Fathertime,
The flat plates can be bought separate(alone) so you dont have to buy another "kit" also i found it a big help to leave everything loose till you get it together then tighten things up.You also might find your saddle bag lid "tight" or closer to bike and may want to shim out the bag latch brackets.I used a few stainless washers to give bag lid a little more room to open. Hope this helps.Mine was tight and took me awhile but i also installed mine in a freezing a$$ garage will only things to keep me warm was some Good o'l Rockin Roll,A bottle of Jack and Warm thoughts of Chicago Summer Weather, Good Luck and i Hope you have plenty of patients....You may or maynot need them!!!
R.W.

 

I see that it's been addressed already - I figured it must be an '09 thing... That was the only reason I ever tried to tackle it myself. The dealer said "It's easy enough, but it's a 12-packer" (which means, they'd have to charge me around 2 hours at $85 or whatever it was per hour).

I heard the '09's were a snap to add hardware to... I guess it was true.

 

Will the detachable sissy bar from an'07 fit an '09 if I buy the '09 detachable kit thingy?

 

The 09's are a whole diferent ball game. I have the 08 and NOTHING!!!!!! for the 08's will fit in the detachable area as far as the hardware goes. They are a different shape. The 09's are more curved than the 08's. I put the detachable hardware on myself for the Tour Pack,and I also have a trailer hitch mounted to the chrome fender brackets where the tour pack hardware goes and all of that being on really gave me a hellofa time.

 

fatter tire bigger fender i assume for the 08 versus the 09's

 

I want to thank you for posting this information. I was looking for answers on how in the heck am I going to install this detachable sissy bar and luggage rack on my 06 Road King. As already mentioned I love harleys but their instructions really suck!

I just finished the job, it took 3 hrs, I'm tired, sore and relieved I done it! Job looks great!

Thanks, I owe you a beer!

 

Just reading this so I know was not the only one that went through some grief .. I have the detach sissy bar and tour pack both on my 08 FLHT .. Something was trying to forget but thanks for the memories ..