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Adjustable Rider Backrest Install Woes

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Old Mar 4, 2009 | 11:35 PM
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Default Adjustable Rider Backrest Install Woes

I just got my H-D adjustable rider backrest and install kit for my 2007 Street Glide. I'm getting very frustrated while trying to install it, and I'm hoping some of you will know what I'm talking about.

It seems the problem with both the kit and the instructions is different year models use different parts of the kit and parts of the instructions. It makes for a very confusing experience trying to figure out which pictures apply and which bolts to use, etc.

The problem I'm having is mounting the button bracket on the side of the frame. I found the oval hole they talk about, but I don't have many holes in that cross member, and all the pictures show cross member with a bunch of bolt holes. The best I can figure is the button bracket is held to that flat piece by one self-threading bolt that goes in where the plastic cable guide is on the stock bike. It seems they provide another metal guide that I can use for the cable, but the instructions suck for trying to figure this out. Is this bracket really held on by one bolt?

The install of the base unit on the fender wasn't too bad, but I can't figure out how to mount this bracket for the button to save my life.

Any help out there?
 

Last edited by toolman44092; Mar 5, 2009 at 12:02 PM.
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Old Mar 4, 2009 | 11:59 PM
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I just went out to the garage and looked, mine has 1 bolt holding it on. It's not going anywhere, the dealer did install mine. Install the bolt though the cable guide & bracket into the frame. The cable guide is metal w/black rubber to protect it. Your pull cable should hang free.
 
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Old Mar 5, 2009 | 12:02 AM
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Drum, does your backrest cable run down from the bracket or up towards the tank?

If anyone can post a picture, that would be very helpful.
 
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Old Mar 5, 2009 | 12:07 AM
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Are you working on it now?
 
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Old Mar 5, 2009 | 12:22 AM
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Originally Posted by toolman44092
Drum, does your backrest cable run down from the bracket or up towards the tank?

If anyone can post a picture, that would be very helpful.
PM sent.

Runs down from the bracket though the oval opening.

I'd stay up but I gotta work in six hours.
 
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Old Mar 5, 2009 | 10:41 AM
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I know where your coming from! The directions(?) show two pictures. One with the cable running one way the other the opposite. There's only one bolt and the hook on the bottom doesn't really catch tightly like it should. My assembly is a little loose, but I'm afraid to overtighten that one bolt because it might strip out the threaded clip. I figured, in my instance, that it might be because of the new '09 frame.
 
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Old Mar 5, 2009 | 10:54 AM
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Tool, you sound just like me last week when I was installing mine. WTF, are the writers thinking. But you have it right, just one bolt holds it together. And don't forget that you need chinamen fingers to get into some of those tight spots. Everything with this bike is an adventure. Enjoy.
 
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Old Mar 5, 2009 | 12:00 PM
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I hate to say it but HD instructions could use some improvements. Even fitment in the parts catalog are iffy. Part catalog said brake light module won't work with shorter light bar. It made no sense to me so I bought it anyway and it worked just fine. Ooops sorry if I got carried away with HD info not up to snuff.
 
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Old Mar 5, 2009 | 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Bilboy
I'm afraid to overtighten that one bolt because it might strip out the threaded clip.
Threaded clip? I'm guessing that's on your '09 because the bolt hole I'm talking about doesn't use a threaded clip. It's the hole on that cross member that holds the stock cable guide plastic circular piece. The only threaded clip I know of (and that came with my kit) is for mounting the front bolt on the actual fender unit (the part that goes under the seat).

Does anyone have a picture of their bracket installed on the side of the frame?
 
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Old Mar 5, 2009 | 03:08 PM
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It looks like I got it on this afternoon ok. The instrcutions ended up basically causing more of a problem than they were worth. I used word of mouth and the parts they gave me to get it figured out.

Work on these pitiful instructions HD!
 
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