Gentlemen, One of my saddlebag latches has been floppy so I decided to change the corroded and broken latch springs on both bags. I don't intend for this to be a "How To" thread but just want to pass info and pictures on "How to do it" minus the details. The PDF for step-by-step instructions is located here.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US...ts/-J02671.pdf

The kit and associated part numbers depicted below. Don't know how much they cost, I traded my brother in law a few bottles of Soju for them. $10 in Soju.


Follow the PDF directions and you should have the lids off in no time. It's good if you have a buddy to hold onto the lid while you unbolt everything. I laid everything out on the kitchen table.


The broken spring. These things really corrode. One spring was busted and the other was ready to break. Nothing else was rusted, just the springs.


The hardest part was prying open the end of the hinge to free up room for the pin to slide out. Take your time and work slowly, it will open up. Use a flat head screw driver as shown in the PDF instructions.


Before you know it, you have new springs installed. Make sure you install them so they look like this.


End result: saddle bag lid latches that snap in place like they were new. Remarkable difference.
This is a pretty easy job so grab a cold one and get it done. And for you Master Mechanics who have been doing this for years, I didn't know how to do this so hopefully this post will help someone.

 

I like your saddle bag hold down clamp looks like it works well.

 

Those springs are often overlooked by the DIY'er for a shot of lube at every service.

 

This place is great!! A few days ago I realized that one of my saddlebag lids was all sloppy. Further investigation revealed the little f***ing spring was broken. I just assumed that I would now have to live with that. Had a flash and typed it into the forum and viola!! With the above pictures and the official instruction sheet I just finished changing both springs with very little trouble and only pinched myself once. It did take me a few minutes to realize I had to "heave around" on the spring and twist it into position while sliding the pin back in. I also put a dab of lithium grease on each one to try and keep them from corroding. Just in time for our second annual group ride to the U.P.
Thanks guys!

 

Thanks for the reminder. It's about time I go lube up my latch springs.

 

Yeah mine broke on a trip but still had enough over center to make it home a few days later..

it was a little puzzle at first...
I lubed mine alot but still rusted...

 

Looks like you got a little orange buddy there to keep you company! Don't think I have ever witnessed a cat lying in a saddlebag top lid b4! For ANY reason!!

 

I did notice on the new springs there appears to be a "shipalt" and the little arms now have an offset to lay flatter on the latch. Maybe the MoCo finally got the design correct. Time will tell.

 

How ironic, my right bag has this same problem. Been meaning to deal with it, but with this info and prompting i'll be doing it this week!

Thanks so much for sharing... This forum is priceless.

 

Don't forget to check all the screws that hold the latch on the lid as well. Lots of cases of them falling out one by one and the owner doesn't notice until their lid is bouncing down Route 1A....