Saddlebag Lid Straps
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 1:12 pm
I mounted a set of saddlebags (yes, bags) on my nekkid wing. The bags are securely mounted and I've had no problems with them. The lids, however have been giving me some grief as they seem to think that they're birds and are always flying off when I least expect it. On my recent trip to Muskegon and the Gilmore show the left one took flight as we pulled away from Doug's house on the day of the show. Then, on the way home the right one took off while doing 70 on I-94 after a brief stop. What's up with that?! Maybe it's because I'm sometimes forgetful and don't latch them, or maybe it's the onset of OldTimer's Disease (not likely since things like this have always seemed to find me), or perhaps I've just got bats in my belfry. Whatever, I hadda fix it.
Pannier Lid Securementation Devices
{Yes, there are more elegant methods, fancy-schmancy kits and expensive solutions. Have you forgotten that I'm a cheap sumbeach?}
[attachment=16]lidstraps1.jpg[/attachment]
Find some appropriate line ... parachute cord, coated cable, or do like I did ... take a pair of good shoestrings off a crappy pair of old shoes.
[attachment=15]lidstraps2.jpg[/attachment]
Find 8 electrical eyelet connectors that fit the line from your vast collection.
[attachment=14]lidstraps3.jpg[/attachment]
You only have 3 so make a trip to NAPA.
[attachment=13]lidstraps4.jpg[/attachment]
Thread the line through the eyelets.
[attachment=11]lidstraps6.jpg[/attachment]
Cut off the 4 aglets (or aiglets) and finish the ends so they don't fray.
[attachment=12]lidstraps5.jpg[/attachment]
Crimp the four aglet-end eyelets to their lines.
[attachment=10]lidstraps7.jpg[/attachment]
Pull out all the machine screw drawers in your vast collection and find some you like.
[attachment=9]lidstraps8.jpg[/attachment]
That's the plan, Man.
[attachment=8]lidstraps9.jpg[/attachment]
Debate with yourself over how to attach the line to the bag lid.
Drill a hole on the inside edge? ... no ...
[attachment=7]lidstraps10.jpg[/attachment]
Drill out the top rivet holding the lid latch. Yes.
[attachment=6]lidstraps11.jpg[/attachment]
Apply some kind of sealant (silicone, weatherstrip adhesive , epoxy, etc.) to the hole
and bolt and slip it in.
[attachment=5]lidstraps12.jpg[/attachment]
Put on the eyelet, washer, lock washer. Spin on the nut and tighten it up.
[attachment=4]lidstraps13.jpg[/attachment]
Make sure the eyelet and cord point toward the inside of the lid.
[attachment=3]lidstraps14.jpg[/attachment]
Cut off the bolts' excess length.
[attachment=2]lidstraps15.jpg[/attachment]
Looks OK from the outside (though I'd prefer rivets or JIS screws).
[attachment=1]lidstraps16.jpg[/attachment]
1. Remove one cap screw (your choice) and washer from the bag's lid lock.
2. Put the still-uncrimped eyelet on the bolt and adjust the length of the line.
3. Cut the line, finish the end and crimp the eyelet.
4. Install the eyelet, washer and cap nut.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 three more times.
[attachment=0]lidstraps17.jpg[/attachment]
And there you have it; bag lids that have a proper place and will no longer take flight.
Now lighten up and go for a ride already!
Yep, I had to google aglet.
.
Pannier Lid Securementation Devices
{Yes, there are more elegant methods, fancy-schmancy kits and expensive solutions. Have you forgotten that I'm a cheap sumbeach?}
[attachment=16]lidstraps1.jpg[/attachment]
Find some appropriate line ... parachute cord, coated cable, or do like I did ... take a pair of good shoestrings off a crappy pair of old shoes.
[attachment=15]lidstraps2.jpg[/attachment]
Find 8 electrical eyelet connectors that fit the line from your vast collection.
[attachment=14]lidstraps3.jpg[/attachment]
You only have 3 so make a trip to NAPA.
[attachment=13]lidstraps4.jpg[/attachment]
Thread the line through the eyelets.
[attachment=11]lidstraps6.jpg[/attachment]
Cut off the 4 aglets (or aiglets) and finish the ends so they don't fray.
[attachment=12]lidstraps5.jpg[/attachment]
Crimp the four aglet-end eyelets to their lines.
[attachment=10]lidstraps7.jpg[/attachment]
Pull out all the machine screw drawers in your vast collection and find some you like.
[attachment=9]lidstraps8.jpg[/attachment]
That's the plan, Man.
[attachment=8]lidstraps9.jpg[/attachment]
Debate with yourself over how to attach the line to the bag lid.
Drill a hole on the inside edge? ... no ...
[attachment=7]lidstraps10.jpg[/attachment]
Drill out the top rivet holding the lid latch. Yes.
[attachment=6]lidstraps11.jpg[/attachment]
Apply some kind of sealant (silicone, weatherstrip adhesive , epoxy, etc.) to the hole
and bolt and slip it in.
[attachment=5]lidstraps12.jpg[/attachment]
Put on the eyelet, washer, lock washer. Spin on the nut and tighten it up.
[attachment=4]lidstraps13.jpg[/attachment]
Make sure the eyelet and cord point toward the inside of the lid.
[attachment=3]lidstraps14.jpg[/attachment]
Cut off the bolts' excess length.
[attachment=2]lidstraps15.jpg[/attachment]
Looks OK from the outside (though I'd prefer rivets or JIS screws).
[attachment=1]lidstraps16.jpg[/attachment]
1. Remove one cap screw (your choice) and washer from the bag's lid lock.
2. Put the still-uncrimped eyelet on the bolt and adjust the length of the line.
3. Cut the line, finish the end and crimp the eyelet.
4. Install the eyelet, washer and cap nut.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 three more times.
[attachment=0]lidstraps17.jpg[/attachment]
And there you have it; bag lids that have a proper place and will no longer take flight.
Now lighten up and go for a ride already!
Yep, I had to google aglet.
.
