HELP: Lost Saddlebag In Maine

[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.

[98288]

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

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? 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.

[98288]

Bob, I could understand losing the right case, but how did the left case ever come off? 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.

[98288]

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 ) 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

[98288]

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

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

[98288]

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