SW-Motech AluBox Panniers

[Rbeans]

Hello all,

Just wondering if anyone else here has had any experience with the SW-Motech TraX Alubox Panniers?

I got these bags a few months ago and love them but had a bit of an issue with them on a recent trip. The 'expansion bolts' (for lack of a better term) that connect the mounting system on the left side of the bike to the rear passenger footpegs fell out one day, despite being checked for tightness in the morning. I had to cannibalize one bolt from the right side and that one ended up falling out to ( but even with just one bolt holding the right I never had issues with this side). In the end I had to get the left bracket spot welding to the rear passenger footpeg tube, which made me a touch grumpy. No matter how tight they were they fell out. The worst part was that being an odd system I couldn't just rig something together, and no dealers along the way stocked this part. Has anyone else had an issue like this? As the system is a bit hard to explain I have attached a picture of how the system is attached to the footpeg tube.

 

[CarlS]

I have no experieince with them; but that's a bummer. I would be letting the manufacturer know. It is not like the Tiger vibrates like a V-twin!

 

[Rbeans]

I emailed the company I bought them from to see what they could do/recommend. And yes I can't figure out why it is happening, as the boxes are not overloaded, the Tiger is smooth as silk and we were not riding on rough roads. Just emailed them this evening so hopefully in the next day or two I will have a response, this company has given me great customer service so they should be getting back to me within a day or so based on past experience.

 

[DaveM]

Interesting way the bolt onto the bike and I can see why you had to have the special bolts for this after losing them. Bit of a bummer that they came off in the first place

 

[Rbeans]

Yeah we tried a few different things to get them to hold but nothing would work. Wasn't that pleased about having to get the mounts welded to my brand new bike but what can you do.

 

[DaveM]

Unfortunately once on the road you need to do what needs doing to get past the issue but yes I would have also been a bit upset about having to do this

 

[CarlS]

I would have hated to have them welded. Please let us know what the company says.

 

[devo]

Richelle, I'm looking at those bolts and can see how they work,but nothing obvious why they should fail.
When you get the new ones,when fitting I would suggest

1- ensure the inside of the tube is clean and free of any burrs or slag which could inhibit the jaws of the expansion bolt from making a secure contact.

2- sparingly apply a hard grease or dry lubricant to the angled face only(between part 9 and 10) of the meeting faces of the expanding jaws so as they will expand without jamming on each other. ensure the lube is minimal so as not to leak to the friction part of the jaws.

3-apply a small amount of loc-tite to the thread of the center bolt(8) where it will screw into the innermost jaw (10) before inserting it into the tube, as I suspect you may have a rotational harmonic vibration occurring which is loosening the left side. A left hand threaded bolt would also solve this issue,however I doubt you could get this type of fastening in that configuration.

I have used a lot of these type fasteners in the building industry and I have always found they work better if adjusted to a snug fit and then tapped into place,it helps to lock the nut end and prevent it from spinning in the hole.

Best of luck.

 

[Sea Dog]

Richelle, I'm looking at those bolts and can see how they work,but nothing obvious why they should fail.
When you get the new ones,when fitting I would suggest

1- ensure the inside of the tube is clean and free of any burrs or slag which could inhibit the jaws of the expansion bolt from making a secure contact.

2- sparingly apply a hard grease or dry lubricant to the angled face only(between part 9 and 10) of the meeting faces of the expanding jaws so as they will expand without jamming on each other. ensure the lube is minimal so as not to leak to the friction part of the jaws.

3-apply a small amount of loc-tite to the thread of the center bolt(8) where it will screw into the innermost jaw (10) before inserting it into the tube, as I suspect you may have a rotational harmonic vibration occurring which is loosening the left side. A left hand threaded bolt would also solve this issue,however I doubt you could get this type of fastening in that configuration.

I have used a lot of these type fasteners in the building industry and I have always found they work better if adjusted to a snug fit and then tapped into place,it helps to lock the nut end and prevent it from spinning in the hole.

Best of luck.

Great advice Harry

 

[Rbeans]

Thanks Devo I will give that a shot if I can get replacements. The place I ordered them from is going to try to see about getting some replacement bolts but they are not sure if the manufacturer sells them separately or not so I may be hooped.

 

[devo]

Thanks Devo I will give that a shot if I can get replacements. The place I ordered them from is going to try to see about getting some replacement bolts but they are not sure if the manufacturer sells them separately or not so I may be hooped.

If replacement bolts arent an option, may I suggest gently tapping an appropriate sized nut into the end of the tube and get your friendly man with the welder to put a couple of spots of weld in place. A lick of paint after and bobs your uncle and marys your aunt.

 

[Rbeans]

No reply yet, might be looking at trying Devo's suggestion

 

[DaveM]

Well that is not very good of them to have not replied to you as it has been some time

 

[Rbeans]

Well they did reply right away, basically just saying they haven't had issues with the boxes on their demo bike so it is probably my fault but they will see if they can get replacement bolts. I think that was a week and a half ago or so but haven't heard back since then.

 

[devo]

There demo bike probably hasn't done a fraction of the mileage that yours has done so far
I dont think that is a satisfactory reply at all

 

[Rbeans]

They just got back to me and I guess they are going to cannibalize the bolts off of another set and send them to me. They haven't decided how much they are going to charge me for this yet.....I am almost afraid to find out.

I guess I'm in no hurry for it though Took the bike into the dealership for a simple recall (something with the shifter I think they said) and as I was lazy and fricken busy told them to do the 10 000km service as well, which usually I would do myself. Turned out the factory installed the airbox wrong and it was just askew enough to start rubbing through the throttle cable. They noticed while they were doing the service and said it was not in good shape at all....wouldn't be long before it rubbed right through. They ordered a throttle cable in but it will be optimistically 2 weeks before it arrives At least it is covered as it is Triumph's fault but still no bike for me for 2 weeks is going to be rough

 

[devo]

Any chance of a loaner ?

 

[Rbeans]

Haha that I rather doubt, they definitely didn't offer.

 

[DaveM]

Well that sucks in one way but good that the noticed it as you may have been who knows where when it failed

 

[devo]

Haha that I rather doubt, they definitely didn't offer.

The thing is,a lot of these outfits wont offer a loaner unless you ask.
In your case,if you had told them your bike is your only transport,you may have got a loaner or they could have put the bike back together for you untill the new part arrived.Admittedly, if the cable had parted in the meantime,it would be up to you to get the bike back to them.
After all,why should you be put out for two weeks,its not your fault they want to send the part by rowboat.