HELP: Lost Saddlebag In Maine

[tourunigo]

Sad but true. My left saddlebag dismounted somewhere between Cornish, Maine-route 25- and Brooks, Maine (near Belfast). Some of 25 was like the dry heaves every four feet while the area near Belfast had a number of very rough back roads. Lost my Nikkon and some sentimental T Shirts. Maybe someone has seen it or heard about someone finding one. Mine looked like the following right side buddy:

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd244/tourunigo/100_2132.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd244/tourunigo/100_2134.jpg
http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd244/tourunigo/100_2135.jpg

Likely I will have to just forget about it and get a new-to-me left bag. However, I will give y'all a shout first. - Bob

[tourunigo]

:cry a hopeful bump.....

[Paul_F]

Bob, I fear that some day I may have the same thing happen to me. However, if it does, I do have taped on the bags' outside, on the wheel side of each, a note (protected by packing tape) explaining that I am on tour with only camping supplies and dirty laundry inside my locked case, along with my Cdn and American cell #s listed. As well, the bottom of my cases are covered with orange reflective tape in case they (or I) land upside down in a ditch, making them easier to spot. With any luck, I might receive a phone call to come and retrieve the wayward pannier.

Hope that your bag gets back to you.

[tourunigo]

Bob, I fear that some day I may have the same thing happen to me. However, if it does, I do have taped on the bags' outside, on the wheel side of each, a note (protected by packing tape) explaining that I am on tour with only camping supplies and dirty laundry inside my locked case, along with my Cdn and American cell #s listed. As well, the bottom of my cases are covered with orange reflective tape in case they (or I) land upside down in a ditch, making them easier to spot. With any luck, I might receive a phone call to come and retrieve the wayward pannier.

Hope that your bag gets back to you.

As usual Paul, some well thought out suggestions. Once I get all set up again I will be doing the same! Now, where are those old leather cruiser bags that I packed away somewhere :laugh - Bob

[SheRidesABeemer]

Bob I posted this link in the Maine Rider's (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13669201#post13669201) thread on ADV. Hope you get a lead.
Lost your camera? :cry

[tourunigo]

Bob I posted this link in the Maine Rider's (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=13669201#post13669201) thread on ADV. Hope you get a lead.
Lost your camera? :cry

thanks Gail....much appreciated! Camera: one of three but it was the most expensive one.... sigh. Oh well, it's just stuff and we made it back from the RA safe and somewhat sound. - Bob

[tommcgee]

There's always hope, Bob.

Lost and Found (http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_dd4158b1-2280-581e-86ef-8c6032dfbf3a.html)

[kgadley01]

:wave Bob, sorry to hear of your loss. hopefully it will turn up. A friend of mine lost his wallet at the Rally while riding some of the surrounding roads. it was found by another BMW rider and returned within 20 minutes. what luck! it was great to finally meet you. too bad we were both so busy and couldn't spend more time together. oh well there will be other Rallys. Oh and how do you lose a saddle bag without knowing it??? :stick

[tourunigo]

There's always hope, Bob.

Lost and Found (http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_dd4158b1-2280-581e-86ef-8c6032dfbf3a.html)

agree; remember Steve's amazing recovery story from the first Salty Fog Rally? He got his side case back because it was picked up by another traveller (car) who noticed his missing sidecase while they were both at the same tourist attraction (Peggy's Cove). He had it in his trunk. Amazing yet very uncommon. - Bob

[Ted]

Something I wrote a few weeks ago that unfortunately will not help here but might help others in case this happens...
http://www.verrill.com/moto/rants/2010/100722rant.shtml

[tourunigo]

Something I wrote a few weeks ago that unfortunately will not help here but might help others in case this happens...
http://www.verrill.com/moto/rants/2010/100722rant.shtml

All the points in that article are excellent. It's funny though, in 2007 we took off on an 11,000 mile around the U.S. and I strapped the bags on. Except for that little stint around Oklahoma City, the roads were not all that bad. Oh well, lesson learned and future travels will have more thought put into security. Thanks Ted. - Bob

[119240]

http://www.amazon.com/ROK-Straps-42-Adjustable-Strap/dp/B002L0OEJU
Older bikes & parts need to be checked more often - I learned the hard way as well - but mine was only a latch undone - often people load in ALOT more then they should weight wise as well - Strap - closed & to the mount frame all ways worked for me. I've seen safety belts used as well - good luck and ride with people as well.

[AKBeemer]

Bob, Have you called the police/sheriff departments in the area you lost it? They may have it. Also the Dept of Transportation may have picked it up.

[tourunigo]

Bob, Have you called the police/sheriff departments in the area you lost it? They may have it. Also the Dept of Transportation may have picked it up.

Thanks for the suggestion. police/sheriff offices contacted but not DoT. Hope one of those roadside grasscutters doesn't find it first though :banghead Once my now missing Salty Fog Rally t-shirt hits that shredder....... my Ben and Jerry's irreplacable Cherry Garcia shirt...... my Route 50 t-shirt.... I really am more sentimental than materialistic. - Bob

[tourunigo]

:wave Bob, sorry to hear of your loss. hopefully it will turn up. A friend of mine lost his wallet at the Rally while riding some of the surrounding roads. it was found by another BMW rider and returned within 20 minutes. what luck! it was great to finally meet you. too bad we were both so busy and couldn't spend more time together. oh well there will be other Rallys. Oh and how do you lose a saddle bag without knowing it??? :stick

ok then.... moa rally 2011 for sure! Loosing the case: funny how that thing can sneak off without any sound. Must be when all the sounds of thumping across bad pavement covers the 'thud'. What's really more peculiar is not noticing it when gasing up unless you are intentionally scanning all parts. Should do that anyway I suppose..... I will in the future! Catch ya in the future. - Bob

[SheRidesABeemer]

I think I'm going to tape a business card to the inside of my cases now...

[SIBUD]

Don't give up hope. I just think that somehow this will turn out OK for you and that you will get it all back. :thumb

[iRene]

Check your PMs

[kgadley01]

I think I'm going to tape a business card to the inside of my cases now...

Great idea Gail... thats something I'm going to do. Great to meet you at the Rally. Kenny...

[tourunigo]

Great idea Gail... thats something I'm going to do. Great to meet you at the Rally. Kenny...

Dang, at this rate if it is not found then it has literally vanished! Very kind efforts indeed! Thanks Kenny. - Bob

[tourunigo]

Don't give up hope. I just think that somehow this will turn out OK for you and that you will get it all back. :thumb

Thanks for the hope! We have sincerely appreciated the response to our little misadventure. Thank for the thoughts. - Bob

[Statdawg]

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=14032870#post14032870

[tourunigo]

I now have the email of the person in Cornish, Maine who (I hope) has our left side case. Donna at Whitehorse was extremely helpful in all of this. The help of so many people is so appreciated. Sounds like 'thank you beers' are in order in Penn next July eh? - Bob

:bar

[SIBUD]

Don't give up hope. I just think that somehow this will turn out OK for you and that you will get it all back. :thumb

Hmmmm............

Don't ask me how I know these things, I just do. :wave

[tourunigo]

Hmmmm............

Don't ask me how I know these things, I just do. :wave

truly amazing! :bow .... but it ain't over until it's over :brow So much help to make it so though. - Bob

[tourunigo]

....... THE REST OF THE STORY

I just got off the phone with a gentleman from Cornish, Maine. He found our sidecase on the side of the road near his house. It sat for a couple of days until he decided to check out just what this was. Took it home and pried the locks enough to open. No ID. Not sure just what steps to take next, he posts on Craig's List as lost item. Nothing.

He then talks with a local HD rider who suggests contacting Whitehorse in NH. He speaks with Donna and she contacts Roy (Yankee Beemers President) and he posts over here http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=48406 I call Donna and get the finder's email. We have now confirmed that it is our case.

All of this successful outcome speaks volumns about how a network can ultimately work. Gail (sheridesabeemer) jumps right in and posts the loss wherever possible; Bud (sibud) provides near mystical insights and support; Irene (iRene) is the Maine connection; Roy (rbertalotto) carries the message from Whitehorse and makes the pivotal connection; Chris (statdawg), through PMs, is a logistical wizard for coming up with a broad range of options for retrieving the case; Donna at Whitehorse for taking the time and effort to forward the info in the most expedient way;and, thanks to the many others who assisted. Every negative has a positive and there are many in this 'Lost 'n' Found' story. Now we are all going to be sure that we ID cases on the outside and make sure that bag security has a 'back up plan'...... just in case.

Turns out that the finder works in South Portland, my parents and siblings live in Portland, and, my brother works just around the corner from the finder. So, we will coordinate a pick-up and I'll figure a way to get the bag up here some time by next Spring.

Thank you all! :hug - Bob

[martinPH]

A great story! Restores your faith in people.

[Omega Man]

....... THE REST OF THE STORY

I just got off the phone with a gentleman from Cornish, Maine. He found our sidecase on the side of the road near his house. It sat for a couple of days until he decided to check out just what this was. Took it home and pried the locks enough to open. No ID. Not sure just what steps to take next, he posts on Craig's List as lost item. Nothing.

He then talks with a local HD rider who suggests contacting Whitehorse in NH. He speaks with Donna and she contacts Roy (Yankee Beemers President) and he posts over here http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=48406 I call Donna and get the finder's email. We have now confirmed that it is our case.

All of this successful outcome speaks volumns about how a network can ultimately work. Gail (sheridesabeemer) jumps right in and posts the loss wherever possible; Bud (sibud) provides near mystical insights and support; Irene (iRene) is the Maine connection; Roy (rbertalotto) carries the message from Whitehorse and makes the pivotal connection; Chris (statdawg), through PMs, is a logistical wizard for coming up with a broad range of options for retrieving the case; Donna at Whitehorse for taking the time and effort to forward the info in the most expedient way;and, thanks to the many others who assisted. Every negative has a positive and there are many in this 'Lost 'n' Found' story. Now we are all going to be sure that we ID cases on the outside and make sure that bag security has a 'back up plan'...... just in case.

Turns out that the finder works in South Portland, my parents and siblings live in Portland, and, my brother works just around the corner from the finder. So, we will coordinate a pick-up and I'll figure a way to get the bag up here some time by next Spring.

Thank you all! :hug - Bob


Well, It doesn't get much better than this. It's great when people are looking out for each other :thumb . I'm going to move the other half of the story http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=48406 out of Ride Reports here to Regional Northeast so everyone can enjoy the great ending in one spot. Gary

[Ted]

Awesome!

I'd now recommend stopping at a Hallmark or other stationary store and picking up a paint pen (the kind you use to sign photographs) - they come in white, gold or silver, and putting your phone number on the outside inner portion that is hidden when the bag is on the bike but quite visible should it fall off again :) If you don't want to mark up the bag, you can also write it on a slip of paper and use clear packing tape to affix it to the bag in the same location.

I used the tape method and mine says, "If Found Please Call 703-XXX-XXXX, Reward for Return." I also put them inside the battery covers and RT fairing pocket covers - both of which rarely fall off but are expensive to replace. Here is something I put together (http://www.verrill.com/moto/rants/2010/100722rant.shtml) about losing things when touring.

[SheRidesABeemer]

This is great news, you gotta write this up for the ON!

[kgadley01]

Great news Bob. I also will be putting contact imformation inside all my cases. Kenny...

[tourunigo]

This is great news, you gotta write this up for the ON!

Sounds like a good idea. A few different ways to come at it while providing some practical ideas for securing cases and methods of repatriating those cases that go missing. Will give it some more concentrated thought. Ted, Paul and others have suggested some ideas so if anyone else has strategies for both securing bags and/or identifying the owner of wayward cases then PM me. :scratch hmmm.... think that I will start another thread whereby ideas/strategies can be posted. In the meantime I'll start slapping some words around for that little writeup. Thanks for the idea Gail. - Bob

[ClassicVW]

I would do as Ted said. Someplace not visible while riding, like on the bottom of the case, or the side that's next to the bike just write your cell phone number and "reward". Do Not write : "If found return to [address]" ! For a reason that should be obvious!

[tourunigo]

took your remarks over to http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=48430 Thanks!

[tourunigo]

.... so my brother in Portland meets up with the side case finder, who actually lives in Limington, Maine ( near Cornish), and gets the case. My brother leaves it over at my parents' place in Portland until I can figure a way to get it up here to Nova Scotia. :scratch

Two weeks ago I was invited to video tape a moose hunt up in Cape Breton so I go up into the hills for a little bog based adventure. The guide is from Larry's River (shameless plug: base camp for the Salty Fog Riders Rally) and he mentions that once back home he and his wife are heading to Portland, Maine for a little shopping. huh? Well yes he'll pick up the bag. :thumb .... and he did. All contents in excellent condition and the locks are in fine shape even though the finder was able to get them open. A few expected scratches but that's it. Amazing eh? AND.... I now have my Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia shirt back! :dance

Whole adventure is a great human interest story as well as a tale emphasizing the labeling and additional securing of luggage. I will try writing down the beginning to end particulars. Maybe something for the ON I suppose. - Bob

[Ted]

Great to hear this has come to a happy ending!

[Omega Man]

:thumb That's what a big part of this should be about. :thumb

[AKBeemer]

Great outcome When do I get my beer?

[rbertalotto]

Glad to have been of assistance!...........:thumb

[rx35285]

Great story!

[tourunigo]

Glad to have been of assistance!...........:thumb

assistance? You, Donna at Whitehorse and Greg (the finder) in Limington were critical players in getting it all connected and then I could just arrange the logistics for repatriation. Thanks very much for your efforts! So, Beer Tent.... Penn.... 2011 ok :thumb - Bob

[tourunigo]

Great outcome When do I get my beer?

BMWMOA International 2011.... Penn..... Beer Tent...Thursday at 7pm ..... I'm the guy with the Cherry Garcia shirt. See you there :thumb - Bob

[tourunigo]

:thumb That's what a big part of this should be about. :thumb

:type I think that the "should" does exist but it clearly also could and maybe we don't hear enough of the good stories that exist. I think that the will and means are alive and well but maybe not everyone has the tools/knowledge/tenacity to go hunting for such wayward articles. We have been very fortunate to have had such stellar performers on our side throughout this search. The news was spread far and wide through members attached to other forums and groups. Some folks even went riding just to see if they could 'find Waldo'. An honest and concerned non-riding citizen of the beautiful state of Maine drew upon any resource that he could and a local HD rider steered him to Whitehorse, etc. What a wonderful example of the possible! Anyway, we're very happy and now have a fine little story that may assist others in the future. Now, to get the story on paper eh? - Bob

[walterK75]

Bob,

If you could write this up for ON I think it would be great. With all the bad news in the world this example of cooperation and generous help from people would be a pleasure to read. Please do it.

[tourunigo]

Bob,

If you could write this up for ON I think it would be great. With all the bad news in the world this example of cooperation and generous help from people would be a pleasure to read. Please do it.

thanks for the encouraging note. Gail suggested it early on as well and I started thinking about it as 'human interest' mingled with networking opportunities and technical points on preventive practices (such as Ted and others have pointed out). Lots of material to work with. :type - Bob

[cgroh]

I used to always know when I was getting close to the rally in the late 70.s and Early 80's because there would be cloths laying on the side of the road. The saddle bags had a terrible habit of falling open and dumping all the contents out or falling off the bike completely.

we used to put bundge cords on them to keep that from happening.

[Paul_F]

I wasn't online much in October and missed the latest posts on this. Glad everything worked out well Bob.

[tourunigo]

I wasn't online much in October and missed the latest posts on this. Glad everything worked out well Bob.

:type sure did work out well Paul! Now to finish off this draft for the News. I bet lots of folks have modified their gear accordingly due to this little adventure of ours. - Bob

[Paul_F]

Bob, I could understand losing the right case, but how did the left case ever come off? :dunno My left one is a real bear to remove from the bike. The left case almost seems as if it's meant to be a permanent fixture, at least on my old K. Glad you've been reunited with it and the contents.

[tourunigo]

Bob, I could understand losing the right case, but how did the left case ever come off? :dunno My left one is a real bear to remove from the bike. The left case almost seems as if it's meant to be a permanent fixture, at least on my old K. Glad you've been reunited with it and the contents.

I think that it has something to do with me repairing that bag. New rivets for the lock and a plastic weld on the inside half about five years ago when I dumped to the left after arriving at Americade. Overall though I would say that I am glad that this incident happened because of all the associated 'added value' that emerged. A Positives-Negatives relationship I suppose. - Bob

[Paul_F]

Bob, since my '87 K with 230,000 km is beginning to get broken in, I have wrapped the side case rails with black tape to increase their thickness and to make them rattle less and hopefully, reduce the play between the rails and the bags. This should make it more difficult for them to go exploring the countryside on their own.

[AKBeemer]

Perhaps something like this has already been suggested, but not that I have seen.

An idea:

MOA members have option to pay a one time fee of $10-20 and in return get some durable stickers that read: "If this item is found please call 1-800-555-5555 and report the following number: (member's number)." The MOA then sends the member a PM or email that tells the member how to contact the person with the lost item.

This service will be beneficial for those that move repeatedly, are wary of putting personal info on a piece of gear or are on extended trips. It also limits the MOA's involvement to a minimal role. An alternative would be to offer a reward (say $25) to people who return lost items through this system. The program would need to be self funded.

[Paul_F]

Good idea, Kevin.

[tourunigo]

Perhaps something like this has already been suggested, but not that I have seen.

An idea:

MOA members have option to pay a one time fee of $10-20 and in return get some durable stickers that read: "If this item is found please call 1-800-555-5555 and report the following number: (member's number)." The MOA then sends the member a PM or email that tells the member how to contact the person with the lost item.

This service will be beneficial for those that move repeatedly, are wary of putting personal info on a piece of gear or are on extended trips. It also limits the MOA's involvement to a minimal role. An alternative would be to offer a reward (say $25) to people who return lost items through this system. The program would need to be self funded.

that seems along the line of the War Amps key tag. (it works; got mine back that way). Seems like a idea that could catch on (except that the finder calls the 800 rather than putting in a mailbox :lol ) First preventative measures and then recovery measures.... Good idea methinks. - Bob

[stevenmi]

Hi All,
Great ending to an otherwise sad tale. Here is the mod I fashioned which solves a number of 'old-bag' short-comings.....

The Bike: 1985 K100RT This bike has notoriously poor side bags. (My 'early' locks have been repeatedly repaired.)

With my bags getting sloppy, I have replaced the 'cinch-lock' rubber pads with thicker rubbers. This helped, but not much.

After the gaskets flew the coop, I installed new gaskets then realized I could draw both lids towards the center, bringing them tighter into their respective gaskets. I accomplished this with the installation of a 'strap loop' onto each lid.

Strategically placed, this allows a strap to run from the left bag lid to the right bag lid, and passing above the license plate and below the tail light. Drawn together (gently), this draws the lids into their gaskets, snugs the bags to their mounts, and holds ALL onto the bike.

This does increase the PITA** factor when getting onto the bags, but I know my dirty clothes will make it to the next rally

Steve Miller
Oregon

http://picasaweb.google.com/stvemiller/85K100RTPix#5552898127982656802

http://picasaweb.google.com/stvemiller/85K100RTPix#5552898143456145026

[tourunigo]

Hi All,
Great ending to an otherwise sad tale. Here is the mod I fashioned which solves a number of 'old-bag' short-comings.....

The Bike: 1985 K100RT This bike has notoriously poor side bags. (My 'early' locks have been repeatedly repaired.)

With my bags getting sloppy, I have replaced the 'cinch-lock' rubber pads with thicker rubbers. This helped, but not much.

After the gaskets flew the coop, I installed new gaskets then realized I could draw both lids towards the center, bringing them tighter into their respective gaskets. I accomplished this with the installation of a 'strap loop' onto each lid.

Strategically placed, this allows a strap to run from the left bag lid to the right bag lid, and passing above the license plate and below the tail light. Drawn together (gently), this draws the lids into their gaskets, snugs the bags to their mounts, and holds ALL onto the bike.

This does increase the PITA** factor when getting onto the bags, but I know my dirty clothes will make it to the next rally

Steve Miller
Oregon

http://picasaweb.google.com/stvemiller/85K100RTPix#5552898127982656802

http://picasaweb.google.com/stvemiller/85K100RTPix#5552898143456145026

That and a couple of other little strategies will be our next move. Thanks for that Steve!... however, without those misfortunes how could we ever weave such a nice tale? Our tale was a good lesson for all about securing stuff and the broader good will that exists. - Bob

[tourunigo]

Perhaps something like this has already been suggested, but not that I have seen.

An idea:

MOA members have option to pay a one time fee of $10-20 and in return get some durable stickers that read: "If this item is found please call 1-800-555-5555 and report the following number: (member's number)." The MOA then sends the member a PM or email that tells the member how to contact the person with the lost item.

This service will be beneficial for those that move repeatedly, are wary of putting personal info on a piece of gear or are on extended trips. It also limits the MOA's involvement to a minimal role. An alternative would be to offer a reward (say $25) to people who return lost items through this system. The program would need to be self funded.

I want to repost this suggestion from Kevin. Maybe it's something that is possible within this large enterprise (BMWMOA). Maybe it's a sticker (owner purchase) that is an option especially at re-register time. Maybe two stickers come as a tear-out in the Anonymous book? Like the War Amps strategy I suppose. Any thoughts on this...... especially from those at a board level of decision making? - Bob

[166933]

My son had arrived at Marine boot camp, Parris Island just the day before. I was putting my gear into the left bag at 6:00am and thinking about him standing on those yellow foot prints. Pretty much lost my concentration and didn't lock the second latch. I cross a couple railroad crossings on my 15 mile ride to work. Got of the bike at work & NO LEFT BAG!. Retraced my route, twice, no luck. The bag had my briefcase, planner, checkbook, work keys, etc. No sign for over a week.
Eventually put a lost & found ad on craigslist. Found a message on my machine, lady said there was a sign along the road with a phone number. I found the sign with a fax number. Ended up hooking up with an old bike rider who found it leaving from his night job at the GM technical center in Warren, Mi. Guy would not take my reward, but I finally got him to. Case was scrapped up, but all my stuff was inside.
There ARE good people out there. I now have stickers with my phone number on the side of the case. JUST in CASE! ;)