New project, riders back rest

[dirtdobber]

After doing a lot of research I could not find but one back rest mount for the freewheeler.

HD carries just the mount but it's over $240. It is a good one, had one on my ultra like it. I just could not bring myself to spend that kind of money for just a mount.

I found some good photos and instructions to it. Designed my own. They really did a over kill on the mount for the trikes. All the bolts and brackets, all I could say was wow.

Got it to the testing stage tonight, still got some fine tuning to do. I made my own for both my Dyna bikes and they fit me like a glove.

I will post up some photos of the construction of it tomorrow. Had to knock off, my bad leg went out unexpectedly and I fell with my metal cutting grinder got me in the index finger so Had to fix that up. Got me real good. The cutting blades on a grinder will cut you quick an deep.

I'll be good in the morning.

It's best for me to add a description with photos than to try to explain with out photos.

Feels good.



You can see it is a little crooked. Doesn't matter the BR itself floats a shade to fit your back better.

I made it simple but has good strength and the mount is easy on/easy off if need be.

 

[dirtdobber]

After a good ride today I got started back to finish it. The back portion of the female mount for the brace gave me a fit. I will not weld on a bike unless the battery is removed and the ecm is removed. Doesn't take a slight ground problem when welding it will fry the battery and ecm all at once.

So I had to do it the hard way, make and weld reinstall bend for fitment and then reinstall and do it again until I get it aligned. My back problem is in my lower back, L1-L5 or S1 group so the back rest has to be low, almost touching the seat. That is where I get my relief. Made it too tall at first and had to take out 2.75 inches to get the BR low enough.I got so wrapped up in my work getting it to fit I forgot to take photos. The paint will be dry in the morning. I can get some photos.

It was rather easy to do but time consuming.

 

[dirtdobber]

photos



Finished.

Fits me great. My back is in good shape now, no more straining to reach the bars and keeping me back bent.

I added a 1.75 inch off set to push the Back rest forward. This is very solid. Only movement is in the BR pad. I used nylon bushings for the swivel. This gives a floating you might say so it fits your back no matter what position you are in. About 1/4 inch over all movement.

Beats paying over $240 just for a mount. Invested is $3.86 for the nylon bushings and 2 bolts. It's made from scrap and 3.5 hours work.

I am happy with my results.

Now to start on something else.

 

[pcombe]

Its amazing what we can do when we need to. I built one off items for my trike too.

 

[dirtdobber]

I would rather make my own stuff. That way I know it will fit me.
I can't ride below 50 degrees due to all the metal I have holding me together. LOL So I make things at times to have something to do.
At 30 degrees I have to stay inside or experience a lot of pain.
Fixing to start on a back rest mount for my wife. I will use the HD br pad. It will look factory, hopefully, but be 3 inches taller with a 1.5 inch off set to move the pad backwards for more room and more comfort for her.
That will take a while to get all the bends to match. The lock will be kinda simple, just need a groove at the bottom.
Having a hard time finding 3/4 inch round stock. I am finding just about every size but 3/4 inch.

 

[pcombe]

I would rather make my own stuff. That way I know it will fit me.
I can't ride below 50 degrees due to all the metal I have holding me together. LOL So I make things at times to have something to do.
At 30 degrees I have to stay inside or experience a lot of pain.
Fixing to start on a back rest mount for my wife. I will use the HD br pad. It will look factory, hopefully, but be 3 inches taller with a 1.5 inch off set to move the pad backwards for more room and more comfort for her.
That will take a while to get all the bends to match. The lock will be kinda simple, just need a groove at the bottom.
Having a hard time finding 3/4 inch round stock. I am finding just about every size but 3/4 inch.

How about starting with an old handlebar/crash bar or such?

 

[dirtdobber]

solid is much easier to bend and get uniform. I can do tubing but takes a lot longer and harder to get right. I do not have a tubing bender, I have to do it by hand and a torch with the tubing filled with sand.
I have been wanting a good bender just haven't got around to it yet. Don't need one very often.
It is a good idea though.
Just sold one of my trailers so now I can do the running light/turn signals so I can add the fork mounted wind deflectors.
In the mean time, I can go to Chattanooga to get a piece of 3/4 inch round stock.
Just got to get around to it.

 

[Fabricater]

The back rest looks nice.I also like to make and do things myself.I always feel a since of pride to be able to do these kind of things.Well done.

 

[dirtdobber]

I was able to get in a good ride testing the BR. Works better than I thought it would. Big difference in comfort. After riding 100 miles I did not have any back pain and I was not stiff afterwards. Usually when I get off I can't straighten my back fer a while with pain, it's gone now. Very happy with the results.