Sissy Bar Back Rest & Pad Slides Down...

[Vapor]

Has anyone had an issue with the backrest on the sissy bar sliding down due to vibration? I just recently installed the 18" sissy bar on my 05 Ridgeback and took it for a little spin down the street. I made it no more then a half a block and the backrest was gone, fell off, slid down and off it came. I have the screws from the back plate to the backrest screwed in as tight as i can get them... Any ideas? How do you guys keep this thing in place?

I am thinking of drilling and tapping through the backplate into the sissybar itself rater then the compression fit it was designed to have... What a stupid design, especially on a hard tail! :loony:


:angry:

Vapor

 

[bruce]

I had the same problem, I ended up drilling thru the metal back rest backing plate and then into the sissy bar about 1/4 inch maybe a little less, I then treaded the holes and put two screw that match back rest screws, ( dealer that all different sizes in stock) this did two things, one holds back rest in place, but when I put bags on I use a bungee cord or rope to hook to rings at bottom of bag up over the rest this helps hold it up off fender. I have had mine like this for over a year and works great. take your time drilling and tapping the holes it can be a little tricky

 

[dingo]

I used a bit of red loctite on the backrest bolts and have not had a problem.

 

[Gas Man]

I used a bit of red loctite on the backrest bolts and have not had a problem.

Yeah no shit.

I would NEVER drill thru that into the bar... no way.

Maybe try some double sided tape on the inside where you don't see it or even some silicone. But nothing permenant like drill holes. Shrink wrap would probably work well but you'd see it on the sides...

I have just never heard of this problem before....

 

[Raywood]

Mines been on for over 4 yrs now and I've never had a problem. Did you slide it up as high as you could get it? Did you backtrack and find your pad?

 

[jon57]

I unscrewed my back rest and it wouldnt come off had to give a wack wih a hammer.

 

[glasspack]

to way tape did the job for me and i have a large custom backrest

 

[jimizee028]

really...imagine pickin up some chick and puttin her on the back of your bike,all her weight goes to the sissy bar whiles shes chillin and because you drilled holes through the sissy bar its weakened and snaps,and as the chick is fallin she grasps at everything around her to hold on...which just happens to be you and your arms that you are using at the time to hold onto the bars and then both of you and the bike hit the pavement....after hearing this i would think she should be gratefull she has a p-pad.............

 

[rabbit65]

I got 1'' wide black weather strip cut length of bracket put inside of bracket an sissy bar no slide for 2000 miles

 

[Vapor]

Mines been on for over 4 yrs now and I've never had a problem. Did you slide it up as high as you could get it? Did you backtrack and find your pad?

Ray,

Yeah, got the pad but wow... now everytime i ride i'm thinkin its gonna fall off. Screws are not loosening, locktite wont help, I have it up as high as i can get it and obviously the bottom of the bracket at the widest point is snug but you look at the top where the bars taper and theres a gap between the backrest and the metal back plate. I will try and upload a picture...

 

[Vapor]

I got 1'' wide black weather strip cut length of bracket put inside of bracket an sissy bar no slide for 2000 miles

Thanks Guys, I'll try that!

 

[Raywood]

Thanks Guys, I'll try that!

Vapor, you could also wrap tie wraps under the pad hidden near the base. That would prevent it from dropping any further due to the widening of the bar.

:2thumbs:

 

[PurpleDog]

I lost a backrest the same way after it being in place for several months. Big Dog replaced it for me and I've since put tape on the bar in an attempt to prevent it from sliding down from vibration. Suspect it had to do with me tying gear to it; I don't care for the design after having that happen (plate hit your fender?) My bar stays on year round btw...Pricey for what it is too.

 

[WB Cycles]

Best Bet

Go to your local pool supply store. Pick up some of the clear tubing they have (it won't yellow in the sun). Cut two pieces that are the length of your backplate and then slit them vertically so that you can wrap them around the bar. It adds a non-slip layer between the plate and the pad and keeps you from scratching up the bars. I did this while prototyping backrest plates for mine and never had a slip or a problem.

That being said, I have new backrest pads and plates in production right now. Making the standard "small" BDM size, as well as large pads for better comfort and looks with the bikes.

Wicked Bastard Cycles
(doesn't display properly in Firefox for some reason :angry: )

Backplates aren't up yet, but will have pictures in the next couple of weeks. Much better than the stock parts and can be customized with your designs. :up:

 

[Vapor]

Nelson,

Great idea... I ended up putting double sided tabe in there and it held today when i rode to church and home 115 miles round trip, hardtail has lots of vibration back there, that bar really shakes...

Maybe when you put together the seat pricing throw in some large backrest pad pricing with backplate.

 

[Pointingnorth]

Glasspack,
I was wondering where did you get the larger custom backrest from? The one I see on most the Big Dog pages does not look as long as the one in your profile picture.

Thanks for any info you can provide
Ride Safe
North

 

[janmichele]

Glasspack,
I would like the same information. Where did you get the custom backrest pad and the matching large custom mounting bracket?

Thanks, Mike

 

[WB Cycles]

I'm making them now for the BDM sissy bars:
WB Cycles: Custom Backrest Pads

Stock BDM pad is 6.5 inches tall and hard foam. $110.95

WBC Large Backrest Pad is 10 inches tall, 2 1/4 inches thick and uses the stock mounting assemblies from the BDM plates. $120.00 forum ($135.00 Retail)

Also making new backrest plates to give you an alternative to the stock BDM stamped backplates. Will post info on that soon :2thumbs: