Still Searching

[Valkorado]

I am still trying to find an inexpensive (OK, cheap) way to remove the bags on my 97 Tourer without any tools and relatively easily.  I saw the old Two Bros quick release pins advertised but out of stock online somewhere, but I think they are now discontinued and can't be found.  Even if I could track down the quick release pins, I didn't like the idea of them because they are expensive (yes, I am a cheap man) and would require drilling out the threads.  What I would really love to find is the correct size and thread knob bolts, something like these

http://t-nuts.com/product_info.php?cPath=53_60&products_id=218

There has to be something like these that will match our eight saddlebag bolts in thread and length out there somewhere. 

Can anyone steer me the right direction?



 

[tank_post142]

they will not work. you need studs that stay in place and something like wingnuts to hold the mounts. if you remove the studs the rear fender will drop and it will take you all afternoon,12 beers, and a swearword dictionary to remount it.

[Valkorado]

I think I didn't explain that clearly. 

I just want to replace the saddlebag removal bolts (4 in each saddlebag) with hand twist knobbed bolts so I can remove the saddlebags easily for tire/wheel maintenance and at motels, etc.  I hate always digging for my 8mm socket every time I want to to yank 'em off! 

I can't find the knobbed bolts at the local hardware store, or I would just bring in one of my OEM ones and try to match them up. 

BTW, it looks like the link I sent shows bolts that screw into the knob and could slip/pull off.  I need to find some where the knobs are permanently attached the bolt so they hold tight.

[YoungPUP]

Not familiar with the  tourer setup ( I've got the Std) But I see what Tank is saying. The saddle bag bolts are the fender bolts.  Could they be swapped out with a stud and used with a wing nut?

[John Schmidt]

I hate always digging for my 8mm socket every time I want to to yank 'em off! 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Oh for crying out loud, with my bags all I need is about two turns of the 8mm socket to loosen them and the bolts come the rest of the way out by hand. How much easier do you need it to be. If I were going to be taking them off a couple times a month, then yes, I'd probably come up with some sort of quick dismount. But how much faster does it need to be than a couple quick turns of the ratchet and the bolts come out by hand. You'd have to do the same thing(by hand) if you had them mounted with knob bolts. I fail to see the advantage you speak of, to say nothing of the need.  ???

[Hoser]

I am still trying to find an inexpensive (OK, cheap) way to remove the bags on my 97 Tourer without any tools and relatively easily.  I saw the old Two Bros quick release pins advertised but out of stock online somewhere, but I think they are now discontinued and can't be found.  Even if I could track down the quick release pins, I didn't like the idea of them because they are expensive (yes, I am a cheap man) and would require drilling out the threads.  What I would really love to find is the correct size and thread knob bolts, something like these

http://t-nuts.com/product_info.php?cPath=53_60&products_id=218

There has to be something like these that will match our eight saddlebag bolts in thread and length out there somewhere. 

Can anyone steer me the right direction?



 

They have a good selection of metric bolts at the larger Ace Hardware stores.  Have you tried them? It would leave the mounting brackets in place, though.  Hoser

[Bone]

Yes that is his plan. Leave the mounting brackets in place. 4 bolts, 2 in the bottom and 2 on the vertical panel facing the rear wheel. Remove just the bag. Doing that loaded would be difficult.

[sugerbear]

i think what your looking for is something like this?

http://www.tractorsupply.com/countyline-reg-lower-link-pin-0267806

they have different sizes and lengths.
make a rubber washer the thickness you need and an R-clip.

or

something like this?

http://www.thorlabs.com/thorProduct.cfm?partNumber=AI25E8E

then you can use the handle you linked to.

or

from your site

http://t-nuts.com/product_info.php?cPath=53_49&products_id=214&osCsid=c2d7ac21ff139957260a05aa6eb90396

they come in metric too.

[sandy]

Just keep an 8 mm T handle wrench in one saddlebag.

[Valkorado]

Thanks guys.  John, I agree it isn't a major deal.  I have a Shadow (for sale) with National Cycle hard bags that detach with just two twist pins on each side (about where the the top two bolts on our bags are).  I really like that feature, and wish Honda would have done something similar with the Valk's bags.

[Ricky-D]

I think you're failing to realize that you can leave the bolts (two in the bottom) out completely.

There are two in each bag, so that would be four bolts you would not have to worry about.

Then you can weld a small flap to each of those bolts to replace the top bolts, making them hand screws.

Where's the problem with that?  Just what you profess wanting!

***

[KG]

If you can't find it at McMaster-Carr you most likely won't find it anywhere.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#

Look at http://www.mcmaster.com/#thumb-screw-fasteners/=klwy73

[Hoser]

Looks like KG just fixed your problem.     Hoser

[mmurffy03]

try lookin here http://innovative-components.knobsource.com/product/all-categories-thread-detectives/tegories-thread-detectives-combo-thread-detectives?#

[quexpress]

Thanks guys.  John, I agree it isn't a major deal.  I have a Shadow (for sale) with National Cycle hard bags that detach with just two twist pins on each side (about where the the top two bolts on our bags are).  I really like that feature, and wish Honda would have done something similar with the Valk's bags.

Replace the 4 bolts with studs and then use wingnuts. 

[Valkorado]

try lookin here http://innovative-components.knobsource.com/product/all-categories-thread-detectives/tegories-thread-detectives-combo-thread-detectives?#

That could come in handy, thanks for the link.   

[quexpress]

try lookin here http://innovative-components.knobsource.com/product/all-categories-thread-detectives/tegories-thread-detectives-combo-thread-detectives?#

I have purchased these (a set: metric and SAE) from Amazon.com a while ago. These have proven to be VERY useful MANY times! 



http://www.mcfeelys.com/product/IC-002/Thread-Detective-ABSSteel

[Westsider]

Harley has been ahead in this, since it is nice to just pop off a hard bag, they have the 1/4 turn zeus fasteners with a fold down tab on them , 2 per side, works like a charm , check them out, could find some off a wreck or ebay maybe, and adopt that system to your valk, I would do it if I had the tinkering time. Merry Christmas.