Going TOPLESS

[BOXX3R]

A couple of weeks ago I had taken the top box off to install a Lil Piece of Trim and really liked how the trike looked with no top box. I wished that Harley made a rack that mounted into the same holes as the top box does, and like magic a member (SEAlaskan) came up with a part number for a rack that fits and was offered for the FLHXXX 2010-2011 Tri- Glide. From Harley they were $299, but sadly are no longer available. I got lucky and found one on ebay for just $99, and it was brand new still in the box.

I don't plan to run topless all of the time because that top box is just so damn convenient. But on occasion I would like to show off the slimmed down wide glide so I devised a way with an electric hoist to lift the top box off the bike and lower it back down onto a rolling cart. Then when I want to put the top box back, on I lift it off the cart with the hoist and drop it back down into the holes. It is not super heavy, but it is a bit awkward trying to drop the box into the holes without scratching the body.

The rack came yesterday so today I stripped down and went TOPLESS. It came with 6 5/16" allen head bolts to screw into the rack from underneath the trunk top. But I like the idea of studs like the top box has, so I got 6 5/16" lag bolts and cut the heads off and to length, then I will blue locktite them into the rack to make the switcheroo/install a little bit easier and use ny-lock nuts on the underside of the trunk.

Now from behind she looks like.......BEYONCE
Black, wide and easy to ride epper:

 

[Sully]

Looks Great and looks like a Bigger Freewheeler ThumbUp

 

[jc1300]

Looks Great and looks like a Bigger Freewheeler ThumbUp

LOL - I was thinking the same thing! And to be honest, it's a better looking and functional "Freewheeler" too

Cool - jc

 

[RcSuD]

Definately gives it a new look, I like it. Don't think the bob will like it tho. Offered to get her her own new trike, but nope, she likes being a passenger.

 

[Recall]

Nice work. It looks really nice without the trunk. If only there was a way to mount a passenger backrest :Shrug: We could have the best of both worlds.

 

[Gorilla]

makes you wonder why the FLXXX didn't sell better.

 

[Darth]

Looks good!

 

[BOXX3R]

Nice work. It looks really nice without the trunk. If only there was a way to mount a passenger backrest :Shrug: We could have the best of both worlds.

Apparently Harley did make a rider backrest that mounted to the rack through these two big button head bolts, and I believe is sadly also no longer available new. There are pics of the back rest in the thread linked below in post #199.

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/14121-Post-Your-Harley-Trike-Pics/page20

 

[tbear]

A couple of weeks ago I had taken the top box off to install a Lil Piece of Trim and really liked how the trike looked with no top box. I wished that Harley made a rack that mounted into the same holes as the top box does, and like magic a member (SEAlaskan) came up with a part number for a rack that fits and was offered for the FLHXXX 2010-2011 Tri- Glide. From Harley they were $299, but sadly are no longer available. I got lucky and found one on ebay for just $99, and it was brand new still in the box.

I don't plan to run topless all of the time because that top box is just so damn convenient. But on occasion I would like to show off the slimmed down wide glide so I devised a way with an electric hoist to lift the top box off the bike and lower it back down onto a rolling cart. Then when I want to put the top box back, on I lift it off the cart with the hoist and drop it back down into the holes. It is not super heavy, but it is a bit awkward trying to drop the box into the holes without scratching the body.

The rack came yesterday so today I stripped down and went TOPLESS. It came with 6 5/16" allen head bolts to screw into the rack from underneath the trunk top. But I like the idea of studs like the top box has, so I got 6 5/16" lag bolts and cut the heads off and to length, then I will blue locktite them into the rack to make the switcheroo/install a little bit easier and use ny-lock nuts on the underside of the trunk.

Now from behind she looks like.......BEYONCE
Black, wide and easy to ride epper:

I THINK YOU STARTED SOMETHING-HERE!!ThumbUp

 

[GoSlo]

I love this look as an option. Wonder what the weight limits are for loading the rack? Maybe more than on the tourpak?

 

[BOXX3R]

I love this look as an option. Wonder what the weight limits are for loading the rack? Maybe more than on the tourpak?

The rack is super beefy solid 3/4" bar stock as opposed to the Tour-Pak rack which is 1/2" tubing. I am sure the rack itself could hold Beyonce, JayZ and Chris Christe. The trunk roof would likely fail before the rack would.

 

[alienwulf]

Like the new look. Bike has a low mean look to it, very nice. ThumbUp

 

[56Elwood]

Nice job! THAT'S what the Freewheeler should look like!:clapping:

 

[BinIdaho]

How did you remove the antennas and wiring for the CB/Radio? Good job but not so good if you have/had a passenger!

 

[BOXX3R]

How did you remove the antennas and wiring for the CB/Radio? Good job but not so good if you have/had a passenger!

The 2015 Tri-Glide does not come with a CB, nor have I felt the need to install one. I simply replaced the one tall antenna on the top box with two shortys to make it have a more balanced look. I left the antennas on the top box when I removed it and just unplugged the radio antenna connection and the speaker connection along with the top box lights. So going topless means I also have no radio to listen too. IF I was going to keep the top box off most of the time I would figure a way to mount some sort of an auxiliary antenna. And IF I end up with a passenger I will try and find one of those rack mounted back rests.

Most of the time I will ride with the top box on, as it is just too convenient for storing all of the daily essentials like wallet, sun screen, a few tools, paperwork, helmet and whatever else I need for a ride. But on occasion, when I feel the need to show off like for a big motorcycle gathering such as Born Free, I will slim down and go TOPLESS. I can live without a radio for the day.

 

[jc1300]

I would figure a way to mount some sort of an auxiliary antenna. And IF I end up with a passenger I will try and find one of those rack mounted back rests.

Most of the time I will ride with the top box on, as it is just too convenient for storing all of the daily essentials like wallet, sun screen, a few tools, paperwork, helmet and whatever else I need for a ride. But on occasion, when I feel the need to show off like for a big motorcycle gathering such as Born Free, I will slim down and go TOPLESS. I can live without a radio for the day.

Or just have the internal {Inside Fairing} antenna installed. Some believe it's not as good as the box mounted, but I never had an issue unless I was really really in the middle of nowhere...jc

 

[Fearless]

May want speakersto plug in

I'm not sure but you may want to get small bullet type speakers so you don't damage the stereo with rear unplugged. I do not know if those rear unplugged would cause problems or not, but years ago I trashed a Sony head unit not having everything hooked up as needed. just sayin may want to check. :Shrug: ride safely fearless

 

[BOXX3R]

Convertable

Maybe I wasn't clear. To me this is kind of like having a sports car with a removable hard top that you can remove and store in the garage when you want to go topless. I am only going to go without the top box on occasion, and when I do I will forgo the radio.

IF I decided to go without the top box on a more permanent basis I would get an internal antenna as suggested, and look into maybe mounting a pair of speakers on the front of the 1/4 panels.

 

[gerald martin]

topless

I have the rack and the backrest that fits it. I no longer have my flxxx but kept the rack I live in Canada. if any one wants to buy it give me an offer
martingw@telus.net

 

[DocnLou]

I removed the box and lowers on my 13 TG in Texas last fall. had no issues playing cd's thru front speakers all winter...about 9000 mi. There is a switch to turn off rear speakers near the cruise power switch.
managed to find a flhxxx rack. looks great as others have said. No bob, so no issue.

 

[Texan]

I have wanted to do this since the day I bought my '13 TG.... Have owned 4 Ultras and the first think I did was make the tour-pak detachable. As so many have indicated, found out real early that the parts for the flxxx have been discontinued.

BUT this might go the way of the StreetGlide. Harley saw that all of us were pulling out Ultra tour-paks off so they brought out the StreetGlide and started selling the tour-pak separately for more $$$$$$.. than if you'd bought an Ultra.

Now the hunt begins AGAIN.....!!!!! Does anybody have the HD part numbers for the rack and back rest ???

8~\o

 

[Steve on 3]

Awesome look and job. Makes the Tri look really sporty. Since most of my riding is 2 up, I doubt the Bob would go for no tourpack for her stuff or no rack. I do like the look of it though and as Fuzzy said, it shoud change the handling because of a lowered center of gravity.

Steve

 

[hardriderbabe]

topless

Hey there!

I saw an old post of going topless on the trike. I have a 2010 Ultra Tri Glide and want to remove to the tour pack, what is the part number of the luggage rack with the back rest? Hopefully I'll get lucky and find one.

Thank you, be safe!

Twohands

 

[Trampas]

Not as bad looking as I thought and I agree, best of both worlds

All for now Trampas

 

[Longbeard71]

I like the look but sure would miss the storage even around town. I am not to sure about lifting the tour pak by the rack. Looks like that would put a lot of strain on the lid.