This is a story that restores your faith in human nature. In transit to Quorn on our annual Brass Balls Run, we stopped at Gladstone to refuel, before the run up to the Stone Hut outside of Laura to meet up with China & Mickle and grab something to eat. I waited for my turn at the single 98 pump, and as I got off the bike, I was gob smacked to see my left-hand bag was no longer there. The bag had in it a jump pack, shoes, my shower gear, and my service books which I hadn’t had time to remove since the last service.  I told the others, fuelled up, and informed them of my intentions to circle back the way we had come. The last time we got off for a spell, before Gladstone, was at Yacka, which is roughly 200k from Roseworthy where we had started out. A lot of road, without a bloody clue where to look! Ol’ mate Steve, very kindly offered to ride back to Yacka with me, because I was certain it was still attached when we stopped there. Hopefully, 4 eyes would be better than 2. Got to Yacka, no bag. Plenty of tyres, old tins and a lot of other crap, but no Harley saddlebag. I told Steve to catch up with the other blokes, and I would ride back to Roseworthy in the faint hope I’d spot the errant bag. It was a long slow ride back, to no avail. There are worse things in life to worry about, so I filled up again, and headed off the way I had come one more time, and by now it was blowing a gale. But, fuck it, I wasn’t going to miss a night out with the boys because of some lost gear. I got back to Gladstone to refuel in probably quicker time than when we first went up earlier. Getting off the bike this time, I noticed that the rh bag was hanging on only by the bottom pivot, which was bent to buggery, and the bag had been resting on the pipes and smouldering away. I had checked that bag before I left Gladstone the first time, and twice after, because I was paranoid about losing this one also.  The bag’s attaching frame was that badly bent, I had to buy a hammer from the servo guy to straighten it enough to fit back on the bike. This bloke was pretty happy, because he had two hammers in stock, and hadn’t sold one for 5 years!  I have pictures of the locking mechanisms on both quick release frames showing that both bags were still in the locked position when they let go.  I finally arrived at the Austral Pub in Quorn about 4pm. Unfortunately, after Lofty’s episode on the previous Brass Balls, I knew Soapy and crew were going to be scathing in taking the piss out of me for losing the bag.  Basically, everyone declared the quick release mechanisms (Gen. Harley) were shit, and I would be better served bolting the original non-removable bag frames back on the bike. I tend to agree, but believe HD have a question to answer. (That’s another story). We had a great night and returned home on the same roads on the way back, still hopeful we might spot the bag. No luck yet again. I was resigned to losing the bag, and, either making an insurance claim, or trying HD for a warranty claim due to faulty mechanisms.  When I got home, I rang 3 Police stations to enquire if anything had been passed in, and that was also a negative.  A week later, I had raised an insurance claim, knowing I would have to fork out the $400 excess for the privilege, and found that HD Australia would not entertain a warranty claim, even though the boys at the dealership said they had had previous instances of the same thing happening. I will take that further! I happened to notice a Messenger notice on Facebook one night from a person I did not know, and, mindful of all the scams these days, reluctantly read the message. It was actually two messages, one from the Father, the other from the son, enquiring whether I owned a Harley, and had I lost a saddlebag.  I rapidly confirmed that it was me and got the son’s phone number. I was amazed. The pair had been driving with their trailer between Templers and Hamley Bridge, when a wheel on the trailer let go, hub and all. The story goes: they stopped rapidly and went hunting for the displaced wheel. The son, James, saw a black object on the paddock fence, and assumed it was their tyre and rim. Lo and behold, it was my bag, still intact, a few battle scars, and some mould from the recent rains. The lad opened the bag, found my name in the service books, and, in his own words: “took a long shot” and went on Facebook to look for bloke with my name that owned a Harley. My name was the first one to come up! I arranged to meet both of the champion fellas. Both are Poms. (the son only lives around the corner from me), and neither would accept a bloody thing in thanks, just said, if it happened to them, they’d expect the same in return. Like I said, restores your faith in human nature.  So, I’ve got my bag, and its contents back, and a good story to tell on future runs. Don’t ever let anyone tell you there’s a bad Pom. God Bless the Queen!

Howdy Wingers. I'm so glad the story has a positive outcome but sorry you had a loss with the minor damage.

Good outcome although you will still need a new one, you were always safe mate, what would Poms want with a Shower bag FFS.

You gotta be jagging me luck of the Irish! That's a good story.

Yes, restores faith in human nature (and Poms) - but not in HD warranty. 

good stuff Wingers, great to hear

a little suprised that you would think I would take the piss, me, the shy guy

I had feelings you know

great result winger.

‘Til Wendy slapped some sense into you;)

Without being certain, I’m thinking the spring loaded pin must vibrate open, allowing the locking cam to open and let the bag slide back on its pivot points .As you can see in the pics, the lost bag was still in the locked position, even after bouncing down the road! We travelled some very rough dirt tracks on Yorkes when I had my first ride on the new bike, and all stayed secure. All very baffling. I did take offence to HD Australia saying it couldn’t be proven that I hadn’t activated the locking mechanism properly. This, after the dealership staff stating they have seen it occur before with other bikes. HD  NEEDS to give me a reason , not just ignore that it has happened and hope I go away,or blame owner error.

Awesome result mate

some times ,when you have a case to push...a little hard knocking is required,shouldn't be, but it seems the bigger the company the harder you have to knock.good luck.

Good on ya mate. Glad to see you got your shower cap back. Oh and the rest of your gear.

Good one 

Great result, Wingers!

Good ending to that saga Wingers, there are still some decent folk in this great country.

wow what a story Wingers. I have purchased some bagger bolts for the Streety, dont want to sell a kidney to purchased another set. good on the the Poms for hunting you down

that's good new's!

well, there's 10 minutes of my life i won't get back.....