Luggage Rack Question

[16-Special]

Hey guys, I have a 2016 SGS and since Bike Week is on the way I have been looking at luggage racks to mount on the 4 point dock. I would like to go with the King H-D Detachables Two-Up Luggage Rack (Part Number 50300054A). Well, as soon as I bought the bike I put the Boom! Audio Shorty AM/FM Antenna (Part Number 76388-08)

On the HD website it mentions that you may need to relocate/remove the antenna. My question is could I get by with this luggage rack with my current antenna? I do not want to switch/remove antenna. Local HD does not have one in stock and I do not want to buy it if it is not going to work...

Surely someone has tried this? All experience/opinions welcome. Thanks in advance!!!

 

[GlideLife]

If H-D says your rack won't fit unless you move/lose the antenna, they're probably just covering their butts so you don't accidentally poke yourself in the eye while loading luggage.

For the life of me, I can't figure out why H-D puts those big 'ol whip antennas on these things. Those things are '59 Chrysler ugly & '58 Buick technology.

Check these videos out. You can always put it back to stock location when you detach your detachable after you are back home from two up touring. It'll cost you a whopping 2 bucks for the little rubber plug (antenna hole).
You have to ask yourself...
How often am I really gonna' really use the rack?
It takes about 15 minutes & 2 bucks to do this little antenna relocation trick, including taking off your seat & left side bag.

http://youtu.be/ks7NoK0A1GA

http://youtu.be/mAujhhDOJPo

I'd use a few zip ties to secure the antenna better, and I'd personally leave the bracket in the OEM location like the first video shows...

Go ahead and get the rack if you need it. Don't let the antenna keep you from carrying stuff you need. The MoCo is probably just protecting themselves. Looks to me that the little indentations on each side of the rear of the rack would more than likely clear the antenna, anyway.

Just a thought

 

[GAFLHXS]

I bought this luggage rack for my 2014 Street Glide Special. I have done 3-4 multi night trips meaning I was carrying a lot of stuff and loaded up the luggage rack. It worked well and the antenna clears the luggage rack, no relocation needed.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrome-2-Up...ash=item4d39e19850:g:HPYAAOSwA4dWIVdH&vxp=mtr

 

[Mojo]

GlideLife- Thanks for posting this to help 16-special out. I know lots of guys whove run the thing up the left side of the fender with good results.
Me? I just installed the fairing relo and was done with it. I never listen to the radio at all.

 

[paul65k]

GlideLife- Thanks for posting this to help 16-special out. I know lots of guys whove run the thing up the left side of the fender with good results.
Me? I just installed the fairing relo and was done with it. I never listen to the radio at all.

I'm with you Mojo.....I did the same thing and even though I do listen to music most of the time when riding it's either Pandora or my own music from the iPhone

 

[Aviator5456]

I'm with you Mojo.....I did the same thing and even though I do listen to music most of the time when riding it's either Pandora or my own music from the iPhone

Same here, I downloaded Wildchilds music collection on a USB drive and listen to that all the time. I did get rid of my hidden antenna (which btw is still for sale) and go back to the big ole '59 Chrysler ugly antenna but like Glidelife mentioned, hid it under the seat. I was afraid of poking my eye out all the time. My reception is about the same.

 

[BlkDragon]

I replaced my OEM antenna with shorter one and all is well. I don't listen to radio much but I tried it while I was travelling and no issues with radio reception.....I listen to MP3 songs on my USB thumb drive more so either way it doesn't really matter.....I hate radio stations....too many commercials.....NPR is the only one I listen to anymore if I do.

 

[GlideLife]

GlideLife- Thanks for posting this to help 16-special out. I know lots of guys whove run the thing up the left side of the fender with good results.
Me? I just installed the fairing relo and was done with it. I never listen to the radio at all.

Thanks Mojo... This forum has been such a tremendous help to me and my SGS. I'll GLADLY share whatever tidbits I can. I also have the H-D Hidden fairing Antenna w/ great results. It was installed by the dealer at time of purchase, and their Audio Tech did some kind of trick to it...GETS EXCELLENT RECEPTION, even though I rarely listen to radio. It's either XM/Sirius or my various iOS playlists for me.

 

[GlideLife]

RACKS. Here's mine... H-D# 50300044 "Expandable Two-Up Luggage Rack.

My spousling always has to bring at least 3 or 4 extra pairs of boots/shoes (Everything has to match the "outfit of the day"). So I basically have to turn my SGS into a pick-up truck.


Also...With Bike Weeks that are right around the corner, I thought I'd offer this. I have some friends on the Volusia County Sheriffs office in Daytona (I am a retired Deputy Sheriff from Miami). Florida is Numero Uno for motorcycle theft in the entire country. Cali. is number 2.
LOCK YOUR BIKE IF YOU'RE COMING DOWN TO FLA. Try and park it in a well lit area.
Remove your detachables and carry them to your room or lock them on (I have a trick for that I'll post later). I know it's a hassle, but thieves love detachables because they are soooo easy to detach, and can bring big bucks either through a FENCING OP. or one of the e-sale sites. I have personal knowledge of a case where two males in a van stole over 100 detachables in one night at a bike week 3 years ago. They were caught by video surveillance cameras at one of the hotels on the beach. When they were arrested, they had their stash of stolen detachables in the back of the van. Some were taken from restaurant parking lots, some from campgrounds, but most from hotel parking areas and even bike show parking areas.


Here's a little trick that works for detachables... continued on my next post.

 

[GlideLife]

I came up with this when my dealer told me that the "lockable" latches are a PITA... and were $70 a set.

You can use two standard size zip ties per latch, but one works as well. I'm going to show the pics using white zip ties because they show up better in the pics., but in my opinion, black works better, as it's difficult to see.

The idea is to slow down a thief, or make him/her move on to an easier item for theft. Try it. See how hard it is to unlatch your detachable after you "lock it with this easy method" Most thieves are not prepared for this, and the extra time spent is NOT GOOD in their world...THEY WILL MOVE ON. I interrogated or interviewed thousands of thieves in my career (after Miranda Rights given, of course). They ALL say that time is of the essence.

The tiny little shaft (shown with arrow in pic 1) that the latch closure operates on is where you place one or two zip ties... pull them tight, then snip or twist off the excess portion of the tie... then see if you can remove your detachable.

**TO REMOVE THE ZIP TIE(S)**
You simply have to grab the head of the zip tie with small needle nose pliers... Clamp down and twist it off, or cut it with a razor knife being careful not to scratch your detachable back rest, rack, or whatever.

Most guys won't realize what's keeping them from opening the "standard easy-open latch", and are not going to take the time to try and diagnose the problem (If you use black zip ties it compounds their problem, as it's very difficult to see).

I tested it on several of my friends, as well as my dealer's service writers, and all but one could not figure it out until I showed 'em, and the one that figured it out took 15 minutes and a flashlight.

 

[16-Special]

Thanks for all of the suggestions and input guys! I would have never thought of the zip tie idea. I may do the antenna relocation after all...

 

[Aviator5456]

I came up with this when my dealer told me that the "lockable" latches are a PITA... and were $70 a set.

You can use two standard size zip ties per latch, but one works as well. I'm going to show the pics using white zip ties because they show up better in the pics., but in my opinion, black works better, as it's difficult to see.

The idea is to slow down a thief, or make him/her move on to an easier item for theft. Try it. See how hard it is to unlatch your detachable after you "lock it with this easy method" Most thieves are not prepared for this, and the extra time spent is NOT GOOD in their world...THEY WILL MOVE ON. I interrogated or interviewed thousands of thieves in my career (after Miranda Rights given, of course). They ALL say that time is of the essence.

The tiny little shaft (shown with arrow in pic 1) that the latch closure operates on is where you place one or two zip ties... pull them tight, then snip or twist off the excess portion of the tie... then see if you can remove your detachable.

**TO REMOVE THE ZIP TIE(S)**
You simply have to grab the head of the zip tie with small needle nose pliers... Clamp down and twist it off, or cut it with a razor knife being careful not to scratch your detachable back rest, rack, or whatever.

Most guys won't realize what's keeping them from opening the "standard easy-open latch", and are not going to take the time to try and diagnose the problem (If you use black zip ties it compounds their problem, as it's very difficult to see).

I tested it on several of my friends, as well as my dealer's service writers, and all but one could not figure it out until I showed 'em, and the one that figured it out took 15 minutes and a flashlight.

View attachment 9251View attachment 9252View attachment 9253View attachment 9254

Thanks Glidlife, that is exactly what I do. And I always lock my trunk, bags, etc. I don't leave anything on my bike thats easy to take off. (I was a Reserve DS in Riverside County in the late '80's...some real scuzz-balls out there...)

 

[GlideLife]

Thank YOU Aviator. Seems like you have the Large Photograph (BIG PICTURE). I always admired the R.O.'s that rode the shift with me. They offered to do the same gig I did for a dollar a year. I worked some pretty rough areas in Miami. I've seen the Worst of the Worst. I don't want those kind of folks even touchin' any of my stuff. Stay safe.

 

[ridercoach]

Just relocated stock antenna under seat. Used existing bracket, just had to reverse the direction of the antenna wire in the bracket. Easy project, took me about 30 minutes. Didn't take the bike out yet but in the garage reception seems to be the same as stock. Cost me $2.07 for the plug from HD. I don't know if you can buy anything for less than that from HD but that's the least I've ever spent there.
GlideLife, thanks for the zip tie on the detachable idea. Simple and effective.

 

[Mojo]

Once again, time after time, This forum is a treasure trove of shared ideas and information!