after riveting one by myself, I used small bolts/nuts with loctite on the other.

 

The rivets are cheap. The HD part number is 90965-63 and a bag of two dozen costs about $1.50. The tool, on the other hand (HD-39787A) costs around $175. I've seen them on eBay for a lot less (V-Twin Manufacturing 161610 ~ $92.) Unless you plan on going into business replacing latches it's hard to justify the cost. Fortunately, it works for most any similar rivet - saddlebags, etc.

 

Can you get a C Clamp in there. You have a good one, you might be able to squeeze it enough

 

I recently ordered one of these rivet tools. I had no desire to have rivets installed by the local HD dealer and I'd rather "pay once, cry once" for the specialty tool. The rivet tool I ordered is the V-Twin Manufacturing: Saddlebag Latch Rivet Tool, part number: 16-1610
Click for Instructions for the 16-1610 Saddlebag Latch Rivet Tool.
This tool, seems to be a Taiwan copy of the JimsUSA tool, part number: 754

I ordered the V-Twin Manufacturing tool from a vendor on eBay. I was even able to use a $5 off coupon that eBay sent to me!

 

Nice I see this is an old thread. I too am retired from Aircraft Maintenance. Would be a real easy fix with solid rivets. But I am like you if I can buy a tool and only use it once vs taking it to the Dealer most of the time I'm all in.

 

Do you really think that after 6 years this guy is still waiting for an answer about effin' rivets?

 

Just to keep the info centralized, I have a loose tour pack lid (sounds like a personal problem!) and I am NOT paying $180+ for what amounts to a C clamp. Some internet research pointed me to a solid rivet kit from Eastwood, which is basically an air hammer and punch with a rivet shaped cup at the tip. I am going to modify one of my air hammer punches to see if that works. I'll update next week with the results.