I myself purchused the riders backrest for my 05 FLHT and had the dealer install with the 1K service I rode home less than 5 miles went back and returned it. I didn't like it as it pushed me foward and forced me to ride in one position I couldn't move back & forth, even though I had it on the last mounting hole. I sold that bike and got a 05 Road King, hated the seat and the dealers parts guru told me to try the sundowner the best thing I ever bought from HD I love the seat Im considering a riders backrest again only if I can get one used or off E Bay $175 is a lot of coin to spend on a new one, change the seat on the road king first with the Sundowner before you try a backrest this might solve your comfort problem!! Ride safe Bill.

 

JW....I knew exactly what you were getting at right away. I have been beating this one to death myself.......and I came up with the same sort of plan. I have yet to take it any further than that.
In my thinking however, if you simply raise the backrest mount up on the studs, once you tighten things up you'll be right where you were before only the mount will sit further proud of the fender. I figure you have to set the mount at an angle that tilts it to the rear some. That is, right now it sits on or about 11 o'clock on the arc of the fender, at an angle that has the bottom plate of the mount following the curve of the fender, hence leaning forward. (and too far)
I'm thinking a pair of wedged spacers/washers on each of the studs top and bottom around the mount plate that will hold this new angle when the nuts on the studs are tightened up on these spacers. Picture a cylinder with a hole bored length-wise through it's center, cut cross-wise at an angle giving you two identical halves. Thick, angled shim washers holding the base of the mount in a line parallel to the horizon.

I'm going by memory here, and on Howdy Doobie Time at that, so I apologize if this makes no sense. I'll have to go have another look soon to see what we're up against.

C

 

I moved my backrest mount futher back by drilling a couple of new holes and then bent the backrest arms in a press to change the angle, it took two trys, it doesn't take much bending to get the correct angle, now I'm very comfortable and I would never ride without it.