Triumphrat

Woolly Bugger

I recently purchased some K-Drive Panniers for my 2009 Speedmaster.

When trying to install, the first problem was to positioning of the mounting bracket onto the bike. It simply did not fit! I had to 'massage' the brackets to splay them out a little and even then they are extremely 'spring loaded' and not easy to tighten the mounting bolts.

Second problem are the rear bolts on each side protrude thru the fender by about 2cm. To me this creates a potential problem if the rear tire ever 'bottoms out', these bolts are likely to rip the tyre.

Has anyone had experience mounting K-Drives brackets and come across these problems.

It is not practicle to send these back (Australia to US).

I also do not have the right equipment to easily simply cut the bolts. Are they likely to cause a problem if these are not shortened?

__________________
A picture is worth a thousand words, so what is the value of a picture?
A computer word is 16 bits. 2 bits = 1 quarter (25c). 1 bit is 12.5c. A word is worth $2, therefore a picture is worth $2,000. Eugene Volokh

RonL

Cutting the bolts may not be as difficult as you may think. With the bolts off the bike, run a nut onto the bolt lower than where you need to cut it. Cut the bolt and clean up the edge and give it a slight taper with a metal file, then run the nut off to clean up the thread. Reinstall the nut on the bolt a couple of times to remove any other burrs and you should be good to go.

steelpulse

Hi Woolly B. I had the same problem with my brackets, I called the supplier and was told some kits came from the manufacturer in Belgium with the wrong brackets. I purchased my saddlebags in july and did not get the correct replacement parts till october due to the manufacturer being on summer vacation. They now fit great, FWIW the supplier was very good at keeping a good line of communication through out the entire process. ( I did not have to send back the wrong brackets )

Woolly Bugger

Umm, interesting. I did manage to 'make' them fit, however they are somewhat 'spring loaded', if you get what I mean. The bolts are also a little long, although I am trying to source some shorted ones. I will do same as you with my supplier - newspeedmaster.com. Where did you purchase yours?

__________________
A picture is worth a thousand words, so what is the value of a picture?
A computer word is 16 bits. 2 bits = 1 quarter (25c). 1 bit is 12.5c. A word is worth $2, therefore a picture is worth $2,000. Eugene Volokh

steelpulse

newbonneville.com, I believe it is one and the same outfit. Like I said before they were very prompt in keeping me in the loop as to what was going on. You should give them a shout - good luck with it.

Woolly Bugger

Yes indeed they are and in fact I have already had a response from them advising that they will contact the importer to have a new set shipped direct to me. Here's hoping!

BTW, did you also receive a new set of bolts with the rack and if so, were they the correct size and not protruding into the wheel arch as mine currently are?

__________________
A picture is worth a thousand words, so what is the value of a picture?
A computer word is 16 bits. 2 bits = 1 quarter (25c). 1 bit is 12.5c. A word is worth $2, therefore a picture is worth $2,000. Eugene Volokh

steelpulse

Yes I did get new bolts and they are the correct size. Glad to see you already started the ball rolling