As our luggage is built to last, we often spot Craven pieces from fifty years ago or more still in use! How are these panniers and topboxes still going?
Well, the foundation materials of all our classic motorcycle luggage are designed to withstand everyday use and are knock-resistant - small scratches and scuffs can be buffed out with little effort. With a little care, they can last for years and years!
There are, however, parts of the boxes that may show wear and tear over the years. Below are some common fixtures that you may want to replace when getting your old motorbike luggage roadworthy again, or you can ask us to complete the refurb for you! We can repair damaged glassfibre, replace any fastenings and upgrade locks, just tell us any original features you want to keep and we'll do the rest!
1. Rubber trims and bushes - rubber by its very nature is flexible, and we use long strips of shaped beading to seal our top cases and panniers between the lid and main box. But, if left to the elements especially, it can perish. Thankfully it is easily replaceable! See our full list of beading types and recommendations here. The rubber bushes (shaped like cotton reels), which are used to cushion the mounting of the panniers to the luggage racks, can also become hardened over time, but not to worry, we sell these singly here
2. Improved Locks - Originally our hard luggage locks all had the same key (so could be opened by anyone with the same luggage) and were a simple catch design. Our new luggage is supplied with uprated barrel locks, which are much more secure, and the keys are randomised from a large stock, reducing the likelihood that anyone will have the same key as you.
If you want to upgrade your pannier or top box, you can replace your up-and-over catch with our new barrel lock with this kit here. Should you order more than one kit, the locks will have matching keys (up to five kits).
3. Hinges - Over the years, with repeated use and exposure to the weather, metal hinges can become rusted or brittle (especially if they are from the seventies!). We can supply new hinges complete with fastenings, simple to fit and get your motorbike luggage back on the road!
4. Strapping - Craven Luggage is easily recoginsable from the thin strapping featured on many of our hard bags. But again over the years these can become loose or tarnished. Our new luggage is supplied with aluminium strapping, which we can also supply separately. Just identify which luggage you have from our photos, and which pieces need to be replaced (use the blue arrows in each picture) and don't forget to add rivets!
5. Stickers - Our luggage always had a round Craven logo on it, usually with the address of the current manufacturer. You may wish to keep your original logo in place, but if yours is missing or you would like to update it, you can find our new badges here
We have also produced a range of decals for our luggage, as well as the rivet often seen on our luggage racks, and our 'handmade in Britain' badge, all of which you can buy separately here
