Softail Tour Pak Mod Thoughts
Softail Tour Pak Mod Thoughts
Had a thought go through my head last night while sitting in the garage with a cold beer in my hand... I already have the HD detachable tour pack rack and an after-market tour pak on my bike. I was thinking about something I seen on0line for touring models some time ago and my days of working at a custom cabinet shop. I was wondering if this would work on my tour pak and thought I would ask the great people of HD Forum. What if I took two pieces of aluminum, one on the rack side & one on the tour pak side, and installed a set of 500 LB telescopic drawer slides between them. Do you think I could get that tour pak to slide far enough forward and to use as a driver back rest when riding solo? The biggest question I have is that I'm wonder if it will "sag" or if those slides will hold the weight of the tour pak as well as my gear.. I made a drawing of the side view of the two aluminum pieces with the 500LB ball bearing slides between them. Let me know your thoughts and if I should attemp to try this!!
Thanks guys!!
Thanks guys!!
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 325
Likes: 1
From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
If you're talking about the standard rack as opposed to the solo rack I'd say it's way too far. Gotta be at least a foot of distance to cover.
I've used it with HD tourpak with the solo rack as a backrest. Way more comfortable than a typical low backrest. But my wife stole my solo rack and I now only have the standard rack.
Why not just buy a solo rack.?
I've used it with HD tourpak with the solo rack as a backrest. Way more comfortable than a typical low backrest. But my wife stole my solo rack and I now only have the standard rack.
Why not just buy a solo rack.?
The wife rides with me quite a bit on weekends and I have to carry a laptop for work purposes, so I like having the tour pak in place to carry laptop and other things to & from work. If I bought a solo rack, I would most likely need to buy another tour pak as well to make it a quick change from solo to two up riding. That can add up quickly!!
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Antwerp, Belgium
Seems like a good idea, and I don't see any reason why your plan woulnd't work. Only issue will be to "invent" a firm locking mechanism to lock the tourpack in both positions, which is still quick detachable and easy to lock/unlock.
Keep us informed!
Keep us informed!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,975
Likes: 5,214
From: Michigan
My wife has two Heritages and both have the docking hardware that allows her to use a b****bar, a solo or a 2-up luggage rack.
The cost of the two racks isn't too bad but the coast of the tour packs is a different story, those things are really pricey.
I've had two luggage racks (that support the tour pack) to break on my 2000 Ultra (as many others have had) and I'm a little hesitant to put a lot of weight on them.
That Legends rack is cool!
The cost of the two racks isn't too bad but the coast of the tour packs is a different story, those things are really pricey.
I've had two luggage racks (that support the tour pack) to break on my 2000 Ultra (as many others have had) and I'm a little hesitant to put a lot of weight on them.
That Legends rack is cool!
Last edited by 2AMGuy; Jun 13, 2012 at 12:18 AM.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
The wife rides with me quite a bit on weekends and I have to carry a laptop for work purposes, so I like having the tour pak in place to carry laptop and other things to & from work. If I bought a solo rack, I would most likely need to buy another tour pak as well to make it a quick change from solo to two up riding. That can add up quickly!!
If your first plan doesn't work out maybe you could work on a quick change device for the racks.
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Thanks for the thoughts guys. I will most likey wait until winter and then figure something out. I thought about adding the telescopic 500LB slides as mentioned above as well as adding a quick detach support bar that would "hinge" underneath the tour pak and rest against the seat bolt on the rear of the drivers seat. This would give it more support when in the solo position.. Right now, if were not riding, were working on the outside of the house, so this will have to be a winter mod..
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 189
Likes: 7
From: Wantagh, ny
[quote=tlar1540;9928713 I already have the HD detachable tour pack rack and an after-market tour pak on my bike.
check out this link
[url]http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-XL-black-UNIVERSAL-MOTORCYCLE-TRUNK-CASE-FOR-Harley-Honda-kawasaki-suzuki-/200762768658?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash =item2ebe64bd12[/url]
$100 gets you a second aftermarket tour pak.
check out this link
[url]http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-XL-black-UNIVERSAL-MOTORCYCLE-TRUNK-CASE-FOR-Harley-Honda-kawasaki-suzuki-/200762768658?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash =item2ebe64bd12[/url]
$100 gets you a second aftermarket tour pak.