Krauser Bags

[commando74]

I am in the middle of rebuilding a 1973 R75/5. Plenty of things to do, one of which is to either buy new side bags, or perhaps have the original bags reconditioned. The originals are in working condition, and are solid with no cracks, working latches, etc. But they look a little worse for wear, including rough trim work, etc. does anyone offer this type of service? Are new bags even available?

Thanks in advance for any comments...

[Wes]

I don't know about reconditioning but Hepco Becker still makes the bags under the Krauser marque - they are styled as they were in the 1970's. I just bought some from Bob's BMW for a 1977 R100S. I think you would need to talk with them to see whether you can use your existing rack or whether you would need to replace that too. Mine are pictured below.

Link to the bags at Bob's: http://store.bobsbmw.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=46549016152R-LUG


http://frontstreetphilly.smugmug.com/photos/516156783_4AchG-M.jpg

[commando74]

Thanks for the response! Nice looking bags and bike. Would you mind telling me how much for the bags?

[535is]

FWIW, those bags take Krylon Fusion (paint for plastics) quite nicely. :thumb

If they leak, new seals are ~$4 each.

[Bigrider]

[QUOTE=535is;449087]FWIW, those bags take Krylon Fusion (paint for plastics) quite nicely. :thumb



+1 on Krylon Fusion paint (black). Not real glossy, more like bags that have just been ArmorAll'd

Dave H
San Antonio, TX

[orbitangel]

FWIW, those bags take Krylon Fusion (paint for plastics) quite nicely. :thumb



+1 on Krylon Fusion paint (black). Not real glossy, more like bags that have just been ArmorAll'd

Dave H
San Antonio, TX

C.R. is quite right (the bags have to be CLEAN, of course.)

Sometimes those bags are a bit too far gone to benefit from Armor All or some similar product. :violin

Get out the Krylon. Ask me how I know...

[shire2000]

Might I suggest using Mother's Back to Black http://www.mothers.com/02_products/06108.html

I tried this stuff out and was very impressed. Cleans and polishes to a nice matte finish. Didn't take much elbow grease either. Works well on the inner parts of the RT fairing as well. No shine, just a nice matte black finish.

[squiffynimrod]

Might I suggest using Mother's Back to Black http://www.mothers.com/02_products/06108.html

I tried this stuff out and was very impressed. Cleans and polishes to a nice matte finish. Didn't take much elbow grease either. Works well on the inner parts of the RT fairing as well. No shine, just a nice matte black finish.

I agree on the Mother's B2B. See the pic of my touring case, post #29 on this thread: http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?p=415633#post415633
They didn't look that good when I started, but cleaned up really well.

[orbitangel]

Might I suggest using Mother's Back to Black http://www.mothers.com/02_products/06108.html

I tried this stuff out and was very impressed. Cleans and polishes to a nice matte finish. Didn't take much elbow grease either. Works well on the inner parts of the RT fairing as well. No shine, just a nice matte black finish.

Dave,

I have heard about this product but have not yet tried it.

Thanks for the tip.

BTW, how long does a "treatment" last and is it effective on plastic which is UV bleached to the point of being nearly "gray?"

[krehmkej]

The "inside" (smooth) part of my Krausers was uv'ed gray on top and ends. I had good results painting them with NAPA Martin senour adhesion promoter then followed with satin vinyl paint from the same source. You can wet sand the adhesion propoter like regular primer. Turned out good for me.

As always, YMMV!

[Wes]

Thanks for the response! Nice looking bags and bike. Would you mind telling me how much for the bags?

They are currently running $560 at Bob's I believe.

[535is]

Actually, although I would expect the Krylon black to do a nice job, my only experience has been with Krylon Fusion Dover White ... :whistle

http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/103216_front500.jpg

[shire2000]

Re: Back to Black
My BMW Bags were slightly faded and scuffed and they came back nicely. I did them 2 years ago and just did a light touch up this spring.
The inside of my RT fairing was quite sun faded to a dull gray. I did the Back to Black 2 years ago and will probably do another coat on it to just sharpen it up after the next washing.

So for me, in a more northern climate (above the 49th) it seems to last about 2 years. If you are in the far south, might be a different situation.

I like using it as it is much easier and quicker than taking everything apart and painting. I would rather be riding than doing all that.

[mymindsok]

They are currently running $560 at Bob's I believe.

Thats about right but you can frequently find them on sale. I bought mine for about $100 less than Bob's BMW's price but then again, thier prices are usually the highest in the US.

Give Chicago BMW or some other sources a call.

PS: I guess that now my secrets out! I've been using Mother's "Back to Black" for several years with good results. It works on luggage, turn signal housings tank bags and a lot of other things. It won't restore your old bags but it'll make em look a lot better!

You can use it on all the black plastic stuff on your bike.

[535is]

I like using it as it is much easier and quicker than taking everything apart and painting. I would rather be riding than doing all that.
While I agree on all that other stuff, painting the bags is really easy. Takes about 10 minutes to mask each one. No disassembly required. :thumb

[mymindsok]

While I agree on all that other stuff, painting the bags is really easy. Takes about 10 minutes to mask each one. No disassembly required. :thumb

Yeah...

I think that paints probably he way to go.

[Fa395fl]

Use pig spit wonderful product for back parts including motors and other plastic or metal

[AnnapolisAirhead]

Use pig spit wonderful product for back parts including motors and other plastic or metal

Dare I ask, where do you find said Pig Spit? :dunno

What's the primary ingredient? If its anything like Marvel Mysteryless oil, its fish oil.

UPDATE: But of course, www.PigSpit.com (www.PigSpit.com)

[Yarddog]

Dare I ask, where do you find said Pig Spit? :dunno

What's the primary ingredient? If its anything like Marvel Mysteryless oil, its fish oil.

UPDATE: But of course, www.PigSpit.com (www.PigSpit.com)

Be real careful with ANYTHING containing silicone...if you get it on your paint, you will have fisheyes that you may never get rid of when you repaint...if you try to paint the part that you used silicon on, the paint won't adhere, or will have numerous fisheyes...Armor All's main ingredient is silicon...If I recall correctly, Pig Spit has silicone in it too, but I haven't checked...