BMW panniers (R65 1980) replacing broken catches

[oilyrag]

I have now rescued from another shed the BMW panniers that were fitted to the bike back in 1980. One of them had a set of crash bars in it. There are of course after all this time no keys for the locks.

I have them both open, though one lock fitting is broken. What are the chances of replacing the locking or the catch system?

It would be a crime to have to scrap them ( I have the pannier mounting brackets to go with them)

Thanks

[Ed Miller]

A lock smith can install new locks, and will likely throw in the key as well.  He could also have opened your old ones without breaking anything and probably made a new key to fit them.  New locks are probably better anyway.

[oilyrag]

>A lock smith can install new locks, and will likely throw in the key as well.

I took them to a lock smith, he unlocked the one lock that was still shut (one was broken, the others were locked but pannier was open) he only shrugged his shoulders when I mentioned replacing the locks and that was the end of the conversation.

I might try somewhere else, for a 2nd opinion.

Thanks

[NC Steve]

You can often buy replacement lock sets from your local dealer, and/or online from sites such as
http://www.webparts.com/cycles/ficheframeset.cfm?tablename=R65_1 ,
http://www.bobsbmw.com/ , and http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/MainDiagrams.asp?mospid=47851 , among others.
Often you can get replacement keys too, if you have your existing lock #s.
Good luck.

[Ed Miller]

After I read your reply I realized I may have skipped some searching:  I tried at my local BMW dealer first, who didn't make keys or anything like that, but who directed me to the locksmith THEY used.  I never even tried any place else.