Anyone know how I could remove this backrest? Thanks!!

 

You can't tell from the pic if it is quick detach (QD) or not. If it;'s a QD one, it's very simple. If it is bolted to the struts get a torx bit and a wrench for the nut behind the fender (by the tire) and undo the bolts.

 

Sorry, guess I didn't explain it very clearly! I just want to remove the backing plate - the brown piece with the concho.

Fortunately, I know how to remove the entire assembly. I just can figure how to get that concho off.

 

CaptainCHet, did you ever find out how to remove the pad from your back rest? I have an 09 just like yours and want to remove the pad. It looks like there is a 3rd bolt under the decorative piece. Can't figure out how to get to the bolt.

 

untie the concho? bolt should be under it...

 

I have experience here - its held on with VERY sticky double stick tape.

Get a blow drier and warm it up well.

Then, I sharpened up a paint stir stick and used that to pry it off. Then use goo-gone to get the remaining stick gunk off of it.

You will discover that there's a normal (non counter-sunk) philips screw that holds the padded backrest on to the sissy bar. I bought a 1/2" countersinking bit to counter sink the hole then replaced the philips screw with a machine screw so that it would be flush with the back.

http://keithhu.smugmug.com/Motorcycl...51058127_W4Y3J

Then I stuck a nice HD medallion on it:

http://keithhu.smugmug.com/Motorcycl...51084053_nkzmm (looks better after I cleaned it up a bit)

 

If your just wanting to change out the pad you can just remove the two screws from the lower bar and spin it off. This won't damage the leather piece on the back. If you want to remove the leather piece just put a little heat on it and pull it off.

 

Thanks Gman and Keithhu.
That is what I was looking for.

 

I took the brown leather trim off. However, I used two sided tape and put the concho back on to cover all the holes. It looks a lot better.

 

Yes, the only MUST DO mod on this bike. I used HD tank bib with pouch, all black and the same medalion on sissy bar. Much improved.