Replacing worn out inside straps on luggage

I am "restoring" a pair of Gen 1 saddlebags. These happen to be for a K75. New hinges, etc. Anyone have a suggestion on how best/simply to replace the inside elastic straps. They seem to always be worn out on these bags. The originals are riveted into the case. Is there a simpler method to handle these than the drilling, re-riveting system? Also,I was thinking of just getting some new, black elastic rather than the BMW stuff. Any problems with longevity with that? I would rather do it right than have to re-do it in a few years.

jconway607 said:

Also,I was thinking of just getting some new, black elastic rather than the BMW stuff. Any problems with longevity with that?.

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Go to a fabric store and ask for a good quality elastic strap.
Reuse the original metal hooks.

Lee said:

Go to a fabric store and ask for a good quality elastic strap.
Reuse the original metal hooks.

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Lee,
Is there an easier way to fasten them back into the case, rather than drilling out the original rivets and replacing them with pop rivets. I was considering some sort of snap system so they can be easily replaced when they start to sag again. That would involve keeping a short piece of the original strap and adding a new length to it.

Drill out the original rivets and replace with machine screws and nuts, and use the original strap brackets to mount all-new elastic strapping.

Best,
DeVern

If you go with screws and nuts be sure to use fender washers too.

EUGENE said:

If you go with screws and nuts be sure to use fender washers too.

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And blue thread locker.

I'd use regular nylon straps with a plastic buckle/snap to join the 2 sides. So you can thread the straps through the metal brackets and use the plastic buckle to connect the two sides. Then pull the loose end of the nylon strap to cinch them up. Elastic never lasts very long for me.

Make something like this work...

I replaced the straps on by 85K100RT a few years ago.

Used the black UV resistant elastic from a local fabric store, reusing the metal loops from the original straps.

Installed them using new rivets with washers between the rivet and the strap. If I remember correctly, this was done without separating the inner and outer shell of the case which would require removal of additional rivets. I believe that separating the shell would be necessary in order to attach the straps with bolts/nuts as access to both sides would be needed.

The only challenge that I remember was trying to extract the back side of the old rivet from between the case layers.

Best of luck.

Monte
85K100RT