I have a 2006 GL1800 I bought used. The luggage rack was fine but then one corner slipped. I found out the PO had attempted to tap the post and broken the tap off in the hole.
I went ahead and bought a new rack. It came from Show Chrome but I have having trouble mounting it. As I expected it does not line up with all four holes. I have left the other three loose to allow some movement but can't seem to line up the last hole to get the bolt in. I have pushed and pulled but can't get it lined up. I am afraid of cross threading so I am taking it easy and not rushing mounting it. After all, we are getting freezing rain tonight!
I am open to any suggestions, I'll be asking my son since he's pretty good at problem solving but any additional suggestions would be appreciated.
Ride Safe!
Luggage Rack Mounting
-
echinus1988
- Posts: 447
- Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2013 7:53 pm
- Location: Burns, WY
- Motorcycle: 2006 GL1800, 1982 GL1100 Aspencade (Sold), 1980 GL1100 (sold), 2022 Harley Davidson Pan American Special
-
Viking
- Posts: 3760
- Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:59 pm
- Location: North Bay, Ontario, Canada
- Motorcycle: 2009 GL1800 AD
1987 Harley Softail Custom
1974 Harley FLH (sold)
1965 Harley FLHE (sold)
1957 Harley Chopper (sold)
Re: Luggage Rack Mounting
If the rack is as good to centered as you are going to get it, you may have to enlarge one or all of the holes. If you need to do this, 1/4" hole washers or smaller may be needed to cover the larger holes to keep your trunk waterproof. This is probably what I would do, but I would need to actually see it to know if I am out to lunch on it or not.
It ain't about the destination - it's all about the journey
-
am3098
- Posts: 83
- Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2013 5:10 am
- Location: Bazetta Twp. OH
- Motorcycle: 2010 Candy Caliente Red GL1800
Re: Luggage Rack Mounting
I agree with enlarging the holes just enough to give yourself more wiggle room. I learned the hard way on my previous 1500 not to try and tighten the bolts and force the rack to line up. I installed a rack and within a day I had cracks in the trunk lid because of the tension the rack had as a result of the mounts no being perfectly lined up with the holes. If you have any gaps because of the larger holes, these work well, https://www.cyclemax.com/inc/sdetail/tr ... ashers/427 , the rubber also helps keep the water out.
A.J. Musial
-
echinus1988
- Posts: 447
- Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2013 7:53 pm
- Location: Burns, WY
- Motorcycle: 2006 GL1800, 1982 GL1100 Aspencade (Sold), 1980 GL1100 (sold), 2022 Harley Davidson Pan American Special
Re: Luggage Rack Mounting
I'll take a couple pictures. I was looking at it briefly yesterday and it's so close but off enough to cause a problem I think. I was wondering if I could flex it but that sounds like it will create more problems than it solves so I will put it on, center it and see if I need to drill a hole bigger to fit like it should. As long as it isn't crooked I can live with that.
It is close though, I do remember noticing that when I looked at it. I am going to gently tap the one post because I felt resistance when I tried to put the bolt in. I may have damaged threads so I'll do a careful tap on it to clean up the threads some.
As always, I appreciate the information that is provided on this site and thank you all for it!
Ride Safe!
It is close though, I do remember noticing that when I looked at it. I am going to gently tap the one post because I felt resistance when I tried to put the bolt in. I may have damaged threads so I'll do a careful tap on it to clean up the threads some.
As always, I appreciate the information that is provided on this site and thank you all for it!
Ride Safe!