BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

My system cases are about two years old and have had minimal
(light use). Last October, the right side latch broke and sent the, right side case, flying down the road. Dealer said that they had never seen such a failure. I fixed it and moved on hoping for the best. At this time I decided to do Cyclerobs mechanical pin trick.

Last week the left side latch gave up the ghost. These things are damn expensive to fix . I have lost my trust for these bags, as they have cost me over $450 in repairs alone! That's in just two years of intermittent use. These bags seem to be built well, but the latches are pot metal .

Anybody have a better alternative to the system bags?

I ma not sure if you are looking for hard bags only or not but... I have the waterproof saddlebags from Ortlieb. http://www.aerostich.com/product.php?pr ... 280&page=1

They work pretty well for what they are, but you have to be careful how you pack your loads since the left side has a tendency to dip and sit on the can. It has not melted as of yet, but the possibility is always on my mind. =/ I imagine that they don't have the capacity that the BMW systems cases do, but they are a third of the price, so it is a trade off there.

While poking around the K1200R board there was talk of Hepco and Becker bags systems. I am in the market for a hard bag system and started investigating the H&B bags, but I have not been able to find much at all.

Does anyone have any input on the H&B bags? How do they compare to the BMW bags (price and performance or other impressions).

11

Beemeridian wrote:I don't give BMW credit for altruism when they think they can make a buck, however, I think there is a reason the case latches are made of potmetal;
In the event of a lay-down the bags will break-away, thus sparing the sub-frame from twisting and damage. Remember, the rails are mounted directly to that sub-frame and it is a far more expensive repair than the (admittedly expensive) bag latches.

Cyclerob's pin-fix does what BMW should have done in the factory; It creates an immovable triangulated mounting point for the bags. I have already rolled my bike on a pinned bag and suffered little damage other than a broken turn signal and a scratched plastic head guard.
It definitely, indisputably works.

Where can I find his pin-fix description?

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f ... ase+system

Half way down the page, see Cyclerob's post...with photos.

I would like to buy one of cyclerobs retaining pin set ups but I can not pull up the add or photo. I also googled cyclerob with no avail. Can someone post the add or photos ?

11

Drilling and fitting a pin works, no doubt, but there's an easier solution that requires NO drilling, and thus no weakening of plastic and metal parts:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7652

11

I've had two fail - one on each side. The first one was lost at speed and recovered (only the lid and latch needed replacing) but the second I noticed before hitting the road. The cases were bought at different times and used frequently. After the last one, I bought the pins for the "CycleRob mod" but haven't done it yet. I still have my latch from the last one that failed and wouldn't mind seeing how hard it is to:
1) remove/reinstall the failed part and
2) have an improved part made

Someday I'll get around to taking it apart but taking a quick look at it, it doesn't took like a simple thing to disassemble.

Now I always confirm the cases are on and secure before I ride away, but that won't help when one fails during the ride!

FYI, I did not invent the bag pin method. I just did the mod, posted my pics and made it known as the best $2.20 mod I've ever made. The pins are in the hardware aisle inside the shallow steel drawers. They come 2 in a bag, so it's a real deal !!

Here is my SmugMug 1150R album: HERE .
The bag pics are on page 5. They're all old pics, but it everything still applies.

FYI the pins are @ Home Depot -I looked @ Lowes as they are closer for me and they didn't have them. I'll also add that I was able to drill the holes for the left side bag without removing anything-muffler/wheel,etc. I guess if you are worried about a screw-up, you can do so, but I found it unnecessary.

I have pictures but can't get them to link for some reason
On my recent trip through Colorado on the way home my right side bag came loose from the mount.
It was saved because I had two bungee buddies on the top of each case and a bungee hooked on each across my stuff on the back seat. When I realized and stopped the bungees were the only attachment of the bag, and holding it on the bike. And they held.

Some followup
I knew myself well enough that I would have an exceptionally easy time losing the pins as described in this thread and decided to modify the approach using a latch pin that I hope will be harder to lose.


This is a 1/4 x 1 3/4 pin and they are under $4 each, but with that ring can be clipped to the case via a bungee buddy

This is how they fit on the case



and



As Cyclerob states and I emphasize strongly the hole MUST be drilled from the inside out. Don't ask.

I used three bits to do this--a pilot hole bit, then a 1/4, then a 9/64

The 9/64 is to ream out the hole in the aluminum bracket. The pin holds itself in place by means of the little ball at the end of the pin and by friction which is considerable.
I haven't road tested this yet, but in the garage looks pretty substantial. A concern may be that over time the plastic of the case may widen lessening the friction, but the ball valve should take care of that.



As you can see I went between the retaining screws and no problem with clearance.

The pins can be inserted from the outside in or the inside out.

John

11

Beemeridian wrote:Very well thought out John. Brilliant surgery, I am sure the patient did not feel a thing
I doubt that the pin could work itself loose but if it becomes a concern, maybe just twist-tie the ring to the foot.
Great pics too, thanks!

Dave

Hey, Dave
Hope all's well with you and thanks.

I, too, doubt that the pins will work loose, but probably a little epoxy or even just some super glue on the inside of the hole will return the tight fit.

Didn't mention: the pins can be inserted from either direction.