| Author | Message | ||
     Javadog |
Who knows what is the latest news on the broken luggage latch problem? One of my saddlebag latches broke just sitting open during storage in the basement-seems impossible doesn't it. Maybe aliens did this while rummaging through my stuff at night or while I was at work. Somebody said a new replacement latch was "in the works". Does this mean the whole saddlebag will have to be returned ? If one is replaced then they all need to be. | ||
| Fubar |
Perhaps we need to call the NTSB  | ||
| Branebanger |
my bags have been crashed (1x by my shop, and 1 x by me after  ) filled with oil, and kicked by my fiance. mine are fine. even with the scrapes (that i did not put there ) :P | ||
| Court |
>>>>Perhaps we need to call the NTSB Or threaten to sue them! If you have a problem with your latches, have your dealer call technical service and they'll fixe'm pronto (all the ones I've been party to have happened in less than 48 hours)...it's no big deal. Any problem, drop me a note | ||
| Ka5ysy |
"my bags have been crashed ... and kicked by my fiance. " Branebanger: I am sure we all would LOVE to hear the kicking story!  | ||
| Fubar |
As posted earlier, I had terrific dealer support when my latches broke. Still, I *hate* having to worry every time I use the bags. I'd love to hear there is an upgraded latch and would buy it asap. | ||
| Xbimmer |
Easy peace of mind fix until the latches get (hopefully) warranty upgraded: Go to a fabric store (Jo Ann's here in T. Oaks CA, as suggested by H. Depot employee!). Pick up more than enough 1" wide strapping webbing than you think you'll need and a couple or few heavy duty side locks. I got Strapworks brand because they look tough are made in USA and the #1116 have a reflector on them which I think looks neat, but then I also like stickers and have to control myself... I fasten the longer section around my topcase bracket which I installed although I don't plan on ever using the topcase. It is just long enough to loop around the bracket through itself to stay out of the way when the bags are off. The short section wraps around the sidecase handle and is short enough to be unobtrusive, although I may snug them up a bit since they can roll over and catch when I try to close the lids. Even if the bags didn't have a latch design problem I still would have strapped them like this. Bungees are OK IMO and keep things snug but if one ever lets go (and they do) then straps are there for backup. I'll try to post pix within a couple days. | ||
| Bloochdog |
its a quick fix for the latches.. two screws hold the assembly ... I feel that once h&b figure out a way to make an affordable metal latch and better gasket adhesion , all will be right in the universe again.. in the mean time carry bungees... | ||
| Debueller |
I had a latch break back in Nov. It was still able to hold the bag closed, but it would not latch or lock. I went to a hardware store and bought a piece of rope to tie the handle to the passenger grab bar and it got me 1000 miles to home. The dealer waited over a month for the new latch. I posted here and Court had me fixed up in a couple of days.  Now that I carry rope with me, I'm sure there will never be a problem again  Note: When closing fully loaded bags DO NOT rely on the latch to pull the clamshells together. "Help" the latches by pushing the bags closed before working the latches. They've worked well for me on many overnight camping trips so far this year. | ||
| Daves |
If you have a broken latch you just need to know who to call/PM. Court Me You will have your new latches ASAP | ||
| Thunderbox |
I fully agree with DeBueller. Do not under any circumstance use the latch to pull the bags together. Push both sides together with your hand until the latch will easily shut and you will never have a problem. Javadog, unless the aliens come when you are not at home. You may consider using video survelance just to be sure. | ||
| Bloochdog |
I'm gonna have to disagree with you debueller, i have had to close the i have pushed the bags shut and still had a tough time closing .. with nothing in it... its a gasket problem too... the gasket falls into the lip i think...i have noticed bad wear marks in diff. areas of the gasket... i know i need to make sure the gasket is attached before closing but i should not have to worry about it all the time... im worried about pushing too hard on the right bag due to the side stand stress problems..im sure buell will solve the problems... the main point is it should not even be happening... ----- bungees for peace----- cheers. | ||
| Midnightrider |
I know it's very basic but at times I've noticed the small cables on either side sometimes get pinched between the two halves. this is especially obvious when the bag doesn't want to close and there is no cargo in there | ||
| Debueller |
I removed the gaskets and put them out of my misery. They kept falling out anyway. That alone seemed to resolve alot of resistance to the bags closing. I think that did contribute to my latch breaking in the first place. I also don't really "push" the bags closed....I squeeze with both hands by placing my palms on the carrying handles and my fingers on the stationary half of the bag. This also helps to align the halves. Last weekend in Idaho it was over 100 degrees and I noticed the alignment plays a big part. Especially in hot weather. The plastic seemed to get pretty soft and flimsy. I rode last month on interstate 90 in a rainstorm at 70+ mph for about 50 miles. Even with the seals removed I didn't notice any water leakage of any significant amount. | ||
| Terrible1one3 |
If you have your dealership call warranty to pre approve the claim they will. We have had a latch go and were very surprised when they approved replacement of the whole bag. | ||
| Snub13 |
OK, I know the latches are a potential problem and I use the DeBueller (and others) method of closing and I (knocking on wood) have not had a problem. BUT; On a recent trip the lock cylinder on the top case came out when I unlocked the bag! It holds just fine when locked and I didn't have any trouble with it on the return home. Has this happened to anyone else?  | ||
| Debueller |
Terrible, Beware that if you get a whole new bag that the lock cylinder in the latch that holds the bag to the bike is not replaceable unless you drill and re-install rivets. (I'm assuming you don't want to carry two luggage keys) Snub, Check that the large, flat nut that holds the cylinder to the latch isn't missing. (I'm assuming that you are talking about the cylinder in the latch that holds the bag shut) | ||
| Ulywife |
If the bag or latch is replaced, you can give the dealer/Buell rep your key code and they will replace it with the same code. We've already had one bag replaced and then a latch replaced. Both times Daves and Bruce Champion asked for our current key code so they could keep us with only one key. As for replacing the latch, we only needed a screwdriver and in about 10 minutes the old was off and the new was on. (Message edited by Ulywife on July 26, 2006) | ||
| Snub13 |
Yes the lock that holds the bag shut. When it happened, the wife was right there and neither of us saw or heard anything hit the ground (we were in a paved gas station parking lot). Could this nut have come off while riding? Or at a stop prior to this one and I didn't notice? I'll have to look at it when I get home. | ||
| Bloochdog |
have you had any leakage problems Debueller? | ||
| Debueller |
Blooch, I've only ridden twice in any substainal rain with the luggage on since removing the rubber seals. (less than 50 mi. each time) I haven't noticed any of the gear inside the sidebags being wet. I would suspect that in extreme circumstances (heavy rain with hours of exposure) that items inside would get wet. Under them conditions I would be moteling it anyway. The bags just seem to be easier to use without the seals. I just don't like unpleasant surprises (like broken latches) when touring hundreds of miles from home. | ||
| Xbimmer |
Well good thing I have this forum because today my r/s latch broke too. Since I'd heard there was a problem with the latches I have been doing the old push it closed with one hand and latch it with the other, and built some security straps to hold them closed in the event one broke while I was riding. This one broke in the most whimpish way, while I was holding the lid closed as I levered the latch it just silently ripped itself apart... not even a snap or crack to announce it was giving up under extreme duress... cheap plastic, these things need to be metal or at least Zytel or something. This happened as I was getting ready to leave work, since I had my r/s airscoop shipped there I was eager to get home to install it. I figured WTH I'll install the scoop here and maybe I'll feel better about the latch. Well as I was CAREFULLY bolting down the scoop and rotating turns around the three fasteners I started hearing crackling fiberglass sounds. I put a couple more turns on the lower front then went to the rear where I noticed a split. COMPLETELY BUMMED NOW! I'm posting later about the scoop, the damage is very fixable and it did seem to help on the way home. So maybe I missed it but are the replacement lacthes better than the originals? | ||
| Ulywife |
are the replacement lacthes better than the originals they currently are the same. It has been hinted that they are looking at these latches and hoping for an improvement. Not sure what that means for those of us who already have the bags. Just be sure when you call your dealer or whoever you ordered your bags from to give them your key code so you'll get the same key code latch in return. Kristi | ||
| Javadog |
The same thin flimsy pieces of crap? They are going to break just like the originals. Are they just trying to run out the clock on the warranty period? That is too pathetic to be true. I'll send that worthless junk back to Wisconsin. | ||
| Xbimmer |
Maybe not WI, Javadog, Buell just chose them to sell for our Ulys. This is a problem originating in the Land of Perfect Engineering. Sad that for what they cost, the Hepco Beckers have brackets that don't fit, seals that leak (mine do), seals that don't stay put (we can fix that but why?), seals that contribute to pressure against the latches, and cheesy latches that can't possibly last. Funny, my Krauser-made Motobags for my BMW have lasted with ZERO failures for 20 years+ and nearly 200k miles. Hepco Becker produces these bags and mounts for a lot of other bikes also, globally. Maybe Buellers can be considered an insignificant number but when the latches start failing everywhere else on the planet... | ||
| Crusty |
Javadog; there is a fix in the works. Don't go getting your knickers in a knot. Everyone screws up, once in a while. Hepco & Becker build some of the best saddlebags out there for a very reasonable price. Once the improved latch is available, I'm sure Buell will do the Right Thing. It just takes a while for the improved piece to make it through the pipeline. In the meantime, use the "flimsy" replacement and cultivate patience. Just think; you could have bought a BMW with H&B bags. then all you'd get is the statement that it was due to rider error. | ||
| Debueller |
I'm not sure, but I think Court might be somewhat involved in the issues with the latches and rubber seals? I'm sure he's out there somewhere listening in.... come in Court.... |
