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Saddlebag leakage?

Rudy,

Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it. I was considering taking my bags apart, like you did. But, remove the OEM gasket material completely. Then, fill the groove on each side about 75% with the silicone and let it cure. After it is firm, add more silicone to each side to slightly overfill. Reassembly the halves and wipe the excess silicone that squeezes out.

I am also thinking of creating a drain hole in the low spot on the bottom of the bag. Not just a hole, but glue a short section of plastic hose in the hole. Water can drain out, if any gets inside and the hose (about 1" long) will keep water splashed up from the road from entering. My Tour Deluxe saddlebags never leaked, but still had two drain holes molded into each saddlebag floor.

So, I think I have my winter project now. :)

I wonder what MG is thinking when they installed a gasket (o-ring) that is not continuous. That seems like a guarantee for leakage. Furthermore, what possible reason could there be for NOT making the entire bag in one piece? Many other manufacturers do so and have an excellent leak-free product.
 
The problems I see with the covers are; Something else to carry on a trip and since mine leaked primarily at the bottom that part is not covered.

The side I used the o-ring on is basically all silicone for the seal. I did not let any of it dry before assembly. That is the side with the minor leak though.
 
roadventure said:
Rudy,

Did you make your saddlebag covers. or is this something available commercially. If available for sale someplace, could you share where they can be found?
Click to expand...

Hi Dave,
I have the leather saddlebags, and covers where included. After 15000 km.the covers were used. I wanted them replaced in warranty, but the dealer could not find the order number. So he send them both to Italie, … and then they where lost.

The dealer contacted a sailmaker to make new ones. The old ones where attached with a belt, the new ones with elastic are better. Topservice!
The covers are also good to protect the leather against dirt.
Grtz Rudy
 

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When I first got them I thought I would not like them but they do work nice. Not in any way water proof but great for loading and unloading the bags. Yes, the 3 piece arrangement does fit just right and works. Plus they snap together into one unit to carry into the hotel.
 
I too had leaking panniers on my 2014 Cali Touring. I sealed the seams from the inside using what I consider an amazing product. I used McNett's "Seam Grip" (https://www.mcnett.com/gearaid/seam-grip#10510).

McNett sells you a tube of Seam Grip and an applicator brush and Seam sealing applicator for $7.50, a great deal. I removed my panniers and laid them on their interior side to place the open channel of the seam facing up. Then I painted the Seam Grip onto the seam with the applicator brush. It took hours to skin over and about 24 hours to dry to a hardened rubbery finish. The dried sealer remains flexible which on this application is important.

I did this procedure a month or so back and to date the panniers don't leak and the sealer remains tightly bound to the ABS case material, it seems like only a knife will remove it now. The whole procedure took me about two hours, then a couple of hours drying time and another hour to reinstall the panniers (I removed the lids to make working inside
Pannier seamseal the panniers easier). In the included picture you can see the seam where I painted the sealer on. The consistency is not unlike model airplane glue. Thin enough to paint it on, but viscous enough to hang on to the brush for a few seconds to get it to the application location.
 
dennisj said:
I too had leaking panniers on my 2014 Cali Touring. I sealed the seams from the inside using what I consider an amazing product. I used McNett's "Seam Grip" (https://www.mcnett.com/gearaid/seam-grip#10510).
Click to expand...

Dennis,

Thanks for the suggestion. I have some of that for use on my tent, but it is probably ten years old. I am going to go over to DICK'S Sporting Goods today and get some new tubes to do the same thing.
 
And, another comment on these Moto Guzzi hardbags. Every other bike I have had with OEM hardbags did not leak but also had drain hole molded into the bottom. That just seems like a good idea in the event that water does gain entry, like in a situation where I had to remove gear in a raging downpour and water got in while the lid was open.
 
roadventure said:
And, another comment on these Moto Guzzi hardbags. Every other bike I have had with OEM hardbags did not leak but also had drain hole molded into the bottom. That just seems like a good idea in the event that water does gain entry, like in a situation where I had to remove gear in a raging downpour and water got in while the lid was open.
Click to expand...

If you do implement such a mod please let us all know about it. I imagine somewhere at the back of the bag might be the ideal location, or should it be on the left edge of both bags so the water drains while the bike is on its sidestand. If you have access to any specific OEM hardbags with drain ports please let us know where they chose to located their ports.

The tube of Seam Grip does not age well if left at ambient temperature. I've seen suggestions to cap it tight, put it in a zip lock bag and store it in the freezer to keep it for any extended length of time. I haven't done this yet myself, mainly because I use this stuff for everything around the house all the time (it works great for repairing shoes too, my wife and mother-in-law keep me busy with their hundreds of requests) so the product never has a chance to harden much in my tube.

Keep us posted Cruisin' Dave.
 
I can't think of seeing a hole in any of my saddlebags and I have owned a fair number. The Guzzi bags, both of my Norges and the California may adhere to your school of thought as the seal always has a gap in it. Unfortunately the gap is in the low point which seems to coincide with the front lower corner where the most water would be blasted on the bag so I see it going in and not out in my mind. I moved it more towards the rear when I replaced the seals in my Norge. Sealing the California bags made a world of difference.
 
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