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Backrest/Luggage Rack Installation?

1K views 6 replies 3 participants last post by  UJMrider 
#1 ·
Just got a backrest/luggage rack from a '96 Tbird in the mail. In my first half-assed attempt to fit it, it became obvious that I need longer bolts to attach the rack through the rear turn signal mounts. Are these available from Triumph for less than a King's Ransom?

Also, it didn't seem to want to fit exactly right. I didn't want to bend it or start forcing anything, but I have a few questions:

1. Should there be any problem mounting the backrest from a '96 onto my '01? My understanding was that the only change between the '95-'99 and the '00-'03 Tbirds was the 6-speed tranny, and that the frame stayed the same. Is this true? Has anyone else fitted a backrest or luggage rack from an older Tbird onto a newer one?

2. Do I have to remove the seat to do this? If so, how do I do that (note: I don't yet have an owner's manual, but I hope to by this time next week.) Is it those two allen-head bolts at the back of the seat frame?

All help is appreciated!



[ This message was edited by: UJMrider on 2005-04-14 15:24 ]
 
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#3 ·
hey ujm,
i sold you the backrest...
if you remove the seat, then look for and remove the 2 bolts below the rear part of the seat, you will see where the backrest mounts to. use the bolts that came of of the bike.
that is what i did.
if you need anymore help will email you with my number and help any way i can... there might be a difference in the subframe from a 96 to a 01 tbird. hope this helps.
 
#4 ·
On 2005-04-14 18:24, oranges3 wrote:
hey ujm,
i sold you the backrest...
if you remove the seat, then look for and remove the 2 bolts below the rear part of the seat, you will see where the backrest mounts to. use the bolts that came of of the bike.
that is what i did.
if you need anymore help will email you with my number and help any way i can... there might be a difference in the subframe from a 96 to a 01 tbird. hope this helps.
No sweat, Andrew. I think the problem was that I was trying to do this without removing the seat. When I get more time this weekend, I'll take the seat off, remove the turn signals entireley, and then install the backrest. If I have problems, I'll email back.

Thanks!
 
#5 ·
Hmmm...well, I haven't got the seat off, but I can tell right now that the stock bolts aren't going to work. Here's why: In order to attach, the bolts have to go through both the backrest and the turn signal bracket, and then into the nut on the sub frame. Well, the threaded portion of the bolt is only about 3/8" long, and the part of the backrest bracket that the bolt has to pass through is at least 1/2" thick. So, once it goes through the backrest frame, only about 1/8" is sticking out, and the turn signal bracket is at least 1/4" thick.

So, I don't know if the '96 had longer bolts, or a thinner turn signal bracket, but either way, I need longer bolts. I'm going to Erico tomorrow, so I'll see if they have them.

Worst case scenario, if for whatever reason I can't get this backrest onto the Tbird, I'll probably just put it up for sale on Ebay, or through the classifieds here.
 
#7 ·
Well, I couldn't get it to work. Apparently the rear subframe on the later model Tbird is slightly wider so the old backrest won't fit.

Fortunately, I ordered the last one that Erico had in stock and it should be here in a day or so (Erico ships their stuff out fast!)

So, my 96 backrest is for sale in the classifieds section, if anyone's interested.

Should fit on an older T-bird, but I don't know if it will fit a Legend or not. Does anyone else know? Did they have the same sub-frame as the older Tbird? From my limited knowledge, the Legend seems to be the same as a Tbird, but with a different paint/engine scheme and a lower seat.
 
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