Just back from a 1000km round trip to Coffs and nearly lost a pannier from my new s/glide as the retaing fastner fell out after a decent bump in the road. Now it is a really loose fit and comes out very easily, anyone have a similar incident? Going to bolt them both on so there is no movement at all.
The wire clips that the pins lock into , may need replacing or lost their tension. Cheap fix. Might even score them under warranty. The front bracket may also have moved with the impact and altered the pin location causing the pin to come loose. I got a very slight wack on the rear pipe and because the bags mount on the pipe brackets, it sheared the pins and front wire retainer completely off the frame on one side. Left the bag hanging by the rear pin only. Lucky I didn't lose the bag completely.
Just bought 4 stainless bolts with nylock nuts and bolted the bags to the brackets, problem solved . Cost $5 from hardware store.
Looks as though Harley are going to look at the damage to the bag as a warranty claim
Now done over 8k since bolting the panniers on with no issues at all. Recomend to all baggers to do the same if you have any concerns.
Ta mate, happy with my mods for plenty less than these.
Just saw your post. Has happened to me twice. First time bike was still new (some 4000 kms) and right bag front mounting bracket bolt failed. Rear zeus pin (that's what those pins are called apparently) pulled free and the entire bag dropped onto it's base on the road. My mate behind started tooting and waving frantically, I hit the brakes wondering what was going on, and the bag overtook me as it slid along the road. Bag suffered some scratches and was replaced under warranty. Second time I hit a cattle grid in FNQ at high speed and, having had the earlier experience, reached down to feel both bags to make sure thay were still in place. This time the left front zeus pin had pulled free under the shock load, the front of the bag had dropped down and it was being held in place by the rear pin only. When I checked, the front wire to which the zeus pin attaches it had been deformed by the shock load. My local dealer replaced the clip with the wire on it for free as the bike is still under warranty. I used a 3/8 bolt/washer/spring washer/wing nut as a temporary fix and will consider bolting them on next time I do another long run.
Worth checking how strong the zues pin grasps the wire retainer. If it's feeling a little slack, the wire retainer clip is pretty cheap to buy from your HD dealer and simple to replace.
Brukus solution works fine for me but I just bought the parts locally. I used Allen head bolts and keep a key in the saddlebag.
Make sure you line everything up before tightening. On FLHTCU the bag bottom sits on the chrome side rails so that is much easier.
Nyloc nut instead of captive U-nut is OK but you'll probably drop them behind the bag and they'll disappear into one of those Black Holes that appear at the exact moment you drop something......
It's a good security mod anyway - the Dzus fasteners can be levered open from the back of the bag. Heard stories of bags being taken from multiple bikes in one location. Replacement is $$$$$$$.
A
Well may be this will be a mistake I must be one of the lucky ones had mine for 6yrs & haven't lost a bag touch wood.
How did we go from bags to heat sheild HI JACKED.
sorry
