Went for my first ride this season and the adjustable Harley backrest on my 2016 Ultra Limited has hit a snag. Went to adjust it and now it stays forward under tension and does not lock back. The plastic lever that I use for adjustment just flops up and down and no longer has any tension. I removed the seat to have a look and the wire cable and everything else looks normal. Just cannot lock the seat in place anymore.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

Since it stays forward, I would look for something that is jammed in there near the spring or gas cartridge that is not allowing rearward movement.

Worst case senario, uninstall and reinstall the unit and see if that works. Here are the instructions if you did not install this yourself:

https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson....3?locale=en_US


Scott

 

The gas shock could have failed. Suspa makes that part and at one time they'd sell you one directly as the one on my '09 Ultra failed and I bought one for $100. HD will only sell you the entire unit for a lot more $$

https://www.suspa.com/us/

 

Look again at the cable connection at the backrest. Make sure the lug on the end of the cable is in its slot on the adjuster. Also make sure that the plastic collar a couple inches back from the end is clipped into the u shaped holder. I had to zip tie mine around that collar to the bracket, so i would be sure it didn't slip off.

 

Which shock did you order to replace the one broken for the backrest??

 

If I had to guess, I’d say it’s probably this one.

https://shop.suspa.com/027-52046c-lo...ing-p5034.aspx

 

​​​​​​Unfortunately it's been so long since I posted this I just don't remember.

This looks right, and if I remember, I might have called them??

 

There is an adjustment in there.

I had a 2014 and purchased a 2021. When the dealer moved the backrest to the new bike, if kept going forward and would not lock.

I pointed that out when I got the bike - they went in, made the adjustment and all has been OK. That was Jan 2012 - so over 2 plus years ago.

 

It has been a long while since I purchased mine from HD but this sure looks VERY close on Amazon for around $70

HDBUBALUS Adjustable Driver Backrest Mounting Kit Fits for Harley Touring Road King Electra Glide CVO 2009-2020 https://a.co/d/bYz8bbS

Don't think link is working but checkout Amazon and you will easily find it.

 

I just bought one for my 2020 Street Glide, went on as advertised, and seems to be working good. Much less expensive than MOCO.