Hardware docking kit

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Aug 2, 2009 | 12:44 PM

#11

RATROD HOG

Road Warrior

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 1,768

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From: eastern Pa

let us know do you have saddlebag that you trying to install ? if yes that is the right kit.
if no you need the other kit # 53529-04

Aug 2, 2009 | 04:22 PM

#12

HarleyScuba

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 4,007

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From: Manassas, VA

Quote:

Originally Posted by RATROD HOG

should look like this

Yep. That's the kit you use when mounting hard bags or no bags at all (53529-04). See page 74 of the 2009 or 2010 Harley Davidson Genuine Motor Accessories.

Aug 5, 2009 | 05:39 AM

#13

Tampo

Thread Starter

5th Gear

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 9

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Sorry, forgot to mention that the plan is to install both the detachable solo rack and saddle bags. So I guess I have the right hardware.
The problem is that the bolts must be inserted from inside the fender.

Tomorrow I'll lift the bike and see if thats enough to get free space above the tire.

I guess the bolts will stick out an inch or so when the saddlebags are not
mounted. Is it possible to attach the solo rack alone without saddlebags?

Tampo

And thanks everyone for your comments!

Aug 5, 2009 | 08:20 AM

#14

HarleyScuba

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 4,007

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From: Manassas, VA

You would need detachable saddlebag hardware - or you would have to switch to shorter bolts each time you took the bags off (PITA).
I use Bare Backs for the saddlebags on my Softail and they're fantastic. However, they don't list Sportsters for fitment. I'm not sure why. Other varieties of saddlebag hardware are available but I don't know what they'll fit.
http://cyclevisions.com/bag-mounting/barebacks/

Sep 15, 2009 | 09:06 PM

#15

bluestportygirl

Stage II

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 2

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Detachable solo rack to go with saddle bag supports

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyScuba

That's the docking hardware kit to be used in conjunction with Harley's Leather Saddlebags. If you're not installing permanent mount bags, you have the wrong docking hardware. The procedure may be different than the one I'm used to.

Hi HarleyScuba! You sound like you know what you're talking about, so I've picked on you, and I sure can't get anything definite from my local HD dealer! I've got a 2003 XL Sporty with a solo seat and want to fit a detachable solo rack WITH the HD saddle bag supports that are already on it. The dealer initially gave me a docking kit, I'm guessing to fit without saddlebags. I realised this wasn't correct when I got it home, as the bolts weren't long enough to go thru both the fender, the sideracks and the saddle bag supports. So I went back and he ordered a docking kit for fitting WITH saddlebags. Now it's obvious that this kit is meant for fitting with PERMANENT saddlebags and don't fit either. My bags are throw-overs (hence the saddlebag support frames)! Do you know if HD actually make a docking kit to fit this configuration? Or do I have to have special long bolts made up?

Hope you can understand all this!

Anna - Sydney, Australia

Sep 15, 2009 | 11:25 PM

#16

HarleyScuba

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 4,007

Likes: 126

From: Manassas, VA

Hey Anna - Welcome to the forum!
I hope myself or someone can help. I think I understand your intentions. The length of the bolts isn't the only issue you need to address. If I remember, the saddlebag supports are designed to mount at two spots. One is on a bolt that goes through a quick-detach docking point and the other goes to the shock mount. Like these:
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/tpl/pr...p506596&mmyId=
That's the problem.
The docking point needs to be next to your fender strut in order for the solo rack to work. If you put the saddlebag support on the outside of the docking point, you'll have a space between the other saddlebag support mount and your shock mount. That's why Harley says they won't all work together. The simple solution would be to put a spacer between the shock and the support. However, that could prove to be dangerous, having that long bolt at the shock mount. I'm not an engineer so I don't know. Maybe you could heat and twist the saddlebag supports enough to make them work (this would destroy the chrome).
Another option is single bolt saddlebag supports like these:
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/tpl/pr...p506596&mmyId=
As for longer bolts, you can make your own with a piece of all-thread (threaded metal with no bolt heads at either end) cut to length with bungee nuts or acorn nuts put on one end using RED loctite, then use blue loctite when they're installed (the blue will release before the red when you want to remove them). Perhaps someone else will chime in with additional info. I haven't put saddlebag supports on before, but I'm curious about how all this would work. I may need the info for one of my bikes one day. Feel free to ask more questions and be sure to let us know what you do and how it turns out.

Last edited by HarleyScuba; Sep 15, 2009 at 11:27 PM. Reason: nunya

Sep 16, 2009 | 05:28 PM

#17

bluestportygirl

Stage II

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

thanks heaps for your quick response HarleyScuba! You're spot-on with your understanding of my problem. My sister has the same bike (and same problem) and solved it as you advise with a longer bolt (two welded together) thru the shock mount. It's been OK for the last couple of years. She also had longer bolts made up for the other support mounts to solve the problem of the "space". I just couldn't believe that HD hadn't solved the problem properly, seeing as how they make kits for just about every other application! Unfortunately I can't afford single point saddle bag mounts as I just outlaid around A$375 for the damned rack! And I've still to sell the pillion and backrest which I removed on e-bay (to reimburse the cost). Damn, damn, damn - I just hate mucking around trying to modify things. However, the bike does look SO MUCH better without the backrest and pillion - more like a Sporty should look, don't you reckon?

Thanks again (I had a feeling you'd know what I was talking about, when not even the Aussie dealers did!).

Stay upright! Anna.

Sep 17, 2009 | 08:50 AM

#18

Bacon_Grease

Road Master

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 1,073

Likes: 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tampo

Hi
I just got a kit of docking hardware, part no 53544-04, for my Sportster XL.
According to installation instruction it seems that I have to remove the rear wheel!
Can anyone advise me how to get the bolts through the fender from the inside?

Short answer:

No, you don't have to remove the wheel.

Long answer:

I was able to install that kit without removing the wheel or jacking the bike up.

However, there are two buts to that...

1) My bike sits an inch and a half higher than the stock 1200R (which was already taller than most other Sporties)

2) It would have been MUCH easier if I had put the bike on a lift (without removing the wheel or suspension) simply to have more space for my hands.

The bag supports you refer to - are those similar to P/N 90799-94D (the steel rod that's bent to keep the bags out of the wheel)? Also, are you planning on throw-over bags and the tourpack?

The reason I ask is that I was unable to fit the solo detachable tourpak rack on my '08 1200R and P/N 90799-94D at the same time. I *think* there might have been an interference issue, but the main issue was that when I had the rack installed, there was no where to put the yoke of my throw over bags.

This is the post I made about installing the tourpak rack. It's geared more towards the fuel tank, but it might be of some help. Click here!