keeping the %#@$@ side covers on

Ok, now I know why you see so many single side covers for sale on ebay and so many people looking for them. :x

Somehow the left side cover of the Seca decided to part ways with the bike (presumably at a high rate of speed). Thankfully, I noticed that it was gone soon enough, re-traced my path and found it (whew!).

What are you folks doing to keep the side covers on when the factory retainers don't do the trick? I have it zip-tied right now... and while it's not awful, it still looks tacky and makes it a headache to service the battery.

 

On the 550's the rubber grommets on the pegs on the frame are the key. I replace the grommets as soon as they even LOOK "unhappy."

 

One of the sidecover sets I picked up on ebay was from a former racer and had been drilled for saftey wire. The PO had safety wired them to the frame. They stil had the wire on the covers when I got them.

 

Fitz, unfortunately it's not the grommets. Looks like the hooks on the side cover itself have deteriorated. The bottom one has already broken off.


Safety wire gives me an idea though.. I'm gonna try attaching a spring of some sort, one end to the frame and one end to the inside of the cover, so that it will keep the cover pulled in tight but flex enough so it could be pulled back and detached.

 

Sticky back velcro can be an option in some situations.

 

Radar Detector Suction Cups.
Apply Epoxy Resin Adhesive to Cup-1
Stick to inside of Side Cover.

Stick Cup-2 to a convenient part of the Bike.
Secure a length of tether material between 1 -and- 2.
Really small diameter Bungee Cord and Plastic Ties do well.

 

I LIKE the tether idea even if your mounts are fine. Considering Seca 550 sidecovers now have a going price the other side of $100...

 

Not sure if there is room to fasten it but what about replacing the clip with a cabinet type latch? They make ones made to latch a cabinet that is a similar mechanism.

 

How about something with magnets?

 

Use stainless steel fishing leaders as teathers