Sissy Bar Install

Energy One

LDO

The Cleaner
Troop Supporter
So today, I figured I would install the new struts for my 18 inch sissy bar I got as an early Xmas present.:D

Unfortunately, I usually screw up the beginning of my how-to's by forgetting to take pictures at the beginning of the disassembly.

Don't know how Gas Man does it!:D

I usually get too excited about a new project that I start tearing into stuff and the wife comes out an hour later and asks where the hell the camera is and I'm like....DOH!!!!:bang:

Anyways,
here are the pics.

After teardown.


Grinding a channel for my wiring.
Hey TS, did you notice the matching outfit this time????:roll:



Not sure what it is about grinding metal that brings out the phsyco in me!!:D


Not too bad.


My home-made banjo bolt for the wiring. This is a piece of hollow threaded rod I got at Lowes in the ceiling fan department. I had to re-tap the hole in the housing but it worked out really good, just screws right in (red locktite). Drill a hole in it so the wire runs thru it and into the channel in the strut.
I've been using this setup like this for about 4 or 5 years without a problem. The end goes all the way thru the strut and sticks out a bit inside the fender.
I put a dab of clear RTV on the end to keep water and junk from getting in. The turn signal housing will be held in place by a very flat 9/16s nut tightened from the inside of the fender.


Pretty good fit.



I installed the struts to the fender using the short button head 3/8 bolts supplied with the kit. The bolts screw into the fender struts. Some locktite and torque them to about 15 foot pounds and I'm GTG.



Fender is mounted and now it's time to work on the LED boards.
Some dialectric grease on the connections and I like to put a zip tie to make sure my connector doesn't fall off from vibes or whatever.


Put all my electronics back where they belong.


Battery and wiring all under control.


Installing the sissy bar.


And here are the final pics.




Pretty easy job.
Made sure my turn sigs were properly aligned when I got done too.
I did use ss bolts to secure the sissy bar instead of what was sent to avoid rust and the bolts seizing to the sissy bar due to the whole dissimilar metal thing going on.

The 18 inch sissy bar will be a perfect for my Tbag and roll.

Now all I need is a luggage rack and I'm in business!!!
 

EJ

Member
Nice job looks good. I have to get one for my wife. Now I got something to go by.:2thumbs:
 

Michaelb

Member
Very nice job LDO. Why did you have to grind and channel for the wiring. Why didn't the new struts come with it?
My stock struts have a channel.
That seems strange.
 

LDO

The Cleaner
Troop Supporter
Very nice job LDO. Why did you have to grind and channel for the wiring. Why didn't the new struts come with it?
My stock struts have a channel.
That seems strange.
Because my bike is an 03.

The channel in the struts didn't come out until around 05 I think.

I was hoping that the new struts I ordered would have the 'mod' on them but nope. Lukily, it wasn't very hard to do. Just takes patience and a steady hand.:2thumbs:
 

Slinger2

Active Member
I notice you have a plastic cover over your manual reset braker.
Did you do that or did the bike come like that?

Also Love the long sissybar.:cheers:
 

Gas Man

Cool isn't cheap
Calendar Participant
Got a before shot of your old struts?

Did you re-use your stock blinkers or are those a set you got for a good northern boy?

I think the 03's ran their wires under the fender didn't they originally?
 

LDO

The Cleaner
Troop Supporter
I notice you have a plastic cover over your manual reset braker.
Did you do that or did the bike come like that?

Also Love the long sissybar.:cheers:
Slinger,
that is something I made just to be on the safe-side. I also used silicone RTV along the edges of the breaker so no water intrusion.
 

LDO

The Cleaner
Troop Supporter
Got a before shot of your old struts?

Did you re-use your stock blinkers or are those a set you got for a good northern boy?

I think the 03's ran their wires under the fender didn't they originally?
Sorry Gas,
This is the best pic I have of the struts before. They are in excellent condition and I cut a groove into them as well to run the wires. They may be going on EBAY soon so I can buy my luggage rack!:D


No, those 'northern blinkers' I'm saving for a future build.:D :up:
My stock blinkers were already tapped to accept my home made banjo bolt.

The 03's had a tube like thingy molded inside the fender but it left about 6 inches of wiring exposed to your spinning tire. I figured this way is a better way of protecting my wiring.:2thumbs:
 

Chappy

New Member
just got a 2003 mastiff

was hoping "the cleaner" could help me out i bought a 2003 mastiff with a bigdog detachable sissy bar without mounting bolts seen you once posted mounting one to your bike wondered if you still have that and where you got the mounting bolts and how you made them work with sissy bar? and also the left side tail light broke off/missing where could i buy one at? thanks
 

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
And a amber lens cover for my front light/turn signal?
Most of us replace then with HD lens, they will fit. If your talking about the LED lenses then see the latest How To in that section of the forum

:cheers:
 

Chappy

New Member
Ya harley lens work cool thanks ray now I just need to find the whole chrome tail light mine broke off completely any ideas bro?
 
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