Didn't want to hijack a couple of other threads that are currently discussing the theft of their bags and the capture of some low lifes for doing so.

My question is, if you use bolts and nuts to secure your bags, do you use any kind of rubber washers to give them some cushion? Seems to me if you secure them without some form of forgiveness, the vibration of the bike over time will cause the bags to crack and break from being rigidly mounted.

Any thoughts or experience on this?

 

I've never used bolts but I don't see the difference. There's already a thick rubber gromet that protects the bags. Presumably you'd keep those gromets in place.

 

No Experience - just my thoughts -

If you use the OE washers from the original pins wouldn't it be the same cushioning as original? It would seem that if you tighten till snug you would be good to go.

 

That makes sense. For some reason, I forgot about those rubber grommets already there. Some flat washers and should be good to go.

 

I was just out looking at my bags. Seems like some mighty cheap insurance. I guess the only drawback is when you want to remove for washing and whatnot. Looks like a trip to lowes is in order for me.

 

That's the only reason I haven't already done it. I have to take off the right bag to check tire pressure, and the left bag to air up the suspension for two up riding. Would be a major pain in the butt as much as I take the bags off.

 

It's not a "major pain in the ***" to remove the bags once you secure them with fasteners other than the Dzus fasteners that come on the bike from HD ... A 5/16 bolt has a standard 1/2 hex head and I'm sure that all of you/us have an old 1/2 inch wrench laying around in one of the old tool boxes, or the "junk drawer" in the kitchen ... It only takes a few seconds to loosen, then remove the bolt ... It really is cheap insurance ... and believe me the thieves aren't only in the Vegas area as the other thread stated ... They're everywhere!

 

speed nut/wing bolt part numbers:

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...wes-depot.html

 

This is interesting but what am I missing? If you lock the lids they would have to be broken to get the bags off and render them worthless, talking about the hard bags right? Just asking, I am not a thief so I don't know about these things but whats the difference if you use bolts? Is this somthing I should consider to protect my bags?

Shanty Irish Trash

 

Locking bags is not going to help. They release the pins from the outside with screwdriver or long pliers by turning the end ofd the pin