Removing a DIY backrest...okay, sissy bar.

[Guest]

This is a very minor project at the moment and it may remain so for some time. Thinking about fabbing a rack, or modifying one off an XS 650 (saw it done on another site) and the first thing that needs to happen is to remove the sissybar welded on the pillion grab bar.

I have hated the homemade sissybar on this bike since I got it. You can see why.





Way I figure it, having a Harley-Davidson backpad on an old Zook is an invitation to a butt-whooping by po'd dentists and accountants out for a ride. Don't need that kind trouble, ya' know?

So, out came the angle grinder this afternoon. Took pictures of the ensuing carnage.

[oldrookie]

It has bugged me since day one. Not like anyone would be fooled by it.

Been spending some time reviewing some of the builds on this site and on Do the Ton. I figure if people can tear their bikes down to dirt and washers and rebuild them, I should be able to get that danged HD pad off my otherwise pretty decent bike.

[pete]

Mate I'm glad to see that being removed... it's horrid!

I'm not even worried about the HD badge, it just doesn't belong on there...

[oldrookie]

Agreed, Pete.

Planning on more grinding/cutting this evening.

[BigD_83]

I can see not giving a crap about the logo if it was something handy and comfortable, but welding it to the grab handle is just too much! Oh yeah, and the triangle of death frame...loving it! (where is the sarcasm font on here?)

[pete]

I'll give 'em this much... at least it was a neat welding job

[Steve]

I'll give 'em this much... at least it was a neat welding job

That's what I was thinking, too.

Creative enough to weld it to something that was already rather solid and would not get in the way.

.

[chef1366]

Can I have it?

[oldrookie]

Can I have it?

The H-D pad? If that's what you want, shoot me a PM with address.The "triangle of death" is in no shape to be used for much of of anything.





Notice anything about the disc?


Started working on polishing the sidecases...long way to go.


The brake pedal was bent years ago. My propane torch doesn't get it hot enough to bend. Will have to find someone with something a tad warmer to get it back to original orientation.

[oldrookie]

That's what I was thinking, too.

Creative enough to weld it to something that was already rather solid and would not get in the way.

.

Yea, the welding was well done. I always appreciate intelligent conservation of resources and if I needed a backrest on this bike...maybe.

As it is, it goes. Been on there too long already.

[oldrookie]

Spotted this on a Triumph site. Sits under the seat and hold panniers away from the wheels. Might try this method and avoid hanging a rack on the back...assuming I could even find a rack for this bike. It's a DIY solution, inexpensive, effective and easily removed when not using bags. I like the simplicity.

[Steve]

Not quite "easily removable", but I made some brackets for the bags on my wife's bike.

I had some brackets to re-locate the turn signals to the license plate area, so the bags moved back a bit, but were no longer supported by the shocks.
Took advantage of the situation to also support them to keep them off the mufflers.

Crudely done, for sure, but it was quick and cheap, and has been in use for about 5 years, now.

Used about 18" of 1" x 1/8" flat stock and about 6' of 5/16" rod.







.

[oldrookie]

That's pretty clever, Steve. I like that you've supported the underside of the bags too.

The guy that came up with the bracket I posted went to something very much like yours. Not sure how he attached it.

Not quite "easily removable", but I made some brackets for the bags on my wife's bike.

I had some brackets to re-locate the turn signals to the license plate area, so the bags moved back a bit, but were no longer supported by the shocks.
Took advantage of the situation to also support them to keep them off the mufflers.

Crudely done, for sure, but it was quick and cheap, and has been in use for about 5 years, now.

Used about 18" of 1" x 1/8" flat stock and about 6' of 5/16" rod.







.

[pete]

Thanks for sharing that Steve, I have something floating in the back of my mind that those pic's may help me with if I do something about it...