I bought a new FLHT standard with the drivers backrest.
It looked really good till I sat on it. I felt like it pushes me right up on the tank. The instructions talk about an adjustment screw which I found in the back. It just screws into the bracket and doesn't do anything that I can tell. Any comments on this backrest.

Quote:

Smooth Vinyl Style Rider Backrest Kit

Add back support for long-haul riding comfort. Contoured backrest pad is shaped to provide full lower back support without pushing the rider forward, and the slim profile offers the passenger a few more inches of room. An adjustable support bracket with four mounting locations accommodates different seats and riding positions. The backrest pad angle can be adjusted for maximum comfort.

 

I take it that it's not the adjustable back rest which is adjustable forward, backwards and up & down.

If not, I believe you have to bend the bracket into the position that feels the best for you. It takes some experimenting to get it right. Of course when you wear heavier clothing or go back to a t-shirt, you have to do it again.....the extra coin for the adjustable one is well worth it.....for me it was anyway.....

 

you just need to adjust it. Best money I ever spent was the adjustable one.

 

If it's like the earlier backrests there's an allen screw at the base of the pad on the back that you access through a hole in the cover. Screwing it in and out changes the angle of the backrest pad. I could never get mine in just the right spot. Bought a Mustang solo with driver's backrest and the way it swivels and adjusts is much more comfortable. You can also adjust the height of the pad with the Mustang.

 

Turn the screw out and it lays it back, It should move back enough that it is even with the back edge of the drivers seat. Mine sits me a little more upright, but did not move me forward.

 

Pull the seat off and add washers under the backrest mounting bracket...More washers, more angle change...

 

I bought one rode it a while took it off and never looked back. I felt that my abs were not even doing anything like hold my upper torso up straight like they should. If I were old and FAT well maybe or had a bad back that needed help

 

Do you have the bracket under the seat moved all the way towards the rear of the bike?

 

There are a couple adjustments as mentioned earlier start by removing seat, there are multiple bracket mounting holes, move bracket back if you can, use allen key adjustment. You will see pad moving while adjusting by putting a little pressure on the pad, and finally the height adjustment also changes the angle of the pad.it took me a while to set it up to where i like it and no problems since then.