Removing the bags from a Heritage - Harley Davidson Forums: Harley Davidson Motorcycle Forum

keithhu · 10-10-2009, 09:01 PM

Today, in order to clean behind them, I tried to remove the bags from my Heritage - two 1/2" nuts on the inside of the bags, no prob. Then I noticed that there's a metal strut that attaches the bag to the frame via a bolt, but between the bolt and the frame there's a rubber grommet.

I tried to remove that bolt but after a turn or so, the grommet was just twisting, and when I released the ratchet, it just untwisted, there was no way to continue loosening the bolt. There didn't appear to be a nut on the other side of the bolt that I could stabilize while I turned the front nut. Its possible that the nut was just sticking to the grommet and I could have been more forceful, but I didn't want to break the grommet or otherwise mess it up.

I wound up just carefully letting the bags hang by the grommet while I cleaned back there, but I was curious if anyone knows how to remove that bolt. (picture attached)

Any insight appreciated.

SCHMIDTYS · 10-11-2009, 07:16 AM

Join date August 09 and 1st post ? Ok ... that's a wellnut you're pointing at , just bust it outta there by any means and replace it with a bolt , lock washer and chrome acorn nut .

keithhu · 10-11-2009, 08:17 AM

Thanks for the advice - and I guess if the grommet rips, I can replace that as well.

Sorry for not posting more, I'll try not to commit that offense in the future. :-)

SCHMIDTYS · 10-11-2009, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keithhu

Thanks for the advice - and I guess if the grommet rips, I can replace that as well.

Sorry for not posting more, I'll try not to commit that offense in the future. :-)

**Dave63** · 10-11-2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keithhu

Sorry for not posting more, I'll try not to commit that offense in the future. :-)

I have turrets. It would be impossible for me to join a forum and not post for that long.

keithhu · 10-11-2009, 11:27 AM

. I'm definitely a lurker. I'm a very new biker, so I am soaking up a ton of information. Maybe too much, a couple of my friends have suggested I loosen up a bit. Probably good advice.

toorglide · 10-11-2009, 11:41 AM

[quote=keithhu;150655]

. I'm definitely a lurker. QUOTE]

careful man, most of the wimmin here carry handguns. would hate to see you have an accident

didymuss · 10-14-2009, 05:05 PM

[quote=toorglide;150661]

Quote:

Originally Posted by keithhu

. I'm definitely a lurker. QUOTE]

careful man, most of the wimmin here carry handguns. would hate to see you have an accident

You have to be the funniest guy on this forum

crewzzer · 10-18-2009, 12:34 AM

hi I removed my saddle bags completely with no problems All I did was turn the nut it was hard at first but I just kept on turning and it did get loose

Quote:

Originally Posted by keithhu

Today, in order to clean behind them, I tried to remove the bags from my Heritage - two 1/2" nuts on the inside of the bags, no prob. Then I noticed that there's a metal strut that attaches the bag to the frame via a bolt, but between the bolt and the frame there's a rubber grommet.

I tried to remove that bolt but after a turn or so, the grommet was just twisting, and when I released the ratchet, it just untwisted, there was no way to continue loosening the bolt. There didn't appear to be a nut on the other side of the bolt that I could stabilize while I turned the front nut. Its possible that the nut was just sticking to the grommet and I could have been more forceful, but I didn't want to break the grommet or otherwise mess it up.

I wound up just carefully letting the bags hang by the grommet while I cleaned back there, but I was curious if anyone knows how to remove that bolt. (picture attached)

Any insight appreciated.

Solomon Grundy · 11-10-2009, 10:29 AM

There is a long bolt through the footpeg shaft that is a hex head. You'll need to somehow lock that down while turning the nut with a loooong extension. I had to go at it from the opposite side of the frame in front of the rear tire. I JUST had this exact same problem last night when removing the hard bags from my 07 Softail. I had to remove the one foot peg so I could get a hex head on the bolt. The other was not as problematic. I just noticed that your mounting bracket isn't behind the footpeg, but there should be a 9/16ths nut behind there.