And on top of the breakdown...

[Conrad]

...last weekend, in my panic to try to get the bike home under it's own power, i forgot to latch down my saddlebag lid and it skidded down the road a ways
At least it was tethered so i didn't lose it. Talk about insult to injury.

[Nails]

I'd have to recommend shorter tethers.

When I did that, I didn't have tethers at all, and it flew off the side of the road. My wife was behind me and had trouble catching up, but she told me where to look.
I had just finished painting it, which was a good thing because everything was still out. Some bondo and sanding, and it was panted once again!

(I was born lucky ... most of the time.)

[SgtSlag]

I made my tethers long enough for the lids to hang on the side, flush with the top of the bags -- no longer. The Tupperware on these bikes are made out of Unobtanium -- they're irreplaceable! Always check to make sure they're latched, and locked, before you take off. Especially when you stop and open them at a gas station, or a rest stop! Gotta be careful out there! Cheers!

[GrandpaDenny]

AFAIK the right side lids are still available. last I knew of Carl Leo still had some, and I see them on eBay occasionally. The left side ones, however - the ones that usually fall off - are all gone.

Sorry, but Gertrude got hit in the left saddlebag. She's gone off to that great Copart in the sky.