Nomad saddlebags

[pooker]

Hello, I am concerned about the saddlebags on my 2008 Nomad.
They have always looked warped, the one bag does leak!
If you stand directly over the bags and look down , the doors are about 1/8 of an inch at the center but almost a 1/4 of an inch at each end!!
I looked at the new Vaquero's bags and they are tight all the way around.
Are the doors on my bags warped?
Thanks
PS,............yeah, I know I need pics!!!

[ve3hzz]

I guess first and the only real issue is do they leak? Take everything out of them, run water (maybe medium spray) on them from a couple of angles. See if any water seepage into the bags. If not, I wouldn't worry about it. If YES, then they are likely warped. The only way I know to correct it (if you can?) would be to wrap them around 2 or 3 places with padded ratchet straps. You would need to keep it like that for a while to see if it will take up the gaps. It may help to put it out in the sun to warm up and then strap it down. Then take it out of the sun and let it cool to normal temps and leave it like that for a few days if you can?

I do remember reading somewhere? where that process was tried and seemed to work to stop a leak from a gap in the door.

Hope it helps? Good luck..keep us posted on how if it works or if you find another solution (again if it leaks, if not I'd just leave it, but that's me).

Scott

[chainsaw]

Under warranty take them back to the dealer and ask for a new set.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

You said one bag does leak. That isn't something that should happen. Mine have been through rain, washings and other stuff and never leaked. I am with Al, Chainsaw, if it is still covered under warranty take them back and show the tech and tell him that one bag does leak.

[ringadingh]

Ive had mine packed with more stuff in them than I should have, and they didn't leak.
I have one bag were the door has a nice even gap all around the door seal, the other has a slightly uneven gap but it still stays dry. Id take it back and ask to see what they will do about it.

[crapper]

i also have gaps that look uneven but they don't leak
door seems to have less of a gap right at the handle-lock
they never leaked so i never gave it much thought...........

[pooker]

Originally Posted by crapper

i also have gaps that look uneven but they don't leak
door seems to have less of a gap right at the handle-lock
they never leaked so i never gave it much thought...........

Take a good look at the door on the new ones!!

[ponch]

From the factory, the bags may have washers between the bags and the mounting bosses that act as shims. I suppose it's possible that if the shims/washers were missing for whatever reason, the bags might be contorted a bit and the doors might not seal correctly. I would unbolt the bags and see if the gaps change at all while they are on the bike. My Nomad had shims on both sides, but not symmetrical or uniform.

[reaper]

My 2 cents, check the nuts and bolts at the hinge, loosen them a little shift the door and retighten and see if that helps.

[pooker]

Yes I do have washers between the bags and the mounts.
I am troubled by this washer thing,..........I don't believe that by putting washers on the mounting bolts will change the way the door fits the bag.
This is the first thing the dealer suggested.
The doors are tight at the handles and bow out from there. The washers don't help!

[ponch]

Originally Posted by pooker

Yes I do have washers between the bags and the mounts.
I am troubled by this washer thing,..........I don't believe that by putting washers on the mounting bolts will change the way the door fits the bag.
This is the first thing the dealer suggested.
The doors are tight at the handles and bow out from there. The washers don't help!

If that is the case, as some of my friends would say, they're farkockte.

[pooker]

I hear "Warranty"!!!!
I will take the bike in as soon as the snow is gone, or can I just take in the bags?

[rewindgy]

Dealer replaced the right side bag lid after they drove a forklift thru it. It has leaked ever since that and they will do nothing about it! I guess trial and error with the washer thing may be in order?

[cnc]

The cargo strap trick that Scott mentions is worth trying at least on the one that is leaking. In order to get the shape you want you prop ably will have to over bend the door slightly, so I would put a small block of wood or shim maybe 1/8in in the latch area before strapping. Also use a soft towel under the cargo strap to prevent scuffing the finish as it tightens.

[pooker]

Originally Posted by cnc

The cargo strap trick that Scott mentions is worth trying at least on the one that is leaking. In order to get the shape you want you prop ably will have to over bend the door slightly, so I would put a small block of wood or shim maybe 1/8in in the latch area before strapping. Also use a soft towel under the cargo strap to prevent scuffing the finish as it tightens.

The bags and doors are are plastic or glass.
My experience with this stuff is, yeah it bends, but like an elastic,.......it goes back to the shape it was.
I'm going to try for new doors, new bags or both.
I will keep in touch but I might not know until Spring,......it's winter here in Canada!!!!!!!