Need mounts for Markland backrest

[yamadawg]

I have friend with an '83 standard that has come up with a Markland backrest in pretty good shape. The problem is that he does not have the mounts. I seem to remember from mine that the Markland mounts actually provided a small "ledge" that the rest sat and pivoted forward on, and it was held on by a center screw on each side, unlike the Ventureline that has clips or clevis pins. If anyone has the old mounts that they can part with please PM me with details and I'll get with him...

 

Thanks!

Don

[Snaggletooth]

This the type of mount you're looking for? I'm going though the same thing trying to piece together parts I have accumulated.

 

If it is I'll keep an eye open for another set.

 

Mike

[yamadawg]

That is it. I had forgotten even what they has looked like, but that is it...

[Snaggletooth]

Well I wish I had enough parts to put together another set for ya but that isn't in the books yet. Been piecing mine together for a while. I'll keep my eyes open for another set or enough parts to finish up a set if nobody has them.

 

I just got done making a mold to cast new rail pads for the support arms to rest in out of epoxy so I'll see how that works out.

 

I saw you had a set on your '83. Good memory.

 

Hope somebody can find you a set soon.

 

Mike

[yamadawg]

Thank you Mike!

 

My friend Ronnie has an '83 that he wants to put this on. I remember having quite a time finding a replacement for a broken one I had five or six years ago for my '83. I wound up buying two to make up one full set. I would think there are probably many bikes out there with these still on them but no backrest.

 

I really enjoyed the backrest on my '83, we would just take it off when riding 2 up and that was a pain with that design.

 

Good luck with making the rail pads from epoxy. They may be even more durable than the originals. Hopefully they work great for you!

 

Don

[Snaggletooth]

Hey Don. I started another thread tonight about the pivots on these Marklands but no response so far so I'll ask you.

 

Do you remember if there was an adjusting knob on the pivots to tighten them or was it just a bolt? From the room under the slipon covers I'd have to assume there might have been room for a knob. Be a nice touch but since I haven't been able to locate a knob with a long enough stud I had to settle for allen heads to hold it all together.

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?threadid=42202

 

Just wondering.

 

 

Mike

[yamadawg]

I had allen head bolts for mine. There was a spacer in there, but for the life of me I can't remember just how it all went together. Mine was just rigged up, but worked perfectly. With the covers over the pivots it looked fine. I don't know what the original set up looked like, but I feel sure mine was "engineered". I never looked forward to taking it off and on...

[Snaggletooth]

Hello again.

 

I finally got mine all put together and mounted it up on the bike today. Works pretty well. The nylon washers on the bushings give it enough friction so it don't rattle and don't flop forward when I move it.

 

Now all I got to say is WHY......Didn't I EVER have a backrest on any of my other tour bikes? Good Lord what a difference! Almost looking forward to my next long trip now.

[yamadawg]

Congratulations!!!

 

The backrest does make a world of difference, especially if you are not riding 2 up, but often even then. I am very glad to hear yours worked so successfully. If you come through East Tennessee make sure and let me know ahead of time so we can link up and take a look at it!