The backrest kit for my 08 came with the installation kit included. After i installed the bracket in the furtheress back position it was still off a inch from lining up with the slot in the seat.

i went back to the dealer and the only fix was to buy a 09 installation kit.
Bracket works fine but i'm out another 32 bucks.

08 road king
sunset crimson

 

Yep I installed the detachable back rest 2 weeks ago discovered the instructions were written by an idiot so I chunked them to the side and let common sense take over only had one problem on the left side and it was the locking post hole alignment for the left bag once I got it lined up I was done. NOTE as a added measure of safety for my passenger I added a lock washer and nut on the front bolts by the shocks because they were hard to torque while trying to keep the half moon shape in the correct position; They probably made it confusing so you would pay the shop to install the system but not me I saved the $94.00 dollar shop fee they wanted for doing the job and braved it myself.

 

I had bought the Detachable Backrest for my new 5 day old 08 SG but freaked out on the instructions.

I saw the pics posted and will git er done tomorrow.

My wife had a hard time riding for "maiden" ride w/o the backrest. Gotta have it - she picked the SG out for me.

Thanks for the great pics and instructions.

 

This thread has more lives than an old alley cat.

 

This old cat had no problem with a strong helper to push just right on the fender

 

DAM that is some horror stories on the 06 it was a breeze-ride safe

 

Anybody in the Atlanta area willing to help me get mine installed? Tools I have...patience I don't....just send me a PM

 

Well got it done !

My wife helped to align all - sissy bar snapped in nice and tight w/ no rattle

Not counting the time to figure out what bolts went where and the mis-numbered parts thewn forgetting the chrome rail covers on "soft install" I had it done in a little over an hour.

Son bought the Craftsmen aluminum m/c jack and dropped it off to me - made it a lot easier on aligning the holes.



Definitely a better ride today for both of us. Had to keep checking that she was back there.

 

What is the purpose of the flat bar that connect the front and back mounting points? I got the kit from a friend and did not have them. Anyone know why you need them? I installed without them. Seems to work fine.

 

ok the nightmare begins -

first problem as mentined by Oldfarjc : the docking-point mounting bracket has two letters stamped F and R and they need to face outward as the brackets are side specific. You can only do that with one of them because you would have to mount the left one upside down and backwards for the stamped letters F and R to face outward which then of course would mean F would be to the rear and R to the front.

So how the hell should I mount them ?

Thanks
John