Luggage rack install
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 8
From: Roswell, NM
Luggage rack install
I just purchased the premium luggage rack for my 08 Ultra, and am planning to do the install myself. I'm looking for suggestions to make this a good installation without any huge mistakes. The diagram that came with it seems to make no sense at all. Any of you guys that have done this, please give me your advice, thanks.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 15,259
Likes: 5,383
From: Delaware
This was my method.
I gently placed the rack on the cover to get an idea of where it should go. I then used 2 inch wide masking tape and place some 2X2 squares where the legs would go. I got the rack centered on the tape, (helps prevent scratching), and held the bike in the upright position while the wife did the final locating. Once squared away, she marked each leg by running a sharp pencil point around each one. After that I removed the rack and carefully drilled the holes as stated in the instructions. The hole on the front left, (as you face the rack in place), is bigger to accomadate wiring for the lights. I used a very small bit first for pilot holes. Use a slow speed and sharp bit and you'll be fine.
I gently placed the rack on the cover to get an idea of where it should go. I then used 2 inch wide masking tape and place some 2X2 squares where the legs would go. I got the rack centered on the tape, (helps prevent scratching), and held the bike in the upright position while the wife did the final locating. Once squared away, she marked each leg by running a sharp pencil point around each one. After that I removed the rack and carefully drilled the holes as stated in the instructions. The hole on the front left, (as you face the rack in place), is bigger to accomadate wiring for the lights. I used a very small bit first for pilot holes. Use a slow speed and sharp bit and you'll be fine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 7
From: The Great Northwest
Use blue masking tape on your tourpack.
Place rack where you want it.
Check, check again, then recheck, again.
Get your wife to come and check and agree that all is perfect.
Hold the rack down with one hand while you circle the rack legs with a ballpoint pen onto the blue tape.
Check location again and have wife recheck. Recheck again. Have wife sign a statement that the location of the marks is perfect.
Drill into the center of the marks and mount the rack.
Tips- Buy the tourpack lid organizer and mount it so the tourpack rack bolts go through the backing of the organizer.
Place rack where you want it.
Check, check again, then recheck, again.
Get your wife to come and check and agree that all is perfect.
Hold the rack down with one hand while you circle the rack legs with a ballpoint pen onto the blue tape.
Check location again and have wife recheck. Recheck again. Have wife sign a statement that the location of the marks is perfect.
Drill into the center of the marks and mount the rack.
Tips- Buy the tourpack lid organizer and mount it so the tourpack rack bolts go through the backing of the organizer.
First thing is throw away the diagram. Follow the suggestions above with these added tips.
-Measure MANY times. Visual MANY times and then measure again MANY times.
-Start with a small drill bit and work your way bigger until you reach the goal size.
-Put a dab of clear silicone on the tip of the screws before installing. This will make a good water-tight gasket.
-If you think it looks good when you are done don't second-guess yourself and measure. Just let it be.
-Measure MANY times. Visual MANY times and then measure again MANY times.
-Start with a small drill bit and work your way bigger until you reach the goal size.
-Put a dab of clear silicone on the tip of the screws before installing. This will make a good water-tight gasket.
-If you think it looks good when you are done don't second-guess yourself and measure. Just let it be.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Long Island,New York
Use blue masking tape on your tourpack.
Place rack where you want it.
Check, check again, then recheck, again.
Get your wife to come and check and agree that all is perfect.
Hold the rack down with one hand while you circle the rack legs with a ballpoint pen onto the blue tape.
Check location again and have wife recheck. Recheck again. Have wife sign a statement that the location of the marks is perfect.
Drill into the center of the marks and mount the rack.
Tips- Buy the tourpack lid organizer and mount it so the tourpack rack bolts go through the backing of the organizer.
Place rack where you want it.
Check, check again, then recheck, again.
Get your wife to come and check and agree that all is perfect.
Hold the rack down with one hand while you circle the rack legs with a ballpoint pen onto the blue tape.
Check location again and have wife recheck. Recheck again. Have wife sign a statement that the location of the marks is perfect.
Drill into the center of the marks and mount the rack.
Tips- Buy the tourpack lid organizer and mount it so the tourpack rack bolts go through the backing of the organizer.
great suggestion!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 0
From: Western Wisconsin
I'm pretty handy with power tools.
I'll drill on my buddy's bike all day long and hang sh*t on it,
but putting a drill to my bike's fiberglass has always scared me.
All kidding aside.....My dealer did mess up a rack installation once and
had to replace my tour pack lid.
I'll drill on my buddy's bike all day long and hang sh*t on it,
but putting a drill to my bike's fiberglass has always scared me.
All kidding aside.....My dealer did mess up a rack installation once and
had to replace my tour pack lid.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 4
From: Long Island,New York
think he means use the 4 screws(bolts) that hold the luggage rack to the tour pak to go through the organizer, then the tour pak to hold the organizer in place without double sided tape
I am going to do this and I will try and post pics in the next few days
I am going to do this and I will try and post pics in the next few days
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 10
From: Oh
This was my method.
I gently placed the rack on the cover to get an idea of where it should go. I then used 2 inch wide masking tape and place some 2X2 squares where the legs would go. I got the rack centered on the tape, (helps prevent scratching), and held the bike in the upright position while the wife did the final locating. Once squared away, she marked each leg by running a sharp pencil point around each one. After that I removed the rack and carefully drilled the holes as stated in the instructions. The hole on the front left, (as you face the rack in place), is bigger to accomadate wiring for the lights. I used a very small bit first for pilot holes. Use a slow speed and sharp bit and you'll be fine.
I gently placed the rack on the cover to get an idea of where it should go. I then used 2 inch wide masking tape and place some 2X2 squares where the legs would go. I got the rack centered on the tape, (helps prevent scratching), and held the bike in the upright position while the wife did the final locating. Once squared away, she marked each leg by running a sharp pencil point around each one. After that I removed the rack and carefully drilled the holes as stated in the instructions. The hole on the front left, (as you face the rack in place), is bigger to accomadate wiring for the lights. I used a very small bit first for pilot holes. Use a slow speed and sharp bit and you'll be fine.