Securing side covers

[Rob S.]

Has anyone here used any methods to more securely attach their side covers to their bikes?

 

[Steve]

New rubber grommets usually do the trick.

They are relatively cheap, too.

Thanks for the reminder, I need to order some.

.

 

[Wingsconsin]

I need to order some too...
can you recommend the best place to buy them ?

 

[tkent02]

Suzuki.

Some models are more secure than others. A zip tie in an appropriate place can keep them from falling off.

 

[Guest]

I need to order some too...
can you recommend the best place to buy them ?

I got mine from bike bandit.

 

[Allie]

I had devised 'safety wires' for the ones on the 550 long enough so that you could take them on and off but they were still 'hard wired' to the bike just in case. The ones on the 750 are held on with screws, so no worries now.

 

[Guest]

Has anyone tried or had success fitting bodywork with Dzus fasteners?

 

[BigD_83]

What is a Dzuz fastener?

People have had success with rare earth magnets.

 

[BluePlateSpecial]

I am using a couple of pieces of velcro wrapped through the slots on top and around the frame.

 

[posplayr]

10 mm stainless Allen heads work great.

 

[Flyboy]

Has anyone tried or had success fitting bodywork with Dzuz fasteners?

No reason they can not be made to work with some fabrication, we went to the moon for goodness sake.

What is a Dzuz fastener?

Quarter turn type fastener, typically found on aircraft.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dzus_fastener

To prevent theft, we used to cut off the bottom post of the side cover that pushes through the rubber grommet, epoxy an M8 bolt in its place and secure the side cover with a nut on the back.

 

[Rob S.]

To prevent theft, we used to cut off the bottom post of the side cover that pushes through the rubber grommet, epoxy an M8 bolt in its place and secure the side cover with a nut on the back.

That sounds interesting. For the time being, I'm riding 'nekid' (sans side covers). I don't particularly like it, but it'll be that much sweeter when I get them sorted out.

 

[Guest]

One simple way is to use adhesive backed Velcro (fastener tape). Just fold the piece that extends beyond the cover over on itself to cover the exposed adhesive. I've had just one post on an old cover and the two other failed posts were replaced with velcro. Home Depot has small sticky velcro packs. The black velcro hides well on the frame rail below the seat.

It fails eventually as the adhesive ages but you can usually go a couple seasons.

Posplayr's method is slick and permanent and worth the time invested if you want to be done with it for good. .

 

[Grimly]

I used Dzus fasteners when the cast knobs broke off.

 

[Rob S.]

3M Dual Lock

3M Dual Lock

The fastener I was talking about, which holds my EZ Pass to the car windshield is called 3M Dual Lock.