BMW Bags - watch for this..

[deilenberger]

I'd read about it either here - or on another forum. The BMW bags for the R1200 series have a slight flaw or defect that seems a bit common.

On the latch handle assembly for mounting them to the bike - there are two "C" clips - one on each pin the handle pivots on. Apparently these are fragile or installed wrong or just plain crap - 'cause they break.

I spotted the remains of one in the recess for the handle when putting my bags on, so I opened the latch and looked - both sides were missing the C clips, and the pins were working their way out. I checked my other bag - and these seemed fine.

The handle I'm referring to is PN-5 in http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=46&fg=20 - which doesn't show the pin or the C clips.

Luckily - I have several kits with all sorts of clips - including C clips, and was able to replace them (no dissasembly is needed if you have the right pliers.)

Something to keep an eye on.. I think I'll toss a few spare clips in the tank bag.

[hass]

Pictures please!

[celticus]

I posted about this a month or so ago. I don't know if my clip broke or just fell out but it was gone and luckily the pin was still sitting on top of the case. After trips to several auto shops I now have an assortment of clips most of which are too large. The right size can be difficult to find.
A friend had been fiddleing with my bag at a rally before and this might have caused the clip to get hung and pop out.
Mark

[deilenberger]

Unless your friend had the key and was taking the bag on/off - it's doubtful that he caused the problem. In my case - the piece of the clip I found showed it had fractured. This shouldn't happen - these clips are normally not hardened steel - they have flex to them.

I'll try to remember to take a photo tonight, and can give you the size of the clip I used. I have a kit with MANY sizes in it - and I matched up the piece I found with the ones in the kit, found ones that fit quite well actually. Look like they belong there.

What's a bummer is BMW doesn't list this as a part in their parts listings. Guess you gotta order a new bag if you loose any of these parts.

[celticus]

Before you know it almost new BMW bags will be a dime a dozen on E-Bay.

[deilenberger]

That's the clip, but since I didn't have heavy-duty editing software at home, I couldn't edit it and highlight it.

I'll try to get to that tomorrow..

[celticus]

I think that the bigger problem would be to have the clip fall off and loose the pin. It would be harder to replace.
Mark

[deilenberger]

I think that the bigger problem would be to have the clip fall off and loose the pin. It would be harder to replace.
Mark

With the handle down - locked in place - I don't believe the pin could actually come out. If you take a look at your bag you'll see what I mean - the pin in question is the one with the big head sticking out of the plastic handle when the handle is in the latched position.

[deilenberger]

Better photo..

[Graymonkey]

Quote "I think that the bigger problem would be to have the clip fall off and loose the pin. It would be harder to replace.
Mark"

Well I Took the bags off to wash them and the bike and when I went to put them back on I found just that had happened.

My BMW dealer said that this was the first time they had seen this issue...

Anyway there is no replacement parts or kit, so they are going to replace the entire sidecase and charge it off to a warranty item with BMW. One would think that BMW would come up with spares for this instead of having to eat the cost of a replacement side case when this happens, but not so far. So on Tuesday I will have a new sidecase at the dealer. And this after only 5 months.
D.

[deilenberger]

Quote "I think that the bigger problem would be to have the clip fall off and loose the pin. It would be harder to replace.
Mark"

Well I Took the bags off to wash them and the bike and when I went to put them back on I found just that had happened.

My WAG - the pin fell out when you took them off. With the handle closed it doesn't appear to me that the pin could fall out - the head would hit the surrounding plastic.

You might check the area where you took them off for the pin.

If you look at your other bag you'll see what I mean..

My BMW dealer said that this was the first time they had seen this issue...

Probably a run of defective C clips.. my other bag has been fine - the one that had a problem both clips eventually broke.

Anyway there is no replacement parts or kit, so they are going to replace the entire sidecase and charge it off to a warranty item with BMW. One would think that BMW would come up with spares for this instead of having to eat the cost of a replacement side case when this happens, but not so far. So on Tuesday I will have a new sidecase at the dealer. And this after only 5 months.
D.

Yup. I looked on RealOEM - and asked the parts department at my dealership just in case. That's what they said too - if no parts are available BMW will be replacing the bag for you.

[celticus]

I wonder if a little bit of lock tight soaked into where the pin goes in or out would help keep it from falling out and getting lost?
Mark

[Right Hand Drive]

Both my pannier handles lost the c-clips too. Two weeks after I bought them. The dealer found some clips in his odds and sods tin and replaced them. Pity the panneirs were not replaced as one in particular had picked up some scratches on the cover from my pillion's boot. I must say I wasn't pleased with the clips coming off in the first place though especially as them panniers aint cheap. Very disappointed indeed with the quality.

[WileyRufus]

One of my clips was found missing just before a trip in May. The local ACE hardware store had one to fit for $.15, so i splurged and bought 2 just in case. No problem since then.
Jerry

[ShinySideUp]

The handle I'm referring to is PN-5 in http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do ... g=46&fg=20 - which doesn't show the pin or the C clips.

Well it just happened to me: found a pin floating around in the handle well and saw that the other pin is missing completely. Other case handle is OK.

A trip to my dealer found that the above fiche does in fact show the part, but in a very weird way: If you look in the lower left portion of the drawing, you'll see figure 18 with a line drawn to a box. Inside that box are: FASTENING ELEMENTS, CARRIER HANDLE.

P/N = 71607653002

Cost is $5 and change. At least I got a good laugh at the very thorough Germans' giving a drawing of a box a part number.

I'm thinking of dabbing a bit of RTV on the circlip to try to keep it in place a bit longer. Or maybe a tiny amount of epoxy. The pin has to turn in the handle.

[deilenberger]

Bill - good info with the PN.. I sure couldn't find it.

And yeah - putting something on them like RTV might keep them from coming off - but the one I lost actually appeared to break.. I found 1/2 of it in the handle recess.. which clued me into looking for it.

[Lost Rider]

I lost a clip last spring, my dealer replaced it though they too had said they hadn't seen this problem. I have lost another one this fall, but this time the pin came all the way out and fell into the inner's of the case. I was thinking about taking it apart to try and fish it out, but taking it to the dealer to let them deal with it seems like a better idea...

[ShinySideUp]

I lost a clip last spring, my dealer replaced it though they too had said they hadn't seen this problem. I have lost another one this fall, but this time the pin came all the way out and fell into the inner's of the case. I was thinking about taking it apart to try and fish it out, but taking it to the dealer to let them deal with it seems like a better idea...

So I picked up my Handle Small Parts envelope at the dealer and was attempting to install the circlip in the parking lot when a BMW car salesman on break walks up behind me and asks me what year my bike is. His speaking startled me, making my needlenose pliers lose their tentative grip and the circlip fell down the handle slot into the case. [expletive deleted] No, taking the case off the bike and shaking it upside down didn't produce the lost clip.

So, next stop: Orchard Supply Hardware. I found that a 3/16" e-clip was just a smidgen loose and the 5/32" clip very tight. I got the smaller one and forced it on. If it doesn't break, I think it will stay on a very long time.

Not really finding what I wanted locally, I found this online:

http://www.mcmaster.com/

98317A214
Metric Stainless Steel E-Style Retaining Ring for 5mm Shaft Diameter, Fits 4.0mm Groove Diameter
In stock at $3.52 per Pack
This product is sold in Packs of 10

I'll order 10 and see how they fit. Meanwhile I now have other small handle parts that I'll never need!

BTW, I went to the service manager and asked him to report this issue to BMW which he gladly did. If all of us did this, they might find a source for e-clips that don't break!

[celticus]

Please let us know how these fit. Mine, US size have held up pretty well so far but I'm impressed with McMaster Carr and would like to be prepared.
Mark