I am trying tomodify the adjustable rider backrest pad to keep it from flopping around on thinner seats such as the Street Glide. The problem appears to be a one size fits all design by HD where the backrest flops on thinner seats and fits tight on the thicker seats (at least in the lowest position). I am thinking of trying the solutiondepicted below where the bracket inside the backrest pad is cut down (at the yellow line) so the pad will slide further down the bracket and fit snug against the seat in the lowest position. Has anybody tired this or know how to get the bracket out of the pad without taking it to an uphosterer toshorten the bracket?


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How in the world can it flop around when you're leaning back against it? Are you talking about being able to push it forward when you're off the bike?

 

No. It works fine when you are riding and you have pressure against it. It just flops back and forth and side to side in the mounting slot when there is no pressure on it. Seems like a poor design. LikeI said it is fine on the thicker seats but is really bad on thinner seats unless I have a defective kit.

 

I have an 07 road king with the sundowner seat and driver backrest that flops too. I never worried about it because it stays put when I am on it, but that is a cool idea. I don't think it would work for me because my back and shoulders start hurting when I have it in the lower position. It tries to push my lower back forward.
I have thought about getting a leather shop to make me a collar that will fit on the neck to stiffin it when I am not on it, plus it would cover up that ugly iron that stick out for all to see.

 

So I'm not the only one that thinks the adj. backrest is cheezy? Nowhere on the rest or on the packaging does it say "made in china" but it sure looks like it is. First clue was the Asian looking cardboard box, next, the type of paint used on the metal components. It just kills me that the rest retails for 299 and is so poorly built. I'm going to tig weld on the "stem" that you are wanting to hide, and then machine it down to a nice snug fit in the female part that is down inside the seat. H-D is so popular because it is THE American bike. I wish they would produce more of it here.

 

So your worried about it flopping around while its sitting in your garage? I guess I dont see the point of fixing something that doesnt need to be fixed.

 

I cut and re-drilled the flat stock (male side) that goes into the bracket that is hidden by the seat. This helped me gain room in the saddle and lowered it a bit. If I remember right, I removed 3/8" to 1/2" and re-drilled the holes the same amount. The bend now is down to the mount and helped the floppyness too.

 

Some folks have higher standards of fit and finish than others.