New Rear Carrier and Makeshift Backrest

[CB4ME_imp]

Honda’s rear carrier, available in the US, has been discussed in several threads. Some like the look, so not so much.

Personally I think Honda did a pretty good job of adding some “function” without distracting from the “form”.



My wife loves to ride but feels more comfortable on a bike with a backrest. That’s one accessory I haven’t seen offered yet. I ran the idea of a Givi top case with backrest pad by her, but my wife wasn’t thrilled with the look.

Under the theory that “something” often beats “nothing”, we purchased a Nelson Rigg CTB-250 roll bag and secured it to the rack. The bag has an insert to keep its shape, and filled with raingear and a small backpack the roll bag is quite solid. It’s fairly unobtrusive at 15” long and 9” in diameter.



Back to the rear carrier. It was on back order 2 weeks but was worth the wait. I saved $54 buying it when the local dealer had a 20% off accessories sale. It was a fairly simple 30 minute install requiring one 6mm hex wrench, and after it was on I figured out how to install it in about half the time. Here are a couple of close-up pictures.







Getting ready to try it out in a few minutes!

Edit: back from a short 35 mile run - the wife said the "backrest" was just "ok". It has about an inch of give and was a bit hot, but better than nothing, and with a bonus of bringing a couple of small items back from the store. But we do need to get a proper backrest sooner or later.

[Lord Popgun]

That "backrest" looks great on your bike!

I did pull that label off the back and ordered a HONDA decal for it. Not sure which one though. Just walked around the showroom and picked a bike with one I liked and ordered it. Haven't picked it up yet so don't know how it is actually going to look yet.

The decal pealed off easily and I stuck it in the service manual for future reference.

[Jwayne_imp]

The bag and rack looks great on the CB.

[Tripod_imp]

I have a question on the installation. I bought the rack off a fellow member and am now trying to figure out the install. Is there supposed to be spacers, on the longer bolts, between the Aftermarket Rear Carrier and the OEM brackets that have the turn signals attached? When I remove the OEM bolts and put the carrier rack on the outside of the brackets, is there supposed to be something between the two?

Thanks!

[CB4ME_imp]

You should have received the carrier, 4 bolts, 4 spacers and 2 nuts. The spaces go on the inside of the carrier mounting holes and into the recesses on the grey colored grab rail. The 2 bolts nearest the seat screw into captive nuts on the frame while the rear bolts need the 2 nuts. You'll find that the turn signals want to get in the way of assembly but they are on bendable stalks.

Instructions can be found at:

http://cssportal.css-club.net/honda/MCA/TERMS010.aspx

[Tripod_imp]

Darn, I was afraid of that, I didn't get the spacers. I have emailed the member to find out where the spacers are. Haven't heard back yet.

[enzo_imp]

I had to loosen the back indicators and drop the back guard to install. There is no way of getting the bolts past the indicators.
Is there?

[CB4ME_imp]

I recommend starting the carrier install by inserting but not tightening the bolts nearest the seat first.

The turn signal mounts will bend just enough to get the bolts into place (the signals are on semi-flexible stalks). With everything lined up the bolts will push all the way in. "Everything in place" includes that small bracket that's at the base of the turn signal mount. It has a hole for the bolt.

Back out the bolt enough to begin threading the nut. Then use a 6mm hex wrench to tighten - careful not to scratch the turn signal housing.

Good luck and get those spacers.

[Utah1_imp]

No wonder it was such a great price! Yep just like others have said there are four spacers pieces that need to go between the grab rail and rack withe the supplied 6mm bolts. You could probably find spacers that would work at the hardware store but the Honda part is flared on one side is rock solid and fits like a factory part. The rear signals will bend out of the way with just a little persuasion. The rack is very sturdy as it should be at about 20lbs of solid chromed steel.

[Riko_imp]

You should have received the carrier, 4 bolts, 4 spacers and 2 nuts. The spaces go on the inside of the carrier mounting holes and into the recesses on the grey colored grab rail. The 2 bolts nearest the seat screw into captive nuts on the frame while the rear bolts need the 2 nuts. You'll find that the turn signals want to get in the way of assembly but they are on bendable stalks.

Instructions can be found at:

http://cssportal.css-club.net/honda/MCA/TERMS010.aspx

hmm links doesnt seem to work for me, does anybody have the instructions?

or perhaps just the torque settings for the bolts of this rear carrier?