Hello again.
I tried going with a ready-made backrest (BR) from eBay, it looked good enough on the site.
I even messaged the seller trying to insure it would fit my 2006 Honda VTX 1800S, they said it’s a perfect fit, (WRONG).
The bracket they sent did not fit my bike (trike) at all; it was both too short and not wide enough to mount to the fender bolts.
The seat pad seemed to be well made but if mounted between the driver/passenger seats would have pushed me forward a couple of inches. (Not Good)
So, after paying to send the (BR) back to the seller, I figured I might as well make my own.
First, I tell you I did some searches’ on this website looking at comments about (BR), seems everybody likes them, but found nothing on making your own.
Next I also did some searching on the internet, looking at numerous features, configurations and styles.
I knew that I now wanted more than just the basic non-adjustable (BR), I needed adjustments and flexibility to boot.
I could do at home,
with a welder, grinder, drill, tap/die set, spray paint and some other stuff to make the (BR).
I like the rest of you like pictures,
they say it helps prove that you did it, I like to think they might also inspire a few folks to try and do it them self’s.
We are a nation of semi-skilled handymen aren’t we!
Pictures below, show both the raw metal construction (close-ups) and finished (BR) on the bike/trike.
I did end up cutting an inch from the eyelet pivot point and welding the base piece that mounts to the passenger’s pillion pan to fit better.
I also cut 2 inches from the adjustable height piece(s) as initially in the lowest position it was way too high on my back.
The (BR) pad is an eBay item, little smaller than I wanted but beggars can’t be choosers.
So let me know what you think, good or bad, I got big shoulders.
David Hilton
Ret. USN ETC/SS
I tried going with a ready-made backrest (BR) from eBay, it looked good enough on the site.
I even messaged the seller trying to insure it would fit my 2006 Honda VTX 1800S, they said it’s a perfect fit, (WRONG).
The bracket they sent did not fit my bike (trike) at all; it was both too short and not wide enough to mount to the fender bolts.
The seat pad seemed to be well made but if mounted between the driver/passenger seats would have pushed me forward a couple of inches. (Not Good)
So, after paying to send the (BR) back to the seller, I figured I might as well make my own.
First, I tell you I did some searches’ on this website looking at comments about (BR), seems everybody likes them, but found nothing on making your own.
Next I also did some searching on the internet, looking at numerous features, configurations and styles.
I knew that I now wanted more than just the basic non-adjustable (BR), I needed adjustments and flexibility to boot.
I could do at home,
I like the rest of you like pictures,
We are a nation of semi-skilled handymen aren’t we!
Pictures below, show both the raw metal construction (close-ups) and finished (BR) on the bike/trike.
I did end up cutting an inch from the eyelet pivot point and welding the base piece that mounts to the passenger’s pillion pan to fit better.
I also cut 2 inches from the adjustable height piece(s) as initially in the lowest position it was way too high on my back.
The (BR) pad is an eBay item, little smaller than I wanted but beggars can’t be choosers.
So let me know what you think, good or bad, I got big shoulders.
David Hilton
Ret. USN ETC/SS
