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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Bag Repair (help!)
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Message started by Savage40 on 03/27/09 at 01:32:44

Title: Bag Repair (help!)
Post by Savage40 on 03/27/09 at 01:32:44

Just got the Suzuki brand bags on the bike a couple months ago, and noticed the other day the straps are starting to crack where they go through the buckles. Apparantly the fake leather doesn't like being used in cold weather, go figure! ::) Does anyone know a way to at the very least keep them from getting worse? Or should I use them til they self destruct and get something better? :-/
Thanks! :D

Title: Re: Bag Repair (help!)
Post by ALfromN.H. on 03/27/09 at 02:46:40

I have a pair of the same bags and had the same problem. My solution was to just get a new set of bags (not suzuki bags). But I was thinking that maybe you could sew a new leather strap in place of the cracked fake leather ones. Doesn't seem like it would be too difficult.

Title: Re: Bag Repair (help!)
Post by Savage40 on 03/27/09 at 02:50:29

4548464612240 wrote:

Yeah, that's what I was thinking about doing. Wish I hadn't thrown my old boots away! >:( The uppers woulda worked great, after some dye or something to match the color. Heck, the brown woulda probably looked good, if done right.

Title: Re: Bag Repair (help!)
Post by PhilM on 03/27/09 at 04:20:11

If you can get two strips of leather the size of the straps might glueing them to the underside of the original straps work? I'm sure the right glue would hold ok. A bit temporary but might save you some cutting/sewing.

Title: Re: Bag Repair (help!)
Post by bill67 on 03/27/09 at 05:01:51

Should take them back to dealer and ask what the repair kit for them cost.

Title: Re: Bag Repair (help!)
Post by Savage40 on 03/27/09 at 05:20:07

PhilM: good idea, I've got some retired (tore up) jeans that would work good for that, with some craft glue or something to hold it together.

bill67: good idea also, as I was pretty happy with them until this happened. I only got them in January (backordered since November), and they shouldn't have done this yet I don't think.

Title: Re: Bag Repair (help!)
Post by T Mack 1 on 03/27/09 at 06:48:55

Run to Wal-Mart, go to the kids section and find the Belt display.

Should be some belts there to cut to length....

Title: Re: Bag Repair (help!)
Post by diamond jim on 03/27/09 at 06:50:52

Just about anything used for conditioning horse saddles work great. Get stuff that is either clear or black.
http://www.ablackhorse.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=6405

Do some research on saddle maintenance. You want to be careful about using some products and methods as they can clog the pores and actually hold more dirt.

A lot of black boot conditioners work great as well but saddle conditioners are my first choice. People keep boots for a few years. Saddles are often kept for decades.

Title: Re: Bag Repair (help!)
Post by thumperclone on 03/27/09 at 07:52:05

my 06 came with the oem bags one cracked at the flap fold..
took them back to the dealer got a credit a with a lil xtra $ got a set of river road slants love em!!
they arnt real leather but have held up for 3 winters so far...winter is over right??

Title: Re: Bag Repair (help!)
Post by diamond jim on 03/27/09 at 08:02:27

736F726A776275646B686962070 wrote:

Ditto on the River Road bags.

Title: Re: Bag Repair (help!)
Post by Savage40 on 03/27/09 at 16:20:28

7569746C716473626D6E6F64010 wrote:

Winter's kinda hit and miss around here, not that I'm complaining! I've been able to ride at least a handfull of times every month so far this winter, if you don't mind the chance of getting wet. :P
Trying to get credit out of them sounds promising, I've been eyeballing a tach that was mentioned on another thread, and they carry it, about the same price. Then go down to CycleGear for another set of bags, they're cheaper than the stealership (isn't everyone?). Was just down there yesterday, and they have the usual RiverRoad (like the hidden quick release feature on the straps!), plus a slick set of nylon ones with reflective stuff built in. Decisions, decisions :-/, you all are overloading my poor noggin with so many good ideas! :D Looks to be rainy for a while, so a good time to yank em off and do SOMETHING with em.

Title: Re: Bag Repair (help!)
Post by Yonuh Adisi on 03/28/09 at 12:26:42

I need to yank my bags off and do some repair where the stitching is coming loose as well. Just haven't gotten the gumption to actually do it yet.

Title: Re: Bag Repair (help!)
Post by John_D on 04/14/09 at 01:58:14

Well, finally got 'em taken care of; remains to be seen how long my repair will last. Unfortunately, no store credit or anything of the like, which is why I don't buy most things at the stealership, don't much care to keep the customer happy.

Anyway, here was my solution: take some light and medium weight leather scraps, and cut to approx. the same width and length as the straps. Glue them down to hold them still, thin on the back, medium on the front. Stitch the buggers down with my handy $4.95 Harbor Freight Speedy Stitcher Awl, and trim to fit, and repunch the holes. The color doesn't look that bad I don't think. But then I'm more worried about function than form anyway. Here's some pics! :D
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt347/redneck72102/Bike%20Pics/Bike%20Mods/IM000249.jpg
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt347/redneck72102/Bike%20Pics/Bike%20Mods/IM000250.jpg

Title: Re: Bag Repair (help!)
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/14/09 at 12:07:42

I have one of those "speedy stitcher awls" from Harbor Freight, too. Mine seems to be a bit defective. It doesnt make that nice of a straight line & the spacing isnt so nice. Thats a good looking Fixxitt you did.

Title: Re: Bag Repair (help!)
Post by Ed L. on 04/14/09 at 12:54:50

Here's a easy way to stitch leather, get a regular fork, sharpen the tines and pound the fork through the leather. It gives great holes all ready spaced to stitch up the leather with. Just don't use the wife's good silverware or do the hammering on the kitchen table. For some reason the old ball an chain gets real upset if you do. ;) :D ;D

Title: Re: Bag Repair (help!)
Post by John_D on 04/14/09 at 16:05:20

Ed L., excellent idea. They actually make a leatherworking tool like that, but yours is much more cost effective. I actually just eyeballed it, which makes Justin's compliment that much nicer! :)
Of course I have the benefit of lots of practices. I shoot blackpowder from time to time (not near as much as I'd like!) and in high school stitched up a complete set of buckskin pants with one of those, along with several pair of moccasins over the years. :o Lots of little stitches! But they are both super comfy.