Nomad Quick Bag Release
and speaking of bags

You can easily and inexpensively replace your hardbag bolts with a Quick Detach device that will allow you to tighten/remove them by hand. There are two simple ways of doing this. One gives you a fairly large knob, about 2.5 inches across which will be best for anyone with arthritis or any kind of gripping problem. The other is less expensive and much smaller, about an inch across.

Compare The Two

Click Thumbnails For a Larger Image

Instructions for the Larger Knob (go directly to instructions for the smaller knob)

First off, these bump knobs are sometimes difficult to find and will cost you about five bucks each. The smaller knob option (below) will cost you less than five dollars for the full set. If you have any arthritis in your hands or your grip isn't particularly strong though you'll really appreciate the larger size knob.

1. With one of the hardbag bolts, go to a hardware store/Lowes/Home Depot kinda place and purchase 4 Spool retainer bump knobs for a Homelite ST385/ST275/ST285BC weedwacker and four 8mm bolts that are 1/4 inch longer than your stock hardbag bolts (M8 1.25x50mm Hex Cap Bolt Class 8.8 are perfect). I'm told Lowes has a nice metric bolt selection, Home Depot has virtually none.

2. Using a center punch and hammer, firmly tap on the end of the bolt in the bumpknob to knock out the silver cap.

3. Replace the bolts that are in the bumpknob with the new bolts. Stuff something in to fill the gap between the bolt top and silver cap to prevent the bolts from pushing back as you try to insert them (an old nut will do).

Instructions For Smaller Knob (much thanks to Dick Spors for this one)

1. From McMaster Carr order Part Number 91292A208 . This will be a box of M8 x 45mm stainless steel cap screws and (at this writing) are $3.75 for the box (10 bolts)

Also order part number 91175A66 which will be a package (25) of black knurled knobs which fit the M8 cap screws ($7.40 the package at this writing). If you have friends with Nomads you could order a couple of boxes of bolts and have enough product to do five sets of bags. Nifty gifts?

2. When your package arrives you simply place the plastic knob in the space provided on one side of the knob and press them together in a bench vise (use rags to prevent marring). The head of the bolt will sink completely into the plastic knob and you're finished! Do three more and replace the 10mm bolts holding the bags to the bike.

Voila'! Which ever method you chose you now have four Quick Detach devices for your Nomad hardbags. It usually takes less than 15 secs to remove the bag on either side.

This is especially handy for cleaning the rear wheels and checking the tire pressure.

Cheers,
Gadget

Old Navy (the clothing store) has a backpack that fits absolutely perfectly into the rear half of the right saddlebag. Item #159683 the triangular shaped bag sells for about $21.00. The bag has multiple pockets and looks like this