Driver's Backrest

[nomadtom69]

will try to get some pics when I take pics of my new saddlebag rails I am in the middle of installing

[Yellow Jacket]

For anyone interested in a Utopia backrest check out my For Sale listing. This comes already installed on a passenger seat.

http://www.vulcanbagger.com/phpBB3/v...ic.php?t=20684

[hammer]

I have had Grasshoppers products and liked them. He makes good quality stuff and syands behide it. It is also easy to put on and take off. After trying Rickyboy's Utopia, I went with that and it is a world of difference and I needed that after back surgery.

[ve3hzz]

Originally Posted by nomadtom69

will try to get some pics when I take pics of my new saddlebag rails I am in the middle of installing

That would be great.

One thing when mounting the saddle bag rails on the top of the bags, best if you didn't get a template with them is this.

Take a piece of bristol board (stiffer then paper) and lay it over the top make it the same size as the top of the bag from side to side and full length of bag top. Once you have it cut out to the shape, tape it down on all 4 sides. Do the same for the other side at the same time. Then place the rails on top on both sides and step back. Look at the side to side alignment, next front to back alignment on each side. Now you can MEASURE them exactly, but to ensure astetically they look good eyeball them to make sure they look to be the same distance front to back to one another and over the seat from the side. Once your sure they are in the CORRECT position take a SHARP pencil and mark around each stand off on the paper (white bristol board is better) After you have done all 4 stand off's on each side take a pencil and orient the plane angle that the screw will enter from the bottom through the bag. This is important. When you determine from the top the angle that the screw will go up into the threaded part of the saddle bag rail you can drill DOWN on that angle into the saddle bag. Also best to drill a small 1/8 in pilot hole and would help if you have a small drift punch to make an indent to start the pilot hole. Again at the angle that the screw will come through. Followed up with the correct size drill for the screw to pass through. If you are careful, should not have to re-drill or enlarge the hole. The other benefit the bristol board does is ensure you don't WALK the drill bit and scratch your saddlebags on the top (I've seen that done).
Sorry, hope this isn't reduntant, if it is just disregard. Good luck post some pics once your done.

Regards

Scott

[markusmaximus]

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

For anyone interested in a Utopia backrest check out my For Sale listing. This comes already installed on a passenger seat.

http://www.vulcanbagger.com/phpBB3/v...ic.php?t=20684

Hey Yellow Jacket,
Wish I had read your post sooner... I ordered a new Utopia backrest to replace my Grasshopper a few days ago. Ok well!

Good luck selling yours.

[minst7877]

My buddy had the grasshopper on his 1600 classic and I never felt like it was stable enough. It was just bolted to the rear fender with the same bolt that held the seat on. He switched out to a mustang seat with a backrest and it is much better. Adjustable and will pull right out if you want to remove it. I can get some pictures of the backrest later this week if you would like them but it won't be mounted.

DC

[nomadtom69]

got some pics of the Grasshopper backrest on my bike
http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/...m/DSC00811.jpg seat brackett rear seat off
http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/...m/DSC00810.jpg seat brackett rear seat off
http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/...m/DSC00815.jpg slot it fits in with rear seat installed
http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/...m/DSC00812.jpg backrest and brackett that slides in
http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/...m/DSC00814.jpg back rest installed no back seat
http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/...m/DSC00813.jpg brackrest installed no back seat
http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/...m/DSC00817.jpg backrest installed with back seat

[nomadbehappy]

Originally Posted by Yellow Jacket

For anyone interested in a Utopia backrest check out my For Sale listing. This comes already installed on a passenger seat.

http://www.vulcanbagger.com/phpBB3/v...ic.php?t=20684

Bob do you have any pictures of the backrest on the bike? I like the adjustability of the Utopia, but to be honest don't think I have it in me to take apart the seat and cut into the cover so one that is already installed is very intriguing, you may just have a sale.

Some of you seem to have switched from the Grasshopper to the Utopia, is it worth the extra bucks? Anyone have any problems with water seeping into the slit made for the backrest bar? or any issues with them.

Thanks