I just purchased an 06 Harley (see signature) and had a question regarding a back rest for the driver. I have on order the detachable hardware and backrest for the passenger.

Can you install a backrest for the driver with the factory RKC seat ?? If so, has anyone installed it themselves ??? Does the fender have to be drilled to accept the mounting hardware ??

Thanks,

Ray (twoseas)

 

Ray, I just installed drivers back rest on 2005 Electra Glide. Very simple install. Follow directions in parts kit. No holes neeed to be drilled.

 

Ray,

I believe as long as the seat has a lateral split behind the rider part it should be a simple bolt on. word of advice depending on your height, I'm 5'11" I had to mount the bracket as far back as possible. Dont know how the tall folks manage with one. Could be that pesky hump on my back

 

Here's a poor photo of the rider backrest installed on my RKC with the Sundowner seat. The install is simple. Pull the seat off, install the bracket and put the seat back on. Took about 10 minutes and it made all the difference in the world. I haven't taken it off since I installed it.

 

Sorry about the size of the picture - holy cow!!

 

Thanks to all for your replies....

JBBOOKS,

The pic size actually gave me a better view of the backrest, however I still have the factory seat installed. It does have the opening under the grab strap so I'm sure it probably comes together like yours.

Ray (twoseas)

 

Good advice here - Idiot boy (ME!) installed mine and it works like a charm - Makes a huge difference in my confort level and I also have not taken it off since I installed it

 

I installed a rider backrest on my '05 RK Classic (stock seat) in September.
The toughest part was deciphering what parts were needed from the ones that weren't.
I mounted it as far back as it would go, and endured the many miles of torture on the initial ride home. The backrest hasn't found it's way back on my bike since.
I had somewhere around 8000 miles on my RK at this point in time and my butt had molded a nice 'sweet spot' into the seat of my bike. Once the backrest was installed, it pushed me forward in the seat and out of this sweet spot. I am only 5'11" and not all that large a person, so I have no idea how anyone of a larger size can put up with using this backrest at all.
I have been toying with attempting to bend the two arms of the backrest to get the inch or so more room I feel I require to remain in this sweet spot with the backrest back on.
I suggest you do your homework before you buy. I didn't and I'm now paying the price. IMO, just another MOCO item rushed to market without adequate R & D.

 

comfortabley numb, man I been thinkin bout this one, sort of the same deal with mine, ok here goes, what if..... you were to put a nut with a washer on top of the nut then set the base on the studs, might give you a little more room to tilt it back. you will probably have to get a pice of flat iron to use as the front brace, but it might work. of course I could FOS. also dont forget about the tilt hex screw in the pad itself.

 

woah if that made sense then put the bong back on the table. ok I'll try again, nut on studs, washer on nut, base on washer. raising it a bit should allow it to tilt back a little more. if you can cobble up a llonger front brace. I may screw around with this tomorrow.