| Author | Message | ||
     Petereid |
I'll be getting the report by 0930 tomorrow Court I guess you have an inside track I was told I would hear on Friday. Here's hoping for good news  | ||
| Court |
>>>I was told I would hear on Friday. You will. Steve has to "make" the rain. You'll get bags that have been factory tested NOT to leak. There seem to be very few bags that are leaking and it's going to be important to know why. I owe thanks to several Badwebbers who have been very helpful in compiling information. There are at least 2 ideas I am really excited about. One neat thing about this is that the bags have generally been very well received for their capacity and functionality. I'm going to take your old ones and try some "field experimentation". Cool beans! . . . . neat company. | ||
| Darthane |
There seem to be very few bags that are leaking and it's going to be important to know why. Heh...I'd be happy to donate mine (provided I get them back or replaced). I love the bags themselves, I just wish I had confidence that they wouldn't soak my stuff in a shower. I'm careful about the latches due to all the horror stories, but the damned things are just enormous and I really appreciate that after trucking around on several long trips on my XB9R in the past. ...still want an Outdoorsman version for the top case. Maybe next Christmas... | ||
| Court |
Bryan: Not necessary, I got lots of good information when I asked last week. The bags that have been leaking show a wide range of "leakability" (some just a bit, others more) and seem to be the later, rather than earlier bags. I'm hoping to be able to help some folks get to the bottom of this and see if there isn't a good solution. It interests me that Hepco-Becker makes the IDENTICAL bags, sells it around the world and it's well received. It is so cool that Buell owners have the ability to communicate like this and contribute to continuous improvement. Did you send in data last week? | ||
| Darthane |
No - 'fraid I missed the call for it, and it sounds like you've got a good sampling at this point. It's been awhile since I 'tested' mine. Last time I did it was after returning from Oktoberfest in Frankenmouth. I seem to recall one side (left - might have something to do with the bike being on the sidestand) being worse than the other under several scenarios. In the past I'd also tested them off the bike from a variety of angles. I was able to make the topcase leak only by applying a semi-forceful stream of water UP into the seam, which doesn't concern me in the slightest as I can't imagine that ever occuring in the 'real world'. The lip overhang in that case works perfectly. | ||
| Court |
>>>No - 'fraid I missed the call for it, and it sounds like you've got a good sampling at this point. Please scroll up, get the template and send. I've been swamped this week and will not be sending until tomorrow . . . after the 2009 Porsche intro event. | ||
| Petereid |
Court I think Buell is just realizing there is a problem here that isn't just a set or two of leaky bags. Thats unfortunate for me. I was hoping for resolution before I head back to Canada at the end of the month but I've pretty much given up on that. I do want to thank you again for helping bring this to Buell. | ||
| Court |
No reason to give up. There appears to have been a change and it warrants attention. There's still an excellent chance you may get taken care of (for some reason I was thinking they'd told me you were going in May) before you go. But beyond that there's some work to be done. I'm preparing some stuff today and we've got the green light to go to the next step. A huge thanks to all who have contributed data. QUESTION: Has anyone heard of these Journeyman bags leaking in non-Buell applications? Buell makes up a VERY small % of the Hepco-Becker Journeyman sales and I, since the bags, brackets and so forth are identical, am trying to get a feel for why this has gone unnoticed. Seems like a fixable problem. Key is to know what the problem is and that the fix actually addresses it. | ||
| Sleez |
court, i did a quick google on leaking HB bags, didn't find any. | ||
| Ratbuell |
My suggestion for folks who have leaking bags. Just a thought. Go to home depot, or a hardware store, or your garage. Get a roll of duct tape. Wait for it....not a smartass idea, I promise. Tape over (COMPLETELY) your bag-to-bike latch. It's pointed *at* the rain when you ride, and I'm wondering if that may not be a part of it. Maybe one of the fastener holes isn't sealing properly or something. My bags (I almost want to say "unfortunately") don't leak a drop, so I can't try it on my own. Court - I'd be interested to hear if the leaking bags leak when installed on your outdoorsman racks (latches facing to the rear). I know. Nothing concrete to base it on, but my pitbull of a brain clamped on and won't let go of the idea... | ||
| 1313 |
I, too, have experienced my XT's bags leaking. My experience is similar to Crusty's in mainly it is the left bag that has about 4 ounces after riding through a good size rain. Before I was going to complain I *researched* things a little. Straight out of the accessories catalog (and the same info is on www.buell.com):  If you notice in the description for the Outdoorsman bags, waterproof is clearly listed, while the description of the Journey bags do not mention anything about being waterproof. My assumption at that point was that if I had to have waterproof bags I'd have to shell out the coin for the Outdoorsman setup. There I go being an engineer again and making my decisions based upon the data available... But why should hard bags NOT be waterproof? Heck, the leather bags on my V-Rod are waterproof, the S3 bags on my S2 are waterproof whereas the original S2 bags I had were never waterproof. If there is a way to make the Journey bags waterproof (whether it involves Buell/Hepco or my time/labor) I'd definitely like to know what it is, 1313 | ||
| Court |
B: Although there is no claim or "waterproofosity" on the Buell website, I did some research and it **appears** Hepco-Becker makes such a claim. Fact is they should provide a commercially reasonable expectation of fitness for purpose. I am in the process of compiling all my data for engineering today. Get the template above and get your stuff into me before I come let the air out of the tires on the hearse. Court | ||
| Petereid |
it **appears** Hepco-Becker makes such a claim Well they claim their bags are "leak proof" on their website. Irrespective from which viewpoint you look at your motorbike: the „Journey“ with its aerodynamic qualities developed by „Target Design“ provides for a safe trip and a dynamic performance. On every tour or at every meeting. Safe: the „Fix ´n Fit lock system“. With one lock everything is closed. Leak-proof: specially incorporated sealings do not let in any moistness. Space: with two elastic loops in each tray, the 42-litre-bag is easily packed. Unique: the integrated skirting board presents an effective protection. The double wall tray is made of a highly shock-resistant high quality artificial material and the faceplate can be lacquered individually according to the colour of your motorbike. The new Topcase „Journey“ TC 50 offers even more space, more freedom and is perfectly equipped. With an optional padding for the back, a railing or an inner bag, which can also be replaced by two integral helmets. In addition to the journey topcase range we offer a new Journey Topcase 40 for a helmet and more. Quoted from hepco-becker.de | ||
| Court |
>>>Well they claim their bags are "leak proof" on their website. Correct you are. In my report, I included ALL information from Buell websites, catalogs, Hepco-Becker and all dealers and distributors they sell through around the world. I've spent about 4 hours today doing another report and it will be in by midnight tonight . . . waiting on one more piece of data from a . . . . ahem . . . tardy hearse driver. EDIT: Just got it! . . . now I can sleep! (Message edited by court on March 15, 2009) | ||
| Petereid |
Anything new Court? | ||
| Darthane |
I'm just plain dumb, or haven't had enough caffeine...I see no template on any of the three pages of this thread. ...or was it not something you posted, Court? | ||
| Court |
>>Anything new Court? UPDATE: Your new bags will be on the way tomorrow. ENJOY and thanks for your faith and confidence in Buell. I posted the template, but I'm not sure what thread it ended up in. If you want, drop me an NOTE and I can e-mail you one. (Message edited by court on March 19, 2009) | ||
| Buellmeister57 |
I have an 09 Uly and just washed it for the first time and guess what? They leaked. I did not spray a hard stream at the seams, just a "mist" to rinse the soap off. | ||
| Petereid |
Thanks Court!! and thanks to those at Buell. Once the bags arrive and I stop happy dancing I'll send proper thank you's to those involved. | ||
| Babired |
Well Court I have to give you a big thank you again. This Monday a new set of saddle bags will be delivered to the local dealer for exchange with the old leaking bags. And if Bruce is reading this thank you too | ||
| Court |
You liked the "Chinese Water Torture"? | ||
| Dhalen32 |
All: My left Journey case has always leaked about a cup of water when the bike is washed and now the right has started to do the same. Is the solution simply a new set of gaskets? I'm no longer in the warranty period. '06 model with just the side cases mounted. Thanks. Dave | ||
| Babired |
yeah that was funny when he said that. Wow I'll have the bags before my trip to Georgia! K | ||
| Petereid |
Got my new bags in today. If they pass the Louisiana rain test tonight I'll be a happy camper!! Pete | ||
| Court |
>>> If they pass the Louisiana rain test tonight I'll be a happy camper!! They passed the 2 hour shower "water torture" test before they were shipped . . . . if they don't work now, I'm sending you a roll of duct tape and 2 garbage bags. | ||
| Petereid |
Do you want my address to send that duct tape and two garbage bags? Mounted the bags yesterday, bike sat out in the rain last night. Water in the bags today. BTW I never take my bike in the shower | ||
| Court |
Nope . . . . it may just be a matter of waiting out the engineering solution. The intent was to try to get you something prior to you heading back to Canada. How much did these leak? Any better or worse than the others? Any clue at to why? Sorry about that . . . . at least it was a great try. I'll talk to Steve Monday and see what they want to do. It may just be a matter of taking some sort of measures, like the plastic bags, until it's sorted out as to what has changed. Theories, at present, are "mold creep" or something in the gaskets. Obviously has something to to with something that is variable in that they don't leak one day and do three days later. That would point towards the gasket material. I'm going to have them send me a set of your old bags and, while the engineers are on it, I'll start messing with them. Court | ||
| Glen |
i got an 08 X last fall, shelled out the extra cash for the sidecases, they leak so bad i have to keep my stuff in trash bags............classy! i wont buy the inner bags just to have em sit in there wet and rot. i told the "Buell Guy" at the dealer about it, he said i should goop the seals up with silicone. WTH! | ||
| Petereid |
Court we had an "average" rain last night, nothing as intense as the previous nights. Only the left bag leaked perhaps it has to do with the water running against the seal with the bike on the side stand. I'm not an engineer nor do I play one on TV but that would be my guess. There was less water then when I took my old ones off Friday morning......but they had seen about 4 inches of rain in the previous 24 hours. I would guess about 1/2 a cup of water....enough for a good sized puddle in the bottom of the bag. | ||
| Petereid |
Glen, with the hopes that I had dry bags I purchased the liners and picked them up with the replacement cases. I think the liners will stay safely packed in their box until this gets sorted out. As for what your "Buell Guy" at your dealer said.....I would love to hear what he would say if his new car leaked like that and his "dealer" told him to slap some goop on it |
