* Home Made Rider Back Rest Suzuki C800 / C50 *

I suffer from a bad back and wanted a rider back rest but didn't want to pay the exuberant prices charged for something that I new I could make myself. So I decided to make one and the cost of it was £0.00 as I rummaged around & found I had everything that I needed in my workshop.


I found a click board wooden floor tapper, which was the perfect length at 11".



I then heated it up slightly and using my bench vice, bent it in to the required shape & drilled the holes to secure it to the seat mount.



I then cleaned, primed and sprayed the bar a gloss black. As you can see the shaping of the bar exactly conforms to the seat.



I then cut some 1/2" ply to a size & shape that I was happy with.



I then cut the some 2" seat foam slightly bigger than the 1/2" ply and cut to shape.



I then pulled some leatherette around the back rest and stapled it in place. After that I cut a piece for the back and glued it in to place so as to tidy the back.



Here is the back rest secured to the bracket.



Just before I took the last photo I had dropped the bloody thing on the floor & scratched the paint. So I lightly resprayed the bracket and as the Mrs was using the oven, which meant I couldn't, I popped it under a halogen spot light I have over my work bench to dry the paint off.




Here it is on the bike







I have been for a quick spin on her and the difference it makes to comfort is dramatic.
I know it may not be up to the quality standards of a shop bought back rest but I have saved myself £200.00 as it cost me nothing but a couple of hours of my time to make & I think it looks great!

Good job and write up as usual Dave.

Cheers Alfie. Just been out on her and was not shy with the wrist action, I was surprised by how much support the back rest gives under all acceleration but particularly under hard acceleration. Originally I was only going to pop the back rest on for longer journeys but I have decided that it will now be a permanent fixture.

Gotta agree with Alfie, Spot on Mr I

Another good modification done to add to your list

tidy lookin peace of kit you whiped up dave looks nice and serves a good perpus and

From a short distance you'd never know it was not a commercial one.

Slippery slope to mind!!

Bluesman wrote:

From a short distance you'd never know it was not a commercial one.

Slippery slope to mind!!

Cheers John & yes your right it is a slippery slope and I am well and truly on it

Looks great man, only thing I could think to suggest, would be padding on the back or at the side of it, so that it doesn't rub up the pillions thighs/knees.

Really tidy job, nobody could tell the difference from a distance

right iv made a step in the right direction found a metal thing you knok wooden flooring together with in the cubord under the stairs its the big jobby one though so the metal is thiker and its longer than the one you used dave iv seen a vice in screwfix for 25 pound so thats my next step maybe get that friday was it difficult to bend the metal (not to shape just bending it) cause the thing iv found looks pritty tuff hope a cheap vice will cope with it

I am sure the vice will cope fine but you can always knock something up or find somewhere solid to slide it in to that will hold it while you bend it. I remember years ago when I didn't have a vice sliding a bit of metal between the gate and post to bend it, there is normally another route that can be taken to avoid spending cash.
The best bodgers are craftsman in their own right

Dave have used the back step to the house loads of times,as you say there is always a place to bend metal somewere.

Morgan if you have a Toolstation handy there is a good one there £25.30 part number 94859 (engineers) toolstation.com.

yeh im shor ill find a way to do it dave and thanks alfie ill have a look at that i might just go and see someone i know whos got all the stuff and use it whilst paying a visit

Hi Dave have you thought of making your back rest removable,I have had a few attempts with mine and found it pretty easy.basicly you just sleeve your metal one into the other,so as you can lift it on and off as you get on and off the bike,much easier for us short guys,and no fear of ripping your saddle with your boots by trying to get you leg over forward of the back rest because you cant reach over it.(will take some pics tomoz if I get chance)

Morgan thats the way go m8 (always cheaper) but must admit a vice is one of the best tools next to a hammer you can buy.

https://www.suzuki800.com/t420-hinged-riders-backrest-suzuki-m50 Here is one that I hinged.

Mate, another great idea I'm going to steal....I mean copy. Bought ones pre made are over $100.

I'll make the bracket but I'm no good at the upholstery so I've ordered one of these for next to nicks..

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/360390180813?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

good on yu mate nice find and a great price i might think of getting one of them allthough i was thinking of cutting my ply to the shape i want and then getting some one with a sewing machine to make up a cover with a zip about half way round probaly cost a tener (10 pound) maybe 15 theres a couple of good greek ladies that are pritty good round were i live (with a sewing machine) ill be more than happy if i can make the whole thing for 30 pound . yes agree with yuh alfie i will still get a vice as they come in very useful

Go for it Brian thats what the site is for.Good find on the cushion

alfie92 wrote:

Hi Dave have you thought of making your back rest removable,I have had a few attempts with mine and found it pretty easy.basicly you just sleeve your metal one into the other,so as you can lift it on and off as you get on and off the bike,much easier for us short guys,and no fear of ripping your saddle with your boots by trying to get you leg over forward of the back rest because you cant reach over it.(will take some pics tomoz if I get chance)

Alfie mine is very lightly springy due to the design, no design skill just luck but it makes it really comfortable & supportive. If I had it removable the design would have to be completely different and I wouldn't want to loose the supportive suspension that it gives. Also I just had a look at your backrest and it is probably 2" or so higher than mine which is probably more so why you need it to be a drop down.
Being totally honest the way mine worked out was a fluke of design rather than design but it really works so very well and because of this I actually wouldn't want it to not be there.

Excellant Dave they are the best mods when everything falls in place first time,made up yours suits your needs.I shall keep experimenting until I run out out of scrap metal or patience (metal I think).

It a bloody rarity that something works, right from the off. I will hold on to that feeling for a while as it probably won't happen again for another 10 years

After doing some work on my bike last weekend I forgot to put the rider backrest back on my bike & boy have I missed it. I can travel at any speed with it on but without it, from as little as about 60mph I can notice that I am using my arms to hold on to the handle bars. However with the backrest fitted I am not using my arms to hold on at speed as the backrest takes the wind pressure off your body.
Guess what I will be fitting back on my bike when I get home tonight, yep your right, the backrest.

Brilliant job Dave. I'm fighting the urge to start too many mods at the moment...but I think I'm going to lose and it's all your fault !

I think you need to get councelling quick, because if the mod drug gets you, you will not be able to kick it.

You may well be right mate. We had our first decent ride out today since I got the bike. Absolutely love it as does herself....but we're already talking about sissy bars, luggage, screens and custom paint. I think it might be too late !

If I was going to buy just one out of that list, it would be the sissy bar. It will change the pillions ride 100% for the better and give her a so much more relaxed ride.

Ian800 wrote:

we're already talking about sissy bars, luggage, screens and custom paint.

Mr Intruder wrote:

If I was going to buy just one out of that list, it would be the sissy bar. It will change the pillions ride 100% for the better and give her a so much more relaxed ride.

I would have the paint job

Yes Crash but unlike you, I am a giver not a taker,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

The sissy bar is definitely on the cards. We're booked on the 'Ride to the Wall' on the 6th October so I'd like to get that done by then.

From the comment I'm guessing that paint is your line of work Crash. Do you know Andy Stroud (Hairy Designs) from Buckingham by any chance ?

I wouldn't trust Crash with some child friendly washable paints, let alone a spray gun. When he moved recently, the Village he left had to advertise for a new idiot

Ooops, what have I started now

Oh & Ian, when looking for goodies don't forget we have a retailer discount section on here.

Mr Intruder wrote:

I wouldn't trust Crash with some child friendly washable paints, let alone a spray gun. When he moved recently, the Village he left had to advertise for a new idiot

I get the impression your not impressed Crash, not sure why

Who me ?

Thanks chaps. So where is the best place to start looking for these parts ? I've found MetricCruisers but such places seem to be a bit thin on the ground. Who would you recommend

When looking for goodies don't forget we have a retailer discount section on here & Ebay is your freiend

Yet another mod methinks for the Intruder seeing as I have some strip steel lying about.