IS Supervalk question

[KingValk]

For any of you guys running a SV conversion;  Have you put together some kind of sissybar conversion for 2up riding w/out the trunk?  What's the best way to do this?  Use 2 modified trunk brackets?  Fabricate brackets?  What parts for backrest and rack?   Any experiences on this would be appreciated.
Thanks, Don

[Momz]

Yes

[Ricky-D]

Probably the best thing is to get hold of some fender struts for a Valkyrie other than a I/S.  You can use a other than I/S seat setup since all the bolt holes are present in all the fenders.  You need to get a regular taillight set to have a brake light on the bike. Again, the fender is already made to accept the taillight assembly. Be sure to get one with the full wires attached.

There was some discussion regarding running the standard struts without the sissy bar brackets attached. There is a small slot that is present when the bracket is missing, but not really that noticeable.  Be sure when you get the sissy bar you also get the attaching brackets with it, without the brackets there will be no way to mount it.

[Willow]

This was my scheme if you can tell anything from the marks on the grab rails.  Unfortunately my Interstate got crunched the weekend before we were to do the work on these.

The idea was to cut the backrest support so the trunk mounts would pass over them and use the removed top part as the forward bolt hole for the trunk mount (it would involve welding the tab forward).  The lower hole (newly drilled where the x is in the pic) in the backrest support would function for both the lower backrest bolt and the rear trunk mount bolt.

This configuration would lower the backrest about two inches, but would allow for an easy, quick trasition from backrest to trunk.  Using bolts from the back with acorn nuts showing would allow an acceptable presentation for either setup.

I'll do this to the next Interstate I get.

 

[KingValk]

Thanks guys; that helps me gather my options.  I was thinking more along the lines of fabricating plate steel brackets pretty much mirroring the modified trunk rails with sockets for a standard backrest. Maybe even using a set of OEM rails as a base if I could find 'em.  I hate to butcher up anything someone could put to better use though.
Another thought: If I did get a shop to fabricate such a bracket and had it chromed, do you think there would be a market for them?

[mirion]

I think there are many Interstate owners that have wished for a set of these brackets you are proposing to fabricate, I know I have. I bought some standard rails and a sissy bar, took off my trunk and added a tail light but I sure do wish I could snap the trunk on real quick many times. Of course the price you need to get will dictate how many people are willing to spring for it but I would be very interested. Attached is a pic of someone else who did what you are proposing and they did a very nice job of it, unfortunately they did not wish to make any more. It has the slots in the brackets same as the method described in the Big BF article to slot the trunk brackets for quick interchange between trunk and sissy bar.