Ordered a new engine guard because I was notorious for dropping the goldwing, the bars saved me a boatload. as I looked at the hardware that came with them I saw these nasty looking U-bolts, I just couldnt do it.
I came up with an idea and wanted some input from you guys.
I made a template out of 1/4 plywood which will bolt where forward controls would normally bolt. its 2011 fxdc Will this work, what type of metal?

Thanks for your input

Tom

 

i would use steel but that is alot of extra stuff to put on there when you can just coat the u bolts black and they will vanish. personally i think making big plates like that is just going to make a small cosmetic issue much more in your face

 

use the u bolts,, in a bad drop /accident they have a shear factor .Putting a solid plate like that would do more damage too the frame
plus its going too look ugly standing out

 

I would do like Joe said and just paint them black and they will disappear.

 

Should have went with the Lindby. They have a mounting plate and look nice.

 

I could be mistaken, but don't the bars that are designed for mid controls only bolt straight up to the forward mounts?? It seems that I saw both mounting designs for my SG when I was looking to replace mine recently but since I have forward controls, I didn't pay much attention to them...

 

H-D gurards for '06 and up are the same for mids and forwards. They use the u bolts.

Sammi

 

When I first saw the U Bolts, I too was worried about the design. They are actually quite solid. I needed the U Bolt design because I have Softail Footboard assemblies. Your adapter design looks promising and should be stronger than the U bolts, whether that is necessary or not, I don't know. I used 6061 Aluminum for the adapter plates for my footboard setup and I would recommend it for your adapters.

 

I am not intending to hijack the OP's post, but maybe you can help me with this...Do you know the difference between bars for the 2006 and on and the earlier models? I did a lot of research on this but could never find out why a later model bar with the U-bolt frame mounts would not fit on the earlier models. Even HD was no help...all they could tell me was if the part number changed, then the bars were different...but no one I talked to could tell me in what way they were different that would make them not interchangeable.

Bars for 2006 and up are more plentiful and cheaper than those listed for 2005 and below...if you can find one...and they look identical.

 

Thanks for the input, alot to think about. I can cut down the size a bit so they dont look so bulky (not so squared). If I wanted to add forwards later I think they would work just by adding longer bolts. I thought about using stainless, which I have on hand.