Hard Saddlebag Mounting Your Motorcycle Reviews Discuss Hard Saddlebag Mounting in the Harley Products & Services forums; Does anyone else have a problem with the way Harley attaches their hard saddlebags? I have owned a 06 Street Glide and now own a 07 Ultra, both had/have this ...

Does anyone else have a problem with the way Harley attaches their hard saddlebags? I have owned a 06 Street Glide and now own a 07 Ultra, both had/have this problem. In my opinion the mounting of these bags stink. When I take the bags off one or both rubber locators/isolators fall off the bottom of the bag. When I put the the bags back on, the retaining clips have moved and the holes in the bags don't line-up and the pins won't go in. With the bags in, it's hard to line-up the clips and the holes in the bag. I think this is a poor design, and would like to know what others think that have these type of saddle bags. Does anyone have any suggestions on a fix? I have thought of gluing the rubber locators/isolators in their retaining hole, but if they needed to be replaced this could be a problem.

[PeterV]

After I remove the pins, with one hand I reach under the bag where the isolator(s) is (are), put a couple of fingers on it with the other I rock the bag slightly.

As far as a fix for things to line up. Remove pins, let saddlebag rest on it's support. Loosen the bolts that hold the retaining clips. Orient the saddlebag so it's indent in the back where the support bends in towards the fender, sits square (you don't want the support to rub on the bag). Make sure the length of the bag rests on it's support (isn't cockeyed) Once you find the spot you're happy with, move the retaining clips until they receive the pins without binding. Re tighten bolts, there you are.

Most of the time the reason things don't line up is because of poor assembly at the dealer level. Easy to fix. Keep in mind the saddlebag has fore and aft movement of about 1/16"-1/8" on it's support rail. Once you've got the clips where they should be, you'll have no problem for a long time.

PS. I put a dab of grease on the back of the washer of the pin or on the rubber gasket.
Prolly does nothing, but makes me feel good....blaha!

PeterV
Thanks, I'll give it a try. I thought the clips just moved when I removed the pins, it's probably because the dealer never adjusted them in the first place.

[texan321]

PeterV - is correct - this is the way I fixed mine. I put some double sided tape on the rubber things on the bottom - no problem - I also put some clear round silicone pads on the bottom of the saddle bags - that way I don't have to worry when I take them off - I can set them down on the floor and no scratches.

Tex
Thanks, good ideas. I'll give them a go.