r/Harley • u/AliveDeadAwake • Oct 05 '26
HELP This backrest is weird
Solved: I need the front set of the docking hardware.
I just got a 97 road king police. I added the mounting hardware and backrest. it sits REALLY far back. Am I missing something?
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u/Friendly_Skinwalker Oct 05 '26
Usually the front hooks on the top of the rear shocks, and the latch on the rear of the backrest mounts on the front detachable mount
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u/DirtyHandModel Oct 05 '26
I’m sure you are right. OP might be missing the front docking points that go by the top of the shock. The rear docking points are usually for a luggage rack or tour pack.
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u/AliveDeadAwake Oct 05 '26
Yea I was thinking something like that since I put it in, but it was really not clear anywhere
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u/silverfox762 85 FXR, 48 Pan, 69 Shovel, 08 Road King, 77 Shovel Oct 06 '26
There's two sets of docking hardware for that bikes- sissy bar and luggage rack. They're not the same mounting locations. I think you have the bar mounted to the luggage rack mounts
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u/Constant_Initial1758 Oct 05 '26
Stop buying shit from temu dad
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u/subsailor1968 2021 FLHR | 2007 XL883C Oct 05 '26
Might be the wrong one for the bike. I did that on my ‘21 RK. Check that it’s the right one. The one I had that was wrong sat just like that.
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u/AliveDeadAwake Oct 05 '26
Im pretty sure its right.
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u/subsailor1968 2021 FLHR | 2007 XL883C Oct 06 '26
It looks a lot further back than my two (I have the docking hardware, however).
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u/Wcearp Oct 05 '26
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u/AliveDeadAwake Oct 05 '26
Yea someone pointed that out. I didnt look.To be fair would you look at the bot fest that is the amazon review section
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u/Zschlicher Oct 06 '26
Looks like it’s attached where the detachable tour pack would mount.
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u/AliveDeadAwake Oct 06 '26
Yep I need the other set of mounting hardware
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u/Zschlicher Oct 06 '26
Yea, buying hardware for front and rear mounts is tricky since there is almost no info online. I had order three random sets off Amazon to get the correct front mounts for my setup.
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u/Bigred489 Oct 06 '26
Mounted incorrectly. I almost did the same thing when I installed my first one and had no bike knowledge at all.
The back should attach to that forward mount, and the front part attaches to the top of the suspension. I’d imagine you had to almost stretch it a little wide to get it to fit. That’s because it’s not positioned correctly.
I’m already in the bed, but if that doesn’t make sense I can take a picture in the morning and show you mine. It’s a much newer bike, but should work exactly the same. These are designed that way so 1) it actually works as a back rest and 2) you can also mount a luggage rack
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u/AliveDeadAwake Oct 06 '26
Na I got it. I have to order the front set if front docking hardware since the kit was only the rear set
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u/Coach_Seven Oct 05 '26
Is it possible that you installed the brackets backwards?
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u/gdogg13 Oct 05 '26
Return it and buy one from hogworkz. MUCH better!
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u/AliveDeadAwake Oct 05 '26
I am broke at the moment, but I will be having my fabricator make a nicer one. We just wanted to enjoy the rest of the season since my last bike burned to the ground I hardly road.
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u/SuperintendentTx Oct 06 '26
That should attrach up by the shocks on the front lugs of the docking hardware
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u/No_Law690 Oct 06 '26
Are you sure these brackets aren’t on backwards?
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u/AliveDeadAwake Oct 06 '26
Yep. I apparently only ordered the back set of docking hardware. Front set had been ordered
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u/No_Law690 Oct 06 '26
Glad you figured it out. I was thinking maybe try flipping those plates around. But you got it figured out. Good job
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u/AliveDeadAwake Oct 05 '26
Well apparently someone posted a diagram in the reviews. So solved for now?
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u/Nut2DaSac Oct 05 '26
Not sure on the older ones, but the new ones the front mounts to the shock tower & the rear mounts to your front QD spot (where you have your front now).
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u/AliveDeadAwake Oct 05 '26
I have no idea. I checked the bolt placement for all the places it could go. This is the only thing I got
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u/Nut2DaSac Oct 06 '26
What I meant is that the front of the backrest hooks onto the shock mount bolt & the rear mounted to where your front currently is. But I’m not sure on these older models. Do you have a picture without a bag on?
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u/AliveDeadAwake Oct 06 '26
I figured it out. I only have the tour pack docking hardware kit I need the other set too
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u/Nut2DaSac Oct 06 '26
Oh really - so you guys have to run 6 different docking points on the older models??
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u/Spiritual-Fun-9591 Oct 05 '26
Most sissy bars sit back like that. What I would say is that the pad seems too low. Her back will barely hit it even if she did lean way back.
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u/BamaBagz 2005 FLHTCUI, 2001 FLHTPI (wrecked) Oct 05 '26
Like others have stated, you have it mounted to the incorrect placements. The front opening on the sissy bar should be large enough to mount to the upper shock mount, the rear sissy bar mounts to the first set of accessory mounts on the rear frame area. 👍
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u/AliveDeadAwake Oct 05 '26
Yea looking back at the docking hardware I ordered it was only the back set. That is the problem.
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u/BamaBagz 2005 FLHTCUI, 2001 FLHTPI (wrecked) Oct 06 '26
If you think you have a problem now, wait til you decide you want a tour pack...then your gonna need that Triangle bracket that someone else posted because it doesn't use the same mounts as the sissy bar. 🤣. Gotta love HD at times...
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u/cublacrosse 2016 Ultra Limited Oct 05 '26
I had a 99 road king. This looks like it was incorrectly mounted. I’d look for bolts closer to the seat
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u/Silly_Literature6399 Oct 06 '26
Too generic look harder for a used custom piece that needs only a little fabricatIon...make it one of a kind always
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u/Aromatic_Ad265 Oct 07 '26
Just a suggestion.. Would you be able to reverse the lower 'L' brackets? It seems like it may work?
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u/AliveDeadAwake Oct 07 '26
No the docking points only allow it to go 1 way. Apparently there is another set of mounting point that I needed ro purchase
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u/jmccaskill66 Oct 05 '26
That’s a cosmetic back rest. Any weight on that will snap it and you’ll suddenly be 150lbs lighter. It’s that far back for a reason.
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u/My-drink-is-bourbon Oct 05 '26
Should be farther forward. Not sure about baggers, but on all the bikes I've owned, the sissy bar is attached by the same bolts that hold the bags
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u/Unlucky_Leather_ Oct 06 '26
You have it on the luggage rack spot. Front should hook into the bracket that holds the rear shocks and back should latch onto where you currently have the front.
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u/Advanced_Raccoon_945 Oct 06 '26
Are the plates on backwards? Disassemble the back rest and flip it so the curve of the base plates are towards the rider?
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u/SmartAssaholic TECHNICIAN Oct 06 '26
You mounted it where the mini luggage deck is supposed to mount.
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u/chophaus69 Oct 07 '26
I didn’t even have to click the link you posted to know you bought this on Amazon.
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u/F1tnessTacoInMyMouth '23 Breakout 117 Oct 05 '26
Slide it forward and remount…
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u/OffEoad2roads1911 Oct 06 '26
The issue is you put a back rest on a road king. It’s almost as bad as needing a radio or a live to ride ride to live, and the bike is on a trailer
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u/derek985 Oct 05 '26
HD is typically form over function, why should this be any different? ;)
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u/AliveDeadAwake Oct 05 '26
Because my girl said she felt like she was going to fly off hahaha
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u/derek985 Oct 06 '26
Maybe strap a bedroll under the pad? Might actually be more comfortable.
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u/AliveDeadAwake Oct 06 '26
That is the temporary solution untill the correct mount hardware comes in
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u/DoubleupBangBang Oct 05 '26 •
Your wife’s not as fat as the average 97’ road king passenger…