Rider's Backrest for Harley-Davidson Freewheeler

Hello,

This is my first post so if I'm in the wrong place then I apologize. I want to add an adjustable rider's backrest to my 2015 Harley-Davidson Freewheeler that has a Sundowner seat (52000183) The part number for the frame mounted receiver is 54099-10. My problem is that Harley-Davidson doesn't offer a backrest for a Freewheeler with that receiver. I have found a used but like new 54099-10 with a 52501-09A backrest and it was removed from a 2016 Triglide. Harley-Davidson states that backrest will not fit a Freewheeler. My Harley-Davidson knowledge is limited to the V-Rod so I don't know what the difference is between a Triglide and Freewheeler. I would appreciate advice from people that have had first hand experience with the Freewheeler rider's backrest.

Thank you,

Ron Becker

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Ron, the picture you posted is like the adjustable backrest i have on my 2010 trike:

sorry i am not familiar with the backrest & mount for the Freewheeler but knowing HD and their infinite wisdom (called marketing=dollars) it will NOT fit your Freewheeler;

basicly the mounting bracket is not comptable with the Freewheeler!

Surely someone onboard the Forum that is familiar/Freewheeler will answer up and give you the input you need.

AND WELCOME TO T/T!

:Coffee:

welcome Ron posting location is good. Sorry not familiar with the freewheeler frame. But I would bet it could be adapted, but not sure.

Ron, I have what appears to be the same backrest, I believe the issue is the original seat not the backrest that will be a tight fit the frame is the same as the tri-glide. I had mine on my 2015 Freewheeler and now on my 2017. I am running a hammock seat, however I needed to shave a little of the flanges on the passenger area on the bottom of the seat to allow the seat to fit in the opening.

Gene

Ron, welcome to trike talk. I purchased my 2015 FW in December 2014. Harley Davidson did not list a back rest for the FW and the dealer insisted there wasn't one. I told the sales manager that I wouldn't buy one if I couldn't get a backrest and left. Two hours after I got home the sales manager e-mailed me a photo of a back rest installed on the FW. He took a back rest out of inventory that was for touring bikes (Road King, Triglide, etc.) and put it on himself. Same thing on the windshield. They didn't have either of the two windshields for a FW in stock and I told them I had to have a windshield until they got one in stock for a FW. They took one off a Road King and it fit so they let me use it until the one for my FW came in. The back rest Worked on my FW with the stock seat and the Sundowner seat I put on it later. It was not the remote adjustable back rest like in your post but the standard one. It will probably fit. Maybe someone will respond that has actually used this exact back rest on a FW. I can't tell you how many times a dealer told me something wouldn't fit my FW but it did.

Good luck.

Sunman

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You just need to custom install adjustable base which really is easy. I used mine off a 2017 SGS and no problem installing on my 2019 FW.

I thank all of you for your input. The adjustable mount part number is the same for the (model ?) trike and the Freewheeler trike so I should be good to go.

Ron Becker

Ron is the adjustable back rest the only one you will consider? I ask because I bought mine from grasshopper when I got my 19 FW. It is pretty inexpensive and does the job.

[URL]http://www.grasshopperlimited.com/harley-davidson/[/URL] Contact them for the FW and they will give you the order number. Just another option.

[QUOTE=WindyOne;772699]Ron is the adjustable back rest the only one you will consider? I ask because I bought mine from grasshopper when I got my 19 FW. It is pretty inexpensive and does the job.

[URL]http://www.grasshopperlimited.com/harley-davidson/[/URL] Contact them for the FW and they will give you the order number. Just another option.[/QUOTE]

Both I and my wife use these.

I too purchased the Grasshopper rider backrest for my 2017 FW & could not be happier.

A quality product at a great price.:cool:

Ron: I've a 2015 Freewheeler with the Sundowner seat. About 3 weeks ago I installed the exact backrest you show in your photo. It fits the Freewheeler perfectly, no modifications are necessary. I do have to stand on the floor board so I can swing my leg high enough to clear the backrest and mount the bike, same with dismounting. Pushing it forward/flat is the option for a passenger mounting the bike, not rider mounting. I ride alone, I have gotten it adjusted where I like it and have never touched the adjustment since.

[QUOTE=Sunman;771426]I can't tell you how many times a dealer told me something wouldn't fit my FW but it did.[/QUOTE]

I ran across my own post while searching for a passenger backrest w/ armrest. I have come to believe that they do that to lessen the competition from the used motorcycle part market.

Ron

[QUOTE=Two Won't Do;850480]I ran across my own post while searching for a passenger backrest w/ armrest. I have come to believe that they do that to lessen the competition from the used motorcycle part market.

Ron[/QUOTE]

I purchased a passenger backrest with armrest here:

[url]http://www.motorcyclereararmrest.com/products.html[/url]

I'm pleased with it, excellent customer support and very easy install.