A funny thing happened on the way to Albuquerque

Afrosemite wrote:

Pods, why would that matter though? more room for air to get behind the cover?

That was my thought, but Tony says it has happened in both configurations. Hmmmm. On my 650s, at least, it seems as the the airbox should block the wind enough to keep it from getting behind the covers.

Locozuna, do spread the cotter pin on the painted side of the cover? If so, I think I'll just continue to chance it with new grommets. Interesting idea, none-the-less.

No the nipples are held off the sidecover body by tabs. There is about 1/2 inch of clearance behind the tab and nipple before you get to the sidecover body. You need to drill thru the tabs and nipples but not thru the side covers themselves. So you spread the cotter pin behind the covers and you can't tell they are there looking at the covers on the bike. I wouldn't wreck my paint job or covers to do this.:blink: Take a look at your sidecover and you will see what I mean. I'll try and get some real pics but my bikes are packed to move. I might be able to get to them tomorrow.

Remembered a 650 sidecover that has not been packed up yet. Here is a pic. As you can see there is plenty of room to get behind the nipple/tab to spread the cotter pin. This is the same on the 550/650/900/1000. The only thing is if you have aftermarket sidecovers they usually don't have the nipple and need to be bolted on. Then you are on your own.

I am only suggesting this as a solution. I do it and know of at least a half dozen others who do it. Have not lost one since but have had one or two come off the mounts. Pretty easy to notice and just pop back on. Beats walking the roadside searching for one all scratched up or watching as the next car nails yours that landed in the street. (been there done that)

Sorry about the pic quality if my camera phone and I shake a little. Makes me a good dancer but a lousy photog!

Good stuff Locozuna!

The picture answers my un-asked questions. Great little diagram there...

Now it looks like an even better idea... and cheap too. Thanks.

LSC Club

Lost Side Cover

There are many members.

Thanks Loco, that makes more sense. For having those things off the bikes plenty of times, I've not looked at them close enough to remember how they're made.

A pic is worth a thousand words, even one from a cell phone.

How the heck can they fall off? I think I'm probably one of the higher KZrider miles if not the most at about 310,000 miles and have yet to lose a sidecover even with crappy 30 yr old grommets.

RonKZ650 wrote:

How the heck can they fall off? I think I'm probably one of the higher KZrider miles if not the most at about 310,000 miles and have yet to lose a sidecover even with crappy 30 yr old grommets.

You better go knock on wood Ron, LOL!!

Ron as much as you value your original paint I think the gods know if one blew off your bike and ruined your paint job even THEY couldn't find a safe place to hide.:lol:
It has always happened to me in windy weather and I agree I don't think I have logged as many miles as you but nevertheless I have parted ways with a few sidecovers and cursed those very same gods. Who the heck is the god of wind anyway? Blozo?:huh:

Locozuna wrote:

As you can see there is plenty of room to get behind the nipple/tab to spread the cotter pin. This is the same on the 550/650/900/1000.

And 1100. Thanks for this info! I did the mod this evening, very easy to do.

How could it happen?

Riding 80mph into a 55mph gust of wind (said the weather channel) did the trick for me