|
icandoitfaster
|
 |
« on: May 02, 2015, 06:29:53 PM » |
|
Learned a very difficult Valkyrie lesson today.....ouch!!! Only had my Valk three weeks and didn't realize the Valk lids should be lock when touring? 80 mph on the connector this afternoon with a strong head/side wind....hit a bump, the latch on my left lid popped open and the lid flew off!! Watched the wind hold it up for a while and then drop it in the middle of the highway. Slammed on the breaks and pulled over, ran back in the middle of the lane so that traffic would see me and avoid the lid. Got it back - not broken but all scratched up  Someone was looking after me because my brother-in-law (riding behind me) avoided it and didn't get hurt by it hitting him, no other vehicle hit it and it didn't get broken, only needs to be repainted. Made me very sad though!!! Live and Learn! paul |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Oss
Member
Posts: 12766
The lower Hudson Valley
Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141
|
|
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2015, 07:34:40 PM » |
|
been there lost the lid never found it
an expensive lesson
Also tighten the screws on the hinges as they can also loosen up over time
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison
When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
|
|
|
|
icandoitfaster
|
|
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2015, 07:40:20 PM » |
|
Thanks for the tip. I'll go out and do it right now before I forget!
paul
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15325
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
|
|
« Reply #3 on: May 02, 2015, 07:49:13 PM » |
|
Didn't the cables hold it from blowing away? The only time I ever lock my lids is if I'm leaving the bike in a parking lot to go do some shopping. I've been running greater than 80 at times and not always smooth as a pool table and have never had a latch come loose or lid fly up.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Jess from VA
|
|
« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2015, 07:50:34 PM » |
|
Been there, done that, got the Tshirt.
My story is similar to yours.... except I sprinted an eighth mile back down the side of the freeway only to have a soccer mom run it over and explode it into bits as I was nearing the finish.
This sounds funnier than it was.
It isn't that they need to be locked, they need to be hooked to the cable ties (on interstates). Tourers are on hinges. On interstates, the hinge is replaced with a hook/clamp setup that can pop off and let the wind take it from the front. Maybe a locked latch would hold it on, but the cables will absolutely hold it on. What happened on my bike was the hook setup hardware got just a bit crooked so it was not fully clamped. One big bump and it became a poorly flying Frisbee.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Oss
Member
Posts: 12766
The lower Hudson Valley
Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141
|
|
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2015, 07:52:03 PM » |
|
70 mph going over the Tappan Zee Bridge in a cross wind.... the cables are not enough I did sister picture hanging wire onto the cables and then wrapped it with electrical tape before I put the new lid on. Here is a pic, it aint pretty but it wont lose my lid again  Aint NO WAY that baby is coming off now  |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: May 02, 2015, 07:55:33 PM by Oss »
|
Logged
|
If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison
When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
|
|
|
Windrider
Member
Posts: 137
2000 Valkyrie Tourer
SE NE
|
|
« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2015, 08:44:18 PM » |
|
been there lost the lid never found it
an expensive lesson
Also tighten the screws on the hinges as they can also loosen up over time
Yup. Just found loose screws on mine last week. However, I rarely ride with the lids locked and have never had one come unlatched from hitting a bump. Sometimes I've taken off without even latching the lid and have never had one fly open. We have a lot of 30-40 MPH wind here in the summer. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
icandoitfaster
|
|
« Reply #7 on: May 02, 2015, 08:51:21 PM » |
|
The previous owner had removed the ties because one of the resting tabs had lost it's rubber covering and he didn't want to scratch the outside of the saddlebag when it was left hanging against it. I was waiting to replace the rubber foot before installing the ties but will reinforce them with picture hanging wire and get them istalled before next weekend. Thanks for the reinforcement idea!
paul
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Robert
|
|
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2015, 05:37:41 AM » |
|
I had a problem with the latch coming undone it would latch but it was not tight or latch with a firm kind of snap. The problem is the the seal along the top of the bag had lost the lip that actually seals the bag. The rib that holds the seal was there but the round flexible seal that attaches to the base comes off. Once this happens the lid doesn't latch firmly kind of like a door that doesn't firmly shut. This allows the front screws to wiggle and loosen then the lid flies off. They are just like door seals on a car and once the seal comes off it allows the lid to actually be slightly loose. The seals look like the ones below. I have the Champion hard bags so it may be different. http://www.automobiletrim.com/car-boot-seals.html |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: May 03, 2015, 05:43:21 AM by Robert »
|
Logged
|
“Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don’t have time for all that.”
|
|
|
Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16771
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
|
|
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2015, 02:36:53 PM » |
|
The previous owner had removed the ties because one of the resting tabs had lost it's rubber covering and he didn't want to scratch the outside of the saddlebag when it was left hanging against it. ... Not really very brilliant in retrospect, was it? The bag shouldn't be able to come loose if it's snapped into position. I have to wonder whether putting in in place inadvertently missed the clip on the front. If a rubber footing is missing you can temporarily achieve its function with a few wraps of electrical tape. I almost never lock mine (Don't tell any thieves). |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Hopester
|
|
« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2015, 04:18:03 PM » |
|
Sorry to hear of your misfortune but thanks for the reminder.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
MP
Member
Posts: 5532
1997 Std Valkyrie and 2001 red/blk I/S w/sidecar
North Dakota
|
|
« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2015, 03:07:35 AM » |
|
The previous owner had removed the ties because one of the resting tabs had lost it's rubber covering and he didn't want to scratch the outside of the saddlebag when it was left hanging against it. ... Not really very brilliant in retrospect, was it? The bag shouldn't be able to come loose if it's snapped into position. I have to wonder whether putting in in place inadvertently missed the clip on the front. If a rubber footing is missing you can temporarily achieve its function with a few wraps of electrical tape. I almost never lock mine (Don't tell any thieves). Why are you calling me " not really very brilliant"? Oh, I know!  I actually leave mine off on purpose. I find it easier to access the bags, and easier to handle the lid. Now, there is a risk, if I do not get it latched properly. If it is on correct, it will not come off. As you mention, if you do not get the front in correctly, it can come off. That is probably what happened. I have caught myself a couple times not getting it correct. MP |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 "Ridin' with Cycho" |
|
|
|
Jess from VA
|
|
« Reply #12 on: May 04, 2015, 07:40:59 AM » |
|
Well Mel, I successfully did the same thing for years and years, and then one day it was not successful, and it ended up costing over $650 (with a used lid, new single honda bag rack, body shop and paint, and mount hardware) to replace. To be fair, it was a really shock-bottoming hard bump at high speed (shitty new asphalt patch).
I just failed to notice a slowly-getting-crooked front latch on the left bag, which is the bag I am in and out of all the time (the right carries the standard gear/tools/rain suit/pump/tire repair, and I'm almost never in there).
Saturday, I did have to get to my tools.... for a Harley. LOL But it wasn't falling apart on its own; it was to turn in two bolts the dealer just hand started two turns, then failed to finish off. So it isn't a Harley bash, it's a dealer bash.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
fudgie
Member
Posts: 10629
Better to be judged by 12, then carried by 6.
Huntington Indiana
|
|
« Reply #13 on: May 04, 2015, 03:08:33 PM » |
|
The previous owner had removed the ties because one of the resting tabs had lost it's rubber covering and he didn't want to scratch the outside of the saddlebag when it was left hanging against it. ... Not really very brilliant in retrospect, was it? The bag shouldn't be able to come loose if it's snapped into position. I have to wonder whether putting in in place inadvertently missed the clip on the front. If a rubber footing is missing you can temporarily achieve its function with a few wraps of electrical tape. I almost never lock mine (Don't tell any thieves). Why are you calling me " not really very brilliant"? Oh, I know! I actually leave mine off on purpose. I find it easier to access the bags, and easier to handle the lid. Now, there is a risk, if I do not get it latched properly. If it is on correct, it will not come off. As you mention, if you do not get the front in correctly, it can come off. That is probably what happened. I have caught myself a couple times not getting it correct. MP I don't tether mine either and I have I/S hinges on the tourer. Makes it a lot easier to access stuff. Esp if I have stuff strapped to the lids. Lift it off and lay it to the side. I do get in the habit of checking while riding. Little forward tug on the rack to see if its secure. Forgot to latch it yesterday when I went to town. It was windy but stayed in place.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 Now you're in the world of the wolves... And we welcome all you sheep... VRCC-#7196 VRCCDS-#0175 DTR PGR |
|
|
MP
Member
Posts: 5532
1997 Std Valkyrie and 2001 red/blk I/S w/sidecar
North Dakota
|
|
« Reply #14 on: May 05, 2015, 04:30:19 AM » |
|
Jess: I know. I just like it that way.  MP |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"Ridin' with Cycho" |
|
|
|
