Our Old Hondaline Bags.....

[mcgovern61]

I just came back from a 150 mile ride out and heard some clunking behind me hitting bumps. New shocks are working like a champ and the bike is not bottoming out so what is the noise?

Turns out, my Hondaline trunk broke through at the quick disconnect lock. The lock itself is positioned against the ABS plastic and the ABS cracked all around the lock. I repaired in once before with an aluminum strap behind the lock, not expecting the next section would break at the original metal strap. Fitted another aluminum strap and pulled it back together and it is nice and tight again.

I have performed lots of ABS glue work, but it seems like I chase cracks and failures a lot. (I do load these bags up all the time.)

My question is, how much repair work do we do on 33 year old ABS plastic trunks and bags before it should be considered time to replace them? These bags are so convenient with the quick disconnects that I hate the idea of pulling them off or replacing them with I don't know what. I wonder if redoing them in fiberglass would be worth a try?


Thoughts?

 

[mcgovern61]

I do not have pics of the bag right now, but here are examples of previous repairs. You can see where the breaks are in the center support:

 

[dan filipi]

I wonder if lining the interior with fiberglass and resin would be a good choice.

 

[slabghost]

Probably best to sand blast or wire brush quickly to get as much of the inside bare as possible before trying the glass over it. As to the primary question.

My question is, how much repair work do we do on 33 year old ABS plastic trunks and bags before it should be considered time to replace them?

As much as needed until you just won't do it again. I haven't seen any of the newer bags that would look right or serve as well. The bags on my 98 valk would probably look good but you can't get a ff helmet in one. But then 98 was a long time ago too. :builder:

 

[Ansimp]

I would increase the amount of steel/ tin support in the base Gerry, also I would check the rack area underneath and make sure that there are support rubbers and brackets to take out the twist in the bag from its mount and lock unit.

 

[brianinpa]

ABS glue and fiberglass mat... and then do it over again.

 

[wilcoy02]

I put the abs on bottom and then fiberglass and drywall tape-Added a lot more abs and have never had a problem.

 

[tuna boy]

There is another site that has a very complete how to on repairs like this. Looks very sturdy.

 

[Denver]

Fiberglass matting worked in & well saturated with the abs resins, plus a clean surface, has always worked well for me also. Metal support also is helpful for strength factor.

 

[mcgovern61]

I found a BETTER solution (thanks to our good friend ZMAN!!) How about a pair of OEM NOS Hondaline bags in the original Cosmo Black Mettalic paint color?? Well......looky right here!

NOS like this doesn't come up that often. A bit pricey, but worth it to me! Now, when I go to finish the re-painting of the bike, I will have brand new bags with the original OEM color and finish plus no cracks or sun damage!! :yahoo: :yes: :Egyptian:

 

[mcgovern61]

Oh.....forgot to add that I will most likely swapping out the right side bag with the trunk since that bag is the only one that is still in decent shape. I might keep my eyes open for an Interstate or similar trunk since they are a bit larger.

 

[Omega Man]

:shock: :shock: :shock:

Nice!

~O~

 

[slabghost]

If you're going NOS why not hunt down the side covers and shelter too? That would negate the need to paint.

 

[mcgovern61]

slabghost » Mon Aug 31, 2015 3:50 am[/url]":31ukctc1]
If you're going NOS why not hunt down the side covers and shelter too? That would negate the need to paint.

I have! :hihihi:

(But, alas, the side covers need to be painted.)

I have repainted these bags twice now and it is a royal pain in the butt prepping all of the nooks and hardware. Bottom line is, they are cracking and one is missing some ABS plastic where it cracked at a hinge. I use these bags all the time and getting new ones saves me a lot of headache worrying if I am going to have a bag split open at the hinge with a full load inside while riding.

My winter project this year is to hopefully get the bike repainted with OEM decals. I have been getting bits and pieces ready for that job including aquiring NOS emblems and such over the last couple of years.

 

[brianinpa]

Nice score!

 

[Ansimp]

Very nice Gerry :good:

 

[mcgovern61]

The new bags are in!! :yahoo: :Egyptian:

Man.....they are BRAND SPANKIN NEW shipped in the original shipping boxes from Hondaline!!!!!!

Brand new bags, brand new locks, matching locksets and keys, the frame reflectors (that I never had since they were destroyed when the bike sat outside for 12 years before we got it), all of the luggage straps inside are there, INSTRUCTIONS!!, and of course the first time I have seen brand new Cosmo Black Mettalic paint since getting the bike.

They are worth every penny to me!! :yes:

Unfortunately, my other bags and trunk are in worse shape than I thought. Cracks and missing pieces in both side bags and of course the trunk is still the same as the beginning of this thread.

I am watching a 1200 trunk on Ebay right now that looks to be in great shape with a luggage rack, turn signals and brake light built in.

 

[slabghost]

Look forward to pics of the new bags on the bike.

 

[zman]

Nice!, always a good feeling to be moving forward on a bike, the trunk would be cosmos black I presume.

 

[brianinpa]

mcgovern61 » Wed Sep 02, 2015 12:26 pm[/url]":1kvbdc11]
The new bags are in!! :yahoo: :Egyptian:

Man.....they are BRAND SPANKIN NEW shipped in the original shipping boxes from Hondaline!!!!!!

Brand new bags, brand new locks, matching locksets and keys, the frame reflectors (that I never had since they were destroyed when the bike sat outside for 12 years before we got it), all of the luggage straps inside are there, INSTRUCTIONS!!, and of course the first time I have seen brand new Cosmo Black Mettalic paint since getting the bike.

They are worth every penny to me!! :yes:

Unfortunately, my other bags and trunk are in worse shape than I thought. Cracks and missing pieces in both side bags and of course the trunk is still the same as the beginning of this thread.

I am watching a 1200 trunk on Ebay right now that looks to be in great shape with a luggage rack, turn signals and brake light built in.

:rant: :useless: :rant: