Well, it was finally time for me to start taking my son on rides (he did great, BTW). I had already put on passenger footboards, and the Mustang passenger seat for cop bikes. But I was a bit stumped about a sissybar / backrest.
Of course, I could have just taken off the FLHP rack, and bought docking hardware and a backrest. But HD or knock-off, it was expensive, required me to loose the rack - which holds the license plate, and it's not really how I wanted my bike to look.
While pricey as well, it solved my problems (cheaper from J&P). I had to drill 4 holes in the rack, but that did not bother me. I used stainless button heads with lock nuts. I may pop off the rack this winter and have nuts welded to the underside. I could have tapped and threaded the holes in the rack, but I'm pretty sure that would not be strong enough.
It does not look awesome, I know, but I'm happy with it, and that I can still use my rack. I like the lower profile of the seat. Not great for a long ride, I'd guess compared to the P&A backrest, but it will keep my son from sliding off.
4 bolts, and I'm back to stock, so I like that too.
Very nice. If you cut a groove the width of the piece of steel that the pad mounts to, could you get the backrest bracket under the plate that is on the tourpak rack?
Very nice. If you cut a groove the width of the piece of steel that the pad mounts to, could you get the backrest bracket under the plate that is on the tourpak rack?
I'm almost certain I could. I thought about it. For now, I wanted to ride, and not get wrapped up in a project. But, since the bottom of the rack is not uniform and flat, it my not work out well, as it could have less points of contact - with the slots in it for adjustability, its friction that keeps it in its exact place. Also, it could make the backrest crooked front to back, based on the contour of the bottom of the rack. Lastly, it would lower the backrest a bit, and its pretty short as it is.
04-30-2017, 12:18 PM
FLHP passenger backrest - my way
