broken pannier lug - help!

[theschoning]

my bwm pannier got caught on a steel post on a hotel car park yesterday and flew off......the front plastic catch/lug sheared right off the pannier.

Now, what do I do?! can I glue it back on?
Has anyone have a solution for this problem - I am certain I'm not the only uncoordinated bastard?!

Well, I didnt loose it on the way back today - but secured it with a bungie net thingy and checked every minute if it was still on.....

thanx for any help!

J.

 

[jimcg]

I did that acouple of years ago by having a clash of panniers with a fellow GSer (and he still reminds me of it at every opportunity). I glued the bit back on then drilled and pinned it using longish panel pins and then used Belzona liquid metal to strengthen up the repair by filling up the three grooves.
Like I say that was a couple of years ago and the panniers have been used a good few times since and carried substantial loads with no problems. I have seen other posts wher people do some intricate aluminium machining to fabricate a repair but that beyond my resources and capabilities.

 

[PeterGS]

I did the same thing back in June (bounced of a Pan pannier!). When I checked the lug it appears to only stop a very minor side ways movement and so I araldited it, including filling the grooves with glue. So far its still there.

 

[Blackal]

I did that acouple of years ago by having a clash of panniers with a fellow GSer (and he still reminds me of it at every opportunity). I glued the bit back on then drilled and pinned it using longish panel pins and then used Belzona liquid metal to strengthen up the repair by filling up the three grooves.
Like I say that was a couple of years ago and the panniers have been used a good few times since and carried substantial loads with no problems. I have seen other posts wher people do some intricate aluminium machining to fabricate a repair but that beyond my resources and capabilities.

Glueing it (use superglue with perfectly clean surfaces - use acetone, or isopropyl alcohol) with some stainless pins through the latch would be good.......................... but, I think I would also try to fit some form of safety device. Sometime down the road, the superglue could let go, and the consequences could be severe.

Also, keep your eye on Ebay for a replacement.

Al

 

[kondorpilot]

YOU COULD buy my full set of Adventure luggage when I get back on line as a site sponsor!

 

[theschoning]

thanx all for the swift replies and repairs!!

not sure if I will trust glue.....would resin be better than superglue?

as for a steel/aluminium bracket as a replacement lug, I would be very interested if someone had made one and would be willing to help.

In fact I did start thinking about alterantive luggage options (expensive idea though). However, I dont use panniers all too often and I dislike the extra carrier frames required for metal panniers. (Kondorpilot - how much for the adv luggage? ).

Guess I will try the glueing thing for now....

cheers,

J.

 

[Seamaster]

You could have the lug welded back on, using a hot air gun and plastic welding sticks. The hot air gun is similar to a paint stripper but the temperature is more controlable, I think ABS plastic is welded at 325 degrees.
Try a body repair shop or see Ride mag.October edition for details of plastic repairs carried out to the farings on an SV650 carried out by a company called The Plastic Surgery (01684 569000)

 

[cookie]

if it was me, i'd buy a new pannier back

 

[dazco]

i use super glue at work for holding honing stones on to a metal honing head, very rarely fails, but you need an activator, like Blackal said. i would also pin it.

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

i'd make a steel 'S' or 'U' shape bracket - about 6mm thick - and grind the plastic stump flat on the pannier.

Then Rivet that bracket - and glue it - using some truck body pop rivets.

Then paint it black

it'd never move.

 

[Jhenshall]

For plastic repairs like this I drill some holes through the sides of the vains then use araldite (pushed through the holes, and filling the vains). Likely to be stronger then the original.

 

[theschoning]

Polyweld

I've ordered some 'polyweld' now and will try to 'glue'/melt the lug back on. This stuff supposedly melts the ABS plastic back together (It'll probably melt my brain ), and in theory it will be as one again....I'll see how and if it works


Should this fail, I agree that a metal bracket riveted or screwed on to replace the plastic lug would be the best option. Anyone working in a metal workshop?!

Thanx to all gsers!

J.

 

[Grizzly]

Just Buy a New Back??

I did the same thing a few years ago - only it was a car while "filtering" .
Anyway, you can buy a new pannier back plus a rivet kit for the hinges and a rivet kit for the lock/handle unit from B-W. It wasn't too bad for price and a least you end up with a secure pannier.

Cheers....................Grizzly