Butt rest to back rest mod add-on

Hi all

I just did the butt rest to back rest mod that Leroy Beal had outlined (http://www.leroybeal.net/motorcycles/silverwing/articles/backrest/backrest.html).  I came across a couple of ideas that might add to the mod for others.

As you can see in the photo, I changed the curvature of the new pieces from a 'V' shape to an 'S' shape.  I made mine a bit on the long side (higher back rest) but I could feel the ends sticking out underneath.  Changing the shape also allows for a better angle on the pad.  My back was leaning against the top edge before.  Now it feels more like a full pad.

I was also able to find 1" x 1/4" stainless stock at my local metal retailer.  No worries about rust now.  FWIW, drilling stainless is a little different than cold-rolled - half the speed, twice the pressure, lots of drilling oil/fluid, and if it stops biting, stop drilling and get a new bit.  It will heat up the piece and heat-harden it and make it much tougher to get through.

Cheers, TonyO

Hi from East Tennessee.
I made the same modification back in the winter.
Really like the releif I got. One EXCEPTION the bolts
rubbed my rear ti the extent I shifted positions quite
fregently. My solution was to replace the hex head
bolts with dome headed bolts /allen wrench style.
Just a thought. One member posted it wasn't aproblem
for him but it aggrevated me to change seating

Hi Skipwil

Excellent suggestion. I was also thinking of covering the whole piece with some black split hose or something like that to limit wear on the back of my pants and to cover the stainless. It really does stand out...

cheers

I've made quite a few sets. What I do is instead of nuts and bolts to hold the extensions to the stock brackets is I used a tap and threaded the extensions and ran the bolts from the back. Then I grind or file the bolts flush. That way there's nothing but the extensions to rub you. I adjust the bends so the butt stop holds you forward enough to not rub on the extensions.
I don't have pictures so I hope I explained it clear enough.

Mine were bent 12deg.s.. I don't have a tap for metric threads.
I've got oodles of metric bolts & nuts left from the closed boat
business. Not cheap - just use what here.

TonyO it would be nice to see the finished project. I wish a backrest similar to a Goldwing was available for the Swing. The storage in it would be convenient for my wife to store her cell phone and other misc. items while on the highway.

I bought the set I used from Harbor Freight. HERE'S A LINK TO The TAP SET.

Skipwil you could use standard tap and bolts but I like to keep things all the same. The set above is only $14 and I think I paid $8 for it on sale.
hotwings have you looked at the backrest Utopia makes? They come with a pouch she could use.

Forgot to say it but the taps above are a drill and tap combination. I still predrilled the holes because I don't have a lot of faith in Chinese tools.

Hi Hotwings (and all).
Attached are the final photos - from the back and from the front with a covering.  I found reinforced black vinyl that was sold as a 'washer/dishwasher' hose - thick, but with some give, that I split and used to cover the exposed metal.

Cheers,

TonyO,

Nice job, looks great!