R1150RT Saddlebag Repair

[neilg]

Just getting back into BMW's and bought a 2004 R1150RT a couple months ago. It is running well now, but the previous owner must've dropped it on the left side resulting in cracking the left bag's top front mounting hook. The crack runs around the mount and there is no way it'll hold any weight! Any ideas on how to fix it short of spending $$ on a replacement?

Thanks!,
-Neilg.

 

[lowndes]

neilg,

Put some pics up for all to see.

It's usually the covers that get trashed. You might be able to find a scuffed up bag with a good inside half you could use on the forums or ebay.

There is a post somewhere about recoating saddlebags with Rustoleum Spray-on Bed Liner. That stuff is so tough and strong it would be a good repair adhesive and crack mender, too. http://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/auto/coatings/truck-bed-coating-spray/

LocTite makes plastic adhesive that might work, too. You might have to put a backer plate on the inside as reinforcement.

 

[neilg]

Here are two pictures. The owner before me slapped some gorilla glue on it. That did not last 50 miles with the bag empty! As you can see I don't have much to lose. -Neilg.

 

[skeive]

I wonder if this repair wrap stuff would work: http://www.homedepot.com/p/2-in-x-1-4-yds-Repair-Wrap-857101004013/204413279

Might be worth a try anyway.

 

[rxcrider]

If it were mine, I'd start looking for a replacement on ebay (damaged lid on a good inner 1/2 as mentioned above) and in the mean time I'd...

1- grind off the epoxy mess

2 - melt it together with my ski repair iron

3 - drill pairs of holes along the crack and stitch it together with safety wire (or use a hot staple gun instead)

4 - melt more plastic over the safety wire to strengthen it some more and seal the holes
_____________________________________________________________________

making a reinforcement plate and riveting in place is another possibility

 

[jsouth]

If it were mine, I'd start looking for a replacement on ebay (damaged lid on a good inner 1/2 as mentioned above) and in the mean time I'd...

.......

making a reinforcement plate and riveting in place is another possibility

I agree with:

1) Looking for a replacement, and 2) making a repair plate. Ugly, but probably the only thing strong enough to hold the loaded bag on the bike. You can get waterproof rivets. Use those with some heavy aluminum sheet cut and shaped, then spray your repair black. It will be at least as attractive as the current repair

 

[neilg]

Thanks for all the ideas. I like finding a replacement back half. Also will try a backing plate w/ rivets and the appropriate glue. Maybe I can work the safety wire stitch idea into the fix too. Thanks again, -Neilg.

 

[gsaddict]

SS wire stiching

I did this repair in a hotel room in Alaska. Used a Bic lighter and melted the holes.
Glued the piece as well with Gap filling cyanoacrylate (crazy glue)

Its held up for 2 years (many times fully loaded) and still very strong