GL1100I passenger back rest

[Bill P.]

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?

[Good Hondog]

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]

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.

[Bill P.]

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]

Happy wife, happy life!

[newday777]

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.

I have thought of getting a hd ultra trunk pad also for my 83 trunk.