Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Midnight Rider]

Thought since a discussion was going on about these, I'd show the instruction sheet and the pics of mine when I installed them, along with some comments.

I like them!    They latch securely, open easily, and are, in general, a nice option to the POS snap doors that come on the bike.  Certainly, if you stuff them to the point of things wanting to bulge out of the box, they are not a solution, but for normal use, I don't see a problem with them coming open accidently and stuff falling out, especially if you put heavier things on the bottom and leave the top for things like sunglasses, cloths, etc.

Tools you'll need:  5/32" allen wrench or allen socket for the button head screws; 7/16" open end wrench; 10mm open end wrench; a #0 Phillips Head screwdriver; Sidecutters; Blue Loctite.  The instructions say to remove the box assembly, but you don't have to do this, just cut the plastic male end of the snaps off with the sidecutter and knock out the remaining backside with a phillips or round blunt end punch.  Easy as pie...effortless, and you'd have to do something stupid to mess anything up.  Remove remnants from the boxes.  When installing the bottom button head screws and locknuts, just run the screw in enough to where you feel the end of the screw with your fingertip as it comes through the locknut...Flush is good.  Too tight, and it will deform the bottom of the cover where the screw head sits.  The rest is pretty straighforward.

Here's the directions:

[Midnight Rider]

Here's a picture of all the parts.  On the left side are all the parts that in the top holes of the box, and on the right are the parts that hold the doors onto the bottom of the box.

[Midnight Rider]

Closeup of the left side stuff...the screws are very small, thus the need for the #0 Phillips.

[Midnight Rider]

Closeup of the inside of the magnets...the other side is smooth and the phillips head screw is countersunk so there is a small indention for the male part that is on the top of the cover to fit into, in addition to the magnetic hold.

[Midnight Rider]

Bottom parts that hold the covers on.  The spacer goes between the door and the face of the box.

[Midnight Rider]

All done with the door closed.

[Midnight Rider]

Closeup of the magnets and the small indented part that the head of the small phillips screw sits down in...

[Midnight Rider]

The top of the door...the small "tits" go into the center of the magnet to give it some up/down stability.  The doors are flexible, but not too much so.  The magnetic connection is pretty strong...you can just touch the outside top button to ensure the "tit" is seated...not a problem.

Took about 30 minutes and one cigarette, taking my time and hunting a tool down.  So easy, even a caveman could do it.    You COULD take the boxes off, but it's too big a PITA...the sidecutters get the job done just fine.  You couldn't get the snap part out without damage anyway (they are a push in type fastener), so just cut 'em and be done with it.

[Midnight Rider]

Just a follow up on these for those who may be considering them...for me, they are the ticket.  I packed them with stuff for the recent ride up to Maggie Valley.  As long as you don't fill them to the point where stuff is bulging out, they work perfectly.  MUCH more convenient than the snaps.  If you don't need the locking doors, these are an excellent alternative to the stock snap doors.  Money well spent, as now I'll actually use the lower storage...

[GregKhougaz]

Great presentation,  TC!!      

[naitram]

on my list of things to get. most of my snaps have broke

[9 1/2 Beers]

 Thank you

 Bought them yesterday , looking to install today 

 I've been riding with broken buttons for at least a year now 

 Marty

[SG Racer]

Nice write up. Thanks for sharing.
 Ray

[Eagle Eye]

Nice!  But I'd like to be able to lock one side for potential valuables.  Does anyone have information on the locking hardware?

[Midnight Rider]

Nice!  But I'd like to be able to lock one side for potential valuables.  Does anyone have information on the locking hardware?

HD makes some lockable covers, and there's a person on here who makes them as well.  I think his handle is PJ something.  I keep anything of any real value in either the TP or the saddlebag...or on my person for certain things.  I just throw things in the boxes like Kleenex, gum, small LED flashlight, air pressure gauge, rain cover for the breather, extra gloves, do-rags, etc  They're really convenient for those kind of items.