Removeable Tourpack rattled...
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 7
From: Keene, CA
Removeable Tourpack rattled...
I have a '07 Road Glide that I added a king tourpack to about two years ago. The HD hardware was a bit sloppy, so I ordered a set of bushings from a guy here on HDF. His are machined aluminum, and were superior to the HD bushings, but were getting progressively sloppier as time and miles went by. Took the time this week to really get down to the problem. The tourpack was to the point where there was over 1/2" of vertical play at the back edge. I found that the steel TP mounting bracket had worn slots in the front bushings, so I rotated the bushings 90 degrees to get to "fresh" areas - which reduced the slop/play considerably, but did not eliminate it. Moving to the rear bushings, I found negligable wear, but still some play. Rotating the rear bushings did not reduce the play, so off to the metal yard I went. $3 got me a foot of 1" solid aluminum bar stock, and home to my recently acquired 1950s lathe I went. I quickly produced two new rear bushings that measured .008-.010" larger in diameter than the rear bushings on the bike. Changed them out and VOILA! - no more slop! Grandson says the rear seat is much more comfortable now that the tourpack doesn't bounce around....
I believe the rear bushings had just enough play in them to allow the movement that wore the fronts, and the wear should be greatly reduced. If that proves incorrect, I'm going to try using a different material than aluminum for the bushings. In fact, I've already ordered a different material and will be experimenting soon....and will keep you posted.
Sorry, didn't take any pictures.....
I believe the rear bushings had just enough play in them to allow the movement that wore the fronts, and the wear should be greatly reduced. If that proves incorrect, I'm going to try using a different material than aluminum for the bushings. In fact, I've already ordered a different material and will be experimenting soon....and will keep you posted.
Sorry, didn't take any pictures.....
Last edited by 2011 Road Glide Ultra; Apr 2, 2010 at 07:22 PM.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 7
From: Keene, CA
It seems that HD's quality control isn't really tight on the detachable hardware - the slots on the racks vary. I was able to machine mine to fit - and there is a couple thousandths difference in the two sides....
The '09s and '10s use a different system, with a replaceable plastic piece in the rack.
The ones I made are custom-fit versions of Gilbos' (http://my.att.net/p/s/community.dll?...geid=310473&ck), which were the ones I purchased. Gilbos has to make his to fit the smallest slot HD's suppliers send out the door, so they are a bit loose on some racks - not his fault, as if he made them to fit the wider slot, you couldn't mount a narrow-slotted rack at all! Anytime you get steel moving against aluminum, steel wins. That's why mine got looser over time and miles. They were on since May '08.
The '09s and '10s use a different system, with a replaceable plastic piece in the rack.
The ones I made are custom-fit versions of Gilbos' (http://my.att.net/p/s/community.dll?...geid=310473&ck), which were the ones I purchased. Gilbos has to make his to fit the smallest slot HD's suppliers send out the door, so they are a bit loose on some racks - not his fault, as if he made them to fit the wider slot, you couldn't mount a narrow-slotted rack at all! Anytime you get steel moving against aluminum, steel wins. That's why mine got looser over time and miles. They were on since May '08.
Last edited by 2011 Road Glide Ultra; Apr 2, 2010 at 07:24 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
From: winter spring,fl
I could not see paying HD all that money for 2 pieces of metal. I just bent a peice of aluminum for the mount. Cut a slot facing forward in the front for the shock bolts and down in the back for the middle hole between where the 4 point mount goes. Used a 1 1/4" copper pipe for a spacer to keep the mount from scratching the chrome. Works great & pull the 2 plugs I made for the lights & speakers lossen up the 4 bolts & its off. Takes me a few minutes longer but cost me a total of 34 bucks with the plugs. If I ever take it off again I will take some pics. Works great for my 09 street glide. Have it setup for solo.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
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From: Indian Land, SC
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Just Outside Chicago
I for one have Gilbos mounts and have never had a problem...BUT thats just me....Maybe Bobbie could make them larger for you!!! This is news to me....something i will watch out for....We spend enough for this SHIOT it should be right and dependable... Thanks for the heads up...
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
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From: Bay Area
I had the same issue after one of my swedged bolts that hold the lock fell out somewhere between here and Colorado. So I had to buy a used backrest for $60 bucks to get a swedged bolt cuz HD doesnt sell them, then I paid about for $48 for new bushings, only to find that I could rotate them 90*, so far it still works.
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,352
Likes: 7
From: Keene, CA
I for one have Gilbos mounts and have never had a problem...BUT thats just me....Maybe Bobbie could make them larger for you!!! This is news to me....something i will watch out for....We spend enough for this SHIOT it should be right and dependable... Thanks for the heads up...
