Krasuer Bags on my Airhead

[Jon]

I just mounted up some original Krasuer bags, pretty good shape. Any recomendations about feeling just a little more secure that they will stay there? I have heard the stories about the lid opening or the whole case falling off. They use the seatbelt style mounting latch, I hope to get a key to lock that, I have the case keys. I was thinking a set of ROC straps as insurance that they won't open or fall off.

[skiteach]

That latch seems more secure than the ones I have. Mine are plastic straps with a half rounded area that catures the mounting frame. Maybe first gen? I've heard all the problems, haven't had any. Knocking wood!

[roncooper]

I used to own a 75 60/6 with the Krauser bags and I too was worried about the bags unlatching. My solution was:

With the bag mounted, I drilled a small hole through the plastic portion of the bag latch near the push button and on through the chrome piece on the bag mount.

I put a sheet metal screw in the hole. This effectively locked the bag to the mount. To remove the bag, you just remove the screw first.

I thought this was a more efficent/direct method of securing the bag than a cord around the outside.

Ron

[rinty]

Jon:

I had Light Touring Cases on my airhead, and I used to put long straps around them, through the frame. They take just a few minutes to secure, once you get good at it. Those Roc straps you mentioned look to be excellent.

Just keep them away from the pipes!

Rinty

[terham]

I don't have any experience with ROK straps, but I use these (http://www.dwapickle.com/safety.html) on my Krausers. So far so good.

[yngswen]

I just mounted up some original Krasuer bags, pretty good shape. Any recomendations about feeling just a little more secure that they will stay there? I have heard the stories about the lid opening or the whole case falling off. They use the seatbelt style mounting latch, I hope to get a key to lock that, I have the case keys. I was thinking a set of ROC straps as insurance that they won't open or fall off.


The ROC straps are better than a web strap because you can terminate them at the end rather than having to loop them around the entire bag like a buckled web strap, and they have a little stretch which allows the weight of the Krausers to be offloaded without crushing them. Sounds like a good plan for touring.

[swall]

The time honored low tech, low buck retention device is the 30" rubber tarp strap with a hook at each end. Hook one end at the back, on the latch plate and run the strap horizontally along the lid (roughly at the middle). Hook the other end to the subframe diagonal member just below the plastic sidecover. This arrangement secures both the bag and the lid. And if you lose one, a replacement is as close as your nearest Walmart.

[kstoo]

Sorry, I have no trust in latches of any kind. I believe in insurance or reassurance that what I start out from home with will still be there when I am done. I have always wrapped a bungee around my luggage but I bought these ones used with the bungee buddies already on them and I like this set up even better.

[rocketman]

for around town with just a light load, I have never secured my or had a problem in the all the years I've had them on my airheads.

For longer rides or when I have a lot in them, then I run a strap around the bag and frame on each one as shown in a previous post. While I have heard of the latch giving way and the bag falling off, of all those I have known who had/has an airhead with them I don't know of anyone this has happened to, still it makes sense to take such a simple precaution as running a strap around them, at least when they are really loaded or you have something of value in them.

RM

[Jon]

all great information

[rocketman]

all great information

Sweet machine, but much too clean to have been ridden much! Ha Ha!

( I AM just kidding, you understand!! )

RM

[Jon]

I hear ya........it is a re-paint with about 64 K on the clock. I share the miles with other machines.
Thanks for the input

[yngswen]

I hear ya........it is a re-paint with about 64 K on the clock. I share the miles with other machines.
Thanks for the input

You ought to get rid of that old bike. I'd be willing to take it off your hands...


;)

[tghsmith]

if you plan on doing some touring you may want to look at the hepco-becker retro bags, look the same, weak points and bad latches reworked, deep enough for a full face helmet. the trip when my wifes krauser bag passed her at a stop light is when she went with givi's.

[ccolwell]

If anybody knows of a source for the locks for these bags, I'd be interested. Mine don't work.

[sumran]

I am currently working on a design for latches that will retrofit the old suitcase style latches. It should be a fix that allows carefree riding without bungees or straps. I am waiting for some metal stock to be delivered, so I can finish up. I'll post pic's when done.

I am still trying to resolve the cover support. The flimsy stock part bends, messes up the alignment between the cover and the case and gets in the way of the interior space. Other than that, it is fine.

[8ninety8]

Many years ago, not trusting that my Krausers would stay with the bike, I drilled a hole through the inside plastic lining up with the forward hole of the mount. Inserted bolt with rubber washer inside. Never had cause to take the bags with me into the tent. Over the worst bumps never worry that the bag will pass me.

I imagine others have done the same thing. '74R90S

[Jon]

Anyone have a S324 key they would part with...? or a blank? I have the key that locks the bags but not the one that locks the bags to the mounts. Bob's said they stopped making them spring of 2005. ??