The end to tour pack damage

[GARYD]

Damn! You guys got me paranoid now.

I guess I'll have to go out and buy one of these braces.

I love my retractable tether. Maybe I'll just check the connectors before every ride, but everyone is right - it is cheap insurance. I hate having to buy something that I shouldn't have to buy, know what I mean??

Oh Well-it is a Harley. :wave4:

 

[Mr.Wizard]

FYI

The braces are easy to install if you have a little patience. The directions are pretty good but as in all "directions" they can be "destructions" as well.

Don't do this without...
Removing the bottom liner
Removing the passenger backrest pad
Having the right size drill bit (a sharp one)
Having a sharp razor knife
Measuring twice
Looking which hinge bracket goes where (there are two, both different)
Turning your cell phone off


Just words to the wise.

 

[1852cc]

FYI

The braces are easy to install if you have a little patience. The directions are pretty good but as in all "directions" they can be "destructions" as well.

Don't do this without...
Removing the bottom liner
Removing the passenger backrest pad
Having the right size drill bit (a sharp one)
Having a sharp razor knife
Measuring twice
Looking which hinge bracket goes where (there are two, both different)
Turning your cell phone off


Just words to the wise.

All good advice for sure, do not rush to complete, do not forget the "LOCTITE", either!

 

[WILDBILLPHIN]

My retractable broke while open. Tore the hinges right off and they were the heavy duty. I was quoted $467 for the pan alone no labor. Luckily the company picked it up. I now have a piece of chain holding it and it works great.

 

[GARYD]

You have to drill holes in the tourpac??? :AGGHH:

Forget it, I'll look around for a small chain. ThumbUp

 

[Phu Cat]

Had the tether break on our '91 then again on the '98 EG. So this new tether is probably gonna go sooner or later.

Found some light weight chain at the local hardware store which was easy to adapt and way stronger than the original wire tether.

PC

 

[GARYD]

If there are as many damaged tourpacs due to defective tethers as indicated on this forum and maybe others, has anyone thought about a class action suit against Harley for knowingly producing a dangerous and costly defect??

Just asking. Since they don't warranty damages caused by said defect. :Shrug:

 

[nytriker]

After reading through this thread I decided to check the retractable tether on my Tri Glide tour pac and sure enough it looked like it was about to break at the lower connection point. Went ahead and removed the retractable and put the stock tether cable (much heavier) back on. Glad I kept the stock tether. From now on I will keep and eye on it.

 

[Lakeman]

I just used a length or nylon cord (large string) and wrapped it around the tether and attached it to the screws (screws have locktite) at each end. It is orange so tether is now orange and black and looks fine. If the tether breaks the cord will hold it.

 

[Bob Witte]

I would like to have that, but too expensive.

cheap compared, the damage created when the tether breaks!

I stand all amazed at what folks can charge the Harley community and get away with it! When I followed the link, I was presented with a plain vanilla lid support being offered at 10 times the retail value of the item. A quick check at a fancy woodworking site yielded the following:

Large Lid Support - Rockler Woodworking Tools

With the nut/bolt attachment hardware instead of the screws used on a wooden box, the lid support appears to be functionally identical. Do a site search with the key words "lid support" and you'll see a variety of solutions all the way up to a soft close gas unit that is still only about half the cost of "Harley" item. Yep, it pays to shop around.

:wave4:

 

[sprinkman]

There you go looks like it will work to me. You need to add something on the outside of the tour pack to give it more support.

 

[Lakeman]

Bob you are correct about your find, but I think the gas shock would put too much pressure on the tour pak and lid. The tour pak and lid are thin and flimsy.

 

[Skeet7373]

Wow, I took my new shiny retractable tether off when Barbara's failed. Ok, guys, what will you use the old shiney retractable tehter for now? Since it has the HD on it,its worth something on Ebay. Any ideas?

 

[icebite1]

Wow, I took my new shiny retractable tether off when Barbara's failed. Ok, guys, what will you use the old shiney retractable tehter for now? Since it has the HD on it,its worth something on Ebay. Any ideas?

Retractable keychain

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Trash bag liner weight

 

[sprinkman]

I like both idea's above!!!!

 

[JohnC]

I noticed the MoCo is selling a pair of them as retractable tethers for the trunk door.

Sorry, I don't think so.

I've removed mine, think I'll wear it as my security badge tether at work.

 

[GARYD]

I really love the tether on my tourpak, but I am keeping an eye on it anyway. So far no signs of any problems. ThumbUp

I agree with you on the tethers for the trunk lid. Completely un-neccessary.....in my opinion. Even if one tether breaks, there's still another one. Can't imagine both breaking at the same time.

You did give me a great idea for the retractable tether. Clip it on my shirt/jacket and attach it to my handheld mic since theres no bracket for it on the trike.

 

[iaff84]

This is what I have used for years, the tether is so dangerous, when it breaks, lots of expensive tour pak damage!
I also took off the stock cheap tin hinges, replaced with the solid upgrade hinges.
This is worth alot less than a damaged tour pack.

Ultra Tour-Pak Brace

I bit the bullet today and ordered the brace. I have seen one before and feel they are well made so price was fair. Did not like the idea of 13.95 to ship at checkout. :Trike1:
<O<OBUT mine broke today and lid went right over. Did not hurt anything. Cord came out of bottom eye. Had shown no wear to cord itself.
Moral of story, regardless if it shows no wear, it will let loose.<O
Dennis<O

 

[Mr.Wizard]

'bout time!

Just so you know... reverse the hinge. Have it fold toward the lid hinges. This way it won't come down on a helmet or scratch something in the tour pak.

 

[Sloufoot]

$79.00 for a heavy duty jewelry box lid stay ????? NOT EVEN !! I'm tired of being ripped off just because I ride a motorcycle !!!!!!!!!!!!
Even if you get one for your shop tool box is only about $18 ! And I thought they were high !!!! You can get the ones that lock straight and the ones that don't lock. All you need to do is get the right length, and with mountings on both ends.

 

[iaff84]

$79.00 for a heavy duty jewelry box lid stay ????? NOT EVEN !! I'm tired of being ripped off just because I ride a motorcycle !!!!!!!!!!!!
Even if you get one for your shop tool box is only about $18 ! And I thought they were high !!!! You can get the ones that lock straight and the ones that don't lock. All you need to do is get the right length, and with mountings on both ends.

I am as frugal as the next person, to a point, I also have been known to make my own parts as I have more time than money. But I also know that these work and I need something yesterday so I'll tote the note on them this time around.
Dennis

 

[sprinkman]

When I installed my tour pack brace I used rivets looks clean and works great.

 

[Sloufoot]

Excuse the rant Dennis. I was just letting off a little steam I guess. I just got done looking at wheels for around $1500ea when the almost exact wheel for a car costs about $250, but it has the wrong bolt pattern ! Air cleaner set-ups same thing !
It's like if you have a motorcycle you must have way too much money.
I sure like seeing people taking things on themselves and many times coming up with great ideas & solutions that didn't cost an arm & leg!
I realize small business needs to charge a little more than bigger manufactures, but maybe they shouldn't quit their steady job & try to make a living off a few sales a month.
Here I go ranting again !!
Everyone have a great day....

 

[iaff84]

Here I go ranting again !!
Everyone have a great day....

Thanks, I will have a great day, I just posted so others may know that the wind up supports break even if they show no signs of a frayed cord.
I guess my great day was yesterday, cord came apart and lid flopped over and nothing else cracked or broke. Just another day with a Harley, a good one!
Remember, you can always tell a Harley rider, just can't tell them much:Coffee:

 

[TheBobs]

Here I go ranting again !!
Everyone have a great day....

Thanks, I will have a great day, I just posted so others may know that the wind up supports break even if they show no signs of a frayed cord.
I guess my great day was yesterday, cord came apart and lid flopped over and nothing else cracked or broke. Just another day with a Harley, a good one!
Remember, you can always tell a Harley rider, just can't tell them much:Coffee:

Same exact thing happened to me. Lid flopped over but nothing happened. I quickly grabbed the lid and put it back down and was relieved to see the lid wasn't damaged. I don't think my heart was beating during the incident. After saying a few WTFs, I calmly turned around and reached into my tool box, grabbed the stock tether and re-installed it. It's too bad, because I really liked that retractable tether. I'll be getting the brace pretty soon.

 

[GARYD]

Does your lids have the luggage rack on it?
Can't imagine the lid flopping over and not having any damage with the rack on it. That thing weights a ton.

I also have the lid organizer, but it doesn't have much weight in it.

Now I'm paranoid!! Don't know if I want to trust even the stock tether anymore.

Did yours just snap all of a sudden or did it give any kind of warning?

 

[TheBobs]

Does your lids have the luggage rack on it?
Can't imagine the lid flopping over and not having any damage with the rack on it. That thing weights a ton.

Ya, mine has the air wing rack. It's hard to believe that it didn't break. I guess I was real lucky.

 

[iaff84]

Does your lids have the luggage rack on it?
Can't imagine the lid flopping over and not having any damage with the rack on it. That thing weights a ton.

I also have the lid organizer, but it doesn't have much weight in it.

Now I'm paranoid!! Don't know if I want to trust even the stock tether anymore.

Did yours just snap all of a sudden or did it give any kind of warning?

Mine has rack, nothing on it at the time. I tend to just raise lid and let go, I did and it let go too. Lid went all the way over.

 

[GARYD]

I have always held onto the lid until it comes to a complete stop. Maybe that helps.

I'm still paranoid.