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Trunk latch problem


Marty S

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Forgive me if this has already been covered. I couldn't find it.

 

This PM I unlocked my trunk lid (1999 R1100RT) and must have inadvertently turned the key back to the locked position with the latch and trunk lid open. This doesn't seem to be possible on the saddle bags, nor was it previously on the trunk, but there was no real resistance, the key just turned back to the locked position. Now, the red bar that normally holds the trunk handle and latch in the down (closed) position is blocking me from putting the handle and latch down and the key will no longer turn to unlock it. It looks like I have to drill out some pop rivets to get in there and try to fix it.

 

Any input or help would be appreciated. New lock mechanism?

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Is the red lever blocking? If you had tried to close the handle, you may have bent the red flag. Just bend it back so it flips back in to its hole when you turn the key.

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Yes, the red tab is in the locked position, blocking the handle from going down. I'm going to try to lever it out a bit now that I have daylight.

 

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Iv'e tried to carefully bend the tab back out with a pair of heavy, curved long nose pliers but no matter what position I get the red tab in, the lock won't fully open. Anyone know of a schematic for the latch assembly so I can better visualize what's going on in there? If not, or all else fails, I'm reduced to drilling out the pop rivets. Anyone done this? Any tips?

 

And, yes, I see the whole handle / latch assy is identical on the trunk, city bags, and touring bags.

 

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There is really nothing to them. The lock cylinder moves the red tab back and forth between lock and unlock. Thats it. The only thing that could be wrong is either something with the lock cylinder, or an obstruction restricting the red tab. You might want to try removing the lock cylinder and see it that frees anything up.

 

Here is a link to help LINK

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Assuming the design hasn't changed, removing the lock cylinder is pretty straightforward, although there is a knack to moving the little tab that keeps it in place. The red safety tabs are made from pretty brittle cast metal, so be warned that they crack fairly easily. On the other hand, what functionality would you lose if the red tab wasn't there? Should be possible to cut it off/down with a Dremel tool.

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Thanks for the link. Of course, it says to remove it with the cylinder in the unlocked position, which is what I can't do, but I'm going to try to fiddle with it a bit and see if I can get it.

 

If you're parting out an RT, you don't happen to have a spare latch assembly, do you?

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Thanks for the link. Of course, it says to remove it with the cylinder in the unlocked position, which is what I can't do, but I'm going to try to fiddle with it a bit and see if I can get it.

 

If you're parting out an RT, you don't happen to have a spare latch assembly, do you?

 

I have is a spare lock cylinder if you find that is the issue. I sold all 3 cases as a set, which included the latches.

 

There has to be something really goofy going on. Can you see if the red tab is actually contacting something.....preventing it from entering the slot in the latch? I'm curious if something is preventing the tab from moving freely, or if something is preventing the lock cylinder from moving freely. Those are the only moving parts in the locking mechanism.

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Thanks for the help. When I finally had time to look at it more closely I saw that I had in fact bent the red tab toward the case by trying to close the handle with the lock in the locked position. In trying to unlock it the red tab caught on the black plastic of the case. The latch assy part of the case has a narrow slot to accommodate the red tab opening. It is not attached to anything where it meets the actual trunk case, so it is rather flexible. The corner of that black cover piece, right under the handle hinge, was driven inside and wedged under a cast zinc boss that pivots up and down with the handle, effectively blocking the red tab after I had straightened the red tab out. A rather simple fix once I got the case indoors with good lighting to see what was really going on. I was afraid it might break popping it out, or have enough memory to remain in the way, but all is now well.

 

It seems like a hokey setup for an expensive set of luggage, but I'm glad it's fixed. Thanks again for all your help.

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That's why they paint it bright orange.

;)

Don't worry, you're not the first.

I've seen them go on in perpetuity after being "fixed" so just take your time when closing and it should be good to go.

Best wishes.

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I broke that red metal tab off of my top case years ago by doing the same thing.......trying to close the handle when it was in the locked position. After multiple "rebending" procedures, it just gave up and broke. Whatever material they used is uber cheap soft white metal. Even if the you manage to break the long bendable part of the tab off, the case will still open, close, and lock perfectly normal.

 

Glad you got it figured out.

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