How to remove backrest side rails *Update*

[Slv3]

New to this site and Valk. Picked up a low mileage 01 Standard a couple weeks
ago. Would like to remove the passenger backrest side brackets. I know the rear strut bolt runs
through it. Does the front bolt also?  I couldn’t find the removal process on the forum.
Any “how to” advice is appreciated.

[hubcapsc]

Does this help?

https://www.partzilla.com/catalog/honda/motorcycle/2000/gl1500c-a-valkyrie/seat

The whole service manual is here:

http://valkyrienorway.com/download.html

-Mike

[Slv3]

Thanks Mike for the quick reply and link to the manual. I’ll sort through it
to see if it answers my question. Any other advice is welcomed.

[Hook#3287]

It's been awhile, but I believe the backrest brackets bolt to the inside of the grab rails.  To remove them you have to remove the grab rails, to remove the grab rails, you have to pull the bolts that hold the rear section of the fender on, with the famous PITA fender nuts in the nut cages.

You also have to pull the shocks, maybe just the top.

I'd suggest doing one side at a time.

Another solution is to find the chrome bar that attaches to the brackets, making them look like they belong.

[Slv3]

The process you described seems correct. After I removed the rear bolt, I could tell
the bracket was secured further up the strut. I’m an old Harley guy and familiar
with parts associated with their models. I’ll have to research the web for a possible
picture of the part connecting the side brackets. I might like the look without the hassle
of removing the brackets. Thanks.

[hubcapsc]

The process you described seems correct. After I removed the rear bolt, I could tell
the bracket was secured further up the strut. I’m an old Harley guy and familiar
with parts associated with their models. I’ll have to research the web for a possible
picture of the part connecting the side brackets. I might like the look without the hassle
of removing the brackets. Thanks.

Here's the one I know about that is still available...

https://www.bigbikethings.com/Cruiser_Bar/cat4325478_3541116.aspx

When you're running solo, it is nice to have a fender rack too... the
Show Chrome tubular one that people were using is impossible to find now,
but the bigbikethings guy has this stainless steel one now... has it always
been there, or is it a new product?

https://www.bigbikethings.com/Fender_Rack/p4325477_18078179.aspx

-Mike

[Ramie]

I believe you just drop the rear fender to get at the inside of the grab rails.

[Slv3]

Thanks for the helpful replies and Mike, I like that cruise bar! Never would
of found it.

[RonW]

After I removed the rear bolt, I could tell the bracket was secured further up the strut.

The location of the rear bolt does throw you off, but the sissybar bracket and fender rail have no connection to each other. The rear bolt goes under a notch in the sissybar bracket instead of going through the bracket (gray line, graphic below). The bracket is attached to the obverse side of the fender rails by blind bolts 27 (graphic, below). You have to remove these bolts to disconnect the saddlebar bracket.

There was an easy method that spares you from removing the shocks, off hand, I don't remember the specifics but I assume it's something like ..... remove the rear bolt and the middle bolt, then loosen the shock bolt just enough to allow the fender rail to be rotated up to access bolts 27, or loosen the shock bolt just enough the slip a wrench behind the fender rail to loosen bolts 27.

[Slv3]

Perfect....Thanks Ron!  Some background, as mentioned, I’m an old Harley guy with
two in the garage keeping the new Valk company. I remember being on a ride in 2001 with
my group and while at a stop at a bike shop, a Valkyrie pulled in. I remember
thinking that Valkyrie was one of the sharpest bikes I’ve ever seen and knew someday
I had to own one. Well, now I do and glad to find helpful members within this site.

[Figgy]

The fender rack https://www.bigbikethings.com/Fender_Rack/p4325477_18078179.aspx is a new product, released about a month ago.

[Jess from VA]

Are what all you guys are always calling the grab rails actually the fender struts?  (this has caused me great confusion for some time) 

Does anyone actually grab (and/or hold on to) the fender struts (either while rolling the bike around, or by a passenger while riding)?

I grab my bag rail bars (beneath the top shock bolt mount) or seat basket when rolling my bikes around (not the fender struts, which are really buried behind the saddlebags)

[hubcapsc]

They call them "grab rails" in the fiche...

-Mike

[Jess from VA]

They call them "grab rails" in the fiche...

-Mike

That, I did not know. 

Honda has always had a bit of a problem in translation. 

A universal joint, is a yoke?

[Fazer]

The note by Ron is correct.  I've had mine on and off and not looking forward to doing it again--and I have done the nut cage mod.  Good time to do it if you have the fender loose.  You will be glad when it's time to service the rear end.

[Slv3]

I removed the rear strut bolt and loosened the front one enough to span the
rear of the strut. I was able to remove both bracket bolts with a 12mm wrench.
Each side took about ten minutes including putting it back together. I masked the
fender with painters tape to guard against the wrench coming in contact with it.
I wish all wrenching was that easy!