HD non-adjustable rider backrest
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 151
Likes: 18
From: **
HD non-adjustable rider backrest
I know there are several threads about this but....I have a 2005 Road King Custom and I'm trying to install a HD non-adjustable rider backrest. Because of my seat I can only move the bracket back to the second mounting holes from all the way forward. It just seems like it is pushing me too far forward (almost sitting on the tank). I have read that some have heated and put a bend in the backrests tubes (bars) that allowed them to bend it back enough to be comfortable. Does anyone have steps/pictures of how they did it?
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 401
Likes: 11
From: Escondido, CA
I know there are several threads about this but....I have a 2005 Road King Custom and I'm trying to install a HD non-adjustable rider backrest. Because of my seat I can only move the bracket back to the second mounting holes from all the way forward. It just seems like it is pushing me too far forward (almost sitting on the tank). I have read that some have heated and put a bend in the backrests tubes (bars) that allowed them to bend it back enough to be comfortable. Does anyone have steps/pictures of how they did it?
Don't have pictures but same situation as yours.....put bracket as far back as I could but back rest was still too far forward. Brother-in-law knows his way around welding and torches and such......so he put the two bars in a vice, heated them with a torch and bent them back a few inches. Worked great. It will take some trial and error but it can be done.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 208
Likes: 6
From: Renton, WA
I found an adjuster on the backside of the backrest (mine actually has a grommetted hole - maybe for adjusting?). I had to shim it with a couple of washers, but the backrest leans back for me now - way more comfortable.
I would suggest springing for the Harley-Davidson adjustable backrest. It is a bitch to install and the instructions are absolutely worthless, but once done, the variance in tilt angle is well worth the money.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
You can easily bend them without a vise or heat,
I used 2 receiver hitches, set them on ground parallel about 2 inches apart.
Laid the backrest bars across the gap between hitches and used a dull splitting maul to "chop" where I wanted the bends to be.
I wrapped the backrest in a towel.
Start with gentle chops and I marked with tape where I wanted bends.
IIRC I bent a buddies adjustable on the road one day using a nearby trucks receiver by sticking the end in the hole and my huge fat body to apply pressure. Might be wrong though as I have done so many shadetree fixes over the years.
I used 2 receiver hitches, set them on ground parallel about 2 inches apart.
Laid the backrest bars across the gap between hitches and used a dull splitting maul to "chop" where I wanted the bends to be.
I wrapped the backrest in a towel.
Start with gentle chops and I marked with tape where I wanted bends.
IIRC I bent a buddies adjustable on the road one day using a nearby trucks receiver by sticking the end in the hole and my huge fat body to apply pressure. Might be wrong though as I have done so many shadetree fixes over the years.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 401
Likes: 11
From: Escondido, CA
Just noticed this post with pictures giving you the general idea:
http://www.harley-davidsonforums.com...oks-style.html
http://www.harley-davidsonforums.com...oks-style.html
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: hartselle,alabama
Is there a big price difference between an adjustable one and non adjustable. Does one look better than the other. Just wondering why you would buy a non adjustable backrest and not the adjustable one.
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: NC
I sprung for the adjustable when I bought the bike. I found that anything other than all the way back pushed me too far forward and was uncomfortable. I know that this is all personal preference, but I never moved it forward from the fully back position. I eventually took the adjustment lever and cable completely off since I never used it and I thought the lever was ugly. If you can find a bike at a dealer that has the adjustable one installed, see if you can sit on it and try out the adjustment. Personally, I would not pay the extra $ for the adjustable again but you might like it depending on how you like to sit.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,138
Likes: 457
From: Littleton CO
I bought a non-adjustable one for my 13 FLHTK. I very seldom move the backrest, so I thought that would be fine. What I didn't take into account was removing and reinstalling the backrest pad. My old, beat up hands just don't have the strength to do that, so I ended up buying the adjustable one. It is much easier to remove and reinstall.