Tried to sell my old detacheable bags and "easy brackets" since they would not "bolt on" to the new 07' (Had them on an 05' FXSTI before). No takers after a week. Got to missing them lately, so made some brackets out of stainless to "hard mount" them to the Custom. Figure this ought to work until the aftermarket catches up with some detacheable hardware. Might get ambitious this winter and modify the old hardware to make it work. Sorry for the poor lighting, just got them done this evening...........Here's an idea anyway. Cheap, easy - no need to relocate the rear turn signals. And since no one is offering a decent solo seat yet, might as well keep using the stock seat and backrest for awhile.

 

While on this subject (with this bike), Harley does not yet have a detacheable backrest for this seat (and may never). The detacheable back rests, brackets and hardware that fit an 06' softail w/ the bob tail fender and 200 mm rear tire will technically fit the bike's fender and struts, but it states in the catalog that a different "2 up" seat must also be purchased that does not have the backrest incorporated into the seat itself (as the 07' Custom does). What I would love to do, is bolt on the HD detacheable hardware docking kit and side plates (for an 06') and just try out back rest's. I wonder if the angle is close enough on them to match the 07' Custom's fixed backrest angle? They have low, medium and high rise backrests, and was wondering if the "medallion style" wouldn't offer a great opportunity to drill the necessary 2 holes for attachment to the stock seat on the Custom. Was wondering if you used one of their backrests, but not the pad of course, if the distance wouldn't be the same to the back of the stock seat (or close to it)? And of course, the angle? Anyone own a dealership and want to try them all out for us? Eventually, I'd like to incorporate a detacheable backrest, so I can quickly go from the 2 up seat to a solo without having to remove the fixed backrest (unbolt it from the struts, and put the bolts back in when the backrest is off), and also detacheable bags - again, somehting speedy. I do like the comfort of this stock seat though for 2 up riding and want to hang onto it for cruising with the missus. Maybe I can work somehting out with the local deler this winter - take some good measurements or something.........

 

While on this subject (with this bike), Harley does not yet have a detacheable backrest for this seat (and may never). The detacheable back rests, brackets and hardware that fit an 06' softail w/ the bob tail fender and 200 mm rear tire will technically fit the bike's fender and struts, but it states in the catalog that a different "2 up" seat must also be purchased that does not have the backrest incorporated into the seat itself (as the 07' Custom does). What I would love to do, is bolt on the HD detacheable hardware docking kit and side plates (for an 06') and just try out back rest's. I wonder if the angle is close enough on them to match the 07' Custom's fixed backrest angle? They have low, medium and high rise backrests, and was wondering if the "medallion style" wouldn't offer a great opportunity to drill the necessary 2 holes for attachment to the stock seat on the Custom. Was wondering if you used one of their backrests, but not the pad of course, if the distance wouldn't be the same to the back of the stock seat (or close to it)? And of course, the angle? Anyone own a dealership and want to try them all out for us? Eventually, I'd like to incorporate a detacheable backrest, so I can quickly go from the 2 up seat to a solo without having to remove the fixed backrest (unbolt it from the struts, and put the bolts back in when the backrest is off), and also detacheable bags - again, somehting speedy. I do like the comfort of this stock seat though for 2 up riding and want to hang onto it for cruising with the missus. Maybe I can work somehting out with the local deler this winter - take some good measurements or something.........

 

I think looking at my bike the only way your going to have your cake and eat it too is by getting two new seats, one for solo riding and another for two up. The stock Custom seat is nice for two up, but it is held on by those two nuts in the backrest. Even if you do manage to find a detachable rest that you can modify for it. You are still going to have to deal with those two nuts every time you want to change it because the strap is in the way.
“Normal” seats use the center bolt hole in the fender as a tie down point so detachable back rests for other bikes are not physically connected to the seat.
The Customs don’t even have the threaded fitting in the fender for a seat mounting. So you’ll have to get and fit one in before you can even think of using another seat.
It’s not an impossible job, but if you are determined to have a “quick change” seating arrangement getting “two” new seats plus all the needed hardware could get expensive. I think you’ll be better off just resigning yourself to having to deal with those two nuts every time you want to change things.

Good Luck and let us know what you figure out. BTW nice job on the bag mountings. [sm=smiley20.gif]

 

Thanks for the reply Citoriplus. The 2 nuts on the back of the Custom's seat (that attach it to the back rest) don't bother me. They remove quick enough. I could live with bolting/unbolting them each time I did a seat change. It's removing the fixed backrest - 4 bolts from the fender struts - that would take all of the time. Taking them completely out, removing the fixed back rest, putting the 4 bolts back in, etc. That's why I was thinking that if I had a big enough backing plate (something like the medallion style backrest), I would potentially have something to drill 2 holes through, and in the proper location - for the 2 small studs that attach the back of the stock seat to. Still don't know about the angle, or potential spacing between detacheable back rest's and current stock seat.

Are you sure the Custom's don't have the threaded fitting in the rear fender? I have a black plug in mine, but was assuming that this is covering a threaded insert. I haven't checked yet, so not sure myself. It wouldn't matter though. I'll run a solo like before - mounts to the side of the frame (LePera). As for my stock grab strap, I'd just find a way to attach it to the bottom of the seat (and will likely do this anyway when I take the seat off for the first time). The wife doesn't use it, but it is necessary to cover the "gap". Buying a second 2 -up seat is not on my radar. I'd like to get a solo, and make this seat work (and look right) with a detacheable back rest eventually.

 

I'm sure there isn't anything under the plug because I had my seat off to put on my rack. The rack kit includes a fitted "nut" for the hole when your mounting it. Engineering wise its easier, and cheaper, to just use the same Bobtail fender stamping for all of the Softail line, and just use the plug to full the hole on the Customs.
If your going to use a seat that mounts to the fenders side rails then its not a problem. But the strap, like you noticed, will have to be dealt with. Not sure that mounting it to the seat bottom is a great idea because the bottom isn't real solid. I think its only a plastic moulding. If its never used I guess its not much of a problem unless some legal eagle wants to make one out of it.
If your interested in finding out the exact size and angle of the bigger sissy bars. Why not take a trip to the nearest "bike in" and just look around. There will probably be a lot of bikes with different ones installed. The detachable's side plates are the same for all, even the earlier year narrower fenders. So the angle and placement will be the same reguardless of what width, height, or style bar is actually attached to it. All you'll need to do is measure one and you'll know if it will fit properly or not. My guess is that its the same as the Customs stock setup, or close enough to make little or no difference.
Worse case is that you can always use the stock detachable side plates and make your own bar, any angle and style needed from some square or rectangular bar stock from Lowes or Home Depot and weld in a cross plate where you need it for the stock seat bolts. You can have the whole thing chromed or powdercoated for not much more money, if any to what you would spend for a new one that your still going to have to modify to fit.

Let me know what you deciede and how you make out, I like these kind of "puzzels". I'm always interested in different ideas people have for "engineering" solutions to them.

 

I just checked my bike, and the little black button cover for the rear seat mount is covering nothing - it's just a hollow hole - would have to have the threaded boss added if wanting to run a fender bib for the solo. That's not a problem, but I was surprised that the boss wasn't there for it already. I checked the HD fatbook, and the docking hardware and detacheable side plates are the same from 2003 to present (as you noted). The actual back rest frames themselves are what changed in 06' with the new back fender and tire. Yeah, it's just a matter of comparing and seeing if anything lines up or not at this point (must flow with the back seat itself, as well as have an area for the 2 small studs to fasten to once drilled for them). Something probably does line up okay, and if not shouldn't be too hard to fab something simple. It would have to look good though. I cringe at the thought of something crooked or goofy looking being added. I have the luxury of a shop that does chrome plating and powder coating just down the road, so definately not an issue with final finish, just styling concerns. I actually like the look and general lines of the fixed back rest frame on this bike, just wish it was available in a detacheable style. I haven't had my seat off yet, so was thinking the grab strap could either be riveted or sewed to the underside of the seat. I want to keep it on there for the looks and to cover the gap - not so much concerned with actually being able to use (no one does on this one anyway). Yeah, I'll keep you posted and see what I come up with evenetually. Maybe someone else has already given it some thought and can add something.............Probably seems **** to most, but it's my bike and I really liked to use detacheable bags and back rest on the last bike for the sure ease of changing seats out - want to recapture the same thing.

 

Some better pics in daylight. Had the seat off for the first time yesterday. Couldn't believe the fender scuffing went so wide from the stock seat! Way past the plastic/laminate fender protector. When I do get around to getting the solo, my old Mustang bib is not going to cover it that far over on each side (too skinny). The scuffs did rub out okay with some 3M hand glaze, but going to have to come up with a better way to protect that fender with the stock 2 up seat on there. Don't want to look at those marks, with the solo on..........

 

Very Nice !!!, I am in search of bags, will be getting probably first of the year, still looking at all the brands, there are some very nice bags out there !!

 

The good thing about these is no need to relocate the rear signals by making the brackets by hand. These are good sized bags, able to carry jacket/chaps/gloves, etc, seem to fit the bike well proportion-wise, water proof, locking, etc, etc. And just a tip - if looking for Saddlemen (that's what these are), check out J.C. Whitney. That's where I got them and saved some good money over all of the main stream outlets that sell this brand (and got free shipping). This is a good set-up if wanting hard mounted bags. I want detacheables though, so will be making another set of brackets this winter and modifying a set of "Easy Brackets" that I have already from the last bike........