Saddlebag Seal - Any advice

[Zute]

I've noticed that my saddlebags do not seal properly, either by design or malfunction. There is a significant gap while in the closed and locked position and I'm seeing some moisture in the bags. Even my dealer told me that they don't seal very well, so keep items in a bag or plastic when riding in the rain.

It seems like this would be an easy fix. Has anyone re-sealed their bags and if so, what did you use? I am guessing some kind of door seal from a local home depot could fit the bill.

If you are experiencing the same problems, or have fixed this issue, please respond.

BTW: mine is a brand new 08 FJR with 600 miles and counting.

 

[kaitsdad]

First I've heard of it.

Wonder what's wrong. Something's out of alignment?

While they don't 'seal', I've ridden through thousands of miles in the rain and never had a moisture problem.

 

[Danno]

That just ain't right. Mine are bone dry inside after riding in the rain or washing. Don't let the dealer tell you it's normal.

 

[Zute]

The left side may have an alignment issue - I will keep an eye on it as I have never ridden in the rain or left it out while raining - or washed it for that matter.

While I wouldnt say there is a visible or obvious "open gap", they dont seem to seal properly. I have noticed this moisture just from morning dew, but again, it could have "leaked" in when I opened my bag. My Nomad had a really good (almost air-tight) seal on it's bags and I would like to "upgrade my FJR to a similar condition. I do notice cracking on the rubber gasket and wonder if some rubber conditioner or perhaps new gaskets may solve the problem.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I have found if I have overpacked...or let the saddlebag liners get in the way, I can close the bags...but the joint is wider due to the interference of the saddlebag liner material.

...maybe this is the issue?

 

[Zute]

rarely have anything in the bags. Just removed the liners/bags. Have ran my hands along the seam to make sure there is no obstruction. The fact that the dealer made mention of it when I was taking delivery makes me wonder.

 

[Randy]

The left side may have an alignment issue - I will keep an eye on it as I have never ridden in the rain or left it out while raining - or washed it for that matter.While I wouldnt say there is a visible or obvious "open gap", they dont seem to seal properly. I have noticed this moisture just from morning dew, but again, it could have "leaked" in when I opened my bag. My Nomad had a really good (almost air-tight) seal on it's bags and I would like to "upgrade my FJR to a similar condition. I do notice cracking on the rubber gasket and wonder if some rubber conditioner or perhaps new gaskets may solve the problem.

Wait...you've never washed it and it never saw rain, yet you have moisture? If it's condensation, I don't know that you're gonna be able to do anything about it. If it leaked in when you opened your bag (that would be my guess), then there really isn't a problem. Which rubber gaskets are you talking about? Doesn't sound right on a 600 mile bike.

 

[Zute]

The left side may have an alignment issue - I will keep an eye on it as I have never ridden in the rain or left it out while raining - or washed it for that matter.While I wouldnt say there is a visible or obvious "open gap", they dont seem to seal properly. I have noticed this moisture just from morning dew, but again, it could have "leaked" in when I opened my bag. My Nomad had a really good (almost air-tight) seal on it's bags and I would like to "upgrade my FJR to a similar condition. I do notice cracking on the rubber gasket and wonder if some rubber conditioner or perhaps new gaskets may solve the problem.

Wait...you've never washed it and it never saw rain, yet you have moisture? If it's condensation, I don't know that you're gonna be able to do anything about it. If it leaked in when you opened your bag (that would be my guess), then there really isn't a problem. Which rubber gaskets are you talking about? Doesn't sound right on a 600 mile bike.

There is a rubber gasket on the door side of the saddlebags which is visibly cracked. There is also a gap between the body and the door (in other words, it doesn't sit flush when closed and locked), which I am assuming is by design. The moisture *may have* leaked in when I opened the bags if there was a bead or two around the rim that I didnt wipe off (or wiped into that "closed gap"). I wouldnt say that there is a puddle of water when I open the bags, but I have seen some drips in the past. Again, I have kept the bike covered in the rain and usually wipe it down after each ride, so I havent needed to wash it yet. If this is a defect, I wanted to get it taken care of sooner than later. Sounds by the responses that this isnt the norm and I will continue to keep an eye on it. Again, the dealer was the one that brought it up to me by saying the bags were not water-proof and I should keep things in bags. I'm wondering if he knew something that he wasnt letting on.

 

[El Toro Joe]

There is a rubber gasket on the door side of the saddlebags which is visibly cracked.

If the gasket is cracked, have the dealer replace it. If it still does not seal correctly, Have the dealer replace the bag. The bags should not leak...period

 

[Lee B.]

My dealer told me that on my '08 I needed to make sure I didn't close them with something between the gasket and the lid...like the liner or something thin but still an obstruction. He said that having that happen for even a few hours could damage the gasket and reshape it and keep it from sealing. He seemed to think that if cared for properly they were pretty much water tight. He mentioned using silicone spray on the gasket couple times a year to keep them in good condition.

If your gasket is cracked and if the bags don't line up correctly I'd say this is evidence of damage and you should not accept it as normal.

 

[ELP_JC]

I used my bags for the first time on a trip last week, and although didn't hit any rain, I noticed they don't close flush all around, and cannot be fixed as everything is riveted in place (can't move a rivet 1/32"). And that was without having put anything inside yet (brand spanking new, out of the boxes). One has a vibisly bigger gap than the other, but it might seal properly. Somehow, I don't expect them to have perfect fit and finish, but maybe I'm wrong. I'll always use the supplied liners, which should keep things dry, no? Even if some water leaks, it'd leak down the lid until it exits at the hinges, no? If that's the case, I don't have a problem if they don't seal perfecty. Plus I don't ride with the bags much, and don't ride in rain on purpose, so no biggie.

JC

 

[v65]

Rubber gasket

Sealed bag

That's what my bags look like, that bag has been through a lot of moisture, including and hour and half of this on the way home from NAFO:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN THE QUAD CITIES HAS ISSUED A

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR...

SOUTHEASTERN DES MOINES COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST IOWA...

EAST CENTRAL LEE COUNTY IN SOUTHEAST IOWA...

NORTHEASTERN HANCOCK COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS...

HENDERSON COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS...

MCDONOUGH COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS...

SOUTHERN WARREN COUNTY IN WEST CENTRAL ILLINOIS...

* UNTIL 845 PM CDT.

* AT 741 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A

LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN

EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THESE STORMS WERE LOCATED APPROXIMATELY ALONG A

LINE EXTENDING FROM GLADSTONE TO DALLAS CITY...OR ALONG A LINE

EXTENDING FROM OQUAWKA TO 11 MILES SOUTH OF BURLINGTON...AND MOVING

SOUTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE NEAR...

BIGGSVILLE...TERRE HAUTE...STRONGHURST AND DISCO AROUND 750 PM

CDT...

KIRKWOOD AND LA HARPE AROUND 755 PM CDT...

RARITAN AROUND 800 PM CDT...

BLANDINSVILLE AROUND 805 PM CDT...

TENNESSEE AND COLMAR AROUND 810 PM CDT...

THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. MOVE IMMEDIATELY INDOORS AND STAY AWAY

FROM WINDOWS.

That storm knocked trees down and put cars off the road. Bag never leaked a drop, no moisture, nada. Surprisingly, your dealer is full of crap.

 

[rnees]

have to agree with everyone else. Have an '08, 4800 miles, ridden in rain, washed (twice, I think), never a drop inside either bag.

the tension straps inside the bag will, if not 'latched' get in between the lid and body, so I'm always very careful as I close them up.

edit: I just noticed: my 100th post. whooooppee. :yahoo:

 

[Big Sky]

Six years, 48,000 miles, never use the liner, no leaks. They should not leak from the factory. Mount 'em and hose 'em down good, even with some pressure. If there's any water in the bag, take 'em back.

A piece of advice I imparted to "my reason for living" - don't use the closing/latching mechanism to draw the top tightly shut. Use muscle to close/squeeze the lid tight, then use the mechanism to secure the closure. She was tending to over-pack them or open them when they're on the bike, then try to force them closed and snug using the leverage of the closure mechanism. Surely that would distort, wear and spring things down the road.

 

[odot]

hm.......back to the age old question..........

is a seal's ass watertight? Don't ask the eskimo and don't eat yellow snow...........

 

[RED]

I think I could throw my saddle bags in a lake and they wouldnt leak. (06 with 17k mile)

 

[OlyFJR]

There is a rubber gasket on the door side of the saddlebags which is visibly cracked.

If the gasket is cracked, have the dealer replace it. If it still does not seal correctly, Have the dealer replace the bag. The bags should not leak...period

+1

I have never had a drop in my bags from rain or washing. My advice is to spray them with a garden hose, wipe them down, then open them up and see if there is any moisture inside.

 

[ctfjr]

Mine seal perfectly as well. I was caught in a St Louis downpour after leaving Knifemaker & rode 20 minutes in a real soaker. Everything was dry inside when I reached my motel (more than I can say for me).

 

[Bustanut joker]

Had a seal in my saddlebag once,. Was helping it escape from odot....

Long story short, Seals can talk. Saddlebag throughly trashed by a Savage Eskimo welding a club

Turns out he was a victim of odots deviant sexual behavior.... 'magin that!!

:jester: