Side case surgery

canucklehead-biker · Jul 18, 2010

On the last day of CFR, FJRGuy noticed one of my side bags was not properly positioned on the bike. Turns out that the mounting lugs were quite east to shake loose from the mounts, despite the thing being 'locked' onto the bike.

Further investigation, hangar flying and head scratching from the assembled masses and we came to the conclusion that the ratcheting mechanism inside the case that moves the plastic locking lug upwards to secure the bag to the bike had somehow skipped a tooth or two, and now when that locking latch is in the full up/locked position, it doesn't put enough pressure against the mounting point to actually lock the bag to the bike.

A few zip ties (courtesy of BikerGeek) and some creative threading of the ties (courtesy of FJRGuy) and the bag was securely mounted for the rest of the trip. Now that I'm home, it's time to fix it properly.

The mechanism that locks the bag onto the bike is between an inner and outer shell on the bag; the two parts are secured with what looks like plastic rivets.

Has anyone ever drilled these out to get inside the guts of the bag? If so, any hints? Am I wasting my time trying to fix the mechanism?

Also, has anyone else ever had this issue with a bag? I think we may have found an explanation for some of the bags that have flown off FJRs in the past when the owner was "positive" they'd locked the thing in place properly.

Thanks!

Griff

charismaticmegafauna · Jul 19, 2010

Been discussed on this Forum a few times over the years.

Some have had luck 'slipping' the ratchet mechanism inside the bag by reversing the process that got it that way.

I haven't heard of anyone disassembling the bag to correct the problem.

mike_123 · Jul 19, 2010

buddy of mine had this same problem a few times

as near as we figured its caused from not lining up the hole just right when you actuate the lock

so the locking part that pops out of the bag hits the side of the hole first then he forces it into the locked position causing it to skip a tooth so to speak

if any of that makes sence to you try his easy fix

lock some vice grips to the tab and get a bar of sorts to pry on the vise grips upwards

basically pull the tab out of the bag till it skips that tooth in the ratcheting mechanism

each time he miss aligns the bags when putting them on it happens again easier and easier everytime it happens

now he can almost pull the tab out by hand as the ratcheting mechanism is getting rounded off

either that or pull it apart and take some pictures so we all know whats inside

mcatrophy · Jul 19, 2010

As a point of reference, when off the bike and with the handle in the carrying position, the peg is near-enough flush with the case.

I took some photos and measurements of the peg (click on image for larger view):

Handle closed, peg out . . . . . . . handle open, peg retracted

Showing the measurements:

Peg out about 40.5mm

Peg retracted about 1.5mm

If yours is like this, it might be that you've lost the rubber piece that is

glued up into the hole the peg goes in to.

When my bag was a bit loose, I glued a piece cut from an old inner tube in there. Bag now nice and tight.

Geezer · Jul 19, 2010

mcatrophy said:
As a point of reference, when off the bike and with the handle in the carrying position, the peg is near-enough flush with the case.
I took some photos and measurements of the peg [SIZE=8pt](click on image for larger view)[/SIZE]:

(snip)

When my bag was a bit loose, I glued a piece cut from an old inner tube in there. Bag now nice and tight.

I think you are on to something. When looking at your picture compared to canuclehead's picture, with the tab all the way up, look at the diamond shapes molded into the plastic. In both cases, three full diamonds plus just a little bit more are exposed. That makes me think that his tab is all the way up, matching yours. Still, it's worth measuring to be sure.

SwollenRaccoon · Jul 19, 2010

"When my bag was a bit loose, I glued a piece cut from an old inner tube in there. Bag now nice and tight."

Wow, I never thought of doing that. Last weekend, with the heat and humidity, and my advanced years, my bag was very loose all weekend. Sac stuck to my leg for most of the daylight hours. Never thought of using an old innertube to tighten up the marble pouch. Good advice...I'll try it! :lol:

FJRGuy · Jul 19, 2010

Geezer said:
mcatrophy said:

As a point of reference, when off the bike and with the handle in the carrying position, the peg is near-enough flush with the case.
I took some photos and measurements of the peg [SIZE=8pt](click on image for larger view)[/SIZE]:

(snip)

When my bag was a bit loose, I glued a piece cut from an old inner tube in there. Bag now nice and tight.

Click to expand...

I think you are on to something. When looking at your picture compared to canuclehead's picture, with the tab all the way up, look at the diamond shapes molded into the plastic. In both cases, three full diamonds plus just a little bit more are exposed. That makes me think that his tab is all the way up, matching yours. Still, it's worth measuring to be sure.

We did this comparison on location in QC when the problem was noticed. The latch/peg/whatever-you-want-to-call-it was travelling all the way up but was not 'locking' in that position. I suspect there is a cam at the end of the handle travel that performs this function and would be the 'snap' I often hear when locking my case. We'll know for sure pretty soon though.

Jeff, I'm back in town and can run my damaged case over for dissection and potentially scavenging parts!

canucklehead-biker · Jul 19, 2010

FJRGuy said:
Geezer said:

mcatrophy said:

As a point of reference, when off the bike and with the handle in the carrying position, the peg is near-enough flush with the case.
I took some photos and measurements of the peg [SIZE=8pt](click on image for larger view)[/SIZE]:

(snip)

When my bag was a bit loose, I glued a piece cut from an old inner tube in there. Bag now nice and tight.

Click to expand...

I think you are on to something. When looking at your picture compared to canuclehead's picture, with the tab all the way up, look at the diamond shapes molded into the plastic. In both cases, three full diamonds plus just a little bit more are exposed. That makes me think that his tab is all the way up, matching yours. Still, it's worth measuring to be sure.

Click to expand...

We did this comparison on location in QC when the problem was noticed. The latch/peg/whatever-you-want-to-call-it was travelling all the way up but was not 'locking' in that position. I suspect there is a cam at the end of the handle travel that performs this function and would be the 'snap' I often hear when locking my case. We'll know for sure pretty soon though.

Jeff, I'm back in town and can run my damaged case over for dissection and potentially scavenging parts!

I'll measure the case peg per your hint ...

and thanks Jeff, being able to practice the disection on a busted case would sure help.

Griff

ionbeam · Jul 19, 2010

Is item 94 in place or damaged? This is the rubber piece that the bottom of the bag slips over.

canucklehead-biker · Jul 19, 2010

ionbeam said:
Is item 94 in place or damaged? This is the rubber piece that the bottom of the bag slips over.

Item 94 is there... it is the latching pin that locks the bag onto the side of the bike that seems to be the issue.

As FJRGuy mentions... when I latch the bag, there is no discernable 'snap' at the end when locking the bag to the bike. We put another bag (MEM's) on and it did lock in correctly, so all evidence seems to point to something with the internals of the locking mechanism itself.

I think I'll disect it and see... will post pics and report as this moves forward.

Griff

bbdig · Jul 19, 2010

canucklehead-biker said:
FJRGuy said:

Geezer said:

mcatrophy said:

As a point of reference, when off the bike and with the handle in the carrying position, the peg is near-enough flush with the case.
I took some photos and measurements of the peg [SIZE=8pt](click on image for larger view)[/SIZE]:

(snip)

When my bag was a bit loose, I glued a piece cut from an old inner tube in there. Bag now nice and tight.

Click to expand...

I think you are on to something. When looking at your picture compared to canuclehead's picture, with the tab all the way up, look at the diamond shapes molded into the plastic. In both cases, three full diamonds plus just a little bit more are exposed. That makes me think that his tab is all the way up, matching yours. Still, it's worth measuring to be sure.

Click to expand...

We did this comparison on location in QC when the problem was noticed. The latch/peg/whatever-you-want-to-call-it was travelling all the way up but was not 'locking' in that position. I suspect there is a cam at the end of the handle travel that performs this function and would be the 'snap' I often hear when locking my case. We'll know for sure pretty soon though.

Jeff, I'm back in town and can run my damaged case over for dissection and potentially scavenging parts!

Click to expand...

I'll measure the case peg per your hint ...

and thanks Jeff, being able to practice the disection on a busted case would sure help.

Griff

Off topic but is your name Jeff or Griff? I know I was calling you Jeff at CFR Just curious

Bustanut joker · Jul 19, 2010

:blink: Jeff and Jeff playing with bags? together?

No!... Pictures will not be necessary...

It's Jeff John. Griff is his name to his special (ghey) friends.

:lol:

:jester:

canucklehead-biker · Jul 19, 2010

bbdig said:
Off topic but is your name Jeff or Griff? I know I was calling you Jeff at CFR Just curious

Jeff... but Griff avoids confusion when that other Jeff is around.

Griff

Fred W · Jul 19, 2010

SwollenRaccoon said:
"When my bag was a bit loose, I glued a piece cut from an old inner tube in there. Bag now nice and tight."

Wow, I never thought of doing that. Last weekend, with the heat and humidity, and my advanced years, my bag was very loose all weekend. Sac stuck to my leg for most of the daylight hours. Never thought of using an old innertube to tighten up the marble pouch. Good advice...I'll try it! :lol:

:rofl:

I think this slipped by (or was intentionally ignored) the other contestants...

dustyrains · Jul 19, 2010

Same thing happened to one of my cases. Got it replaced under YES. But I would like to see someone crack one of these cases open and post up pics of it's guts. Might be a first on this board.

FJRGuy · Jul 19, 2010

canucklehead-biker said:
Jeff... but Griff avoids confusion when that other Jeff is around. Griff

... and that other Jeff is like a bad rash... just won't go away!

dustyrains said:
Same thing happened to one of my cases. Got it replaced under YES. But I would like to see someone crack one of these cases open and post up pics of it's guts. Might be a first on this board.

Consider it in progress! Between our 2 cases we should be able to figure it out!

Cho... Chor... aww screw it...

[SIZE=12pt]Jeff[/SIZE]

FJRGuy · Jul 19, 2010

bbdig said:
Off topic but is your name Jeff or Griff? I know I was calling you Jeff at CFR Just curious

Kinda like the John / Jack thing... only a lot less confusing!

FJRGuy · Jul 19, 2010

Fred W said:
I think this slipped by (or was intentionally ignored) the other contestants...

The latter in my case!

FJR Flyer · Jul 20, 2010

Definitely post pics. I've got one hanging up/jamming and was trying to figure out the best way to get into it.

Side case surgery

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