I ordered a backrest from Haulen *** in black powdercoat last Friday and received it yesterday (Friday) so shipping was fast. The order tracking page on their website didn't ever say anything other than the order details so the package was a surprise, but it's hard to complain about such fast service. (An e-mail with a tracking number would have been nice.)

The backrest itself is really well made. It's made of thick steel and is very sturdy. There are no sharp edges and the powdercoating looks flawless.

The backrest pad was a bit of a disappointment but it's a Harley-Davidson part so I can't blame Haulen ***. The pad is a bit thicker on one side so it points a bit to the right. You can't tell unless you stand over it from the back.
I've read somewhere where others have had similar comments about the quality of the backrest pad but I'm too lazy to look it up again. I'll make a shim to fix the alignment if it ever bothers me enough to overcome my laziness. I don't think it will, but I've been wrong before.
The pad is the same color as my seat. (This was a pleasant surprise.)

Mounting the rest took every bit of five minutes.
I did have to cut 1/8" off a 1" long 1/4" bolt to mount my seat with the backrest because the rest is curved differently than the fender so there is a gap that must be closed by the mounting bolt. (If you have the thumb screw type of seat mounting bolt you will not be able to use it with this backrest. I didn't have that style of bolt.)
A one inch long screw protruded too far under the fender for my comfort and a 3/4" screw couldn't get a thread started into the nut on the fender no matter how hard I pushed down on the tab. The now 7/8" long screw is just flush with the nut under the fender.

My wife is happy with the height of the rest, but this is no recliner. I like the height because it doesn't ruin the line of my bike (to my eyes anyway).

I looked at several other backrests before ordering this one, including the ones that have no sideplates and mount the way the Haulen *** rest mounts. This one is absolutely the best looking of the bunch, and I think it's the best bang for the buck. I'm happy to recommend this rest to others who want a backrest but don't want to go the route of sideplates.

I've put the pics in my HDF album but I don't know how to link to them so...









It did not occur to me to mount my saddlebags and take a picture (sorry, maybe later).

 

Thanks for the review and the pics. I think its probably a good choice for the Nightster.
Looks great from the side. The bracket on the back of the pad could look better but overall looks good.

 

does it scratch the fender at all?

 

They come with a rubber mat that you lay the bracket on so things don't get scratched up.

 

I put one on my 1200C for the same reason didn't like the side plates. I got a after market pad and put a piece of polish stainless steel on the back of it. Keeps the lines of the bike clean and keeps the kids from falling off.

 

No. The rubber pad is larger than the plate. If you don't tighten it enough it would probably mark the fender.

Where did you get the new pad? I looked over the Harley site but didn't find anything that looked like it would fit. I thought about making my own, but I'm lazy. I may take mine apart and re-stuff it.

 

Grammaton thanks for the great write up and the photos... they look amazing. Sorry we didn't get the tracking to you, I'll have to check that out cause it used to automatically email but I have done a lot with the site lately and my have messed that up. We don't have a whole lot of photos of the Black brackets on the bikes yet so would it be cool if I borrowed some of your pics?

thanks again and hope you but more importantly your girl enjoys.
Jason
Haulen ***

 

Yea I like the look of it and I'm not a fan of 2 up seats....that could be a nice option to keep the wife happy.

 

Where did you get the new pad? I looked over the Harley site but didn't find anything that looked like it would fit. I thought about making my own, but I'm lazy. I may take mine apart and re-stuff it.

I pick the pad up from J.C. Whitney for less than 20 bucks.

 

It's not a big deal. Like I said, the shipping was so fast it's hard to complain.

Absolutely.