Aftermarket driver backrest

[Chippy01]

I have Mustang seats (non driver backrest) on my Standard. Lately however, I'm wishing I had a driver backrest; I'm not getting any younger 

I know that the seats will not accept the Mustang backrest, as the seats that do come with the rest are of a different configuration.

I've been doing some looking online, and the closest option that might work with my seats could be this:- http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Protac-Drivers-Backrest-For-Honda-Valkyrie-GL1500C-/180846062258?pt

Has anyone any experience with this type of driver backrest? It's working out fairly expensive to get them over to me in Ireland ($220/€160).
It's mad that $90 of that price is shipping and taxes (almost as dear as the item itself) and I'd really want to be 100% sure of it before shelling out that sort of money.

Or does anyone have any other options/ideas that might work for me?
Thanks.

[hubcapsc]

Look for one called a "Utopia"... people think they're great and they
work with OEM seats which won't accept a backrest...

-Mike

[Jess from VA]

Phil, I mated a Pro Tac to a Harley dresser with Mustang solo drivers seat years ago.  It was mediocre at best. First, the mounts supplied would not fit without modification on my stock bodywork (as I recall, the mounts were down around the fender struts).  The only adjustment of the incredibly stiff stainless bar stock was to lay it on the ground and bend it by stepping on it (not very exacting).  And it didn't bend much.  

And, it was too tall.... more like a sissy bar for a driver, and I needed (need) low back support, not upper back support.  So I kept cutting off the stainless support bars with a cut wheel.  Three cuts later and I had the backrest pad down on the back of the driver's seat where I needed it.  Cutting the upright bars off was not a big deal, but having to disassemble my bike and custom fit the mounts was a PITA.  

It just so happened, the Mustang for my model Hog had the driver's backrest mounted in the nose of the passenger seat, but my OE back seat was better than any aftermarket back seat, so I would not go that route.

Now maybe the mounts for a Valkyrie would work like clockwork, I don't know.  I have never seen a Pro Tac on a Valk, only in photos on their website. (which are no longer on their website)

Everyone raves about the aftermarket (universal) Utopia backrests.  But their site says they only fit OE seats, not aftermarket seats.  Perhaps someone here has mounted one to a non-backrest Mustang.

http://www.utpr.com/

There's probably not enough valks in Ireland to try and work a sale of your seat to offset cost of a new Mustang with driver's backrest.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Protac-Drivers-Backrest-For-Honda-Valkyrie-GL1500C-/180846062258

I don't even see they make it anymore for the valk.  http://www.protac.net/page7/page1/models.html

I looked for pics of Pro Tac on Valk to post but couldn't find any.  As you can see on this Rebel, adjustment forward and back is bending the bars, and cutting the bars off to lower the rest.


Another thing to consider is, if you have a Mustang passenger seat, if it is wider than OE, the passenger seat might end up getting squeezed/pinched between the Pro Tac mount bars.

Something else I spent time trying to figure out back then was trying to adapt a harley road king backrest to my non road king bike.  Most (older) road kings had a single (dual-tour) seat with a split in it for a drivers backrest mount bar to bolt down under the seat on the fender.  The idea was to run a road king drivers backrest mount up between the front and back seats to hold a backrest pad.  Of course you'd have to drill holes to mount this up, if it could be made to work at all See pics.





Current production Kuryakyn for Harley Touring models.


That's all I got.  

Besides bungieing a sleeping bag on the passenger seat to lean on, which also sucks.







 

[BF]

The Utopia backrest won't readily fit with a mustang seat.......however, it can be adapted to fit.  There's a link somewhere on how to do that, but I'm at work right now and can't find/access it.

[Jess from VA]

Found this.

http://atvpt.proboards.com/thread/2029


Another thought.  I believe there are regularly people selling OE driver's seats with a utopia backrest already attacked on VRCC classified.  Prices were pretty reasonable, considering you can get an OE seat new for pretty cheap.  I realize going from Mustang to OE may not be great, but it is a way to get a backrest without breaking the bank.

[BF]

Here ya go....

http://www.utpr.com/mustang.html

IMHO your best bet would be to sell the set you have now to recoup some of the cost and buy yourself a new Mustang seat set with backrests. 

[Chippy01]

There's probably not enough valks in Ireland to try and work a sale of your seat to offset cost of a new Mustang with driver's backrest.

 I realize going from Mustang to OE may not be great, but it is a way to get a backrest without breaking the bank.

Thanks for the replies and insight, lads.
Jess, I just switched from OE to Mustang (I got them from daTank here on the VRCC) in Nov/Dec last year. I did the switch because herself hated the OE seats. After 30 minutes she would have to dismount to ease the pains in her legs. With the Mustangs, she can ride from fill-up to fill-up with no issues. Going back to OE is not an option! 

 
And yes, Valks are fairly thin on the ground over here; GoldWings are 10 a penny, Valks not so ...


BF, thanks for that link (http://www.utpr.com/mustang.html). I would have to do some serious thinking before taking a knife to the seats. Herself would probably say no anyway.

That's when we spotted the Protac system. Like you Jess, I checked thier site. No Valk pictures. The seller must have the last one out there, but it works out dear for what it is.

[Dodis]

Chippy,

My Valk came with the Protac backrest installed. I agree that it sits a little higher on your back than the Ultimate I have now, but it was still very comfortable for me. I just couldn't keep it when I got my Ultimate, and the ultimate came with the backrest anyway...

I still have it and could get some pictures of it if you are interested. I don't even remember how it looks, it's been on the shelf so long, but would make you a great deal + shipping. Don't know what it would cost to get it over to you...

Here it is just after I bought it...


Also, side note for all, I had called Protac at one time asking about the Valk once I saw that it was no longer listed, and I was told that one of the other mounts (for a Kawasaki I think it was), was the same and when people called for a Valk, that was what they got now.

Mike "Dodis"

[Chippy01]

Chippy,

My Valk came with the Protac backrest installed. I agree that it sits a little higher on your back than the Ultimate I have now, but it was still very comfortable for me. I just couldn't keep it when I got my Ultimate, and the ultimate came with the backrest anyway...

I still have it and could get some pictures of it if you are interested. I don't even remember how it looks, it's been on the shelf so long, but would make you a great deal + shipping. Don't know what it would cost to get it over to you...

Here it is just after I bought it...


Also, side note for all, I had called Protac at one time asking about the Valk once I saw that it was no longer listed, and I was told that one of the other mounts (for a Kawasaki I think it was), was the same and when people called for a Valk, that was what they got now.

Mike "Dodis"

  If you could find some pics, especially the way it's mounted, that would be great. Either post them here or send them to my e-mail in my profile.

And you're gonna have to tell me more about this great deal you're proposing.

[Jess from VA]

Good deal Dodis.  

I see from the pic that it mounted up well on the Valk.  Did you keep all the mount hardware for it as well?

As you can see, it might squeeze the nose of the Mustang pass pillion (if wider than stock seat), but probably no harm.

It looks like it might make it difficult for the passenger to get on on and off with it mounted (and maybe even riding), but would still work well when riding solo.

Help out the man from Ireland.

The Ebay add says 11 lbs..... for shipping.

[F6MoRider]

Replaced the utopia, which I liked, when I went to ultimate seats a few years back.  Still have it somewhere in a barn across town.  If you want me to hunt it up, let me know.

[Chippy01]

Well, I got one question answered today.
I showed herself this thread, and the link that BF posted re mounting a Utopia backrest into the seat. A rather emphatic  ''You are NOT cutting into the seat!!'' 
So, thanks for the offer F6MoRider, but that option is closed.

Jess, she reckons that could get on with the Protac backrest in place, but if not, the way it appears to be made, (looking at the pics in my original link) the backrest frame could be lifted out of the mounting brackets when riding two-up, and reinserted when I want to go out alone. Looks feasable, anyway.

Dodis, herself wants to know as well now. 

[F6MoRider]

Cut into the seat??  Never heard of having to do that.  Utopia I have didn't require cutting anything.  May be a seat issue?

[Chippy01]

Cut into the seat??  Never heard of having to do that.  Utopia I have didn't require cutting anything.  May be a seat issue?

With the stock seat, the Utopia is a bolt on fixture. I have Mustangs now, and if you look at the link that BF posted, you can see that to fit a Utopia into a Mustang requires a little work.
I guess that could be classed as a seat issue alright ..... 

[BF]

I still think that your best option would simply be to order a new seat set with the back rests.  

Once you get your new seats you can then recoup alot of that cost by listing them on eBay, Craigslist.....or....putting an add in the VRCC classifieds here.  

I have the Mustangs on my bike with the Mustang backrest.  It's a very nice backrest....very adjustable...up, down, foward, backwards, folds foward/down for easy mount and dismounting the bike.  It's a quality piece.

[Dodis]

Chippy and All,

Finally got around to answering the PM, and am replying here too. Got a case of the flu with out last cold front, and just getting back to normal. (?)  

The Protac backrest slips up and out vertically to give more room for the passenger to get on/off the bike. No latches or anything to hold it, just gravity and friction, but it stays very well.

The mount goes on the two fender bolts, would be between bags and the fender if you have bags.

Will be getting pictures soon for Chippy...

Mike "Dodis"

[Chippy01]

Help out the man from Ireland.

And help the man he did Jess. We are now all comfy again .... 

[Jess from VA]

Good deal Phil.      (and clears the pillion nicely)

Every once in a while things line up and go right.