Detachable Squeak....Help :(
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 251
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From: Muscatine, IA
Detachable Squeak....Help :(
I have an 09 SuperGlide Custom with a whole 90 miles on it. When I purchased the bike, the dealer installed a quick detachable upright and it has now developed a squeaky rattle that is noticable when the bike is at a certain RPM and it only does it when it's attached so I know it isn't anything else. I've read posts about others having this problem (most were from 2007) and nothing was a 100% cure other than going to a rigid mount. Has anyone solved this issue and if so, how? I did notice that the black "bushing" on one side is somewhat loose, but not sure if that would cause the problem. I tried to tighten it, but when I turned the nut next to the tail light it was already tight and when I turned it to loosen it, all it did was make the tail light itself turn 
I have no doccumentation on the tail light assembly which is different from stock due to the detachable hardware or on the detachable hardware itself as the dealer installed it. I've attached a picture that hopefully someone has solved this issue and can edit the picture to show me what they put where. Thanks a million,
Mike
Does Harley have doccumentation online for accessories that they sell?
I have no doccumentation on the tail light assembly which is different from stock due to the detachable hardware or on the detachable hardware itself as the dealer installed it. I've attached a picture that hopefully someone has solved this issue and can edit the picture to show me what they put where. Thanks a million,Mike
Does Harley have doccumentation online for accessories that they sell?
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Middleburg, FL
When I first installed my QR luggage rack and backrest on the Road Glide, I noticed that there was a little play in it. It was really slight, but I was worried that the engine throb (Harleys don't vibrate; they throb.) may be transmitted to the rack in a no-load situation. I took one side of the QR off and installed a veeeeerrrrrry thin copper washer between the QR fitting and the frame rail. That took up just enough space in the setup to put a small pre-load on the rack. Presto; no play, no transmitted throb. The only issue is that now when I install the back rest onto the bike, I have to pull on it (spread it) slightly so that it will clear the fittings. It's a very tight fit, and the washer (spacer) that I added is invisible.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
THAT'S an inherrent prob with these "new" Harleys.
The MoCo got all the rattles, bangs, thumps, and engine noise under 'control', NOW you can hear the 'little' things.
JUS' pretend you are riding an ol' pan or shovel, twist the wick, and RIDE. IF it falls off, STOP, and pick it up. Reinstall at YOUR convenience.
Rear view mirror on a pan or shovel, is for the S.O. to install lipstick and comb hair,
, cuz the ONLY thing you can really know for sure, is that at night, there is SOMETHING behind you, with lights on it. Could be an 18 wheeler, could be a scooter tramp, BUT won't know til they pass ya. 
The MoCo got all the rattles, bangs, thumps, and engine noise under 'control', NOW you can hear the 'little' things.
JUS' pretend you are riding an ol' pan or shovel, twist the wick, and RIDE. IF it falls off, STOP, and pick it up. Reinstall at YOUR convenience.
Rear view mirror on a pan or shovel, is for the S.O. to install lipstick and comb hair,
, cuz the ONLY thing you can really know for sure, is that at night, there is SOMETHING behind you, with lights on it. Could be an 18 wheeler, could be a scooter tramp, BUT won't know til they pass ya.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 2
From: Southwest OHIO
well... im sure you checked your sissy bar bolts right? if not check em. i got a rattle and found i had two bolts missing on one side and the other side was loose... blue loctite them puppies. also, you may need a little wrap of electrical tape around the black bushing on the QD harware... just enough to snug up the fitment... hope ya find it.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 625
Likes: 125
From: Reading, PA
I dont think the black plastic mounting point moves at all on my bike, so you might want the dealer to check yours. Anyway, mine rattles too. One loop of electrical tape around the rear mounting points takes out most of the rattle. It's a PIA however.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 673
From: Rolla
I think quite a few of the newer detachable hardware rattles.
It seems the cam locking mechanism has just a tad too much play in it. This allows the sissy bar to vibrate slightly (only at certain rpm's, mostly deaccelerating).
As coop creek mentioned, a little electrical tape will take up the slack and allow for a very tight fit. No more rattles. The drawback is, if you take the sissy bar off a few times you have to tape the mounting points again. The tape won't last through more than one or two removal operations.
Others have had success by spreading the base of the sissy bar side plates slightly. This will give them a tighter "spring like" effect when attached to the mounting points. It does not take much, just a little pressure to stop the vibrations. Same principle as Mduggon spoke of.
It seems the cam locking mechanism has just a tad too much play in it. This allows the sissy bar to vibrate slightly (only at certain rpm's, mostly deaccelerating).
As coop creek mentioned, a little electrical tape will take up the slack and allow for a very tight fit. No more rattles. The drawback is, if you take the sissy bar off a few times you have to tape the mounting points again. The tape won't last through more than one or two removal operations.
Others have had success by spreading the base of the sissy bar side plates slightly. This will give them a tighter "spring like" effect when attached to the mounting points. It does not take much, just a little pressure to stop the vibrations. Same principle as Mduggon spoke of.
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