Zip Tie Side Covers

[1948man]

I read in previous threads about using zip ties as a safety so you won't lose your side covers. Drilling was mentioned. Do you a drill right thru the side cover or maybe just thru the base of the tab post? Also, how do you get your side covers off. is it necessary to cut the zip tie each time?

[Steve]

The ones that I have seen had holes drilled at the bottom of the cover, where it was least seen.

One alternative (and a rather radical one, at that) is to spend a few bucks to replace the hard rubber grommets that no longer grip the studs on the cover.

And yes, you do have to clip and replace the zip-ties every time you remove the covers.

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[Brendan W]

My PO lost the cushions for the two upper hanger brackets on the frame and drilled 1/8 holes through them and used small ties there.The lower grommets are still ok. No drilling through the cover itself.

[1948man]

Thanks for the replies. I have replaced the grommets on one bike but was just thinking about the zip ties extra insurance.

[Steve]

Thanks for the replies. I have replaced the grommets on one bike but was just thinking about the zip ties extra insurance.

I guess the value of the "insurance" would depend on your value of aesthetics.

With the new grommets, the panels are not going to fly off. I replaced the grommets on my wife's bike 6 or 7 years ago, which was about 25,000 miles ago. I still have to give them a healty tug to remove them, there is no way they are going to come off accidentally.

I have never considered zip-ties for any of my bikes, but they have all had all the tabs on the covers. The only covers that were damaged were on my son's 650L. There is a slot in the rear edge that slides over a tab on the frame, then pop the two tabs on the front into grommets. The slots were broken, I made a loop from a piece of coat hanger wire and epoxied it to the inside of the cover to slide over the frame tab. So far, it's still working fine.

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[posplayr]

I would classify the zip tie method as definite "getto"

[Steve]

I would classify the zip tie method as definite "getto"

... but effective.

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[trevor]

Can you spot my zip ties? They are there.

[posplayr]

Can you spot my zip ties? They are there.

That is certainly better than most I have seen.

[posplayr]

... but effective.

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If that was the only measure then what about duct tape?

[trevor]

That is certainly better than most I have seen.

The bike came this way when I bought it and I have not fixed the groments yet (I'm thinking about painting the bike this winter and fixing them then). I have to put new zip ties on everytime I need to take the covers off, like washing the bike. I need to buy some stock in zip ties.
If anyone is interested I will post pics of the way the holes have been put in the covers. Pretty smart way actually. You would never know.

[BluePlateSpecial]

If you don't want to drill holes you might be able to epoxy a zip tie holder to the back of the cover. That's what I would do.

[jpaul]

I replaced the grommets on my 82 1100E and ended up breaking off one of the posts. I think the tighter fit on the new grommets put additional stress on plastic that was slightly embrittled from age.

When I get it back on the road I wll have some zip ties as backup. The 82-83 1100Es have the advantage of a shape that makes it easier to put the zip ties out of site, as you can see from Trevor's bike.

[posplayr]

The bike came this way when I bought it and I have not fixed the groments yet (I'm thinking about painting the bike this winter and fixing them then). I have to put new zip ties on everytime I need to take the covers off, like washing the bike. I need to buy some stock in zip ties.
If anyone is interested I will post pics of the way the holes have been put in the covers. Pretty smart way actually. You would never know.

This is a permanent solution and works well.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=160547&highlight=tab+repair

[Kiwi Canuck]

Rare Earth Magnets

I have seen a members bike (BCCAP's) with 5/8" diameter rare earth magnets to fix the side covers on.

He removed the grommet and epoxied one magnet onto the frame tab, and epoxied the other magnet to the cover in place of the broken post and they hold on very well.

Cheap and effective and easy to remove and reinstall the covers.