Harley Riders Backrest
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From: Vermont
Harley Riders Backrest
I just purchased and installed a Harley non adjustable riders backrest for my FLHX. Can anyone who is about my height 6', and has one of the non adjustable types, tell me which holes you used on the mount counting from front of the mount to the back? I used what the instructions showed which was the second to the last set of holes from front to back. I'm hoping I can get use to the Harley back rest? I definately need one and have rode with them on my other bikes, but never a Harley version. I bought the Comfort Stitch. It is pretty large looking on my otherwise clean bike and it seems to either force me to sit very straight (a good thing) or it could be that its pushing me forward?
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From: Coastal Carolina
Depends on what seat you have. When I got my TallBoy Seat the bracket position for the stock seat did what you are describing and pushed me forward, so that I felt I couldn't move my butt all the way back on the seat. I moved the bracket all the way back, which made it line up with the slit in the seat through which the backrest fits and now it is comfortable. Look through the slit and see if the bracket is right there. If not, adjust accordingly.
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From: Vermont
Depends on what seat you have. When I got my TallBoy Seat the bracket position for the stock seat did what you are describing and pushed me forward, so that I felt I couldn't move my butt all the way back on the seat. I moved the bracket all the way back, which made it line up with the slit in the seat through which the backrest fits and now it is comfortable. Look through the slit and see if the bracket is right there. If not, adjust accordingly.
I have a stock FLHX 2011 seat on my 2010 because I liked the later seat better. The bracket lines up with the seat slot so I guess that means it is where it is intended to be. If I push the bracket back farther, the riders backrest will be pushing on the back of the seat slot. I guess I'll have to see if I get use to being pushed forward. Haven't ridden with it yet as I just installed it last night. Raining today!
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Wisconsin
I have the stock deat on my 09 and I needed to move the backrest bracket as far back as it will go in order to not feel like it is pushing me onto the tank. It does however put alot of pressure on the seat but at least it is comfortable for me in this position.
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From: Vermont
Thanks for the insight. I'll probably end up moving it back a few holes at least.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: ST. Louis
You do know there is an Allen screw you adjust also for front to back movment once it's on the bike?
It's on the back of the pad, near the bottom.
It's on the back of the pad, near the bottom.
Last edited by Texas Fat Boy; Jul 16, 2012 at 08:22 AM.
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I tried installing mine all the way to the back, but couldn't get the backrest installed through the seat. So i went with one hole closer and now its doable, barely. I did find that since the bracket is at an angle the backrest goes farther back if it is installed at the lowest height position. Also adjust the bolt in the backrest so it isn't pushing forward at all. I am 6' and it is comfortable at this position
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From: Vermont
Yeah, that didn't seem to do much of anything.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Rochester N.Y.
I purchased a non adjustable setup for my old bike (06 FLHT) and fabbed a bracket to mount it on my 09 Ultra.
On both bikes , and I'm pretty short , with back problems , I had to bend the backrest legs in a 20 ton press to get the proper angle to start the fitting procedure.
The allen screw I used for a final tune for the angle when I got really close.
I had to mount mine at the second closest holes to make it forward , for me.
The angle was poor so I bent the legs so it angled back more.
If you bend it too far , the adjustment screw will bring it back some.
Spend some time getting it right , it's worth it for sure.
If you mount the backrest to the bottom of the main mount , it will move back and down.
As you get to the top hole , it gets higher and more forward.
So you have 4 possible settings for the main mount (forward and back), 3 for height , and a screw for angle.
I fudged the angle pretty bad once and installed fender washers under the rear of the main bracket to tweak it back some.
It's a pain , but it's worth it when you get it right.
I would buy a mustang next time though.....
Mick
On both bikes , and I'm pretty short , with back problems , I had to bend the backrest legs in a 20 ton press to get the proper angle to start the fitting procedure.
The allen screw I used for a final tune for the angle when I got really close.
I had to mount mine at the second closest holes to make it forward , for me.
The angle was poor so I bent the legs so it angled back more.
If you bend it too far , the adjustment screw will bring it back some.
Spend some time getting it right , it's worth it for sure.
If you mount the backrest to the bottom of the main mount , it will move back and down.
As you get to the top hole , it gets higher and more forward.
So you have 4 possible settings for the main mount (forward and back), 3 for height , and a screw for angle.
I fudged the angle pretty bad once and installed fender washers under the rear of the main bracket to tweak it back some.
It's a pain , but it's worth it when you get it right.
I would buy a mustang next time though.....
Mick