Looking for suggestions to make saddlebags work with Interstate trunk

[Timbo1]

I have recently purchased a Interstate trunk, mounting bracket and fender struts.  My plan is to install the trunk onto a standard with a pair of unknown brand fiberglass saddle bags that I have on the bike already.  The problem I'm having is the bags hinge in the front and in order to have clearance to open the bags between the trunk I'd need to move the bags about 6" forward, which would put them in the way of the passenger pegs.

My initial thought is to modify the bags to make the lids removable by removing the hinge but I'm not finding a good solution to holding the front of the bags.  Another thought I've had is to remove the hinge pins and come up with some kind of removable pin I could easily make captive but not coming up with any options for that either.   So I'm looking for other suggestions or direction to a clasp of sorts to hold the bags.

[Savage]

See if you can find some photos of the way the Valkyrie Interstate (GL1500CF) hinge is designed. You may be able to fabricate a similar design by removing the pin, then permanently securing the pin in just the bottom half of the hinge. Then you could dremel the upper pin rings into ‘hooks’ so the lid will stay on when latched, but disengage from the hinge when slid forward.

[Timbo1]

See if you can find some photos of the way the Valkyrie Interstate (GL1500CF) hinge is designed. You may be able to fabricate a similar design by removing the pin, then permanently securing the pin in just the bottom half of the hinge. Then you could dremel the upper pin rings into ‘hooks’ so the lid will stay on when latched, but disengage from the hinge when slid forward.

That's a good idea thanks.  The hinges on mine are hard nylon or plastic so that should be doable I believe.

I been looking for images of the IS hinges up close just not found any online.  Maybe someone with some can post.

[Chrisj CMA]

If they are Mustang or Strong bags all you need is a 6mm pit pin and they convert to side opening..Ill look for my pics

[Timbo1]

Thanks all for the suggestions. 

I think I've solved it using Savages idea by cutting a slot in the upper hinge to slide over the hinge pin.   The hinge pin is captive with a small C clip in the bottom half of the hinge so didn't need to change anything with that.   As long as it doesn't break I think it will work great.   I'll find out once it's back on the road taking some wind.  Probably need to install some longer cables to the lid just in case it tries to leave the bike going down the road.

[Jess from VA]

The test is real hard bumps.

My interstate bag on one side got broken cables.  I thought it would be OK without the cables.  What I didn't know or see was the interstate forward bag clip (not hinge) got crooked and was not fully latching with the lid clip.  I hit a big bump (freeway), the clip let loose, the wind got under it, and it became a sailboat and sailed away.  I got pulled over and raced down the breakdown lane back to the lid, only to have a woman run it over, exploding it into pieces.     

[Timbo1]

The test is real hard bumps.

My interstate bag on one side got broken cables.  I thought it would be OK without the cables.  What I didn't know or see was the interstate forward bag clip (not hinge) got crooked and was not fully latching with the lid clip.  I hit a big bump (freeway), the clip let loose, the wind got under it, and it became a sailboat and sailed away.  I got pulled over and raced down the breakdown lane back to the lid, only to have a woman run it over, exploding it into pieces.     

That's to bad you were unable to retrieve it in time.   I'm hoping to prevent such an event.  I just picked up 7' of steel cable and ends so hopefully if mine breaks the lid will flop and bang against the bags or trunk letting me know.  I don't expect to have the trunk painted and finished for about a week so I should find out after that.

[Jess from VA]

The tricky part about cable tying any lid to a bag is they need to be as short as possible, so they don't fly all around if the lid gets loose.

I had to rebuild my interstate cables and it's a tricky process, you have to stick the lid down in the bag to connect them up (short cables). 

Another cable just broke last week.      (different lid)