So, about 6 months ago I bought a 2011 SG and to make the wife a little more comfy on the back, I threw a backrest on there and went with the 2 point docking hardware for the looks and the fact that I never thought I'd NEED the 4 point kit.

Long story short, we're planning on running to Sturgis this year, and I'm a bit concerned that the 2 bags won't be enough and we aren't exactly rolling in Benjamins. The Kuryakyn bags caught my eye, but I don't have a rack to keep it off the fender. So what I was kinda thinking is some sort of rack that attaches to the backrest, but still is easy to remove for when we get to the rally. I was thinking a simple "U" of some sort that sticks out about 8 inches from the backrest, but I'm having trouble imagining just how to attach it.

Any ideas? Or has someone else done this in the past?

 

Went through the same thing with my sg. Never could find a rack that attached to sissy bar. Had to go 4 pt.

 

I say spend the $160 on the new docking hardware... sell the old for $80 and be done with it. Trying to make something and get it to fit and look right, then paying to powdercoat or chrome it... further ahead to break out the wallet. They make docking hardware cover kits in black and chrome to cover the second set when not in use...

http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US

 

Just a thought, what if you removed the backrest pad mounting bracket and replaced it with some flat stock 6-8" wide that was bent at a 90' angle.

 

So remove the passenger backrest all together? Nah. I'm taking the wife with me.

And it might come down to that, buying new hardware. But ontop of the hardware, there's the whole having to buy the rack as well.

 

I think you are stuck and will just have to bite the bullet and buy a 4 point docking hardware plus a rack. I know what it is like on a service members salary and times can be tight. You just need to budget the parts into your plans. Do you have a LARGE bag yet? They cost $250-300 too. Good luck.

 

Nah, but I found a barely used one on Ebay for under $100.

 

Holy cow! $200+ for the rack alone?! That's highway robbery! For what it'd cost me to buy the 4 point hardware, rack, and bag I can add a custom tour pak.
*sigh*
But how do I convince the boss of that one? haha

 

I used my stuff sack and a couple straps around it but ran straps between backrest and mount plate. Gave me 7 days worth of stuff

 

Also, you could get the saddlebag rails to mount stuff to