I wanted just a little more support on my lower back, and the stock seat on my bike was just a little too low in the back. I didn't like the idea of investing in a whole new seat to get a built-in backrest (I don't think I'd like the look of them on my Heritage either). Then I stumbled upon the springer seatrail and the backrest that attaches to it, and I really liked it (it even happens to just barely fit on my seat!). I ordered myself the seatrail and in the process of that found out that the backrest for it is discontinued and a little pricey on ebay. So I decided to put my mad skillz to work and make one myself, and thought I would share the making process.

First, I cut out the shape that I wanted out of and old folder and made sure it fits into the seatrail. Then I cut some 3in thick high density foam into that shape. Since even the high density foam is still squishier than the foam that is in the seat, I figured if I use thicker foam and pre-squish it, it will give more support. Then I made a sort of pillowcase for it so it's easier to fiddle into the final case. Both are in the picture below (pillowcase is inside out):


Since the case with the foam in it looked like an overstuffed sausage I sewed some dimples in it to give it the shape I wanted.


Then on to making the final case out of some fake leather I got at Joann's. I cut out the shape of the backrest from about 3/16" thick plate of aluminum and drilled two holes in it for mounting it to the seatrail. All of that and the screws I used are here in the picture:


I put the metal plate inside the backrest pillow


and put the screws in from inside so they stick out


I used one-hole AC cable straps to mount the backrest to the seatrail. This way it is easy to put on and take off


and the front view:



In hindsight, I should have brought the seat in to Joann's when I bought the fake leather and matched it to the seat better. In real life though the difference isn't as bad as the picture suggests. oh well, that will be homemade-backrest version 2.0

 

I did the same on mine, made the orginal pillion seat into my solo rear fender bid and backrest when I go alone.. Got the wife the touring rear seat and pad for her when she rides.

 

Nice work.

 

Nice, sounds like it came out nice... But no pics are showig...

 

Why won't they show?? I can see them just fine .... this is going to make it really hard to trouble-shoot.
Maybe there's something about posting pictures on this forum too . stay tuned.....

 

Now I can see them. Good job. Looks great.

 

Very nice work on that backrest!

 

That, my friend is a well thought out, well executed project and you deserve a pat on the back. Well done.

Walt

 

+1 I think you did an excellent job on it.

Bill

 

Nice job