Removing rear grab rail
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
i was considering removing it from my 08 sg, but the bike is black, so powdercoating the wrap around rail black would make it disappear, as the chrome one does stick out like a sore thumb. it is there for a reason, i'm sure that it does have some structural effect with tying the upper rear ends of the frame together. i can see how it may detract from the handling, so this winter i'll just get mine powdercoated black.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Well, I'm no structural engineer... Having said that, those frame horns look to me as though they're home to the upper shock mounts, which are supporting the entire weight of the rear of the bike, and are secured to the frame at one end and the (effectively rubber mounted) swing arm at the other. I could see where there would be some pretty significant torsional loads on those horns. Since metal fatigue wouldn't happen in a day, I guess I was most worried about what it would do to the frame over the long-term, say 10 years or more, which is why I always left mine on there.
Plus, it's hard for me to see why Harley would spend the money to put the bar on thousands (millions?) of bikes if it actually had no purpose, and/or why they waited until the '09+ frame re-design to get rid of it.
Jeff
Plus, it's hard for me to see why Harley would spend the money to put the bar on thousands (millions?) of bikes if it actually had no purpose, and/or why they waited until the '09+ frame re-design to get rid of it.
Jeff
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Well, I'm no structural engineer... Having said that, those frame horns look to me as though they're home to the upper shock mounts, which are supporting the entire weight of the rear of the bike, and are secured to the frame at one end and the (effectively rubber mounted) swing arm at the other. I could see where there would be some pretty significant torsional loads on those horns. Since metal fatigue wouldn't happen in a day, I guess I was most worried about what it would do to the frame over the long-term, say 10 years or more, which is why I always left mine on there.
Plus, it's hard for me to see why Harley would spend the money to put the bar on thousands (millions?) of bikes if it actually had no purpose, and/or why they waited until the '09+ frame re-design to get rid of it.
Jeff
Plus, it's hard for me to see why Harley would spend the money to put the bar on thousands (millions?) of bikes if it actually had no purpose, and/or why they waited until the '09+ frame re-design to get rid of it.
Jeff
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,471
Likes: 2,998
From: Charleston, SC
Shocks induce a vertical load. Grab bar would address horizontal (if any).
Look at all the old FLH's. No grab bars.
Done with the subject. Ya'll have fun.
lp
Look at all the old FLH's. No grab bars.
Done with the subject. Ya'll have fun.
lp
Last edited by lp; Sep 18, 2009 at 12:41 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,939
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From: TX
i was considering removing it from my 08 sg, but the bike is black, so powdercoating the wrap around rail black would make it disappear, as the chrome one does stick out like a sore thumb. it is there for a reason, i'm sure that it does have some structural effect with tying the upper rear ends of the frame together. i can see how it may detract from the handling, so this winter i'll just get mine powdercoated black.
