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As the title says, I can't close the handles to my saddlebag. The red tab is exposed and I can't move the key either way. Also, it appears that the tab on the back of the bag (that locks the bag onto the rack) is stuck halfway. Any ideas?

Is the locking mechanism (red tab) bent? I had this problem when I bought my used bags.

No, sir; the tab is straight. I've tried to move the key back and forth and also tried to move tab on the back of the bag but nothing seems to worki. Looks like I'm doomed to another $100 ntrip to the dealer. Thanks for the idea!

Samiam wrote:No, sir; the tab is straight. I've tried to move the key back and forth and also tried to move tab on the back of the bag but nothing seems to worki. Looks like I'm doomed to another $100 ntrip to the dealer. Thanks for the idea!

if you've had the red tab out and closed a handle, then you've bent the red tab - it's actually quite weak when it's "out".

the red tab needs to be able to slot into a gap in the plastic - it doesn't take much to bend it out of alignment.

take a pair of pliers and GENTLY bend the red tab up - SLIGHT, SLOWLY and GENTLY. (as said - it's weak!) Until you can turn the key again rotate the red tab back into the lock body.

The red tab is NOT bent; it is perfectly parallel to the handle into which it fits. I can remove the key but other than that, the handles will not seat on the "Down" position. I can move the small, "Inside" handle a bit and feel something inside moving but the handles are otherwise siezed in the upright position. I really hate to think of taking this bag to the dealer for him to snap something in place or disassemble the whole unit and charge me a hundred bucks for a minor glitch, although it was probably my clumsyness that caused the problem.

Has anyone else experienced this sort of problem? The red tab is perfectly straight; there's something else going on. HELP!!!

Samiam wrote:The red tab is NOT bent; it is perfectly parallel to the handle into which it fits. I can remove the key but other than that, the handles will not seat on the "Down" position. I can move the small, "Inside" handle a bit and feel something inside moving but the handles are otherwise siezed in the upright position. I really hate to think of taking this bag to the dealer for him to snap something in place or disassemble the whole unit and charge me a hundred bucks for a minor glitch, although it was probably my clumsyness that caused the problem.

Has anyone else experienced this sort of problem? The red tab is perfectly straight; there's something else going on. HELP!!!

Is it possible that you have the wrong key? I know from experience that owning multiple bikes (all Beemers) can lead to mistaking keys.
If that isn't it, I'd wonder if something else is going on (e.g., something preventing the key from seating completely in the lock). If the key isn't seated properly, you'll never be able to turn it in the lock. Have you tried a little lubricant in the lock (e.g., TriFlow, WD-40, etc.)? As a last resort, you could check the "lock swap" advice on this site; you may be able to remove the lock and determine what is wrong.
I wish you luck with this.

I can remove the key but other than that, the handles will not seat on the "Down" position.

There certainly is...you should not be able to remove the key with either handle in the "up" (released) position.
Hmmm...

...it was probably my clumsyness that caused the problem

What do you think may have precipitated this condition?

I'd take a look-see inside to see if something came loose, like a retaining pin. It might be as simple as pushing a pin back into place, or not.

I'm guessing you might need to replace the Locking Mechanism F Multifunction Box (p/n 71607654337) that used to cost ~ $40. This is also a way to replace a broken orange locking tab, which clearly yours is not.

did you try manually pushing on the tab while turning the key?

Well, shucks. The handles are up and the keyy comes out which, I suppose, is not according to Hoyle. So, does that mean the locking mechanism is broken? If so, then I'll have to get it replaced. Any other ideas? Thanks, all for your suggestions.

Can you open the bag lids with all handles up?

Symptoms you describe happen to me when there's something - strap, interior soft bag handle - blocking complete system case closure. Typically occurs at top of interior, where the square molded sections protrude into the inside case half. Experienced this over the weekend a couple times.

Samiam wrote:Well, shucks. The handles are up and the keyy comes out which, I suppose, is not according to Hoyle. So, does that mean the locking mechanism is broken? If so, then I'll have to get it replaced. Any other ideas? Thanks, all for your suggestions.

If the handles are up, and the bags are locked, (red tab is OUT) then you can remove the key all day long. I hang my bags from the ceiling when I'm not using them, and this is exactly how I do it.

WorkinMan wrote:

Samiam wrote:Well, shucks. The handles are up and the keyy comes out which, I suppose, is not according to Hoyle. So, does that mean the locking mechanism is broken? If so, then I'll have to get it replaced. Any other ideas? Thanks, all for your suggestions.

If the handles are up, and the bags are locked, (red tab is OUT) then you can remove the key all day long. I hang my bags from the ceiling when I'm not using them, and this is exactly how I do it.

What do you guys think about removing the lock ? With the handles up he should be able to remove the whole lock assembly. Unless... the module is broken internally, but I think other stuff would break before that happened.

Fixed at last!!! My apologies to Riceburner, et.al.

The red tab was bent, maybe just 1/16" but enough to prevent it from retracting into its slot. I used needle-nosed pliers to very carefully bend the thing back into position. My rationale was "I'm out $80 for parts and labor if I break the thing, so here goes."

Thanks to all who responded. And to others who have the same problem, look carefully at the tab and bend very carefully!! The tab is probably quite brittle but it will respond to steady pressure.

Samiam wrote:Fixed at last!!! My apologies to Riceburner, et.al.

The red tab was bent, maybe just 1/16" but enough to prevent it from retracting into its slot. I used needle-nosed pliers to very carefully bend the thing back into position. My rationale was "I'm out $80 for parts and labor if I break the thing, so here goes."

Thanks to all who responded. And to others who have the same problem, look carefully at the tab and bend very carefully!! The tab is probably quite brittle but it will respond to steady pressure.

No worries.

FWIW I've bent one of mine about 3 times (and sworn loudly each time), so far it hasn't broken - but I've started to be a bit more careful with it!!

Samiam wrote:Fixed at last!!! My apologies to Riceburner, et.al. . .

Thanks to all who responded. And to others who have the same problem, look carefully at the tab and bend very carefully!! The tab is probably quite brittle but it will respond to steady pressure.

Yup. I've got half a tab on one side case, courtesy of my husband. I bought the cases used, and that tab had been bent/straightened at least once. When hubby tried to unbend it, after he'd forced the handle down on the locked case, half the tab broke off.

P