Going TOPLESS

[BOXX3R]

A couple of weeks ago I had taken the top box off to install a Lil Piece of Trim and really liked how the trike looked with no top box. I wished that Harley made a rack that mounted into the same holes as the top box does, and like magic a member (SEAlaskan) came up with a part number for a rack that fits and was offered for the FLHXXX 2010-2011 Tri- Glide. From Harley they were $299, but sadly are no longer available. I got lucky and found one on ebay for just $99, and it was brand new still in the box.

I don't plan to run topless all of the time because that top box is just so damn convenient. But on occasion I would like to show off the slimmed down wide glide so I devised a way with an electric hoist to lift the top box off the bike and lower it back down onto a rolling cart. Then when I want to put the top box back, on I lift it off the cart with the hoist and drop it back down into the holes. It is not super heavy, but it is a bit awkward trying to drop the box into the holes without scratching the body.

The rack came yesterday so today I stripped down and went TOPLESS. It came with 6 5/16" allen head bolts to screw into the rack from underneath the trunk top. But I like the idea of studs like the top box has, so I got 6 5/16" lag bolts and cut the heads off and to length, then I will blue locktite them into the rack to make the switcheroo/install a little bit easier and use ny-lock nuts on the underside of the trunk.

Now from behind she looks like.......BEYONCE
Black, wide and easy to ride

[Sully]

Looks Great and looks like a Bigger Freewheeler

[jc1300]

Looks Great and looks like a Bigger Freewheeler

LOL - I was thinking the same thing! And to be honest, it's a better looking and functional "Freewheeler" too

Cool - jc

[Recall]

Nice work. It looks really nice without the trunk. If only there was a way to mount a passenger backrest We could have the best of both worlds.

[Gorilla]

makes you wonder why the FLXXX didn't sell better.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Freewheeler on steroids ... does it handle any different? Wouldn't think so, but, I've been wrong before.

[Darth]

Looks good!

[BOXX3R]

Nice work. It looks really nice without the trunk. If only there was a way to mount a passenger backrest We could have the best of both worlds.

Apparently Harley did make a rider backrest that mounted to the rack through these two big button head bolts, and I believe is sadly also no longer available new. There are pics of the back rest in the thread linked below in post #199.

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threa...ke-Pics/page20

[tbear]

A couple of weeks ago I had taken the top box off to install a Lil Piece of Trim and really liked how the trike looked with no top box. I wished that Harley made a rack that mounted into the same holes as the top box does, and like magic a member (SEAlaskan) came up with a part number for a rack that fits and was offered for the FLHXXX 2010-2011 Tri- Glide. From Harley they were $299, but sadly are no longer available. I got lucky and found one on ebay for just $99, and it was brand new still in the box.

I don't plan to run topless all of the time because that top box is just so damn convenient. But on occasion I would like to show off the slimmed down wide glide so I devised a way with an electric hoist to lift the top box off the bike and lower it back down onto a rolling cart. Then when I want to put the top box back, on I lift it off the cart with the hoist and drop it back down into the holes. It is not super heavy, but it is a bit awkward trying to drop the box into the holes without scratching the body.

The rack came yesterday so today I stripped down and went TOPLESS. It came with 6 5/16" allen head bolts to screw into the rack from underneath the trunk top. But I like the idea of studs like the top box has, so I got 6 5/16" lag bolts and cut the heads off and to length, then I will blue locktite them into the rack to make the switcheroo/install a little bit easier and use ny-lock nuts on the underside of the trunk.

Now from behind she looks like.......BEYONCE
Black, wide and easy to ride

I THINK YOU STARTED SOMETHING-HERE!!

[GoSlo]

I love this look as an option. Wonder what the weight limits are for loading the rack? Maybe more than on the tourpak?

[BOXX3R]

I love this look as an option. Wonder what the weight limits are for loading the rack? Maybe more than on the tourpak?

The rack is super beefy solid 3/4" bar stock as opposed to the Tour-Pak rack which is 1/2" tubing. I am sure the rack itself could hold Beyonce, JayZ and Chris Christe. The trunk roof would likely fail before the rack would.

[alienwulf]

Like the new look. Bike has a low mean look to it, very nice.

[56Elwood]

Nice job! THAT'S what the Freewheeler should look like!

[BinIdaho]

How did you remove the antennas and wiring for the CB/Radio? Good job but not so good if you have/had a passenger!

[BOXX3R]

How did you remove the antennas and wiring for the CB/Radio? Good job but not so good if you have/had a passenger!

The 2015 Tri-Glide does not come with a CB, nor have I felt the need to install one. I simply replaced the one tall antenna on the top box with two shortys to make it have a more balanced look. I left the antennas on the top box when I removed it and just unplugged the radio antenna connection and the speaker connection along with the top box lights. So going topless means I also have no radio to listen too. IF I was going to keep the top box off most of the time I would figure a way to mount some sort of an auxiliary antenna. And IF I end up with a passenger I will try and find one of those rack mounted back rests.

Most of the time I will ride with the top box on, as it is just too convenient for storing all of the daily essentials like wallet, sun screen, a few tools, paperwork, helmet and whatever else I need for a ride. But on occasion, when I feel the need to show off like for a big motorcycle gathering such as Born Free, I will slim down and go TOPLESS. I can live without a radio for the day.

[jc1300]

I would figure a way to mount some sort of an auxiliary antenna. And IF I end up with a passenger I will try and find one of those rack mounted back rests.

Most of the time I will ride with the top box on, as it is just too convenient for storing all of the daily essentials like wallet, sun screen, a few tools, paperwork, helmet and whatever else I need for a ride. But on occasion, when I feel the need to show off like for a big motorcycle gathering such as Born Free, I will slim down and go TOPLESS. I can live without a radio for the day.

Or just have the internal {Inside Fairing} antenna installed. Some believe it's not as good as the box mounted, but I never had an issue unless I was really really in the middle of nowhere...jc

[Fearless]

I'm not sure but you may want to get small bullet type speakers so you don't damage the stereo with rear unplugged. I do not know if those rear unplugged would cause problems or not, but years ago I trashed a Sony head unit not having everything hooked up as needed. just sayin may want to check. ride safely fearless

[BOXX3R]

Maybe I wasn't clear. To me this is kind of like having a sports car with a removable hard top that you can remove and store in the garage when you want to go topless. I am only going to go without the top box on occasion, and when I do I will forgo the radio.

IF I decided to go without the top box on a more permanent basis I would get an internal antenna as suggested, and look into maybe mounting a pair of speakers on the front of the 1/4 panels.

[gerald martin]

I have the rack and the backrest that fits it. I no longer have my flxxx but kept the rack I live in Canada. if any one wants to buy it give me an offer
martingw@telus.net

[DocnLou]

I removed the box and lowers on my 13 TG in Texas last fall. had no issues playing cd's thru front speakers all winter...about 9000 mi. There is a switch to turn off rear speakers near the cruise power switch.
managed to find a flhxxx rack. looks great as others have said. No bob, so no issue.