Grab strap

[Blueraven]

I’ve got a grab strap on my Heritage and the Wife misses it on the Freewheeler.

Anyone know if one can be mounted and if so where to get it from?

I can always just get some leather and figure something out but I’d prefer something that is pre-made for this application.

And no the grab handles are not an option.

Been there and done that.

 

[rhino 2]

I’ve got a grab strap on my Heritage and the Wife misses it on the Freewheeler.

Anyone know if one can be mounted and if so where to get it from?

I can always just get some leather and figure something out but I’d prefer something that is pre-made for this application.

And no the grab handles are not an option.

Been there and done that.

Amazon… Shop…Grab straps for motorcycles…

 

[Blueraven]

Amazon… Shop…Grab straps for motorcycles…

I looked on Amazon and there are some options there but not anything like what’s on my heritage which is a decent leather strap

 

[priell3]

I know what you mean about the Heritage passenger strap.

A sturdy leather bolted under the seat where a rider backrest would mount should work.

 

[JTJersey]

I've been looking into this myself. After taking the seat off the base looks thick enough to use a couple of screws and attach a grab strap of some sort. Can't bolt it to the frame you wouldn't be able to get the seat on or off. Harley doesn't appear to have made any provisions for a strap under the seat so it would be solely an improvised deal. I like the idea though. I don't ride anybody and have no need of a passenger back rest or the side hand holds. The strap would work in a pinch if necessary and clean the back end of the trike up. If I come up with anything I'll post back.

 

[JTJersey]

I did see that Harley does make a couple of seats that fit the Freewheeler and come with the strap. Don't know if it's worth spending $400 for seat to get a strap, but somebody may have a dealers parts book that may list it as a repair/replace item.

 

[Jack Klarich]

I did see that Harley does make a couple of seats that fit the Freewheeler and come with the strap. Don't know if it's worth spending $400 for seat to get a strap, but somebody may have a dealers parts book that may list it as a repair/replace item.

View attachment 106886

Yeah JT, I dunno about that, what I know is bagger seats will fit a Freewheeler, BUT the bagger seats that use a passenger grab strap attach to the side plates on the fender of a bagger via a docking set up. I have a Roadking seat on my Freewheeler, there is no provision for a grab strap, nothing on the seat pan to attach it to See # 20 here, you will not see it in your picture in your post, it is covered up by the saddle bag lid

 

[JTJersey]

Bummer. Hard to tell if the strap would be long enough to wrap under the frame of the factory Freewheeler seat. If it were long enough a couple of rivets and one large flat headed screw (I happen to have both) would secure it to the seat frame. That's how the strap on the P-Pad of my Triumph Storm was attached. If I could just get some strap that looked like the factory one I'd buy it just to try it. I know the strap would need to be at least 28" long to have enough to work with.

 

[rhino 2]

Bummer. Hard to tell if the strap would be long enough to wrap under the frame of the factory Freewheeler seat. If it were long enough a couple of rivets and one large flat headed screw (I happen to have both) would secure it to the seat frame. That's how the strap on the P-Pad of my Triumph Storm was attached. If I could just get some strap that looked like the factory one I'd buy it just to try it. I know the strap would need to be at least 28" long to have enough to work with.

View attachment 106890

How bout a thick black mens belt..AKA; Garrison belt..?

 

[PosseRider]

Bummer. Hard to tell if the strap would be long enough to wrap under the frame of the factory Freewheeler seat. If it were long enough a couple of rivets and one large flat headed screw (I happen to have both) would secure it to the seat frame. That's how the strap on the P-Pad of my Triumph Storm was attached. If I could just get some strap that looked like the factory one I'd buy it just to try it. I know the strap would need to be at least 28" long to have enough to work with.

View attachment 106890

I may have one (if I didn't throw it out) will look in a couple hrs. If I still have it,yours for ship. Removed from one of my 2 wheelers. I believe it screwed on underside of seat.

 

[Morton]

I would think any old fashioned shoe repair shop could fab one for your that would look great and you could attach it to the seat pan.

Morton

 

[priell3]

Still too cold to ride so I went out in the garage and grabbed an old belt.

With the stock seat, you'll need a least 24 inches of strap (start long, trim to fit later). Use the mounting points under the seat (yellow circles where Grasshopper backrest receiver is mounted).

It should position the grab strap like this, just behind the slot for the rider backrest.

That is a 1.5" leather belt in my example. One inch would be perfect. You could probably find a good leather, sacrificial belt in a thrift store for just a few bucks.

 

[PosseRider]

I may have one (if I didn't throw it out) will look in a couple hrs. If I still have it,yours for ship. Removed from one of my 2 wheelers. I believe it screwed on underside of seat.

Guess I threw it out,, can't find it.

 

[JTJersey]

Still too cold to ride so I went out in the garage and grabbed an old belt. With the stock seat, you'll need a least 24 inches of strap (start long, trim to fit later). Use the mounting points under the seat (yellow circles where Grasshopper backrest receiver is mounted).

How would you take the seat on and off?

 

[priell3]

How would you take the seat on and off?

Leave the buckle on!

If there is enough slack in the strap you should be able to slide the seat back just enough to disengage the front of the seat I would think.

 

[JTJersey]

So I found these guys: https://dmleatherstudio.com/collections/leather-strap-belt and went ahead and ordered the 1" x 39" black leather strap for $11 and change.



If I get it to work I'll post a couple of pics. I was also looking at this site: https://toughapparel.com/products/black-leather-strap which actually looked closer to the stitching on the Harley strap, but it's a bit pricey and it appears to have a logo stamped into it. We'll see how the first one goes first.

 

[JTJersey]

Apparently the FXE Breakout had a strap just like my Triumph Speedmaster. Looks like it attaches underneath the seat pan, or could. They don't give any specs on it for length, but if the black leather strap I ordered doesn't look right I might try that next. I can return it if it's a no go.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Apparently the FXE Breakout had a strap just like my Triumph Speedmaster. Looks like it attaches underneath the seat pan, or could. They don't give any specs on it for length, but if the black leather strap I ordered doesn't look right I might try that next. I can return it if it's a no go.

View attachment 106928 View attachment 106929

You might try these type nuts on the seat pan, cut a slot slide it in and drill a hole

 

[JTJersey]

Found this on eBay for $11 and $4 shipping. It's 29 1/4" long, plenty to work with. It's apparently for an '82 an up XL according to the HD instruction sheet that came with it. I positioned it and taped it to seat bottom for planning. There's plenty of thick plastic in that area and should have no problem getting a solid mounting. This is doable, but I'm in no rush to do anything right now.

 

[JTJersey]

Finally had some weather where I wasn't freezing my hands off in my garage and screwed the Sportster strap I got to the seat pan. All good. Looks like the pics I posted previously so no sense in posting again. The idea being to remove the grab handles. Took off the right side grab handle first and was dissapointed to find the back part of the handle had imprinted itself into the paint and no amount of polishing was going to remove it. Not going to repaint the bike for this project so I put it back on. Oh well. Not that big a deal. Left the strap on for the time being. Doesn't look out of place so no need to do anything about it right now. It was still fun wrenching on the bike even if it wasn't productive.

 

[Blueraven]

I think I may have figured out a way to install a seat strap.

I simply notched out an old belt and slide it over the side covers mounting plugs.

Not road tested yet but it seems pretty secure.

I simply used an old brown leather belt for the strap.

I might take an old black leather belt and make another strap for when the sheepskin cover is not on.

 

[priell3]

I think I may have figured out a way to install a seat strap.

I simply notched out an old belt and slide it over the side covers mounting plugs.

Not road tested yet but it seems pretty secure.

I simply used an old brown leather belt for the strap.

I might take an old black leather belt and make another strap for when the sheepskin cover is not on.

View attachment 108725View attachment 108726View attachment 108727

Interesting, but I would be concerned about the strength of those plugs and their attachment to the panels.

 

[Blueraven]

Interesting, but I would be concerned about the strength of those plugs and their attachment to the panels.

Perhaps, however it’s a Freewheeler not a bucking bronco.

 

[rhino 2]

Perhaps, however it’s a Freewheeler not a bucking bronco.

I’m assuming that strap/grab handle is mostly for cosmetic reasons…And not for a passenger to hold on to..?

 

[paws]

Just curious… are the passenger grab handles on this bike not in an appropriate position for one to grasp? The pic looks like they are there.

For me it would be an ordeal to try to very quickly get my fingers around that strap…probably risk turning a fingernail backwards in the process.. even wearing gloves.

 

[Blueraven]

Just curious… are the passenger grab handles on this bike not in an appropriate position for one to grasp? The pic looks like they are there.

For me it would be an ordeal to try to very quickly get my fingers around that strap…probably risk turning a fingernail backwards in the process.. even wearing gloves.

As mention in the opening post we have the grab strap on our Heritage and the Wife has gotten used to hanging on to it.

On the Heritage when going through corners the Wife likes to grab the strap for added support/security.

On the Freewheeler it’s more of a habit thing than a support/security thing.

The side grab handles work just fine but she misses the grab strap so I figured I’ll find a way to add one.

We had pretty much given up putting one on until I got a sheep skin cover a couple of weeks ago.

Even though the sheep skin cover has straps securing it to the seat, I found when riding solo the wind gets under the passenger part of the cover and it starts to flap somewhat hence the reason to revisit adding a grab strap.

Once I figured out how to install the grab strap the “cover flapping” was taken care of.

I’ve got the strap somewhat loosely installed so getting your hands around it even with gloves on is not an issue.

Like I stated on the Freewheeler it’s really not a support/security thing however the way it’s installed it certainly seems pretty strong to me.

 

[paws]

I usually drive my own but have recently been passenger for a short ride on a trike with a slick leather passenger seat that does not have grab handles or a grab-strap. Believe me… the knee-squeezing alone is not enough to comfortably ride that passenger seat… I would have opted for even a grab-strap… hugging the driver was not an option with both of us wearing helmets.

 

[Blueraven]

with a slick leather passenger seat that does not have grab handles or a grab-strap knee-squeezing alone is not enough to comfortably ride that passenger seat

You hit the nail on the head.

I spoke with my Wife and your assessment above is the primary reason she likes the grab strap.

The grab handles work but after riding on a Heritage with a grab strap for many years she just prefers that method of ass sliding prevention. :laugh:

She also stated it would help if I learned how to brake more smoothly!!!!!!

 

[priell3]

Install the passenger armrest that attaches to the backrest for added security.

http://www.motorcyclereararmrest.com

 

[Peter A.]

Grap handle

I usually drive my own but have recently been passenger for a short ride on a trike with a slick leather passenger seat that does not have grab handles or a grab-strap. Believe me… the knee-squeezing alone is not enough to comfortably ride that passenger seat… I would have opted for even a grab-strap… hugging the driver was not an option with both of us wearing helmets.

I had the opportunity to ride behind my Wife on her trike recently and I had PLENTY to grab onto……….

Pete. :laugh: