Running into an issue with my K75 tank bag's elastic side straps. The ones that go down the side and hook onto the welded seam that runs the length of the tank  on both sides. The problem is that the elastic is shot. Well actually it has been for some time. This weekend I picked up a new bag (well it is the same bag but much less used) and thought I had solved my problem. Then I learned I had screwed up and the base is actually for a R90S, R100RT, or R100RS. If you don't know what I'm talking about BMW sold the same bag for many different machines but changed the bottom base plate to match the bike model. In many/most cases it appears simply to allow for the gas tank filler to be in different locations.

Anyway I'm back to repairing my original bag's straps . Has anyone else ever replaced the elastic? It looks do-able but thought I would ask before jumping in and mucking it up.
best regards
J.

A good upholstery shop should be able to do it.
Regards Martin.

jjefferies wrote:Has anyone else ever replaced the elastic? 

This rider has and so have a couple of the others later in that thread.

Laitch wrote:

jjefferies wrote:Has anyone else ever replaced the elastic? 

This rider has and so have a couple of the others later in that thread.

Hey Laitch, good catch, thanks.
I looked at the upholstery shop but they like slightly larger projects.

If you are near a large body of water, check with a sail loft or a place that sews boat canvas like biminis or dodgers. I don't know about the canvas shops, but sailmakers use a very heavy type of elastic in batten pockets that would be perfect for what you need.

Point-Seven-five wrote:If you are near a large body of water, check with a sail loft or a place that sews boat canvas like biminis or dodgers.  I don't know about the canvas shops, but sailmakers use a very heavy type of elastic in batten pockets that would be perfect for what you need.

Hi, That was a good thought. I tried Pineapple Sails here in Alameda and they don't have/use any. They suggested the local fabric store which only has the kind of stuff you use for underwear etc.
thanks though

This stuff might work.

https://www.seattlefabrics.com/2-Heavy-Weight-Elastic-250-yard_p_264.html

I went by a couple of upholstery shops today. Bottom line, they didn't have 2 inch wide elastic and if they got it in the price to repair the two sides would be USD $50. Interesting that the price was consistent between two unrelated shops. And as I now have two bags that would be $100.  So I'm going to try this stuff: https://www.etsy.com/listing/980779834/2-upholstery-heavy-duty-elastic-made-in?ref=related-1&frs=1
WIll try to remember to report back in case anyone else has a similar issue. Only detraction is that it is green and black rather than the original white and black. But with it tucked up and under the tank why care.

I've done it before. I am a qualified Motor Trimmer and Upholster (have both tickets). The elastic I used was 50mm elastic upholstery webbing, should be common for any upholsterer that does furniture restoration.

I looked at repairing my last K100 tankbag and just ended up throwing it in the bin. Just way to far gone.

Al

jjefferies wrote:I went by a couple of upholstery shops today. Bottom line, they didn't have 2 inch wide elastic and if they got it in the price to repair the two sides would be USD $50. Interesting that the price was consistent between two unrelated shops. And as I now have two bags that would be $100.  So I'm going to try this stuff: https://www.etsy.com/listing/980779834/2-upholstery-heavy-duty-elastic-made-in?ref=related-1&frs=1
WIll try to remember to report back in case anyone else has a similar issue. Only detraction is that it is green and black rather than the original white and black. But with it tucked up and under the tank why care.

That's the right sort of material. From an upholstery supplier/wholesaler its often available in a range of strengths (soft to firm), more stripes usually indicates a firmer strength. The one I've used here is red/black

Al

Meant to report back. So I now have two tank bags. I had had one for years that I used on the occasional long ride/camping trip. I ride with the NorCal BMW club. A camping and touring group. Anyway, a club member, Russ Drake, was getting rid of one in almost pristine shape. It had been his wife, Hilary's, but Hilray has decided to devote her energies to cat rescue and they were clearing the garage. I thought the USD $100. was a reasonable price and the base elastic looked solid enough. Actually they had two and I took the better looking one. The other he was asking $75. for. BTW, this was on a swap table at the '49er Rallly, two weeks ago. Sadly I didn't check closely and didn't realize until I was halfway home with the bag on my bike that the base was for a R90S. Long story short, Russ traded bases with me for the K75 one which had bad elastic. But after looking around for elastic I decided to investigate how the elastic was installed. Hey I had two and only needed one. So I disassembled the base I received from Russ. As it turned out on that base the elastic ran a full inch above where it was stitched in. Which meant I could take the elastic out, cut out the part in the middle which had basically worn through, overlap the two pieces and stitch them together. Then it was a matter of re-installing the repaired piece of elastic. Which I did. It doesn't quite work as well as a new piece of elastic but did work well enough to use. Also turns out that my little sewing machine is sturdy enough to stitch the leather side and elastic. Well I think the base and the mounting flaps are leather. In any case I was able to re-stitch up the mounting flaps and elastic on the tank bag base I received from Russ. Looking at my original bag, the elastic in it isn't as long and so not as amenable to being repaired in the same manner. So I'm still on search for elastic. And as it turns out I need the same stuff for a fencing mask (another long story) so I'll keep looking.

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

jjefferies wrote:And as it turns out I need the same stuff for a fencing mask (another long story) so I'll keep looking.

Woven, no-roll waistband elastic mentioned in the link is all you need. Proof of its efficacy is that your underwear doesn't fall off after repeated washings. 

Laitch wrote:

jjefferies wrote:And as it turns out I need the same stuff for a fencing mask (another long story) so I'll keep looking.

Woven, no-roll waistband elastic mentioned in the link is all you need. Proof of its efficacy is that your underwear doesn't fall off after repeated washings. 

Gotcha!

HI,
I got mine repaired from the local shoe repair shop, might be worth an ask.

td5 wrote:HI,
I got mine repaired from the local shoe repair shop, might be worth an ask.

+1. The cobbler knew exactly what to do and had an acceptable elastic - dark brown in my case.