Rider's Backrest

[Jim M.]

 In the last couple years, I've developed a bit of arthritis in my upper back, and sometimes on a long ride it gets a little uncomfortable. I got to thinking that if I just had something to lean back against for a little extra support, especially when I put my feet on the Canyon Cage Highway Pegs, it would make things feel better longer. So i remembered back in the early 80's, I had a Suzuki GS750 that I had put a combination rear rack and passenger backrest on. The thing about the backrest is that with a couple of thumbscrews, you could slide the pad forward enough to reach the rider's back. The shape of that sliding part inspired me since the grab rails on the C-14 run along side the seat in much the same direction as those sliders. I had a scrap piece of 1/4" plumbing pipe laying around and commenced to make a few bends. I also had an old backrest pad off my old C-10.  I wish the scrap pipe would have been a little longer for the "tails" so I could get more clearance fror the hose clamps holding everything at the rear. I rode with it all weekend and enjoyed it a lot! I would remove them for two up, as a passenger's legs wouldn't have enough room with that particular pad. Here's what I turned out- 







I welded a plate onto the pipe to add more rigidity to the pad.

[SapperLdr]

   I like the idea.  I am going to have to contemplate this for awhile.

[maxtog]

Creative- but it's got to make getting the seat off and on a real chore.  (Of course, Canyon Cages have a similar effect for the fairings...)

[Jim M.]

 It's only held on by two hose clamps and easily removed. I can have the seat off in 5 minutes. Besides, I can't even remember the last time I've taken the seat off. I moved my tools to one of the bags along time ago.

[twowheeladdict]

How do you use a rider backrest when you are leaned forward on a sport touring bike?

[Rhino]

Great idea! Beats the hell out of the $400 Bakeup back rest. I might have to make one of these.

[Rhino]

How do you use a rider backrest when you are leaned forward on a sport touring bike?

Horizon ST bars from Helibars.

[Jim M.]

How do you use a rider backrest when you are leaned forward on a sport touring bike?

I do have risers and wedges, but I also have a long reach. When I'm sporting, the pad never touches me, but when I fold down the pegs on the Canyon Cages, it puts me back a little more (34" inseam) and hits my back perfectly.

[Rhino]

I do have risers and wedges, but I also have a long reach. When I'm sporting, the pad never touches me, but when I fold down the pegs on the Canyon Cages, it puts me back a little more (34" inseam) and hits my back perfectly.

+1 I had a Bakup back rest and with pegs i could lean back into it. But I have since put a Corbin on the bike and the Bakup doesn't work with the Corbin. But the Corbin naturally has a bit of a back rest very low on the back. I like this idea and want to just use a padded roll over the bar just above the rear Corbin at the lumbar of my back. I would only put it on when going on a long ride. This is a brilliant idea!