Saddlebag won't open

[rwlevrets]

Everything is unlocked...can open the trunk and the right saddlebag, but the left saddlebag will not open with the latch. Must be something wrong with the cable/latch assembly. Is there another way to open the saddlebag?

[eddard49]

Yes, there is an emergency opener in the floor of the trunk. I don't remember exactly (I haven't had to use mine), but you insert your finger into the hole on whichever side is stuck and trip the lever.

It's fairly common for the saddlebag cable to come loose. Remove the panel at the floor/rear of the trunk and you can inspect the cables.

[dragon2000]

If you have your manual (not in the left saddlebag), the emergency instructions are contained in there.

Steve

[Viking]

Guess I will take my manual out of the left saddlebag and put it in the trunk, Hawwwwww, snork.

[rwlevrets]

Thanks for the help guys. I can't seem to find any "holes" in the bottom of the trunk to put my finger in & manually release the saddlebag. I just got this bike a few days ago & have found there is no operators manual. I'll give a shout to my local dealer & see if they can help.

[dragon2000]

If you have your manual (not in the left saddlebag), the emergency instructions are contained in there.

Steve

Further to my comments above, I tried to do a cut & paste of the Graphic in the manual however had no success. That said, here are the text instructions from pg 47 of the 2004 manual.

If a Saddlebag Won’t Open:
1. Open the travel trunk and remove the plug from the right or left access hole in the floor of the trunk.
2. Put your finger through the access hole and push the rod.
The saddlebag should open

Steve

[rwlevrets]

Got it! Thanks Steve and guys. Went by my dealer and they suggested I adjust the cable bracket that is in the trunk so the cable pulls with more travel. That seems to have fixed the problem-sabblebag opens every time (knock wood) Thanks again.

[SamHdz9]

   Never miss a video: Subscribe to the GoldwingDocs YouTube channel today!


This video shows how to fix the issue if anyone still needs to see

[joeincalif]

I always found that it helps to push in slightly on the saddle bag door as you pull the lever to release the door.

[SamHdz9]

Hooefully I never have to do this again but if I do I'll keep that in mind! Thanks!

[PastoT]

Left Saddle bag is the common hang up, press in slightly on the bag and release. I suspect it is the result of things in the bag over time always leaning against the lid when on the side stand. I'm way guilty of over loading some things in the left side and mine hangs quite often. I use the left bag for the bike cover, soft items and cleaning supplies so that if its raining its a bit more sheltered on the side stand and in theory my cover will drain excess drizzle toward the seal and hinges and just go away more easily once open. Also the finger holes to release each saddle bag are plugged in the floor of the trunk on the left and right side, you pry the plug out for access and one can press on the trunk releases.

[threepwood]

I've just taken delivery of my GL1500, and eventually managed to open the trunk, (the latch is a bit of bent wire and it drove me crazy).

Now I'm trying to access the saddlebags, and have no idea how to do that. My best guess is that it's those metal loops to the left and right of the trunk latch, but they don't seem to do anything. Perhaps I'm holding my tongue wrong. The only information I've found is the emergency access via the trunk, but that would be a final resort.

Perhaps someone on the forum could explain how to open them.

I've had a look online and the best advice I found was refer to the manual. Well, to my knowledge, the manual in the saddlebag.
I went to Helm, and their shipping cost for a $30 manual to New Zealand was $292.00! Multiply by the US to NZ dollar rate of around 64 cents, and weep.

[Rambozo]

This topic was about the 1800. Better to post in the 1500 area for 1500 questions.
Sounds like your latch is maybe missing parts?
There should be three levers, center for trunk and left and right for saddlebags. Be sure it is unlocked to get the levers to move.
Unfortunately the diagram for those parts is terrible, but better than nothing.
https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda ... /trunk-box
The emergency release might be your best bet. It lets you pull up on where the cables pull.
When working on the latches in the trunk be sure to test that they latch and unlatch before closing the trunk. You can read here about many people that have locked themselves out of their trunks. One way is to remove the lock loops from the lid to use for testing. No way to get locked out.

BTW you can find the owners manual online in a few places. Honda used to offer them on their website, but they removed all the older bikes for some reason.
For a paper copy, ebay is your friend.

[threepwood]

Thanks for the heads up. Not sure how I ended up on this GL1800 thread, but managed to get in via the trunk. Yep, it looks like some parts are missing from the trunk release.
Once again, thank you for the response. I've ordered a Haynes manual for a mere $108, and Supercheap( ) tells me to expect it in about four weeks.

[Rambozo]

You can't beat the factory service manual. They come up for cheap on ebay all the time. The Haynes and Clymer are better than nothing, but not as good as Honda.

For example here is a 92 for $40 or best offer.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/125267478315
This one doesn't say ships worldwide, but you can always ask. I'm sure there are services to drop ship stuff, too. I know I used to use a service to get stuff shipped from Japan, and Australia to the US.