Need some backrest help - Road King
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
The 97-up detachable racks will fit your bike! Your RK has the exact same frame as Bertha (my 95 FLHTP). I fitted a '97-up detachable TP rack to her... just had to put an extra washer in each of the 4 bolts to move them out about 3/16" so the slot in them would line up perfectly with the rack. I'm not sure I even needed to do that though. I've attached a pic of the TP rack mounted on Bertha for your reference.
The detachable backrest hardware will fit as well. The Two-up detachable backrest uses a different mounting kit that mounts on the two front bolts, rather than the two rear ones - so if you want to be able to swap between a detachable TP and a backrest, you will need both of the mounting bolt kits. If you look up the kits on the H-D site, there are some instructions that say '96-'96 bikes need another little kit as well, but I'm not sure what's in it. I only have the detachable TP rack.
The frame was changed in '97 to accommodate a larger battery, and apparently the rear end is just a tiny bit wider... but it's no big deal, and the bolts for the detachable hardware are in exactly the same places as they were in pre-97 FL frames.
RANT
I have bitched before about the MoCo saying that parts will only fit "xx-and-up" bikes. They could just include 4 frigging washers in the detachable hardware kit so it would "fit" older bikes, too. If I were running H-D P&A, I'd want my products to fit the maximum number of bikes possible - to expand my market. But they are captive to the Mother Ship, and I guess the MoCo would much rather convince you that you need a new bike than go to any trouble to help owners of older bikes. Don't get me started...
END RANT
The detachable backrest hardware will fit as well. The Two-up detachable backrest uses a different mounting kit that mounts on the two front bolts, rather than the two rear ones - so if you want to be able to swap between a detachable TP and a backrest, you will need both of the mounting bolt kits. If you look up the kits on the H-D site, there are some instructions that say '96-'96 bikes need another little kit as well, but I'm not sure what's in it. I only have the detachable TP rack.
The frame was changed in '97 to accommodate a larger battery, and apparently the rear end is just a tiny bit wider... but it's no big deal, and the bolts for the detachable hardware are in exactly the same places as they were in pre-97 FL frames.
RANT
I have bitched before about the MoCo saying that parts will only fit "xx-and-up" bikes. They could just include 4 frigging washers in the detachable hardware kit so it would "fit" older bikes, too. If I were running H-D P&A, I'd want my products to fit the maximum number of bikes possible - to expand my market. But they are captive to the Mother Ship, and I guess the MoCo would much rather convince you that you need a new bike than go to any trouble to help owners of older bikes. Don't get me started...
END RANT
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 453
Likes: 10
From: Wherever, MI
NorthGeorgia - - THANK YOU!!!
That was exactly the info I was hoping for. I kinda figured everything would fit but didnt want to purchase something just to have it not work. I really appreciate the information and can considerably expand my search now!!!!!!!
That was exactly the info I was hoping for. I kinda figured everything would fit but didnt want to purchase something just to have it not work. I really appreciate the information and can considerably expand my search now!!!!!!!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
DOCKING HARDWARE FITMENT MATRIX
TOURING DETACHABLE | DOCKING KIT
Sissy Bar Upright
P/N 52933-97B, 52805-97B, 52935-04 or 52723-06 | 53803-06 (53660-05 and 53658-05)
NOTE: Kits listed in parentheses are ADDITIONAL hardware required for installation on 1994-1996 ONLY.
2-Up Luggage Rack
P/N 53743-97 | 53804-06
2-Up Tour-PakŽ Rack
P/N 53276-04 | 53804-06
Solo Tour-PakŽ Rack
P/N 53260-02 | 53803-06
Solo Luggage Rack
P/N 53048-06 | 53803-06
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
I bought the 53804-06 docking kit on eBay - for around $50 I think (long time ago...). I should have bought the TP rack there, too... would probably have been cheaper!
Let us know how you make out on the sissy bar. I might follow your lead... really changes the look and feel of the bike not having the big-*** TP back there all the time.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 453
Likes: 10
From: Wherever, MI
Thanks again for all the info. Ill let ya know how it works out.
Of course last night when I got home it was 90 degrees and she was all dressed and ready to go. So I set about putting the tour pack on for her. Which obviously includes taking the bags off, loosening the shock mounts, adding extra bolts to the rear bracket, and switching to the touring seat as my other wont fit with the tour pack flat mount on the bike, and then bolting the actual trunk on. So halfway through with me pouring sweat she say's "Ah, dont worry about the backrest, this seems like a lot of work" I'm like "Um, I kinda have to do it now anyways since half the frickin bike is dismantled for you!!"
I was not happy. Quick detach backrest now needed more than ever, so I'm gonna bite the bullet and give HD their frickin $$$.
Of course last night when I got home it was 90 degrees and she was all dressed and ready to go. So I set about putting the tour pack on for her. Which obviously includes taking the bags off, loosening the shock mounts, adding extra bolts to the rear bracket, and switching to the touring seat as my other wont fit with the tour pack flat mount on the bike, and then bolting the actual trunk on. So halfway through with me pouring sweat she say's "Ah, dont worry about the backrest, this seems like a lot of work" I'm like "Um, I kinda have to do it now anyways since half the frickin bike is dismantled for you!!"
I was not happy. Quick detach backrest now needed more than ever, so I'm gonna bite the bullet and give HD their frickin $$$.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
Thanks again for all the info. Ill let ya know how it works out.
Of course last night when I got home it was 90 degrees and she was all dressed and ready to go. So I set about putting the tour pack on for her. Which obviously includes taking the bags off, loosening the shock mounts, adding extra bolts to the rear bracket, and switching to the touring seat as my other wont fit with the tour pack flat mount on the bike, and then bolting the actual trunk on. So halfway through with me pouring sweat she say's "Ah, dont worry about the backrest, this seems like a lot of work" I'm like "Um, I kinda have to do it now anyways since half the frickin bike is dismantled for you!!"
I was not happy. Quick detach backrest now needed more than ever, so I'm gonna bite the bullet and give HD their frickin $$$.
Of course last night when I got home it was 90 degrees and she was all dressed and ready to go. So I set about putting the tour pack on for her. Which obviously includes taking the bags off, loosening the shock mounts, adding extra bolts to the rear bracket, and switching to the touring seat as my other wont fit with the tour pack flat mount on the bike, and then bolting the actual trunk on. So halfway through with me pouring sweat she say's "Ah, dont worry about the backrest, this seems like a lot of work" I'm like "Um, I kinda have to do it now anyways since half the frickin bike is dismantled for you!!"
I was not happy. Quick detach backrest now needed more than ever, so I'm gonna bite the bullet and give HD their frickin $$$.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 453
Likes: 10
From: Wherever, MI
I dont really have any need for it. I literally cant stand the the look of the tour pack so the ONLY time it will ever go on again is if we are doing a multi state trip. Which I figure I can spend 30 minutes switching the hardware for. HA, maybe I'm just super cheap 
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,193
Likes: 7
From: North Atlanta Area, GA
I got a really sweet deal on my TP... a BRAND NEW 2006 new-style one for only $450 from an out-of-state dealer who had ordered it for a customer who never picked it up. When I bought it, I needed a mount for it anyway, and I figured I'd just go with the detachable one after looking around without any success for a permanent mount that would fit my bike. So, for me it worked out well. I hardly ever take it off, but I like that fact that I can easily.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 17
From:
Here's a site with several sissy bars for '97 and up, which evidently will fit.
http://www.debrix.com/SearchResults.asp
http://www.debrix.com/Naugahyde-Smoo...p/27528-m1.htm
http://www.debrix.com/SearchResults.asp
http://www.debrix.com/Naugahyde-Smoo...p/27528-m1.htm
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 453
Likes: 10
From: Wherever, MI
mp - - AWESOME.
Sissy bar with mounts for $140 bucks! DONE AND DONE.
I cant believe the pad is only $7 bucks ?!?!?! No wonder it's on back order! With the savings on the bar I guess I can afford to go to the STEALER for a pad. That's having my
and eating it too!
Sissy bar with mounts for $140 bucks! DONE AND DONE.
I cant believe the pad is only $7 bucks ?!?!?! No wonder it's on back order! With the savings on the bar I guess I can afford to go to the STEALER for a pad. That's having my
and eating it too!