How do I install a backrest?

[skai]

Hi Everyone. I just bought a 1998 Tourer a week ago. The previous owner had only had an Ultimate solo seat on the bike when I bought it. But he had the oem rider and passenger seats, an Ultimate passenger seat, a chrome luggage rack, and the passenger backrest (says Mustang on the back of the backrest). There is also two chrome brackets and bolts that he said attach to the bike and receive the sissy bar that the backrest pad and luggage rack bolt up to.
My problem is that I don't see how the two chrome brackets attach to the bike. The holes on the brackets don't seem to match any place on the bike. I have taken off the rear luggage on both sides to get a clearer look, but nothing is obviously jumping out at me. Am I missing some other pieces? Are there any pictures or schematics that show how it all goes together?
I thank you in advance for any help you can give me in this matter.  Lamity101

[R J]

If I'm reading you correctly, the brackets you are referring to go on the edge of the fender.      

I'll see if I can find a picture for ya.

If so, I'll come back here and add it to this post.



I'm assuming you are referring to the chrome piece under Cheryl's leg...

[skai]

Thanks for responding RJ.
From the way I see it, there are two different chrome pieces under Cherly's leg. The long piece parrallel to the ground (chrome grab rail), and the piece that connects the backrest bar to the bike (the grabrail plate). I am having difficulty seeing how the plates that I have attach to the bike. I am beginning to wonder if these are not the right plates for the '98 Tourer. Perhaps the previous owner never had the backrest on the bike. When I went to a website that showed the parts for the seat for this bike, it shows a grabrail plate that looks very similar to what I have. But I don't see how it will fit on my bike. Thanks. Lamity101

[R J]

Can you post a picture of the fender and your pieces?

What state do you live in?

[Black Dog]

If you look at the 'Fender rails' (the chrome parts, that run along the rear fender), from above, you should see two 'notches' cut out of the top of the fender rail (towards the rear of the rail facing the fender).  Once you remove the fender rails, you will see two holes (inside the fender rails, not visable, until they are removed) that match up with the two holes in each of the 'plates' you have (a right, and left).  Once you line up the mounting holes in the plates, with the holes in the fender rails, you will see that the 'notches' in the fender rails are where the upper portion of the two plates sticks out above the top of the rail.  Now, remount the fender rails.  Then, the 'sissy bar, with back rest pad mounted, is attached to both of the plates, using two small bolts.  The bolts go through the plates, and screw in to the threaded holes in the sissy bar...

Bottom line, is that even if you have all the parts, you still need to remove the fender rails, to put the hardware back on that will hold the sissy bar.

Hope that makes sense...

Black Dog

[DFragn]

As Black Dog said; and never ever remove both fender rails at the same time.

Do one at a time!
That in itself can be a wrestling match getting the fender bolts back in sometimes. You'll drop your fender removing both simultaneously.

[skai]

Thank you everyone for your responses. It has given me hope that I will be able to install the backrest.
I live in Southern Colorado, and I bought the bike in the San Francisco Bay Area and drove it home to Colorado. A great trip to get acquainted with the Valkyrie. I took 3 pictures of the fender area on the bike and one of the pieces that came with the bike. Hopefully I will get them uploaded to this post. Again, thank you for all of your help. Lamity101

[Black Dog]

From looking at yer pic's, it looks like everything is there...  You should be good to go 

Black Dog

[BF]

Do these help?

[Red Diamond]

Do these help?

I really like that backrest plate and the reflectors. Where did you get the plate, if you don't mind saying.

[BF]

The dragon cut-out back plate off of ebay.........and added the valkyrie symbol from Directline.