Some of you guys know that I recently got a 2001 FXDXT and the bags that came with it were in need of some care. I thought I would start this thread to show you guys what all needs to be done for a total rebuild on the bags.

This first picture shows the bag with a little road rash (arrow), and the wrapping on the lower frame is almost gone. The lids on the bags have also shrunk so much that you can't get them snapped down.



In this next picture you can see a set of side cutters that I slipped under the plastic push-on lid fasteners to pry them off. There is a little metal washer with slots (shown on the left one) under the plastic cap that just pinches onto a big tubular rivet. I will be replacing these with Chicago screws, which are basically screw-together rivets.



This is the lid removed. You can see the 3 places where the push-on fasteners were used.



Tomorrow we will start taking the lid apart to get a pattern made for the new one.

Keep ridin'
Garry

 

Awesome!
Your intent is to bring to market a reproduction, correct?

 

u should make the bottom exhaust shield from a different material also...

 

Eventually we will probably start a thread in the vendor classifieds, but this thread will focus on the process with do it yourself things like this nifty lock that you can do yourself for 10 bucks. The FXDXT bags have become so valuable, that guys are worried about someone lifting them.







I forgot to do the step by step photos on this one, so I will take them as I do the other side.

Got the lid taken apart and the patterns traced.



Now we have to stretch them out to make up for how much they shrank.

Later,
Garry

 

Would love to see the lock process step by step. Looks like a simple and great idea.

 

I'll also be waiting like a kid on Christmas eve.

 

Thanks for doing this Garry.

 

This is a fun thread. People I know who have these run stainless zip ties to keep them from being lifted. Personally, I think the locks are a good idea but if someone wants them they will ge them regardless of what kind of lock you want.

 

the lock will save the bags from 90% of the people, the other 10% will just grab the whole bike the idea is exactly what I want and will tackle when I get home in November! I can't stand walking away from my bike knowing how easy they are to remove and how valuable they are!

 

Happy to see that a proven company with a reputation for quality is filling the need for these bags. Hopefully the price will be more affordable than leather for those of us on a limited budget.