Removal of side cases... 06 A

[dsmack]

OK, denizens of the forum... note that I waited until after Friday to post this, hoping for some kind and gentle answers to my plight... :blink:

I bought my 06 used a couple of months ago after lurking here and reading the obligatory Bin-O-Facts. Have loved the 1500 miles I've put on the bike so far, and have learned a ton here... except how to safely remove the damn side cases!

Unfortunately, like many used bikes, the only documentation I received with the machine is the absolutely "Sterling" Owner's Manual. I'm sorry, but that thing is a bad joke! <_< I've read it cover to cover, and other than memorizing "Take it to your Yamaha Dealer" for every possible situation, there isn't much there, is there? Sort of like Oakland!

I've searched both the forum, and using every possible combination of descriptive words I can come up with in the Google search. I've gone to the other forums listed as excellent tech sites, but I guess my problem is so insignificant that is hasn't been mentioned yet?

My actual question, now that I've thrown myself on your mercy: When I insert the key in the lock and raise the large handle to remove, it only comes up about 1/3 of the way and stops... both sides act the same. Am I just a wuss, and being too gentle with the damn handle? I learned years ago that forcing expensive pieces made of plastic is usually a No-No, and the last thing I want to experience is a POP as the frigging thing breaks off in my paw. Is some serious force required?

What say you? ([SIZE=8pt]be gentle!) [/SIZE]

Thanks in advance for your help.

Don

 

[Nightflyer]

Not sure about the 06 but it can't be much different than my 08 model. You say you inserted the key...did you turn it 90 degrees clockwise to release the locking lever before lifting the handle? I just checked my bike and that's the way it's designed. Sorry if this is too obvious but you didn't mention what you did with the key after inserting it. And no, it shouldn't require a lot of force.

 

[DonRed7]

The first couple of times removing my 07' cases it did seem like i was about to break the lever off but it did snap after a point. It's a bit more worrysome that your's prolly have never been flipped in two years or so. I don't know if there's anyway to get at the inner workings of the mechanism and lube, So my best guess would be to Grip it and Rip it.......Pushing in on the case with you'r thigh might help ease the pressure on the tab that locks up into the side of the under frame.

Cheers

-Don

 

[kaitsdad]

Turn the key in the lock, yank on that sucker - it will 'pop' and release. It takes a little getting used to.

 

[wellsj]

After turning the key you have to lift the flap like you are going to open the side case and then lift the handle.

 

[dsmack]

Thanks for the replies!

Yep, I turned the key 90 degrees clockwise. I tried pulling the handle up just by itself, and after that didn't work, tried it again with the left hand latch (which contains the lock mechanism) in the open position. That didn't help, and didn't make much sense to me at the time, because the average owner wouldn't want to be opening the cases just to remove them... but what the hell, anything was worth trying, right? Hell, I even considered that maybe the ignition switch needed to be on, like to open the little compartment on the left side of the dash panel! Of course, I then realized the key couldn't be in both the ignition switch and the bag lock at the same time... so scratch that one.

I'm off to the garage to give this another try... if the next thing you hear is a loud "Oh ****" from the direction of Northwest, that'll be me standing there with a broken handle in my hand!

Off we go...

Don

 

[dsmack]

Thanks for the replies!<Snip>

I'm off to the garage to give this another try... if the next thing you hear is a loud "Oh ****" from the direction of Northwest, that'll be me standing there with a broken handle in my hand!

Off we go...

Alrighty, then... Grabbed a big handful of handle, took a deep breath and yanked... hard! Sure enough, just as you said, it gave out this God-awful POP, and came right off. Damn near threw it over my shoulder when it let loose.

I can see that a little clean up and lubrication is in order back there!

Thanks a million for the help! You guys ROCK! :yahoo:

Don

 

[fjrboomer]

Don I have an 07 and if the previous owner did not ever remove the side cases there maybe a lot of grunge in the sleaves that the lower bag brackets slide over. My cases were tough to get off when it was new. The more you use them the easier it should get. I unlock them, lift the handle and then pull them up with a little more force to bring the rear of the cases up faster than the front. This seems to make it easier for me. You might try it and see what happens. I would definitely check the brackets on the bottem for dirt. Good luck.

 

[dsmack]

Thanks, Boomer.

As I related above, I think I've got the problem solved, and a good clean up is in order for my next day off.

It really did take a lot more force than I was comfortable with on the handle! At my advanced age, I remember all too clearly breaking many plastic items earlier in life. This new stuff is considerable more forgiving, I guess...

Thanks to all for the help!

Don

 

[bramfrank]

. . . . tried it again with the left hand latch (which contains the lock mechanism) in the open position.

Dude;

What's with this "left has the lock" thing?

Both sides have locks . . . you lose one somewhere along the way? Did the PO give you the spare one that ships with the machine?

I suspect you could be a victim of a 'dealer never used the loctite that ships with the bags' syndrome and are down a lock or two.

Read the "bin 'o facts" for more info and . . . welcome aboard.

And no, there's no cleanup required. If the bags were attached and left that way, the plastic cam has a high spot that needs to wear in. Just use it and it'll get loose all on it's own.

 

[dsmack]

BFrank ~ The mention of only the left side bag and lock was an attempt to shorten an already too long story. I tried removing both sides, and am familiar with the fact that both sides contain locks!

I've read the entire "Bin o Facts" in it's entirety for a number of questions I've had, so was aware of the problem with the security screws backing out and allowing the loss of the lock cylinder (or entire case if really unlucky). The PO is an aircraft mechanic by trade, and had already fixed this problem.

This was pretty much the usual "used bike deal", and no third lock was included. Nor were the bag liners, unfortunately. Bummer, but for the overall clean condition, low miles and excellent price, I didn't get hurt too bad.

The wealth of information on this forum is amazing, and the responses to my stupid question prove that folks are willing to help the old newbie... Thanks for that!

Don

 

[Checkswrecks]

I knew exactly what you were writing about cuz mine does the same on occasion and you probably got grit in the tongue that comes up into the side-rail of the bike. Now that the case is off, manipulate it up and down a couple of times and you'll see the retractible tongue I'm mentioning. Clean and armor-all or silicone-spray that thing and it'll probably be a different animal.

 

[just roy]

just make sure when you put the bag on that the slit at the front bottom of the bag goes over the mount on the frame, and that the rubber is still on the frame mount tab.