Side covers question...

[herc770]

I have noticed several people looking for a single side cover or two in the classified.
In fact, on the way home after purchasing my Valkyrie last Nov I had the chrome right side cover blow off, never to be found after several days of searching.
Is this something that happens alot?
I had to purchase a black one on eBay and will have to take it in to be chromed to match the left side, and am wondering if I should take further measures to secure them. I have already replaced the grommets, I just don't wanna have to replace another side cover

[BF]

The tab where it locks into the center cover may have been broke when you bought it.  Broken tabs ARE common.....both on the side covers and the center cover. 

Recheck your center cover to make sure you still don't have any broken tabs on it. 

[R J]

You lost it while riding or while trailering?

I've heard of losing one on the trailer, but not when riding.

When I trailered to Northern California to visit my mom, with all the family along, I put a strap from the foot peg up over the top of the seat to the other foot peg.   The strap didn't touch the cover but it was close, so no paint was lost in the process,    If it had of touched I'd of used a soft touch towel between the cover and the strap.

Coming home I rode MGM and alternated with the kids behind me at each gas stop.   Everyone was happy then except for mom, she had to drive the 2,100 miles back.    Poor baby, she got over it........  LOL........

[herc770]

Funny thing is, I do have a broken tab on the center cover on the left side so I watching that side closely on the way home, I kept checking it while driving home. I have secured that side until I decide to replace the center.
This was a ride home. Hit no more then 65 mph a couple of times.
I was following a truck on the highway hauling rice for a few miles and got a little turbulance, but didn't notice till I got all the home that it was missing.

[Willow]

Is this something that happens alot?

No, but it has happened a few times.

Funny thing is, I do have a broken tab on the center cover on the left side so I watching that side closely on the way home, I kept checking it while driving home. I have secured that side until I decide to replace the center.
This was a ride home. Hit no more then 65 mph a couple of times.
I was following a truck on the highway hauling rice for a few miles and got a little turbulance, but didn't notice till I got all the home that it was missing.

The ironic thing is if the tab is still there, but you don't get the side panel properly hooked on it the panel will be held out in a position even more likely to catch the wind than if the tab were missing.

There's no need to replace the center piece if the only problem is a broken tab. You can choose to use velcro to hold the side panel or rebuild the tab with some JB Weld and something like a heavy paper clip.