Hi all. It's been a while since I've seen a thread about how to adjust the angle of the driver backrest so it doesn't feel like I'm straddling the gas tank.

I remember some people used pennies and others bent the bars but I can't find the old thread for it.

Does anyone have a link to that old thread they can send me? I have already tried the search option with no luck.

Thanks in advance.

 

At 6'7'' I had the same problem with my 04 Road King...I fixed the problem by removing the bracket...putting it in a vise and cutting out enough material so that I could bend the box portion of the bracket back until it's angle was vertical (instead of angled toward the handlebars). Then I spot welded it in the areas I cut it.. about 2 hours work.... Now my backrest slides strait down into the bracket.. This is how it should have been designed in the first place......works great....good luck

 

I'm giving up on mine and going to the adjustable backrest. I've tried to make the non-adjustable one work without success. I think bending the vertical supports might be the only answer. If the adjustable one doesn't work for me I may try the bending method. If it does work I'm going to sell the non-adjustable one.

 

I have the Harley adjustable backrest, and it is great! I know this is not any help on modifying the fixed backrest, but I think you'll love this set up much better and you can adjust on the fly.

 

Definitely get the adjustable one, its pricey but waayyy worth it. Don't tell HD how good it is cause they may charge more for it.

 

+1 on the adjustable. The non adjustable was way to forward with my sundowner. I went with the adjustable and it's like riding a recliner! I love it. I'm 6'2" and all the way backs pretty much reclines me.

 

I have the adjustable one and I still had to "modify" it. I used a vice and a 36" pipe wrench to get it to lean back more. It took a couple of tries to get it where I wanted it.

Good luck and ride safe!