Rear crash bar holes..... : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

trooper113 · 10-30-2009, 11:20 PM

Do any of you have a suggestion on how to cleanly fill the empty screw holes that will be left in the front saddlebag crash bars if I remove the dual wrap-around saddlebag bars on my Ultra? I think I'd like the less cluttered look, but not the open screw holes.

Thanks.

T113

twilliams · 10-31-2009, 08:09 AM

They sell replacement bag guards without the holes, you could also just get a couple of chrome bolts and put them in the holes

Gunslinger · 10-31-2009, 09:19 AM

I pulled those saddlebag guards off my Ultra and was going to replace the crash bars with new ones, but now I don't even notice them. I'd just look on eBay for a set off a Road King and replace them....

It does look much better without the clutter back there....

Ed Y · 10-31-2009, 12:15 PM

If anyone wants to get rid of a set of rear saddlebag guards, I'm interested. I want to add them to my 02 RG.

PM me.

trooper113 · 10-31-2009, 01:08 PM

Thanks for the ideas.....'preciate it.

T113

jwade420 · 10-31-2009, 05:12 PM

Why not go totally uncluttered and remove the guards altogether?

esrevnoc · 10-31-2009, 07:02 PM

I have a retired Road King cop bike with several holes in the saddle bags from wires, etc. Lowe's has black plastic plugs in various sizes that I filled all of them with. Obviously they wouldn't match the chrome but would look a bit better than holes. (I seem to remember they had white plugs, also.)
I have considered taking off my guards for the cleaner look - you might have inspired me!

Harleypingman · 11-03-2009, 12:19 AM

Purchase the HD guards that don't have the wrap-around guard rails (perhaps the comfort profile version in case you carry short passengers) and sell your take-offs on ebay. I took mine off and replaced them with the guardless bag supports and sold the take-offs on ebay for more than the new guardless supports cost.

You can try filling the holes with chrome acorn nuts, etc. but the options aren't very satisfactory IMO.

Mavaholic · 11-03-2009, 02:43 AM

You might try going to home depot and get some of that metal tape they use in duct work. You can cut it in circles just big enough to cover the hole. Then peal off the backing and stick it on. Its pretty shiny so would be less noticeable than anything else.

ezriderbeef · 11-03-2009, 06:13 AM

i also removed the rails on my bags, and am thinking about a small project to fill them back in.... the idea is to take 4 .50 Caliber projectiles, drill a hole through them, and tap the front end to accept a screw in socket (probably LED) and tap the back end to match the original bolt. i have to figure out how to run wire throught the original bolt to the socket so i can wire the LED's into the turn signals and marker lights. i thought that would be a neat idea and very original, just dont have the tools to do it....

elPrez · 11-03-2009, 07:14 AM

I removed the whole shebang but I was toying around with the same thing you are going through... thought about a pair of those leather pony tail wraps they sell a bike shows. If memory serves they are available in different lengths so you should be able to find one long enough, just not sure about being thick enough to wrap around the bar. Worth a shot though.

Coolmaker · 11-03-2009, 07:29 AM

Remember that once the bolts and side rails are taken off the remaining guard has holes in it and are allot weaker.

Geezer-Glide · 11-03-2009, 07:32 AM

Someone on another forum used the chrome sockets that the rails slide in, put the screws thru and chrome acorn nuts on the back side. Looked nice.

Wilkey65 · 11-03-2009, 10:55 AM

There is simple flat chrome snap in cap that is made to cover the end of a allen head bolt that might just work and only cost you a couple of bucks.

2000FiveOh · 11-03-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mavaholic

You might try going to home depot and get some of that metal tape they use in duct work. You can cut it in circles just big enough to cover the hole. Then peal off the backing and stick it on. Its pretty shiny so would be less noticeable than anything else.

That's exactly what I did. Picked up a roll of chrome tape at one of the auto parts stores. If you're not looking for the holes you'd never see it. Matches the chrome very good.