SADDLEBAG LID

[tiredofbs4]

lost the lid off my right saddle bag going down the interstate this morning. Where can I find a green one to match the 98 green scheme?

[Thud300]

eBay is your friend, but you're likely to find them spendy. If you're lucky, you will find the right color, otherwise it's paint time.

Many XII riders have made and installed tethers to prevent this from happening.

[cranky]

... planning on the tethers when I get 'um, 'til then, I keep the front
latch locked... I don't think there is room for the rear latch to fail and
the lid to leave me when the front is locked....

[tiredofbs4]

I was planning to make tethers cuz didn't like way locks lined up

[Mr Jensee]

Cranky your best bet is to lock front and back. Just sayin....

[Jimvoyager01]

Your best bet is to add tethers----speaking from experience

[cushman eagle]

Cranky your best bet is to lock front and back. Just sayin....

After you put tethers on
Thank you for your post on tethers last winter,as that became a winter service project last year.
As Peg and I were heading out Route 70 west of Columbus on the way to the Rally in Nashville,Peg tells me on the intercom,the left bag lid was off, I sure was glad I had tethered them We found a place to pull off,and found in her haste to load the bike,she locked all four bag locks, but did not latch the front of the left bag.

[Wahrsuul]

Definitely tethers - the locks didn't hold on mine. fortunately, I was able to retrieve the lid before it got run over.

[JusCruisin]

I'm in the same boat, needing a cover. I have a 2003 Xii. Are they all the same saddlebag, or how do know which year cover will fit?

[VoyKimmer]

Best bet, make and install tethers ASAP and lock both latches on both bags and the trunk. My trunk lid has come open when not locked. Didn’t loose anything out of it but could have.

[SgtSlag]

All years used the same bags, lids, and trunks. Only the paint was changed... Cheers!

[Nails]

My trunk lid has come open when not locked.

Mine has opened with the latches locked. (When I recovered the lid I had to unlock it to put it back on the bike.) Bend them to latch good and tight.

[Mr Jensee]

When I nearly crashed last month, I had left the left saddlebag lid unlocked and the jar popped off the bag and the tethers broke. The lid only received scratches but I cant reiterate strong enough, make your tethers out of heavy duty material and keep the lids locked at all times.

[Nails]

Sounds like a wild ride. Glad you didn't lose your tethers.

[VoyKimmer]

I made my tethers out of 550 Paracord. It’s strong enough that it will never break and it won’t cut into the saddlebag when laying on the side. I make sure all my latches are locked when riding and have never had a lid come off but if one did it would just stay softly on the side of the saddlebag.

[SgtSlag]

I, too, used paracord -- that is not what concerns me... I used crimp-on wire loop connectors to attach the paracord to the bag's screws/rivets (been several years, don't remember the details). My concern is that if my lids take flight, the crimp connection may give out. If you have a better means of attaching the paracord to the bags and lids, please share. Cheers!

[Nails]

I also attached to the latch bolts -- I think I replaced a rivet or two with a teeny bolt. I used a small copper pipe tie-down strap/loop, tied with a bowline. Not as pretty as crimp, but maybe a little stronger.

The leashes should be kinda stout, but I don't see much sense in going crazy given how flimsy those latches are. I used something like 1/8" braided nylon cord.

Since bending the latches snug, I haven't had a lid pop off (locked or not). I really think that solves the whole problem. But the leashes are great anyway, to hang the lids instead of finding some place to lay them down.

[823JIM]

I used 10# test fish leaders and washer hose as perviewtopic.php?f=3&t=8362&p=63404&hilit=tethers#p63404

[JusCruisin]

Thanks SgtSlag, got the new one. Luckily the paint is close enough it doesn't look ridiculous.

[Carlson]

I'm in the same boat, needing a cover. I have a 2003 Xii. Are they all the same saddlebag, or how do know which year cover will fit?

What side ?