Part # 4654117
Krauser Classic Replacement Lid Lock

I bought & installed the Krauser lid locks on my 1978 BMW R 100/7's hard bags. The note about installation is an understatement. Fortunately, I am a retired mechanical engineer and journeyman machinist with a machine shop. The diameter of the hole in the aluminum bag frame needed to pass the new lock cylinder is so large that most of the aluminum frame material is removed. As noted, the mounting holes on the new locks do not line up with the old rivet holes in the bag frames. Since so much of the aluminum frame material was removed to drill the hole for the lock cylinder, I made stainless steel reinforcing plates to go inside the bags. These span the large hole for the new lock cylinder. The short screws furnished by Siebenrock would not work with the addition of the reinforcing plates, so I tapped the lock bodies 8-32. I used machinist's layout methods to pick up the centers of the new screw holes and used the reinforcing plates as drill templates for the new screw holes. I'd suggest offering reinforcing plates which will also serve as drilling templates for installing these locks on the older style bags. I made the reinforcing plates out of some scrap 1/8" thick stainless steel plate. I used 8-32 socket head screws to secure the new locks, a stronger mounting than the self-tapping screws furnished with the locks. Another problem with these locks is they promptly spit out their detent balls, MIA. I made new detents by turning them from some drill rod, adding a 0.093" diameter straight shank which goes down inside the detent spring on the lock, and a spherical end. This keeps the detent balls captive. I was surprised when the new locks spit out the detent balls. Seeing the problem would only recur if I replaced the balls, I made the 'captive' design. Seems like German engineering & craftsmanship fell a little short on this product. A few changes in the form of better detent parts, and offering an additional kit for installation on the old/early style bags would be a good thing.