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So, a week or two ago I picked up the parts to put together a removable sissy bar since I will need the passenger and luggage advantages at times, but when just riding around I like the "clean" solo look. However, when I am using it I wanted to make sure nobody could just pop the sissy bar off and walk away with it since those parts are not cheap. To that end I bought the Detachables Lock. The catelog and web site say "fits all models with ....". No year restrictions listed, so when I was installing it I didn't bother to match up the sideplates I have with the list of sideplates they have in the instructions. I get it put on, slide the sissy bar onto my bike, lock it down and all seems good. That is, until I try to unlock it and discover that the way the sideplates slant inward makes it impossible to slide that key into the lock to unlock the sideplates.
Luckily, as with all things, there is never such a thing as completely secure. I'm fairly certain I can just unscrew the post that the lock is on, remove the sissy bar, and then replace the lock with the old sideplate latch, but now I'm back to the issue of not being able to secure the sissy bar.
This leads me to asking one little question. Has anyone out there had a problem, or heard of a problem with anyone getting detachable equipment ripped off? I imagine it wouldn't be much of an issue with a casual thief since they would have to know a little about motorcycles to know that it was a detachable part, plus they would actually have to have a use for the item. For a real thief, as I mentioned, they could just unscrew the side post and pull everything off so I guess even the lock isn't secure there.
Now I need to figure out if there is a hotline at Harley where I can tell them they should update their catelog and web site to reflect the fact that this part does not work on everything, as advertised.
As in something with a rounder, more streamlined shape on the top, or something that attaches to the fender in a different way than the Sportster does? I have to admit I'm not a big sissy bar person, but it's use in travelling is too handy to ignore, plus it's much better riding 2up that having someone grab onto that strap on the seat (if your seat has one).
As a followup to this, I had neglegted to think of one detail in regard to my being able to remove the locking latch on the sissy bar and have now found that it's pretty much impossible to remove the lock from my sideplate. I can remove the whole sissy bar by unscrewing that one post, but the lock is of course locked on to that post, and unscrewing the latch doesn't work since it's mounted on a post that is built into the side plate.
So, I get to go to the dealership and show them that their item description is a bit off, plus I'm a dumbass for not noticing that this would happen while I was installing things. Hopefully I can work out something where I just return the lock, sideplates, and mounting gear in return for new sideplates and mounting gear since this is at least partly due to their failure to identify a part combination that specifically does not work. I read through the instructions to see what it said didn't work, but I didn't bother to check for specifically what did since half the time those instructions just neglect to include some new part numbers.
I have the detachable and have not had any problems with it walking yet. If I have it on locally I am usually in view or close proximity of the bike. If I go overnight and stay at a motel or freinds, I just remove it. Nice thing is just unclip the 2 pins and your luggage, rack, sissybar, backrest all comes inside with you. No need to undo the luggage from the rack/bars...
As in something with a rounder, more streamlined shape on the top, or something that attaches to the fender in a different way than the Sportster does? I have to admit I'm not a big sissy bar person, but it's use in travelling is too handy to ignore, plus it's much better riding 2up that having someone grab onto that strap on the seat (if your seat has one).
As a followup to this, I had neglegted to think of one detail in regard to my being able to remove the locking latch on the sissy bar and have now found that it's pretty much impossible to remove the lock from my sideplate. I can remove the whole sissy bar by unscrewing that one post, but the lock is of course locked on to that post, and unscrewing the latch doesn't work since it's mounted on a post that is built into the side plate.
So, I get to go to the dealership and show them that their item description is a bit off, plus I'm a dumbass for not noticing that this would happen while I was installing things. Hopefully I can work out something where I just return the lock, sideplates, and mounting gear in return for new sideplates and mounting gear since this is at least partly due to their failure to identify a part combination that specifically does not work. I read through the instructions to see what it said didn't work, but I didn't bother to check for specifically what did since half the time those instructions just neglect to include some new part numbers.
I have the exact same problem for the exact same reason! I was thinking of removing the detachable mount but as you made a good point about the latch being locked on to it so I'm not going to try that. The only thing I can think of to do is to take one of the keys - preferably the long one - and hacksaw off the end of it so it will be shorter and fit in the curved sideplate space...if you look closely at the key the only part that you need to go into the latch lock is about an inch long. And you can always buy another key. If that doesn't work the last hope is to somehow destroy the locked latch so it will release from the mount. I wasn't planning on taking the sissy bar off cuz it looks good and is great for attaching my backpack or roll bag but I wanted the option to remove it if I felt like it.
I'll be interested to hear what happens as you follow up with the dealer about the instructions. I went back and reviewed them and it said nothing about which direction to put the lock - just choices between inner left and inner right.
His problem was back in 2006 so I doubt he has it any more!!
Unfortunately the instructions on fitting may not be all that clear but the lock has to go on shall I say up the other way compared to how the non locking catches fit thus the key hole is facing up. The locking catch looks naff as it sticks out and is not inline. You also need to change the non locking catch upside down as well on the other side.
I had to break one of the keys to use just the little bit to get the catch unlocked as I had fitted it wrong the first time.
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Aug 2, 2022 at 03:02 AM.
His problem was back in 2006 so I doubt he has it any more!!
Unfortunately the instructions on fitting may not be all that clear but the lock has to go on shall I say up the other way compared to how the non locking catches fit thus the key hole is facing up. The locking catch looks naff as it sticks out and is not inline. You also need to change the non locking catch upside down as well on the other side.
I had to break one of the keys to use just the little bit to get the catch unlocked as I had fitted it wrong the first time.
I noticed the original post was from 2006 after I posted my first reply. Apparently the instructions page hasn't changed much since then.
I also broke off the key as you did and cut off some of the excess plastic in order to be able to fit it in beside the curve in the sideplate. Used a needle nose plier to turn it until it released, then switched the latches from "inner (relief hidden)" to simply "inner." Am happy to have the option to remove the sissy bar if I wish.
Don't like it that the locking latch isn't flush but it's the only way to be able to access it.
Last edited by SJsupersporty; Aug 2, 2022 at 07:10 AM.
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Removable sissy bar issue
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