Looking at your picture Dood I somehow doubt that !

No offence of course.

Nige

Twolanerider · « **Reply #21 on:** May 31, 2007, 05:27:32 PM »

Quote from: ahog110 SERK on May 30, 2007, 03:22:46 PM

Apology accepted Don. I'm sure you could get some kind of cream or other to solve your butt issues tho !!

Nige

Solve. Salve. Whatever. With some things it's really all about the application anyway......

sooiee · « **Reply #22 on:** June 01, 2007, 10:30:14 AM »

Quote from: leoniru on May 27, 2007, 11:39:58 PM

With only 600+ miles on my SERK

I'm just curious..how long have you had the SERK?
I'm wondering if the dealer hosed her down real good before you took delivery of it if you've just had it a week or so? Reason I say this is the tour paks, when they get wet sag like this. I've seen them sometimes take a week or more to re-shrink back to their form. It is natural for leather to sag. (haven't you seen cows standing in a field when it rains and notice their skin hanging on the ground). But if it has gotten real wet and then is parked in a garage or an area where the sun can't really dry it out...they'll stay saggy for a long time. You may even see a white greasy substance. That's oil and is also natural during the tanning cycle.

I'd say to try sitting it out in the driveway during the day with the sun beating down on it all day long. See if the sun will dry it out and shrink it back up. You may just have an excessive amount of moisture from a washing or from the oils in the leather during tanning.

Keep us posted on status. J

harleyteam · « **Reply #23 on:** June 01, 2007, 08:10:21 PM »

mine are doing the same thing. I've had leather bags for years. it's normal,, and they do shrink back. but get them wet and they will sag again. like I said,,,, normal.

leoniru · « **Reply #24 on:** June 01, 2007, 08:36:33 PM »

Sooieee;
I've had the bike several months now, and they have been very dry months at that, so I would be very surprised if a 'baking' would help matters, but it's worth a shot as I doubt the dealer will address this matter in the form of replacements. I'll find out soon enough as my 1000 mile service is coming up. (I know, I know, several months to put a measly thousand miles on a SERK---pitiful ain't it?)

Now that you mention it, though, ---you've given me an idea --- why not give them a good soaking intentionally and then bake 'em in the sun. I doubt they'd get any worse, and they likely would tighten up some.
It's just another one of those "little things" that irritate you, especially when they are all added up.

leoniru

kojak · « **Reply #25 on:** June 03, 2007, 09:57:38 AM »

Leoniru, those ripples are excessive. I would get Harley to replace.

sooiee · « **Reply #26 on:** June 12, 2007, 09:53:21 AM »

Quote from: leoniru on June 01, 2007, 08:36:33 PM

Sooieee;
I've had the bike several months now, and they have been very dry months at that, so I would be very surprised if a 'baking' would help matters, but it's worth a shot as I doubt the dealer will address this matter in the form of replacements. I'll find out soon enough as my 1000 mile service is coming up. (I know, I know, several months to put a measly thousand miles on a SERK---pitiful ain't it?)

Now that you mention it, though, ---you've given me an idea --- why not give them a good soaking intentionally and then bake 'em in the sun. I doubt they'd get any worse, and they likely would tighten up some.
It's just another one of those "little things" that irritate you, especially when they are all added up.

leoniru

Any Luck?
How are the age lines coming?
Updates please.

Smiler · « **Reply #27 on:** June 12, 2007, 11:38:06 AM »

My leather is getting loose on top but not to that extent. Interesting to see what the MoCo say

rlavigna · « **Reply #28 on:** June 12, 2007, 02:08:44 PM »

You may want to check the humidity level of the garage/area you store the bike. My garage is very moist and I noticed that my bags get loose after it rains and tighten up when outside and in the sun for an extended time. Rich

kng103 · « **Reply #29 on:** June 12, 2007, 03:03:57 PM »

Quote from: leoniru on May 28, 2007, 10:44:52 AM

Ok, here are the pics of my left and right bags. Hope I compressed 'em enough. I tried for the obtuse lighting to better illustrate what I'm talking about.
Might be a case of misapplied/missed/failed adhesive? I don't know for sure how these bags are constructed other than the obvious stitching of the leather to the plastic.

leoniru

I have a road king classic with leather bags.
the lids did the same thing. most of the other classics i see have the same problem. so i gave up fighting it.
you are right about the adhesive.
you bags are unacceptable and should be replaced.

bpalmersheim · « **Reply #30 on:** June 28, 2007, 11:00:45 AM »

I have around 300 miles on my SERK. Garaged stored in Kentucky (hot/humid) and walked into the garage this morning and noticed that my saddle bags are also rippling... I removed the bags from the bike and have them stored inside the house (air-conditioned). I wonder if H-D used an upholstery adhesive to hold the leather to the hard shell and wonder if you could have a shop peel the leather and re-glue/stretch it...

leoniru · « **Reply #31 on:** June 28, 2007, 12:37:02 PM »

Boy, I'm beginning to see a wide variation in the amount of rippling in my leather bags which ---as pointed out by several contributors to this thread -- seems to be primarily related to ambient relative humidity. Several days ago after baking in the sun for hours on a lengthy ride -- low relative humidity, they looked much better, and now today (after raining last night) they're more loose in appearance once again.
This leads me to believe that regluing might not provide a permanent fix. Guess I'll have to move to the Southwest from Pa.!!

bpalmersheim · « **Reply #32 on:** July 19, 2007, 10:15:59 AM »

Just found a picture of the 2008 CVO RoadKing on the AMA site:

Look at the leather on the bags on this 2008... Looks nasty!

http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2007/CVO/

Talon · « **Reply #33 on:** July 19, 2007, 10:24:23 AM »

I have an 05 RK Custom, I don't have any issues with rippling. I live in Colorado and the average humidity is in the 30%-40% range most the time. Don't know if that has anything to do with it, but I thought leather shrinks after being wet? Wonder what would happen if you wiped the bags down with a damp cloth once a day for a few days? Any leather experts out there??

Ghost Rider · « **Reply #34 on:** July 19, 2007, 11:04:44 AM »

Quote from: bpalmersheim on July 19, 2007, 10:15:59 AM

Just found a picture of the 2008 CVO RoadKing on the AMA site:

Look at the leather on the bags on this 2008... Looks nasty!

http://www.amadirectlink.com/news/2007/CVO/

Thats exactly how my bags look after I wash the bike. Once they dry out, they tighten back up nicely. It won't matter in a few months though, Howie is getting me a set of Paint by Gene Hardbags for Christmas.

Now thats a friend!

Hoist! · « **Reply #35 on:** July 19, 2007, 11:10:46 AM »

Quote from: Ghost Rider on July 19, 2007, 11:04:44 AM

Thats exactly how my bags look after I wash the bike. Once they dry out, they tighten back up nicely. It won't matter in a few months though, Howie is getting me a set of Paint by Gene Hardbags for Christmas. Now thats a friend!

Yes, and I love exchanging presents too! Travis is getting me a 131 Jims engine (not built by them of course)! Because he knows I agree with Chip, that A man can never have too much Horsepower!

What a guy that Travis is!

Hoist!

SOKOOLJ · « **Reply #36 on:** July 19, 2007, 11:12:34 AM »

Quote from: bpalmersheim on July 19, 2007, 10:15:59 AM

Just found a picture of the 2008 CVO RoadKing on the AMA site:

Look at the leather on the bags on this 2008... Looks nasty!

Another reason I am going Howie's route...and the hard bags look awesome.

SBB · « **Reply #37 on:** July 19, 2007, 11:14:48 AM »

Quote from: Hoist on July 19, 2007, 11:10:46 AM

Yes, and I love exchanging presents too! Travis is getting me a 131 Jims engine (not built by them of course)! Because he knows I agree with Chip, that A man can never have too much Horsepower! What a guy that Travis is!

Hoist!

DAMN

It's has taken a while but my training of Hoist has finally paid off.

Good job Howie!

SOKOOLJ · « **Reply #38 on:** July 19, 2007, 11:20:08 AM »

Quote from: Silver-Black on July 19, 2007, 11:14:48 AM

DAMN

It's has taken a while but my training of Hoist has finally paid off.

Good job Howie!

Howie Fugged that up, didn't he? LOL

SBB · « **Reply #39 on:** July 19, 2007, 11:23:57 AM »

Quote from: SOKOOLJ on July 19, 2007, 11:20:08 AM

Howie Fugged that up, didn't he? LOL

YUP!

Ghost Rider · « **Reply #40 on:** July 19, 2007, 11:28:08 AM »

Quote from: Hoist on July 19, 2007, 11:10:46 AM

Yes, and I love exchanging presents too! Travis is getting me a 131 Jims engine (not built by them of course)! Because he knows I agree with Chip, that A man can never have too much Horsepower! What a guy that Travis is!

Hoist!

Sounds like a good deal to me. You go ahead and buy the engine and get it installed. Just send me the receipts, and I'll reimburse you.

By the way "131" is the price, right?

Hoist! · « **Reply #41 on:** July 19, 2007, 12:00:43 PM »

Quote from: Ghost Rider on July 19, 2007, 11:28:08 AM

Sounds like a good deal to me. You go ahead and buy the engine and get it installed. Just send me the receipts, and I'll reimburse you.

By the way "131" is the price, right?

Very close Travis. Just add 2 zeros to the end of the 131!

Don't forget, it can't be a plain ole 131. I'm talking completely blueprinted and balanced. Maybe 150-160 HP!

Hoist!