V100 saddlebags note and warning!

[scott_m]

I’ve been meaning to create a video on how to rekey these tumblers.

I used to do it almost daily when I was at BMW. It’s not hard if you are shown how to do it. You just have to avoid shooting the tiny springs across the room!

The only problem in complete rekeying, is having enough tumbler plates (back at BMW I had hundreds and I bet I could order some too) but even then it can easily be overcome if you only have just one matching plate to your key, which happens virtually never. There are always 2 or more that match up.

In a pinch, I used to set the first plate and the last plate in the tumbler, to the existing key, ignoring the plates in between.

Yes, if somebody wanted to “pick” the lock, it would be “easier” to pick 2 plates as opposed to 4 or 5 plates but in my whole life, I have yet to meet the person who ever claimed that their saddlebags were picked open and their stuff stolen. It is so much easier to just use a very small pry rod to pry the bag right off the bike, drive it home, and break into it at their leisure.

So I will make this video soon and post it here in Guzzi Tech. I think people would like this.

 

[South Westerly]

I certainly would although I have spare barrels and could at least have both my panniers on the same key.

 

[Glen72]

Changing plates would be good to know. I have one spare original barrel and lots of others that I could use for parts. Look forward to seeing your video on how to change the plates.

 

[MG02]

I looked at some comments. The square section that fits on the side of the key barrel on the V85TT pannier does have a lot of play which could allow the device to move. I estimate around 4 to 6mm.
I think it is movement, vibration/speed and right/left at the exactly position to allow the panniers to fall of. So some bad luck.
I saw the comment from John in PA and I can see how fitting the Safety Coupler will work (fitted on the bottom). I will try that.
Thanks everybody.

 

[BDS]

I saw the comment from John in PA and I can see how fitting the Safety Coupler will work (fitted on the bottom). I will try that.
Thanks everybody.

I can attest John’s safety mod is cheap, quick and easy to incorporate . The peace of mind is worth it.

 

[viewpoint]

Had a spare 10 minutes
Quick measure up and and drilled a split pin hole
Belt and braces
Ready for the European tour next month

 

[astella]

I finally got around to addressing the desire for a redundant safety lock for the side cases on the V100. Two 3/16" marine-stainless steel safety coupler pins
here (cost around $11), masking tape, a Sharpie, a sharp 3/16" drill, and 20 minutes time, and there's a fail-safe method for securing bags.

Remove the bags, put a piece of masking tape around the outer locating tab of the slot that engages the rubber block behind the passenger peg.

Remove the rubber block (just pull up and wiggle free). Replace the bags fully forward in their travel position. Use the Sharpie from the inside through the square hole in the steel bag support to mark the tape thoroughly, concentrating on the lower forward part of the square hole. (The retainer for the rubber block engages at the upper edge of the square hole in the steel, so I chose to avoid that.)
Remove the bags without disturbing the tape, center punch the tape mark, allowing for the diameter of the 3/16" drill bit. Carefully drill through that outer tab on the bag.
Replace the rubber on the bag support, re-mount the bag fully (if in doubt, put the pillion back on!) Then use the hole in the bag to guide your drill completely through the rubber block.
Remove the bags and run the drill back and forth through the rubber block a few times to slightly enlarge the hole. A speck of silicone grease on the pins allows them to glide through the rubber much easier. I also beveled the ends of the safety pins on a bench grinder for easier insertion through the rubber. The safety pins can be installed with the spring bail either up or down, your preference.

Job complete, installing/removing the pins takes an extra 3 seconds per side. Though the spring bails are loose, I can near NO metallic vibration noise over the sound of the exhaust and engine top end whine.


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Now, if you fail to mount the bags fully forward, the safety pins failure to engage are a tell-tale alert to the problem. And if heavy vibration or bumps should somehow defeat the molded plastic retention system Guzzi intended, there is a redundant retention mechanism to prevent backward migration of the bags.

Today I have implemented the same improvement to my Mandy. The bags fit safe and ready for the road trip I have planned for the end of May. Thanks for the tip! This is a great solution! PS: if you feel that the bags are hard to mount/remove, a little sandpaper on the upper surface of the hooks and a drop of WD40 will make them smooth to assemble.

 

[South Westerly]

Happened to me too but it was the right hand bag. Also retraced my steps and couldn't find a trace of it. I was lucky and was able to purchase a single one from a gentleman on the forum who had lost a left one and got a full set. When you get a replacement strongly suggest you follow the guidance on this forum for additional securing system. Very easy to do and definitely gives some peace of mind.

 

[Ranishdogs]

Hi all , concerned about the number of panniers being lost I thought I better investigate the modification mentioned here . I went a slightly different route by using marine grade drop pins . Same mod as mentioned at start of thread in that a 5mm hole drilled through box and rubber fittings . The pins are 5mm , 50 mm open and 40 mm closed . Give a tidy and tight grip of the bottom pannier mount . One spill on roundabout on rh side , pannier didn't budge . Car collided with lh side while overtaking and pannier stayed put . Maybe I'm cursed or driving standards have gone out the window but modification definitely worked.

 

[Stella]

Be careful if you ordered saddlebags with your V100. Didn't come with any instructions. You have to take rear passenger seat off, then push the hangers into the square holes and give the bags a hard push forward to lock into the rails. Then reinstall the rear seat to positively lock the bags on. Was very careful and checked to see if bags were secured by ushing and pulling on them. Everything seemed good. Second day with bike, went for a 100 mi ride. Got home and left bag was missing. Didn't hear it come off. Reran the route consisting of ravines, deep ditches and forests but couldn't find it. Am told there aren't any more in North America and I will have to wait till July to get a new set (at cost). Heartbroken.

Sorry to hear of your loss, thanks for posting this warning

 

[WynnD]

OK, I bought the factory panniers. I've also been very religious about installation. Making sure every tab is in the right place during mounting. Riding around Denver, I leave the bags on, but this year I've been on the road for 31days and 9500 miles between two tours and in every case, the bags are going into the motel or tent. I am very careful to not bang the mount ends against anything, so they aren't cracked or broken. And I can see where on the pillion saddle spikes the bag's tab is resting against. Just want to report that I haven't had any issues with missing bags. Everything is right where it is supposed to be. I do see some noticeable wear on the right rubber near the passenger peg and probably should order a replacement.

 

[Tonym]

Finally my panniers arrived, after watching this tread with interest and the good ideas in regards to fixing with linch pin, clevis pins etc .
I decided to take a different tack to prevent the panniers coming off in mid flight. Being reluctant to drill them at this stage I thought why not put a bung in behind the front mounting hangers/tabs once the panniers are correctly fitted.
So I just got some heater hose, put some cable ties on them (for ease of removal) and inserted them accordingly.
Did a quick overnighter earlier this week and the idea seems to work well (you may need needle nose pliers on the cable ties to assist with removal).
You cant get the bungs in unless the mounting "hangers" are in the fully forward position, and I think the bungs also act as a bit of a shock absorber /prevents vibration of the hangers ( Have read elsewhere that over time some people are saying their panniers are rattling as the plastic lugs of the hangers are starting to wear)

 

[Z8EE (Zaidy)]

I'm currently dithering on buying a Mandello v100 or an Aprilia Tuareg 660. I just sold a Tuono Factory V4 1100 and still have a 1250 GS. I use the BMW Vario cases and they are the height of simplicity and functionality. Not only do they come on and off easily but they expand if needed. Things like this give me further pause to switching to the MG brand.

 

[BDS]

I'm currently dithering on buying a Mandello v100 or an Aprilia Tuareg 660. I just sold a Tuono Factory V4 1100 and still have a 1250 GS. I use the BMW Vario cases and they are the height of simplicity and functionality. Not only do they come on and off easily but they expand if needed. Things like this give me further pause to switching to the MG brand.

I understand. My best advice is to go ride one. I have never had an issue with the Mandello hard cases. And, with bag liners, I’ve only taken the hard bags off to clean the bike. But, they are super easy to put on/take off. Traveling is a breeze. I can do a 5 day trip with just the side bags and small SW tank bag - no sweat (disclaimer - I pack light). In fact, leaving for Arkansas on Thursday.

 

[FranknStein]

I'm currently dithering on buying a Mandello v100 or an Aprilia Tuareg 660. I just sold a Tuono Factory V4 1100 and still have a 1250 GS. I use the BMW Vario cases and they are the height of simplicity and functionality. Not only do they come on and off easily but they expand if needed. Things like this give me further pause to switching to the MG brand.

I have a V100S and had a R1250GS (just upgraded to a R1300GS). If you are replacing the GS with the V100 as a touring bike, I think you will be disappointed. The GS is more comfortable, practical, and trustworthy. The advantages of my Guzzi are character, looks, sound, and (to a small degree) agility. Just my 2 cents.

 

[loudviking]

I like class and style, and simplicity. BMW's are not a Guzzi and I trust
mine to go anywhere!

 

[GTM®]

Pair of bags free, you pay shipping and PP

Since you are offering them for free, I'll leave this for now. ALL items normally like this go in the Classifieds for our donating members.

 

[Stuart E]

I understand. My best advice is to go ride one. I have never had an issue with the Mandello hard cases. And, with bag liners, I’ve only taken the hard bags off to clean the bike. But, they are super easy to put on/take off. Traveling is a breeze. I can do a 5 day trip with just the side bags and small SW tank bag - no sweat (disclaimer - I pack light). In fact, leaving for Arkansas on Thursday.

I just bought a Mandello and hard cases, although the cases weren't in stock when I picked up the bike. When I went to collect the hard cases I was told the matching ignition key was no longer available. Was that your experience too, or is the dealer trying to pull one over on me?
UPDATE. I've learned that the matching locks for the cases were supplied by Moto Guzzi and they've been under the rear seat all along. If the dealer had known and told me this when went to pickup the bags, I wouldn't have put my query out there to the Guzzi hive.

 

[TennesseeSmith]

When I picked up my new '23 Mandello, the matching lock cylinders were under the seat. They come with the bike, not the bags.

 

[Stuart E]

When I picked up my new '23 Mandello, the matching lock cylinders were under the seat. They come with the bike, not the bags.

Thanks Tennessee - it was suggested I speak to another dealer and he solved the mystery for me. Now it's just a matter of figuring out what a clever adaptation to employ to ensure the left case doesn't fall off.