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Passenger Armrests

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by ringo912, Apr 24, 2007.

  1. ringo912

    ringo912 Active Member

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    Just wanted to get everones opinion on these. The only bikes that have an armrest are the touring bikes, nothing out there for the softails. So in an effort to keep the wife happy and comfortable on long trips, I tightened up a few loose screws upstairs and here's what I came up with. Did the design and fab myself. I have been issued a patent pending from the US patent office, and I am at the point of finding someone to manufacture them for sale. Thought I would do a little market survey to see if there is an interest out there. hope the pictures came through.
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2007
  2. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    pretty cool idea....i bet there would be an intrest....how do they look without the bag???
  3. ringo912

    ringo912 Active Member

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    Here's a couple pic's without the bag.
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2007
  4. Clem

    Clem New Member

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    Don't need armrests for my wife. I put her hands on her own handlebars - on a Lowrider. The arm rests are OK but a bagger is a bagger - but not an armchair.

    And this is in "Tech Talk"?
  5. Harleyjeff

    Harleyjeff New Member

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    Looks like a nice invention. My wife would have liked this when we rented a softail in Hawaii. I think you migh have something here.

    Now that we have an Electra Glide, I don't know if she would ride on another without armrests. According to her it adds quite a sense of security. Good luck in entrepreneurial venture.
  6. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    That's a good idea, I have over a lot of the wife's/ girl friends & they side something like this would be real good to have ,,I konw a guy who has a shop & a softail like yous & after a 350 mile ride she was just reasting her arm' on his shoulders :eek:
    :cool:
  7. ringo912

    ringo912 Active Member

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    I appreciate all the feedback from everyone. Hopefully I can sell a few sets.
  8. kenfuzed

    kenfuzed Administrator Staff Member

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    Very interesting Ringo. My girlfriend has expressed the same interest to me about having armrests on my Heritage. I notice the swing out, do they lock in place also?
  9. ringo912

    ringo912 Active Member

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    Hey Kenfuzed,

    The armrests do not lock in position. I decided against this in the design phase for a few reasons. Didn't want the passenger to be lock in and have to release some type of mechanism in order to get off the bike quickly in an emergency situation. And since I have been accused in past of being smple minded, I wanted to keep the design simple and reduce manufacturing costs. Finally, without detents and positive stops, this allows the passenger to adjust the position of the armrest to suit their comfort. They can be postioned straight forward, slightly outward, or in towards your body. The distance between the armrest is the same as the armrests on a HD tour pack.

    The design of the pivoting hinge is quite simple and has enough rotational resistance that the armrest won't swing open even at high speeds, even without a passenger on the bike. I have been clippin down the e-way at 90 and they stay in position. However, I did design them with a two position verticle height adjustment to accommodate variation in arm length from elbow to shoulder. They can also be quickly removed for puttin around town. Takes about 30 seconds to remove them.

    Kuryakyn sells something similar but they only offer two models. One for a Goldwing and the other for HD touring bikes. Their's is really just an extension of the OEM tour pack armrest. They are permently mounted to the tour packs, have a positive stop in the hinge to align the armrest in the forward position, and have a fancy smancy swing out cup holder. Their quite pricey, $210.00 for the Goldwing and $240.00 for the HD.

    My design will fit any HD with side plates that have a bolt in upright and back rest. Will also work with quick detach side plates. Bolt patterns in the mounting brackets can be manufactured to fit all the metric crusiers too.
  10. madcatter

    madcatter New Member

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    looks like a good idea,reminds me of the dentist office or a barbers chair.
    nice design
  11. ringo912

    ringo912 Active Member

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    Thanks Madcatter...funny you should mention a dentists chair, I did have to pull a few teeth to get the final design right!!:roflmao: :eek: :D
  12. Peyts

    Peyts New Member

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    They look OK. But the main thing is this: HAPPY WIFE = HAPPY LIFE. :D
  13. ringo912

    ringo912 Active Member

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    Hey PEYTS.....I couldn't have said it better myself. Now you guys know who inspired me to do this project:D

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