Airhead Luggage Replacement

[khittner1]

I don't know whether it was 22 years of aging, UV, or our sub-zero F cold weather this past winter, but the "Touring cases" on my '84RT came out of winter storage with cracks in the outer halves near the bag latches that are big enough and long enough to toast their water-tightness. I'd like to keep stuff dry without resorting to packing into Ziplock bags, and a line of J-B Weld may work, but seems a little low-brow for a long-term fix, so I'm inclined to replace the bags, or the parts needed to bring them back to dryness. Max's parts diagrams show that the cracked outer halves ("covers" in BMW parts-speak) remain available ($115 each), but my regional dealer says that when they've ordered them for an earlier customer, the "covers" didn't actually fit his old "touring cases", and they ended up ordering a whole set of complete cases, instead ($500+). Any similar experiences out there? My bags are the "2nd-generation" touring cases with the cylindrical locks, rather than the little, flat locks of the "1st-gen" touring cases, if that makes any difference on how the currently-available "covers" fit.

Alternatively, any thoughts on Hepco & Becker's 30 or 40 liter "Junior" hard bags? If I have to go the replacement route, are these a better alternative to the OE "touring cases"? Thanks, in advance, for any insights.

[SteveD]

Yep, the new lid can cause some angst with a "different" fit.
I had that issue once, but with a nudge with my knee into the right spot they would still stay tight. Fiddly though.
Try ebay.de. Full sets can occasionally be got cheap, and you get to have a spare set of locks! They're not cheap.

There's always plastic welding. Search in U toob for a few diy vids!

[Ken in Oklahoma]

Not all BMW cases are created the same. With my multiple airhead fetish I have encountered different variations of the same theme. However one set of cases (that came with my used R75/6) have to be the worst ones in the world. They crack with the least excuse. The plastic is somewhat glossy, especially on the inside, even after many years. My take is that the plastic used was of a different formulation and out gassed severely, allowing them to crack for the least excuse.

My other bags, BMW branded, Krauser branded, and Hepco Becker have been fine. I particularly like the Hepco Beckers.

The "city cases" which are significantly smaller than the standard cases look really nice on sporty bikes like an S or RS.

Ken

[PAS]

I have used the black ABS cement with a scrap of ABS sheet to do an internal patch on a couple cracks on my bags. Works very well and is quick to set. Local hardware plumbing supply carries it.

[Rebel]

I just bought a 50 liter top case for my RS. VERY nice quality!! I went to the local auto parts store and purchased a 12 volt LED light array in red and installed it into the red reflectorized section at the back of the top case and wired it to ground and to my stop light. GREAT for tailgaters!!! Anyway, you may want to consider Wunderlich, I am glad I did.http://www.wunderlichamerica.com/bmw/Mono-L.html

[bbelk]

CPVC glue, the kind used on hot water pipes rather than cold water pipes is available in any plumbing or hardware store. Used in conjunction with fiberglass cloth works great and is easy.

I have not tried it on my Krauser bags, but I am pretty sure it is the same or similar material used in a Vetter windjammer and many other molded plastics.

[Chuey]

I have not yet thrown away the lids from my bags that were "reshaped" in my crash. If you want some or all of the material for patch making let me know. All it would cost you is the shipping. May be a good corner you could epoxy inside yours and then fill the crack or something like that.

Chuey

[khittner1]

Thanks, gentlemen, for all of the suggestions. Now to decide whether to slide $600 out past the CFO/SWMBO (a new set of those classic Krausers from Wunderlich, as Reb suggested, would look sweet, even if they're not "correct" for my '84---I've never really liked the "touring cases" because they look like the back end of an old 15" CRT television), or go with the more traditional "Airhead" solution of a $5 tube of miracle stick'em-filler-patch on what I've got . . .

Ken--I've never understood the appeal of the "city cases"---only big enough to hold a lunch bag, and they look like someone pasted the box from a portable jig saw or drill onto the side of a bike. They do, however, beat the aesthetics of the .50 cal ammo cans that festoon most current GS suburban "adventure" bikes . . .

[Rob]

I bought Krausers for my R65 back before there were BMW Touring bags. They were OK, but I didn't care much for the lid latches.
Then I bought a used pair of Touring bags. Hot damn! They could hold a lot of stuff! I loved them.
Later, I was able to afford a new pair with tumbler locks. The cat's meow!

They never looked like the back of a TV set to me. They represented freedom on the road!

[khittner1]

Well, that's true, Rob---I've never had to bother with supplementary straps to keep the "touring cases" closed. Decisions, decisions . . .