Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech HELP!! Easy Brackets won't come off

I installed the easy brackets last fall with no problem. I tried to unlock them yesterday and the key won't budge them at all. So needless to say the bags are currently locked on my bike. Can anyone help me out with some advice? Has anyone out there had this problem? Thanks.

I like to drench things with WD-40... Just an idea...

Never been there before but I agree with the suggestion of some type of penetrating oil... let it soak a bit then add more.

Try lock lube. Its a graphite bases lube that wont gumm up your lock like oil based lubes.
After you lube it try and use a bit of finess and work the key back and forth...itll give up after a while.

OK...that sounded bad

I have had the same thing happen from time to time. My issue isn't a stuck lock tumble it is friction on the locking tabs inside the bracket.

Easy fix though, take a rubber hammer or whatever and rap on the brackets as you try to turn the key. Don't have to hit them real hard either. That's it.

Work's for me when this happens. BTW to avoid the issue make sure the bags are fully seated on the posts be for you lock them down.

Hope this helps but then again this is free advice and you know what that is like.

Does the key turn and they won't move? Or does the key not even move? I've had to whack mine a few times in the past. I think it's partially because of ill-aligned posts, I needed some washers under a my rear posts. Juice em with something, then give it a whack.

same here.

Hit em with a hammer till they come off, then buy K-Drive bags and mounts instead so you don't need to fiddle with washers, extra support for bags etc.

When I installed my easy brackets last year, I ground the slotted holes a tad wider and thinner. And then I added a washer to the rear posts.

This helped the alignment and allows my bags to go on and off a lot smoother.

I have never had any problem with either sets of our Easy Brackets. A little tight comming off or on sometimes but never stuck or any lock problems. Just a little wiggle and done.

If the latch is catching, try pulling out at the bottom of the bag.

Did you disconnect the battery first?

I had a similar deal when I first installed the EZ brackets a few years ago. Frustrating as heck trying to remove them. Like other members said, try a rubber mallet and a block of wood, tapping on the top or ends. I think you can also get your finger up under the bottom and move the latching mechanism to the free position. On my original bags, the mechanism kept hitting the rear of the bag, so I had to cut out a little notch for clearance. On the new bags I used plexiglass as a stiffener and that seems to keep the locking mechanism free. If it's any consolation, in my case, it loosened up considerably over time and pops right on & off now.

Good luck!

jh

I bet that may be why I never had a problem I also used plexiglass for a stiffener.

Thanks for all the advice. I used the old rubber mallet, but only got partial movement of the locking mechanism. If you lay directly underneath you'll see a nut that can be removed...which I did. It releases the lock. I see that it can be adjusted, so I'm gonna play with it and see if I can't get it to turn a little better.

Thanks Again!