Tour Pack Relocation
kudos to George!!
George _ USA
If it makes a difference.
Joe
Remove the tour pack hardware and once loose, flop it forward and lay it on the seat - be careful not to stretch the wiring too much. Cut the flat stock so that it will overlap the original mounting holes in the rack and then add whatever you feel you want to add to move the pack rearward - I cant say for sure but I think mine are 13 inches. I did 2 1/2 inches overhang because if you move it too much, your pillion will slide off the back of the seat or have to lean too far back, which is uncomfortable. Lay the two pieces of cut flat stock on the rack making sure to measure for square and parallel, then mark the holes from underneath using the rack holes.
Drill 5/16th holes (gives extra room for error) at the 4 spots you marked. Chamfer one side of each hole so that the flat screws lay flush. The flat screws set in from the top. Use a washer on the bottom of each screw and against the rack and then tighten the nuts on. At this point you should have the factory rack with two parallel pieces of flat stock firmly bolted to it and about 2 1/2 inches of overhang towards the back.
Place the Tour Pack on the rack and slide it to the desired position - 1 to 2 inches rearward (or more if you really want, but you will need to use longer pieces of flat stock). Make sure it is even and mark the flat stock using the factory holes in the tour pack.
Flop the tour pack forward again and drill the 4 - 5/16ths holes in the flat stock that you marked.
Put the tourpack back on and using the remaining hex bolts and hardware, bolt it down. Check for proper alignment and stability. Once it's where you want it and all looks good, take it all apart, file the rough corners of the flat stock, wipe it down with acetone, prime and paint. I use Rustoleum "hammer finish" because it looks decent and holds up well - not that you'll ever see it anyway. I put a wide piece of high density foam to absorb vibration between the flat stock and the tour pack. I also installed nylon washers between the flat stock and the oem rack. Maybe overkill but it has been flawless for over 10k miles.
The end result is a very stable low mount adapter that is adjustable as you care to make it. It sounds like a long process, but it really took me very little time to do it. There is no flex at all and comfort for the passenger is greatly enhanced.
Pocket the $165 bucks you saved for something harder to make in your garage like highway pegs or a nice windshield.
Last edited by nevada72; Jan 29, 2012 at 10:37 PM.
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
Remove the tour pack hardware and once loose, flop it forward and lay it on the seat - be careful not to stretch the wiring too much. Cut the flat stock so that it will overlap the original mounting holes in the rack and then add whatever you feel you want to add to move the pack rearward - I cant say for sure but I think mine are 13 inches. I did 2 1/2 inches overhang because if you move it too much, your pillion will slide off the back of the seat or have to lean too far back, which is uncomfortable. Lay the two pieces of cut flat stock on the rack making sure to measure for square and parallel, then mark the holes from underneath using the rack holes.
Drill 5/16th holes (gives extra room for error) at the 4 spots you marked. Chamfer one side of each hole so that the flat screws lay flush. The flat screws set in from the top. Use a washer on the bottom of each screw and against the rack and then tighten the nuts on. At this point you should have the factory rack with two parallel pieces of flat stock firmly bolted to it and about 2 1/2 inches of overhang towards the back.
Place the Tour Pack on the rack and slide it to the desired position - 1 to 2 inches rearward (or more if you really want, but you will need to use longer pieces of flat stock). Make sure it is even and mark the flat stock using the factory holes in the tour pack.
Flop the tour pack forward again and drill the 4 - 5/16ths holes in the flat stock that you marked.
Put the tourpack back on and using the remaining hex bolts and hardware, bolt it down. Check for proper alignment and stability. Once it's where you want it and all looks good, take it all apart, file the rough corners of the flat stock, wipe it down with acetone, prime and paint. I use Rustoleum "hammer finish" because it looks decent and holds up well - not that you'll ever see it anyway. I put a wide piece of high density foam to absorb vibration between the flat stock and the tour pack. I also installed nylon washers between the flat stock and the oem rack. Maybe overkill but it has been flawless for over 10k miles.
The end result is a very stable low mount adapter that is adjustable as you care to make it. It sounds like a long process, but it really took me very little time to do it. There is no flex at all and comfort for the passenger is greatly enhanced.
Pocket the $165 bucks you saved for something harder to make in your garage like highway pegs or a nice windshield.
Thank you for that info.....!!!
later
John








