BUBF Sissy Bar Option
An alternative to
the F&S standard
Karen (my all suffering SO) had made frequent comment about the lack of security offered by the piddly little bob-tail at the back of the pillion seat. All it served to do was stop her sliding off the back as I accelerated away from stop. She really wanted something a bit higher and also something to hang onto as my leathers are tight fitting providing no hand hold.
I was looking for an alternative to the one option I had for a higher sissybar. One was to go for the stock Fire and Steel equipment but it really was price prohibitive. To go for the F&S bar with pad plus the F&S pack rack would set me back about $NZ600 (about $US300) and I still wasn't happy with the additional height offered. Another option was to run with an HD sissybar but it also only gave minimal height gain and required some adjustment to make it fit properly. I really wanted a decent bit of height, up to between the shoulder blades would have been ideal.
I eventually arrived at the decision that to get what I wanted would require a custom built affair, built to order. I was really pleased with the job Cycleworks had done on my pipes so called in to see them with a copy of Motorcycle Cruiser. In there was a picture of a Suzuki Intruder 1500 fitted with a Hard Krome sissy bar and pack rack. Damon figured he could do something along those lines so I left the bike with him while away for a week and a half.
On my return I found that Damon had done a fine job of making an extension to the current bob-tail, taking it up 8 inches. To that he welded a beautiful pack rack and also attached a grab rail coming across the back and down each side. All of this was finished off with an excellent chrome finish. He had retained the OEM equipment as much as possible and all had been bolted together (apart from welding the packrack to the extension) so that if ever required it could be easily dismantled.
I'm more than pleased with the finished article. I have got something that is quite original, one of a kind. It is done to an excellent finish, is very strong and all for a very good price. The total article, fitted was only $NZ400 (about $US200) which I consider to be quite reasonable. It is a lot less than the F&S equipment, higher (added security) and with the additional feature of grab handles for the pillion.
Also, it looks damned nice!!
I'ld strongly recommend to anyone considering fitting a sissy bar to their BUBF that they check with a local provider of custom chrome work and see if they can do a similar job. It is not difficult and (depending on local prices) could well be a lot cheaper than having to accept the few options available in the after market for the BUBF. There are definately a lot more options available for the Classics.
If anyone wants more details of the measurements, I am happy to provide them. Hell, if you ask nicely I may even dismantle it and take some more detailed photo's, it might cost you a badge or something though <grin>
Additional. These photo's are more recent. They show the grab handle more clearly as well as the saddle bag supports and a full rear view.
This site has had visitors since June 22nd 2003