Left saddle bag will not open
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- Maddman
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2015 1:51 pm
- Location: New port richey fla
- Motorcycle: 2006 gl 1800
Left saddle bag will not open
Hello,I read the thread about the emergency plunger,but I could find no information on what to do if that didnt work. It is the front latch that is not releasing. Any help with this issue will be appreciated.
- Goldwinger365
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Thu Mar 23, 2017 6:24 pm
- Location: Madison,Wi. USA
- Motorcycle: 1994 GL1500 Aspencade
2006 GL 1800
Re: Left saddle bag will not open
I had my right saddlebag stuck shut,used the plunger,still wouldn't release,held down on plunger while using palm and tapping in latch area,finally opened,found the latch hooks were loose and twisting sideways. Once I tightened them in proper position, have worked perfectly. Hope this helps.
- GoldWingrGreg
- Posts: 325
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- Location: Zephyrhills, Florida
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03 GL1800
04 GL1800(abs)
05 GL1800(abs)
07 GL1800(abs)
Re: Left saddle bag will not open
Are you able to open the other door using the "plunger" method. If so, try removing the rear, inner, center cover inside the trunk. It only takes a minute ... 5 screws with the center 3 being machined type. Once the cover is off, remove the cable and try pulling on it further. If that does not work, then the hinges will need pulled from the underside to the bike. I believe those bolts are tamper resistance torx bolts.
- tamathumper
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2018 6:02 pm
- Location: Day, NY
- Motorcycle: 2003 GL1800A
Re: Left saddle bag will not open
Is the saddle bag crammed full of stuff? If so, the stuff might be pressing out pretty firmly on the door, so pressing inward with your palm in the area where the latch is stuck while you pull the release lever might help the latch actuate.
'03 GL1800A | Porsche 968 | Ford F-150 | Skidoo GSX (2) | Seadoo GTI (2) | Suzuki ATV (2)
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- Maddman
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2015 1:51 pm
- Location: New port richey fla
- Motorcycle: 2006 gl 1800
Re: Left saddle bag will not open
Hey goldwinger365,tks for the resonse,I've tried ever combo ( while holding the plunger in)finesse to beating the crapp out of it . The front latch will just not release.Goldwinger365 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 02, 2018 11:44 amI had my right saddlebag stuck shut,used the plunger,still wouldn't release,held down on plunger while using palm and tapping in latch area,finally opened,found the latch hooks were loose and twisting sideways. Once I tightened them in proper position, have worked perfectly. Hope this helps.
- Maddman
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2015 1:51 pm
- Location: New port richey fla
- Motorcycle: 2006 gl 1800
Re: Left saddle bag will not open
Thanks GoldwigrGreg, I will investigate thos angles further ,the right side is operating perfectly fine.GoldWingrGreg wrote: ↑Sun Dec 02, 2018 1:16 pmAre you able to open the other door using the "plunger" method. If so, try removing the rear, inner, center cover inside the trunk. It only takes a minute ... 5 screws with the center 3 being machined type. Once the cover is off, remove the cable and try pulling on it further. If that does not work, then the hinges will need pulled from the underside to the bike. I believe those bolts are tamper resistance torx bolts.
- Maddman
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2015 1:51 pm
- Location: New port richey fla
- Motorcycle: 2006 gl 1800
Re: Left saddle bag will not open
No tamathumper there is only my rain gear plenty of room for that.tamathumper wrote: ↑Sun Dec 02, 2018 2:37 pmIs the saddle bag crammed full of stuff? If so, the stuff might be pressing out pretty firmly on the door, so pressing inward with your palm in the area where the latch is stuck while you pull the release lever might help the latch actuate.
- C-dub
- Posts: 245
- Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2017 8:29 pm
- Location: DFW, Texas
- Motorcycle: 2016 Goldwing Audio/Comfort/Nav ABS
Previous bikes:
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1979 Suzuki GS850G
1983 Suzuki GS1100E
1981 Honda XL250
1975 Suzuki GT185M
1970 Suzuki TC90 dirtbike
Re: Left saddle bag will not open
I hope you're able to resolve this without spending a bundle. That front latch on mine broke on a recent trip and wouldn't latch. I had a roll of duct tape with me and taped it up to the roof of the bag and it then latched.
When I got home and to my dealer a week later they covered it under warranty. Would have been roughly $900 + labor.
When I got home and to my dealer a week later they covered it under warranty. Would have been roughly $900 + labor.
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- Maddman
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2015 1:51 pm
- Location: New port richey fla
- Motorcycle: 2006 gl 1800
Re: Left saddle bag will not open
Ouch! Thats what I'm afraid of c-dub,hopefully I can get it open without the dreaded dealership greasing lol.C-dub wrote: ↑Sun Dec 02, 2018 9:31 pmI hope you're able to resolve this without spending a bundle. That front latch on mine broke on a recent trip and wouldn't latch. I had a roll of duct tape with me and taped it up to the roof of the bag and it then latched.
When I got home and to my dealer a week later they covered it under warranty. Would have been roughly $900 + labor.
- joeincalif
- Posts: 647
- Joined: Sat Nov 22, 2014 10:39 am
- Location: Fresno, Ca
- Motorcycle: 1997 Gold Wing SE
Re: Left saddle bag will not open
If all else fails you can probably find a used bag on line or from a trike dealer and rip the old one off the bike. It will be a lot cheaper than paying a dealer

IF YOUR BORN ONCE YOU WILL DIE TWICE
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- Maddman
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Fri Dec 25, 2015 1:51 pm
- Location: New port richey fla
- Motorcycle: 2006 gl 1800
Re: Left saddle bag will not open
Tks Joe,thats not a bad idea to keep in my pocket.
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
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2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer
Re: Left saddle bag will not open
I had this happen to my GL1500 trunk - nothing I tried would get it to release, even trying to release it from underneath, fishing up to the mechanism.
What I ended up doing in the end was removing the seat, drilling a small hole in the front of the trunk (where it would be covered by the seat), and fit tools through there to disassemble the latching mechanism from inside. I fished an endoscopic camera with a light in so I could see what I was doing.
Once finished, I bonded a new piece of ABS over the hole I had drilled. Good as new!
What I ended up doing in the end was removing the seat, drilling a small hole in the front of the trunk (where it would be covered by the seat), and fit tools through there to disassemble the latching mechanism from inside. I fished an endoscopic camera with a light in so I could see what I was doing.
Once finished, I bonded a new piece of ABS over the hole I had drilled. Good as new!
- Wingsconsin
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- Location: Sussex, Wisconsin (West of Milwaukee)
- Motorcycle: Current Rides -
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Past rides -
1996 GL1500 Aspencade - Pearl Blue
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Re: Left saddle bag will not open
Good grief -- I would be tempted to buy a new bag and smash the old one open with a big a$$ hammer ..WingAdmin wrote: ↑Sat Dec 29, 2018 5:56 pmI had this happen to my GL1500 trunk - nothing I tried would get it to release, even trying to release it from underneath, fishing up to the mechanism.
What I ended up doing in the end was removing the seat, drilling a small hole in the front of the trunk (where it would be covered by the seat), and fit tools through there to disassemble the latching mechanism from inside. I fished an endoscopic camera with a light in so I could see what I was doing.
Once finished, I bonded a new piece of ABS over the hole I had drilled. Good as new!

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Your results may vary. Universal disclaimers apply.
Motorcycle Adventure Storys
http://neverlost-justexploring.blogspot.com/