Check Your Saddlebag Securing Pins
#31
05-21-2010, 10:20 AM
Forgot to add, He doesn't have to get into your bags to pop the pin off the spring with a flat blade screw driver! This was in a thread posted awhile back where guy's had their bags stolen while inside eating or drinking a beer. Plus the pins cost about 9.00 bucks a piece to replace at HD. I didn't spend much more on the entire set at Ace Hardware. JMO
#32
05-21-2010, 11:23 AM
#33
05-21-2010, 11:56 AM
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To be fair, they are made for a little more than convenience. The FAA is very picky on the quality of materials used on airplanes and just about every airplane flying uses these fasteners because they are very durable and hold together very well. They do break now and then like any mechanical device, but not at near the frequency of screws in the same high access areas. The other great suggestions for replacing the original fasteners are great ideas for security.
Beary
Beary
#34
05-21-2010, 12:08 PM
Most definitely - the open end of these pins will bend over time & the more you take bags on/off the faster they spread. This is why I changed the front ones to clevis pins (5/16") & washers - see pics. I posted this previously w/pics & fell better knowing my bags won't come off. Cheers!
#35
05-21-2010, 12:17 PM
Road Warrior
#36
05-21-2010, 05:17 PM
Road Warrior
Theft???? That's why I pay insurance premiums. Keep bolting 'em on. I can have both mine off in less than 30 seconds to wash my bike. Back on in the same amount of time. More ridin' time for me. How many of the ones that are bolted get removed to clean the bike? That road grime and brake dust works wonders on the rims!
#37
05-21-2010, 05:56 PM
#38
05-21-2010, 07:50 PM
I'm with HogDoc on this one. They don't come loose and the HD fasteners don't "wear out". I have seen springs break in racing apps when involved in a crash. I raced sprints and midgets and used aluminum Dzus buttons to secure all body panels. Had many BAD flips. We're talkin' some major G forces in some of these flips. Demolished many a top wing and chrome moly frames. Never had a Dzus button break. The body panels might have been wrecked but the fasteners were still holding the pieces. I think pro racing teams probably now use the aircraft variety which are MUCH more expensive. The average weekly racers, however, are still using the set ups which are nearly identical to what holds on HD saddlebags.
If the fasteners are getting a little easy to turn to lock the spring, take a large flat blade screwdriver and insert it between the Dzus spring and the bracket. Twist the screwdiver a bit in both directions. This spreads the spring out a little and tightens the fastener right up.
If the fasteners are getting a little easy to turn to lock the spring, take a large flat blade screwdriver and insert it between the Dzus spring and the bracket. Twist the screwdiver a bit in both directions. This spreads the spring out a little and tightens the fastener right up.
#39
05-21-2010, 08:02 PM
I have to comment here. I have logged way over 100,000 miles on a few different baggers. I have worn out a few complete sets of Dzus fasteners. Both the pins and the spring clips. Thats the main reason I use the bolts with washers and nylock nuts. Anti theft is an added benefit. I have had them come loose before also. And yes they were properly fastened.
#40
05-21-2010, 08:56 PM
Road Warrior
I must have got good fasteners then because I have logged over 80K miles on HD baggers, many with overloaded bags, on some of the roughest roads in the country (Illinois) and have never had a set fail. It is my experience that if the "open" end of the pins are "spreading" out it is not after the pin has been locked onto the spring. This is the result of the bracket which holds the spring being out of adjustment and to much force having to be applied when twisting the fastener into the locked position on the spring.
Last edited by dirtracin23; 05-21-2010 at 09:01 PM.