Removing and Mounting saddle bags

[flagstaff]

Removing and remounting the bags on my new-to-me 06 seems to require more effort than I think it should. As I lift or depress the handle the effort required and the final "snap" makes me fear something might break. Is this one of these "they all do that" or do I have a problem? Is there a technique to lessen the strain?

Thanks.

 

[AKjitsu]

Sadly, they all do that.

 

[bgross]

As a friend said the other day, it's worth the effort - rather than hearing a crash, looking in your mirror and seeing them tumbling on the road behind you.

 

[Fly Bye]

It's a little creepy to pull hard and hear the "snap" but that's the way it works.

 

[Fred W]

Huh? What snap? Mine don't snap. And the bags have not changed between all 3 generations, so that isn't the difference. After mounting the bags into the correct position, I just move the handle downwards and the rear tab sticks up into the locked position.

I think all of this "snapping" stuff is what I was warning folks of in an earlier post. The mechanism that locks the bag to the bike is easily crudded up from road spooge from spray off the rear wheel. Take the bag off the bike and while running a hose into the locking tab area from above, exercise the handle back and forth to flush out any accumulated grit in the mechanism. It should move nice and smoothly with no sudden snapping action. If the mechanism is binding you don't want to force it as it can jump the plastic gear teeth internally.

 

[escapefjrtist]

To some degree or another, all of mine ('04, '06 & '09) have snapped from new when installing. To Fred's point, you should try and keep the mechanism cleaned out especially if you ride in the rain with build-up of road debris in that area.

--G

 

[mcatrophy]

It helps in removal and in replacement to push down on the bag while moving the handle. This tends to relieve the pressure on the latching pin whilst the mechanism is trying to move it.

 

[Bounce]

I spritz some aerosol silicone lube into the mechanisms (and all locks) at least once a year. It does help.

Something like this is fine:

https://www.amazon.com/3M-08877-Silicone-Lubricant-Plus/dp/B0002KKVKC

 

[FJRBluesman]

Huh? What snap? Mine don't snap. And the bags have not changed between all 3 generations, so that isn't the difference. After mounting the bags into the correct position, I just move the handle downwards and the rear tab sticks up into the locked position.

I think all of this "snapping" stuff is what I was warning folks of in an earlier post. The mechanism that locks the bag to the bike is easily crudded up from road spooge from spray off the rear wheel. Take the bag off the bike and while running a hose into the locking tab area from above, exercise the handle back and forth to flush out any accumulated grit in the mechanism. It should move nice and smoothly with no sudden snapping action. If the mechanism is binding you don't want to force it as it can jump the plastic gear teeth internally.

Gunny! Mine are smooth as silk no issues, no snap, no noise.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Mine were stuff when they were new. Something between a snap and a pop when lifting or locking the handle. It has subsided over time and they are pretty smooth these days. I do like that there's some kind of indent when they're locked. Makes me feel better.

 

[SkooterG]

They DON'T all do that! I have owned five sets of FJR saddlebags and most have been good, with no, or little pop at the end. Not so on my new to me Gen II POS 09 FJR. One side has a super amount of resistance at the end. I believe it will just be a matter of time before something breaks. Glad I have the extended warranty.

 

[odot]

If Ida known these bags did this I would never have bought this POS.

 

[Bustanut joker]

And poor ol Odie here has 3 bags to worry aboot this with.

 

[flagstaff]

While I didn't think it would help, I flushed the mechanism, and the water was as clear coming out as going in.

The action is and was smooth when off the bike. I watched closely as I manipulated the lever and saw that the bar raised very slightly to its highest level just before it dropped down slightly and locked in place. Removing the bag would cause the same slight rise before the bar is unlocked.

The slot where the bar locks into has a rubber surface that may have hardened over time. In any case, the problem seemed to be that the bar was too long so I used my mini hand grinder with a sand paper roll tip. I went slowly, just removing a little of the top of the bar, being careful to keep the top of the bar level, and checking the fit on the bike as I went along. After the first fitting it was clear I was on the right path.

My bags now lock on and off with just a nice reassuring click instead of the previous harsh snap. I'm guessing those who did not have the problem got a set of bags with bars that were just a bit shorter than those who have the snap on closing and opening.

Very little material was removed. I would suggest the fix for anyone who feels the pressure required is excessive on their bags,

 

[HotRodZilla]

While I didn't think it would help, I flushed the mechanism, and the water was as clear coming out as going in.

The action is and was smooth when off the bike. I watched closely as I manipulated the lever and saw that the bar raised very slightly to its highest level just before it dropped down slightly and locked in place. Removing the bag would cause the same slight rise before the bar is unlocked.

The slot where the bar locks into has a rubber surface that may have hardened over time. In any case, the problem seemed to be that the bar was too long so I used my mini hand grinder with a sand paper roll tip. I went slowly, just removing a little of the top of the bar, being careful to keep the top of the bar level, and checking the fit on the bike as I went along. After the first fitting it was clear I was on the right path.

My bags now lock on and off with just a nice reassuring click instead of the previous harsh snap. I'm guessing those who did not have the problem got a set of bags with bars that were just a bit shorter than those who have the snap on closing and opening.

Very little material was removed. I would suggest the fix for anyone who feels the pressure required is excessive on their bags,

And this is why I stopped buying used motorcycles. First owner in the history of the Forum that has EVER shortened the locking bars for the saddle bags. Most are trying to prevent what you just did because it leads to the bags falling off.

Maybe yours will, maybe they won't...Good luck with that.

 

[flagstaff]

The bags aren't going anywhere since they are secured with a wire lock hitch pin through the double tabs at the front of the bags.

The bar, in its stock condition, put way too much stress on the locking mechanism. Removing 1/16 of an inch fixed the problem without the need to buy a new bike.

 

[Bustanut joker]

I had what I thought was excessive pressure on me bag once........

Turns out me pants were to tight..

 

[willboe]

While I didn't think it would help, I flushed the mechanism, and the water was as clear coming out as going in.

The action is and was smooth when off the bike. I watched closely as I manipulated the lever and saw that the bar raised very slightly to its highest level just before it dropped down slightly and locked in place. Removing the bag would cause the same slight rise before the bar is unlocked.

The slot where the bar locks into has a rubber surface that may have hardened over time. In any case, the problem seemed to be that the bar was too long so I used my mini hand grinder with a sand paper roll tip. I went slowly, just removing a little of the top of the bar, being careful to keep the top of the bar level, and checking the fit on the bike as I went along. After the first fitting it was clear I was on the right path.

My bags now lock on and off with just a nice reassuring click instead of the previous harsh snap. I'm guessing those who did not have the problem got a set of bags with bars that were just a bit shorter than those who have the snap on closing and opening.

Very little material was removed. I would suggest the fix for anyone who feels the pressure required is excessive on their bags,

Sounds right to me. I'm doing mine first thing in the morning. Thanks.

 

[odot]

Even though the saddle bags on my gen one are POS....they never fell off on me. They'll only fall off if the numnut owner don't put them on right.

Jes' sayin'.