Pannier lock problem

Gonzo

Gonzo

3/4 Century of Trivia
Joined
Mar 15, 2006
Messages
354
Location
Thrill-packed, Exotic, La Verne, CA
Bike
2006 ST1300 ABS
Recently I went on a trip to Sandy Eggo and while preparing to mount up for the return, one of the panniers would not close completely.

It seems there is a small flat spring visible in the top which was bent, not allowing the cover latch to close completely, thereby not allowing it to lock.

I eventually was able to bend that little spring out of the way.

Has anyone encountered this problem? Before I tear it apart, is there any easy fix?
 
It's been a while but I had a problem like that once. It was in the evening, at a motel, after a long days ride. All I remember is that I kind of flattened the little spring out a bit and it rotated, in place, back to where it should be. I've never had another problem with it since.

Sorry I don't remember in more detail but it seems the part was just out of place and had to be tweaked back in. Never took anything apart.

[edit: OK, I had to go down and look at it to try and remind myself what happend. That flat, brass colored, spring like thing is suspended across the opening where the handle goes down in to latch. Is that the part in question? Mine had slopped down at an angle across that opening and was preventing the handle from going down all the way. Look at your other bag for a reference for where it should be. I was able to pop it back into place with the tip of my pocket knife and, as I said, all has been well ever since.]

:06biker: :06biker: :06biker:​
 
I fixed the problem today.

Here are a couple pictures. Removal of the lock mechanism is from the inside, naturally. There are 7 phillips-head screws, and the 3 longer ones are from closer to the edge of the closure.

There are 4 8mm acorn nuts and I found these barely more than finger tight.

Straightening the spring was not difficult once it is removed. Its a press-in fit. I had to adjust it to fit tightly.

All the phillips-head screws have a white nylon washer, and under the acorn nuts are a plastic and a metal strap. The plastic one goes on first.

I put a tiny blob of grease on that long rod you see to lubricate the handle mechanism, and a drop of oil on all the other sliding or rotating areas.
 

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Fantastic! This is one of those things... Starts out good, then gets progressively harder to open. Finally I realized that it was *very* difficult to open. Thanks to the info above, one bag down!

Moves like buttah.

It is kind of fiddly if you start taking it apart further. The long rod is a sub assembly that slides off. But there is a loose ball with a spring under it on both sides. So it helps if you have three hands when putting it back together.

steve
 
Thanks to everyone in this thread mine now moves like butta also. It seems the grease Honda uses dries out and it gets difficult to move.
 
My used bike came with a broken off spare key in the lock and only one working key. A trip to the keysmith had it pulled out in a few minutes. I've found the keys holes are tight on the entire bike and the pannier locks seem to respond best when the handle is pushed down as you rotate the key to avoid breaking these ridiculously long keys. Pushing down on the handle seems to relieve the pressure this spring loads onto the latch.

I also seem to need to lube the locks often. I put a drop of Slick 50 one lube on the key and run it in and out of the keyholes every other week it seems to keep them working smoothly.

I bought two keys and had a spare and a spare to the spare cut just in case.

Take care with the keys.
 
Last edited:
Had to remove, disassemble, clean, and lube my latches again. Some kind of small wasp packs holes with mud and had the latches all gritty. I've got axle holes full and any oher small hole on my bikes.
 
Pete in PA said:
Had to remove, disassemble, clean, and lube my latches again. Some kind of small wasp packs holes with mud and had the latches all gritty. I've got axle holes full and any oher small hole on my bikes.
Click to expand...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mud_dauber
Nastly little buggers. Never known one to sting anybody though..

I hate to resurrect an old thread, but what is the purpose of that little brass, flat spring that seems to give everyone so much trouble? I swear I could cut it off and everything would work fine.
 
Great project- Just got mine done after 13 years-- starting to get a little sticky. Took latch mechanism apart on both side cases and cleaned and lubed all area's that move.
Now works like buttah..
Most of the factory grease was hard and not really lubricating any more so a good cleaning and new grease does wonders.

I rate it as --- "easy as it gets" ----to do this.
Be careful putting the little ball bearing and spring back into place- I cleaned added a little grease to that area also.
 
You'll also want to open the case, and inside the body of the saddlebag where the lid bolts to it, you'll find 4 small 8mm cap nuts.
These are on top of a small piece of metal, and that covers a piece of rubber. The rubber sinks down, and the bag lid droops making it difficult to close without pushing your leg up against it.
If you simply snug these 4 nuts down, it will lift the lid back up in the correct position and your bags will work much better.
;)
 
Igofar said:
You'll also want to open the case, and inside the body of the saddlebag where the lid bolts to it, you'll find 4 small 8mm cap nuts.
These are on top of a small piece of metal, and that covers a piece of rubber. The rubber sinks down, and the bag lid droops making it difficult to close without pushing your leg up against it.
If you simply snug these 4 nuts down, it will lift the lid back up in the correct position and your bags will work much better.
Click to expand...

Droopy lid fixed.. Left side worse.. Thanks Igofar !!! :run1:

These side case latches did not work this good when the bike was new.... found myself out working the latches in amazement..
If you haven't done this simple maintenance I strongly encourage you to do it.
 
Gonzo....thanks for posting, no, really, thanks. I foresee the end of the war in sight. I look forward to ending 'the struggle' of six years (my bad). Thanks IgoFar because I know you're lingering with the 'Eye' somewhere, hahaha
 
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