GL1100I passenger back rest
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- Posts: 19
- Joined: Thu Aug 16, 2018 5:58 pm
- Location: Bluffton, SC & Wall, NJ
- Motorcycle: 1980 GL1100 Interstate
1976 Suzuki GT550
GL1100I passenger back rest
After months of tinkering my 1980 GL1100I barn find is running, registered and insured. My wife and I went for a 90 mile ride the other day and she loved it, except that the passenger back rest hits her too low on her back to be comfortable. I'm trying to figure out a way to add a backrest above the stock one that will be about 9 inches higher. I can't find anything on line. Can anyone offer a suggestion?
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- Posts: 206
- Joined: Sun May 14, 2017 6:56 pm
- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Motorcycle: 1980 GL1100 Interstate
1978 GL1000
Re: GL1100I passenger back rest
You could change the trunk to an 82 or 83 Aspencade trunk. Those have a much taller backrest pad than the Interstate models. I don't think there are any aftermarket options for backrest pads for the GL1100. There is also the possibility the backrest pad from an 82 or 83 Aspencade might bolt straight onto an 80 or 81 Interstate trunk, but I have never had an Aspencade trunk to work on so I can't tell if that's actually an option. Some members here have lots of Aspencade parts in their stock of stuff so one of them may be able to verify that for you.
- bruce swaybill
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2013 11:26 pm
- Location: farmington, ct
- Motorcycle: .
1983 honda gl1100i interstate
2009 triumph bonneville t100
Re: GL1100I passenger back rest
There were two back rests for the GL1100 - the 80-82 had a short pad (flush with the top of the trunk) and the 83 had a taller pad (1-2 inches above the trunk).
You could also make a custom back rest using the same mounting holes with a plywood base, new foam and new vinyl cover, to any height she would like!
You'll be her hero!
Good luck.
Bruce S.
You could also make a custom back rest using the same mounting holes with a plywood base, new foam and new vinyl cover, to any height she would like!
You'll be her hero!
Good luck.
Bruce S.
Have a nice day! 

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- Posts: 19
- Joined: Thu Aug 16, 2018 5:58 pm
- Location: Bluffton, SC & Wall, NJ
- Motorcycle: 1980 GL1100 Interstate
1976 Suzuki GT550
Re: GL1100I passenger back rest
I'm going with a custom installation. I ordered a Harley backrest from Mad Hornets and I'm going to fabricate a mount out of sheet aluminum that will bolt on under the existing pad. BTW, the whole point of this exercise is to be her hero! We're planning a 4 day trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway as soon as this Covid19 crap goes away, and I don't need to listen to her whine that her back hurts.
- bruce swaybill
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2013 11:26 pm
- Location: farmington, ct
- Motorcycle: .
1983 honda gl1100i interstate
2009 triumph bonneville t100
- newday777
- Posts: 2309
- Joined: Tue Jan 11, 2011 5:21 pm
- Location: Milford NH summer/fall & Oceanside, CA winters(N San Diego) with lots of miles riden between
- Motorcycle: 2008 Cabernet Red. Level 4
1983 GL1100A Wineberry 36,000 miles
1975 CB750 K5 Planet Blue 7,800 miles
1976 CB750 K6 Anterris Red 25,000 miles
Past rides
1999A Restored from PO neglect & sold at 19,000 miles
1999SE Totaled by cager at 105,000 miles
Re: GL1100I passenger back rest
I have thought of getting a hd ultra trunk pad also for my 83 trunk.Bill P. wrote: โWed Apr 29, 2020 7:31 am I'm going with a custom installation. I ordered a Harley backrest from Mad Hornets and I'm going to fabricate a mount out of sheet aluminum that will bolt on under the existing pad. BTW, the whole point of this exercise is to be her hero! We're planning a 4 day trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway as soon as this Covid19 crap goes away, and I don't need to listen to her whine that her back hurts.
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