[DiamondLil]

The waviness of the top of the bag. Should I be worried?

 

[HDB07]

My leather bags on my softail are not 100% flat. I just fill them up and go for long rides.
:flag:
They do look worse than mine.
Bill:ride

 

[slammedv]

Mine is a 2002 RKC and the leather is very flat and tight. That would bug the heck out of me.

 

[EZE RIDER]

Yes I think you should. It is a common problem. I was going to mention it from the pics but I didnt want to take away from her moment in the spotlight.
I think the problem is that the side wall is to flimsy so it allows the bag to sag. The Softtail Heritage owners really have it bad but I see renforcment kits for them. Harley now has an improved version of your bag. By the way those are some of the nicest saddlebags around in my book.
Heres a link to checkout.

http://www.gotsaggybags.com/

 

[DiamondLil]

Ed, thanks for that link. While they do not make an insert system for the Road King it gives me the idea that I can make something myself.

I just got off the phone with the dealership service manager. He said he will keep an eye on it with me and if it gets out of hand they can do something about it. He did however, say that the newest bags will ripple more and that if they are dressed properly as they age tightening will occur and they will smooth out. He said that without the slack built in the seams wear too quickly with natural tightening. It was his opinion that those that are allowed to age without proper dressing tend to stay more so saggy as the leather tightens because is not supple enough to let the tension transmit through.

 

[GAZOO!]

Keep on the dealer. For the price you paid for those they should stand behind them.

 

[DiamondLil]

Does his thinking sound reasonable plausible to you?
The concept makes sense and I can see it in play here, I'm just not sure.

 

[Dinero No Mas]

Any time a service manager tells you something, question his thinking.

 

[DiamondLil]

Any time a service manager tells you something, question his thinking.

Ok. I hear you.

 

[sfarson]

Lil... I haven't seen too many RKC's with lids in that condition. Certainly have with the Heritage but not the RKC. I would keep following with the dealership. Perhaps they can be warranty replaced. When I owned a Heritage saw a tip from someone to place 99 cent partially inflated beach balls inside the bags when not using them. You know, I did this, and after almost five years of owning the FLSTC the bags still looked almost new. No sagging/rippled lids. Not a tip for everyone but it worked for me.

 

[DiamondLil]

Lil... I haven't seen too many RKC's with lids in that condition. Certainly have with the Heritage but not the RKC. I would keep following with the dealership. Perhaps they can be warranty replaced. When I owned a Heritage saw a tip from someone to place 99 cent partially inflated beach balls inside the bags when not using them. You know, I did this, and after almost five years of owning the FLSTC the bags still looked almost new. No sagging/rippled lids. Not a tip for everyone but it worked for me.

Steve,
I got the sense that it is not an RKC problem when the website Ed recommended didn't even offer the kit for this motorcycle. They provide for Heritage, Duece, Fat Boy and Springer.
If HD won't do anything about, I'm not beyond the beach ball fix. I do not like the way it looks now, never mind after years of sagging! The image of a saggy Queen is just too much for one woman to handle.

 

[Hanz Solo-seat]

I'm not positive about this.........but isn't saddle bag lid-warping the first sign of mental instability, leading to eventaul insanity?????

(I'd biotch. As stated: It's a known issue and for as much as that bike cost........)

 

[GAZOO!]

Does his thinking sound reasonable plausible to you?
The concept makes sense and I can see it in play here, I'm just not sure.

Who cares if it is plausable or even reasonable. You spent $20.000 for a motorcycle. The saddle bags should last more than 6 months.

 

[DiamondLil]

OK. I get it.

 

[Nathang]

I thought the sag was a feature of soft bags.

Here is the Harley parts catalog for your bags.. or are they your bags? $900 ?

Road King® Classic Saddlebag Kit - The perfect combination of style and fuction. The bag is formed from a leather-covered plastic composite that holds its shape and features embossed ...

 

[DiamondLil]

I thought the sag was a feature of soft bags.

Here is the Harley parts catalog for your bags.. or are they your bags? $900 ?

Road King® Classic Saddlebag Kit - The perfect combination of style and fuction. The bag is formed from a leather-covered plastic composite that holds its shape and features embossed ...

That is them!

 

[GAZOO!]

That is them!

I had the same basic bag on my Softail, although without all the biker accoutrements i.e. fringe and buckles. I religiously oiled the leather and had no issues. I don't think that is what made the difference, I think your bags are defective.

 

[DiamondLil]

Riding in the car on the way to work this morning I began to think about how rigid the top of the bag is and have come to the conclusion that there is no reason why the leather should be rippling in that manner.

I will be speaking with the dealership again.

 

[Dinero No Mas]

You go girl!

 

[DiamondLil]

It will take a bit of persistence on my part, but that is a challenge I am up to.