During my pre-ride inspection this weekend I noticed that somebody attempted to steal my saddlebags at the HOG meeting last week (that was the last time that I rode my bike). My seat thumb screw was missing and the bolt that holds the seat strap in place was just hanging there. I prevented my saddlebags from being stolen last week using the following solution:
HD does not offer a secure solution for the saddlebag mounts and the stock wire saddlebag mount can be removed with a screwdriver in seconds. I picked up the parts that I needed at ACE Hardware (because I like chrome), but any hardware store would have the parts. It is a pretty easy fix to secure your bags and it only costs about $10.00 ($20.00 if you like chrome). Just take 1 of your quick release pins to Home Depot, Lowes or any hardware store (ACE Hardware if you like chrome) and match up the diameter and length for the allen head bolt (about 1-1/2 inch length). Then get 2 nylon nuts to match the threads and a 2 wide washers for each assembly (like the wide washers on the inside of the saddlebag, also plan to re-use the washer on the inside of the saddlebag).
For standard saddlebags: Take off the spring assembly and put it all together - allen head bolt/washer/through the mount bracket/washer/nylon nut/tighten/install saddlebag/washer/nylon nut. With the nylon nut you still have a semi-quick release to easily take your bags off when you want.
For the SERG extended saddlebags: Take off the spring assembly and put it all together - allen head bolt/washer/through the mount bracket/washer/install saddlebag/washer/nylon nut.
4 - 1-1/2" Allen Head Bolts, 1/4" x 20 Thread
8 - Large Fender Washers (about 1-1/2" diameter)
8 - Nylon Nuts to fit Allen Head Bolts (4 Nylon Nuts for the SERG)
1. Take off bags and the wire thing that the original lock pin attached to.
2. Insert allen head bolt and washer from the back side onto the mount that is attached to your bike.
3. Screw on a nylon nut to secure the allen head bolt to the saddlebag mount that is attached to your bike and tighten it down tight. This makes the allen head bolt stationary and secure. I did this to both the fasteners on each side of my RK (I was not able to do this on the SERG and I will explain below). I like using the allen head bolts because it is more difficult to remove than a hex head bolt - I can still take my saddlebags off in a few minutes so it is still important to lock the saddlebags for security when the bike is unattended.
4. Adjust bag mounts to the bag holes and install bags over allen head bolts. The bags have a rubber grommet in the holes and it covers most of the nylon nut when you screw on the nylon nut inside the saddlebag with a large washer and tighten. (only 1 nylon nut is used on the inside of the SERG extended saddlebags)
5. Done. Tight, neat, clean and hopefully more secure.
With the SERG extended saddlebags, I was not able to secure the allen head bolt permenantly to the saddlebag mount because of the way the saddlebag fits in place, so I used 4 fewer nylon nuts and the rest of the parts are the same as listed above. Because the allen head bolt is not permenantly secured to the saddlebag mount bracket, it can be a bit cumbersome threading the bolts/washers, but once you have the bolt/washers in place and the nuts tighted down, it is secure (if you remember to lock your saddlebags). I also recommend the detachables tour-pak lock to secure the tour-pak.
I am confident that if I had not taken the steps to secure my saddlebags and tour-pak, I would be ordering new saddlebags, tourpak, helmet, cell phone, a couple of CD's and a pair of gloves today.
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Topic: Saddlebag Theft Prevention (Read 7075 times)