Harley Davidson Forums

2014-2024 Touring Models This Section Is For Rushmore and Gen 1 M8 Touring models from 2014 to 2024
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Drivers backrest

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 30, 2018 | 06:42 AM
Share
  #31  
NDRK's Avatar
NDRK
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 212
Likes: 54
From: Fargo, ND
Default
I have the Grasshopper. Cheap but it works. It pushed me forward. I took the pad off and turned it around. That gave me the little room I needed.
 
Reply
0
Old Jan 30, 2018 | 01:07 PM
Share
  #32  
Dynamite17's Avatar
Dynamite17
Road Captain
15 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 538
Likes: 15
From: Eastern MA
Default Spring?
Originally Posted by FlyingSkeet
I got the HD adjustable and it was to far forward in the back position so I had to customize it. The base is not adjustable only the back rest adjusts,it pivots in the base forward and back. I straightened the bend in the middle of the back rest and using a hydraulic press bent it right where it comes out of the base giving me the room I needed. I would not recommend it. Without the modifications it would be in the scrap pile.
Regarding the Harley backrests, I hate the way the spring just squishes between the 2 posts where it connects to the base. More than one time I've dropped the thing.

Anyone have a solution, perhaps a tack weld to attach it?

Bob
 
Reply
0
Old Jan 30, 2018 | 01:40 PM
Share
  #33  
sailmotion's Avatar
sailmotion
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,709
Likes: 7,850
From: New York
Default
Originally Posted by Dynamite17
Regarding the Harley backrests, I hate the way the spring just squishes between the 2 posts where it connects to the base. More than one time I've dropped the thing.

Anyone have a solution, perhaps a tack weld to attach it?

Bob


Are you talking about the circled area? If so, how about a stiffer spring?
 
Reply
0
Old Jan 30, 2018 | 01:45 PM
Share
  #34  
Dynamite17's Avatar
Dynamite17
Road Captain
15 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 538
Likes: 15
From: Eastern MA
Default
Originally Posted by sailmotion

Are you talking about the circled area? If so, how about a stiffer spring?
Yes, that's the spring. It's a standard Harley part. Stiffer would probably tend to spring out the same, just fly further. Also make it harder to remove. Wish there were some tabs/holes etc to keep it in place.

Thanks for the reply.

Bob
 
Reply
0
Old Jan 30, 2018 | 02:26 PM
Share
  #35  
djhrln's Avatar
djhrln
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 206
Likes: 6
From: Michigan
Default
I usually ride without a backrest, but on long rides I'll slip the Grasshopper on for a while.
 
Reply
0
Old Jan 30, 2018 | 02:30 PM
Share
  #36  
sailmotion's Avatar
sailmotion
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,709
Likes: 7,850
From: New York
Default
Originally Posted by Dynamite17
Yes, that's the spring. It's a standard Harley part. Stiffer would probably tend to spring out the same, just fly further. Also make it harder to remove. Wish there were some tabs/holes etc to keep it in place.

Thanks for the reply.

Bob
That's right - I completely forgot! If you spread the arms more open [?] the spring drops out. I fabricated 2 angle-irons with holes where I hang the backrest when it's off the bike. Thus, it is generally under slight tension. How about a piece of wire or cord around both arms, just tight enough to prevent them from opening too much?
 
Reply
0
Old Jan 30, 2018 | 05:50 PM
Share
  #37  
RoadHog659's Avatar
RoadHog659
Road Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 759
Likes: 34
From: Virginia
Default
Originally Posted by sailmotion
How about a piece of wire or cord around both arms, just tight enough to prevent them from opening too much?
Maybe run the wire through the spring to prevent it from flying out?
 
Reply
0
Old Jan 30, 2018 | 06:26 PM
Share
  #38  
slapshot12's Avatar
slapshot12
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 81
From: Largo, FL
Default
I have the HD non-adjustable and never ride without it, 2 up or solo. You still have 3 height options with the non-adjustable.
 
Reply
0
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 30, 2018 | 11:39 PM
Share
  #39  
jbfb's Avatar
jbfb
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 572
Likes: 115
From: Chicagoland
Default
Another Mustang user. On my last bike and my current bike. Good price great quality. But which ever way you go, there's nothing like having a backrest!
 
Reply
0
Old Jan 31, 2018 | 06:29 AM
Share
  #40  
danhahn's Avatar
danhahn
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 439
Likes: 91
From: 44.4 North
Default
How about a piece of wire or cord around both arms, just tight enough to prevent them from opening too much?[/QUOTE]


That works pretty good. I have a zip tie around mine just tight enough for some spring pressure.
 
Reply
0



Advanced Search
Reply Closed Thread Share
Forum Jump

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:58 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE