My Homemade Backrest

[Xelvic]

So I hate spending money on something I feel I can do myself and for a lot less. I was looking around and found various backrest that ranged between 200 and 300 dollars. I love to fabricate my own stuff so I figured I would give it a shot.

I went to Walmart and found a schwinn bicycle seat that I liked. It only cost 20 bucks. It was big and put together really well...I know 20 buck right, but I'm telling you it was a very nice seat! Any who, I could not use it in it's current form because it was made for your butt and not for your back.

So I bought the seat and took it home and got to work on it. The first thing I did was take the cover off it so I could get to the foam. I then used my bench grinder and shaped the foam to my liking...or I should say to the wife's liking. Once that was complete I put the cover back on and used my staple gun (air compressed) and secured the cover. I got it back on with no wrinkles at all!! Now my next problem was that I needed to cover up all the staples showing on the back side. So I made a template with cardboard and stitched black fabric to the back of the seat with the cardboard underneath it. That way it look good and the fabric flowed into the seat.

My next job was to build a bracket to not only hold the seat, but to attach to the bike securely. I also wanted the seat to be able to adjust on the mount (up down, angle front, angle back) that way I could dial it in for the wife once she sat on the bike.

I made the mount that attaches to the bike go under the luggage rack and is all one piece. Ahh hell...here are some random picture to show what I did. Overall I think it turned out great and the wife loves it after our 150 mile test ride with it on.  I did all this for 20 bucks and about 5 hours of my time. Not Bad!!

[Gumby]

That thing is going to tip over if you leave that cannon on there much longer!   

[Xelvic]

HA!!! I live in Southern Arizona... I might need that cannon!! It will give me a fighting chance against the Mexican Cartels!!

[VirginiaJim]

Well, well, well.  Someone is taking MG's place.  All you need do now is speak Italian.

[Gumby]

Well, well, well.  Someone is taking MG's place.  All you need do now is speak Italian.

That's kinda funny. 

[gPink]

Well, well, well.  Someone is taking MG's place.  All you need do now is speak Italian.

...and maybe a video.

Xelvic, looks good. Are you comfortable with the strength of the upright? Do you have a quick detach?

[fmwhit]

Looks good Xelvic.  Others on the forum have used head rests from car, I think the old Volvo(740) but nut sure.  I am sure that there are many that will work once you figure out a way of fabricating the mount.

[maxtog]

So I hate spending money on something I feel I can do myself and for a lot less. I was looking around and found various backrest that ranged between 200 and 300 dollars. I love to fabricate my own stuff so I figured I would give it a shot.

That is slick!  Good job!

[BMahar]

  That looks real good. A fine job.
 And even more important, the wife is comfortable with it after a 150 mile ride. 

[Xelvic]

Thanks guys!! As far as the mount goes, I'm completely comfortable with the strength of it. I welded two 3/8th rods together to make it. There's no quick detach per-say, but it only takes removing the four luggage rack bolts to take it off, maybe a minute total probably less.

[connie and me]

I like it also...

[pistole]

- great job there !!

.

[mvjr1904]

Great idea and quality final product. Your final cost and savings on the actual cost of a store bought one is outstanding!!  I too am in the market for a backrest but the $350 I'll have to spend (for a rack and back rest) is my stalling point.  That plus I do not ride two up enough to justify the purchase.

If you make another one to improve on the first one and your looking to get rid of that one, let me know.

[Xelvic]

Great idea and quality final product. Your final cost and savings on the actual cost of a store bought one is outstanding!!  I too am in the market for a backrest but the $350 I'll have to spend (for a rack and back rest) is my stalling point.  That plus I do not ride two up enough to justify the purchase.

If you make another one to improve on the first one and your looking to get rid of that one, let me know.

I know, that's what I was thinking. I can't believe what they want for backrests!! Their profit margin must be huge with these things.

[Conrad]

...and maybe a video.

Xelvic, looks good. Are you comfortable with the strength of the upright? Do you have a quick detach?

Just one video? Oh no, that won't do!

[gPink]

Said videos must show if the backrest works when bike is mounted from the right side while barefooted.

[martin_14]

Well, well, well.  Someone is taking MG's place.  All you need do now is speak Italian.

August is just gone*. Give it time, he'll be back.

* The whole Italy goes on holidays in August. The place is deserted unless you look into the Amalfi coast or similar places.

[VirginiaJim]

Have our fingers crossed ...

[wildnphx]

Very nice...  Let me know if your interested in building another