Sissybar install

[Raywood]

Someone just posted requesting info on a sissybar install and I lost the post.
So, here is a quick link to my install a long time ago and on the old site.
Easy to do yourself.
Have fun,
Ray

Still lots of good info on this site from the guys that have been around a few years!
Sissy bar install - HOTROD Biker

[Mickeetwo]

Thanks Ray, dealer wants $210 to install the sissy bar. Only thing that worried me was the wiring on the LED lights. I have a 2006 K9.

[Raywood]

Those little connectors have to be removed from the wires and they are small and a pain. But, that is the worst of it. The rest is easy.
You can remove the struts and fender as one unit by disconnecting the wiring harness just behind your battery and remove the strut bolts. You will find that the inside of the struts are grooved for the wiring loom. BDM uses some silicone in the groove to hold the loom in there. I recommend you get some to prevent pinching a wire when you replace the struts on the fender. Don't need any shorts. Then ensure the turn signal lens are sealed real good and you will be done.

[Th3InfamousI]

Hey Raywood, I'm looking for a how-to on this I am about to do it for my 04 Chopper. Hot-Rod Biker is now Closed, cant dig up any archives.

Reading up into this I believe I am going to have to remove the fender. Does anyone have any additional info on this? Also, need to ensure I disconnect some plugs from the ECU?

I heard BDM had specific instructions for the install I have been unsuccesful in searching/finding them.

[Mickeetwo]

I don't know if the 04 is like my 06 k9 but on the k9 you will need to disconnect the tail light harness(white plug with wires running to each strut), then remove the 4 strut bolts and remove the fender. Remove the jst connectors from each LED board (this is the hard part) Remove each strut from fender (bolts are inside fender) pull the wiring from the tail light housing and reinstall. On the 06 k9 there is a grove in the struts were the wiring goes into. Not sure about the 04's. I think some had the wires running inside the rear fender. Hope this helps

[linx]

Those light plugs are a major pain in the ass. If you break them though, you can easily replace them with a computer CPU fan plug...its the same thing.

Sent using my HTC Thunderbolt

[Th3InfamousI]

Originally Posted by Mickeetwo

I don't know if the 04 is like my 06 k9 but on the k9 you will need to disconnect the tail light harness(white plug with wires running to each strut), then remove the 4 strut bolts and remove the fender. Remove the jst connectors from each LED board (this is the hard part) Remove each strut from fender (bolts are inside fender) pull the wiring from the tail light housing and reinstall. On the 06 k9 there is a grove in the struts were the wiring goes into. Not sure about the 04's. I think some had the wires running inside the rear fender. Hope this helps

I bought the struts from shovelhead kicker. Unfortunatly, the stock bolt which is hollowed out for the wiring is not long enough with the sissy bar strut. Also oddly enough its 5/16" on the outside and on the inside its slightly smaller bolt doesn't even fit all the way through the strut

I attempted to use the stock bolt and cut it down a bit and was able to thread it from the inside of the light housing, however I can't bite enough of the strut to make sure the tailight doesn't rattle loose

I read a previous post regarding someone finding some hollow threaded rod, I would be okay with making my own bolt and drilling out the strut to fit the 5/16" bolt. However, I'm up shit creek without a paddle I can't find hollow bolts 5/16-16 x 2" or hollow threaded rod anywhere! Found some smaller ones (seems like these bolts are specific to motorcycles and tail/headlights) but they just won't cut it!

Also, on 04's wiring runs through the inside of the fender, need to extend the wiring slightly.

These are on JP Cycles but 3/8 not 5/16 and i dont think 1.5" will fit. Need to bite the two piece light assembly on the 04! Don't know why they threaded it through the strut and 2 seperate pieces it makes it a pain in the ASS

[firedog19]

When I replaced my struts on my 04 ridgeback I simply drilled out the threads in the tailight and ran the stock bolts from the inside of the taillight out into the strut. worked fine. remove the pins from the block with a straight pin. slide on the lock side of the pinblock to unlock and they will come out the back. you can then remove them thru the hollow bolt one at a time and replace them the same way once you have reinstalled the taillight. Be sure to mark the pin block so that the wires are replaced in the right order.

[Th3InfamousI]

Originally Posted by firedog19

When I replaced my struts on my 04 ridgeback I simply drilled out the threads in the tailight and ran the stock bolts from the inside of the taillight out into the strut. worked fine. remove the pins from the block with a straight pin. slide on the lock side of the pinblock to unlock and they will come out the back. you can then remove them thru the hollow bolt one at a time and replace them the same way once you have reinstalled the taillight. Be sure to mark the pin block so that the wires are replaced in the right order.

That would have probably worked, I had originally cut the bolt down a 1/4" cause I couldn't thread it in through the stock tailight assembly (too small) now I don't get enough of a bite into the strut At the time I didn't think of drilling out the assembly until I had already cut one bolt down. I had forgot to measure with the second piece of the tail-light assembly. Everything worked in my head before hand!

So even if I drilled out the threads I still don't have a bolt that fits

[firedog19]

after I drilled out mine I had just enough room to get the bolt in. I hope you find the bolts.

[Th3InfamousI]

Originally Posted by firedog19

after I drilled out mine I had just enough room to get the bolt in. I hope you find the bolts.

Yea I just sent payment to a guy on the board for the bolts! He saw my other post. Yea I think its still gonna be a tight fit but makes sense to do it this way.

Now I gotta go redo the wiring a bit, solder and shrink wrap the wires up. And play games with that damn wiring Connection.

[stlmikie]

I read a post that one of the guys used a piece of threaded hollow rod that you would use on you ceiling fan? The rod that goes through the globe and holds it up? I think he got it at the home depot.