Broken Latch on Hard Bag

[Dawgmiester]

I have a broken latch on my hard bag. My latches on my bag do no have any locking mechanism. After many years of use the latches have simply worn out. Only one is broken but I would like to replace all of them.
I had called Bob's BMW to find out what can be done and the service man told me there was no such thing as a non- locking latch on BMW hardbags. :confused:
I would like to know if these can be replaced and if so can anyone give some well needed advise on how to do so?

As you can see from the pic there are no locking mechanisms.

[kbasa]

Flip up the little square plate on the top of the latches.

There's a lock under there.

[dlearl476]

> can anyone give some well needed advise on how to do so?


Take your title (or lien holder paperwork) and ID* to the dealer along with your key code, if you have it. Order some "keyed-alike" latches for your bags. Then you WILL have locking bags, keyed the same way as your igition and steering head lock.

OR buy some generic ones and "re-key" them yourself using the guide in the tech section of the IBMWR site.

*As I learned when I needed a new "seat lock" for my F650, BMW now requires this so they don't sell someone else a key to YOUR bike. And AFAIK, these have to be ordered from Germany, so DON'T order it from an inept dealer or you'll probably be well beyond riding age when you finally get it!;)

[dbrick]

The bags on Dawgmeister's bike have the first-generation latches: pot metal, with primitive locks under the little flap like Kbasa says. The keys are smaller and of different shape from the ignition/fork/seat lock keys. The notches in the bag keys are all alike; what's different is the cross-section of the key. There are (I think) a half-dozen different key shapes, with latches to match. I think the latches are marked by a stamping, showing the proper key #.

The Bob's BMW catalog I have at home has these old keys listed. It's likely that any dealer will have a box of old keys you could paw through, to look for ones that will fit the existing latches.

The second-generation latches (real tumbler locks, with the keyway facing the seat) and third-generation ones (real tumbler locks, with the keyway facing outward) are available from BMW. They'll be pricy. These are the locks which can be keyed alike to the bike's ignition, fork, and seat locks. Keyed-alikeness happened only if a previous owner cared enough to insist on parallel keying; many bikes out there have bags whose keys do not fit the bike's other locks.

[dlearl476]

>Keyed-alikeness happened only if a previous owner cared enough to insist on parallel keying; many bikes out there have bags whose keys do not fit the bike's other locks.

Interesting. I always assumed that bikes that CAME with bags, had keyed-alike boxes. (like my RT) Perhaps it's ones on which the bags were ordered as an accessory that insisting on "keyed-alike" locks is an issue.

[dbrick]

Originally posted by dlearl
Interesting. I always assumed that bikes that CAME with bags, had keyed-alike boxes. (like my RT) Perhaps it's ones on which the bags were ordered as an accessory that insisting on "keyed-alike" locks is an issue.
Or they might have been fitted to the bike at a later date, or be replacement(s) for damaged or lost bags.

Just because a machine was delivered to the customer with bags doesn't necessarily mean that the bags came from the factory in the shipping crate with the bike. Some of this stuff is dealer-installed, even when "stock." (An exception might be color-matched saddlebags. But I dunno...I'm not a dealer.)

[kbasa]

The flat latch bags use a different key system and the ignition key won't work them. The later bags switched to a key that is the same as the ignition key.

Again, flip the little latch up and look for the number on the lock. It'll allow you to tell your dealer which key set you need. Make sure they're the same on both sides, just in case someone bought bags from seperate sources or something.

[BradfordBenn]

This is way to complex. Dawg, just use some bungee cords or duct tape to hold them closed. Even better would be a nylon strap with a fast lok.

You may also just want to try your local locksmith.

[Dawgmiester]

I feel kind of silly that I NEVER knew there were locks on my bag. Thanks guys for helping me out. I flipped up the little tab on my latches and sure enough there was a tiny little lock. I have had this bike for years and never knew it was there. I always wondered what that little key was for on my key ring.
Man I love this fourm. Thanks for the help. You folks are the best.
Only one latch is broken and I am wondering if it can be replaced? If so, do you recomend any certain place to send it? As I am quite far from any dealer.

Thanks again for all your help.

[dbrick]

Good thing you didn't toss the seemed-to-be-extra key!

The latches are made of pot metal, and likely not repairable. I think you're limited to using a strap around the bag, or looking for a replacement bag or latch - hopefully with the same key number you've already got. I don't know if the old style latches themselves are available from BMW, but I doubt it. I think the newer style (the kind that can be keyed the same as the bike) are available. Maybe dealers or businesses who carry used parts would have some of the old style latches floating around.

[dlearl476]

Originally posted by Dawgmiester

Only one latch is broken and I am wondering if it can be replaced? If so, do you recomend any certain place to send it? As I am quite far from any dealer.

Thanks again for all your help.

Dawg, two places I would try are Motobins, UK and the everpopular Siebenrock (Thanks again, VEG). They have a plethora of used and NOS stuff and being in Europe they might have just what you're looking for. Don't let the distance deter you, thanks to the internet and fed-ex, they're actually closer to you than any dealer. Peter at Motobins or Roland at Siebenrock will get back to you quick, you just need to take the time difference into account. (Now would be a great time to email, as they're just getting into work)

World Clock (http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/)

[gambrinus]

I'm with Brad on this one... I competent local locksmith may be able to help you out. I was told many times that the locks on my old Land Rover were toast and that I'd be spending $$ to order new ones.. Off I went to the local locksmith who chuckled at how simple they were and charged me $5 each to fix them.

RW

[Tinboatcapt]

I've have the bike for a year and didn't know the little cover was anything but a moulded part of the latch! Now I need to find keys.
There was only one ignition key with the bike, so a previous owner(s) may also have been fooled.

"you can learn more here by accident, than anywhere else by design" The Mayor

Thanks,
Jim