Looking for installation advice for.... - Harley Davidson Forums: Harley Davidson Motorcycle Forum

sftosendai · 10-01-2009, 07:52 PM

a universal side mount license plate bracket that I got off Ebay and am looking to install on my 09 XL883N Iron. Here's the mount on ebay:

Universal Side Mount License Plate Bracket on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

and I want to install the thing on the rear left of my bike, preferably on one of the 3 bolts along the strut/strut cover. I've looked at installing on the furthest rear bolt, but the problems that arise are, #1. the license plate mount will be partially blocking the view of the left rear brake light/turn signal, and #2.if I mount it directly under the furthest rear bolt on the strut, where my detachable mounting bolt also happens to be, it'll be a tight squeeze installing & detaching my detachable rack. I need to find a way to effectively drop the mount down from the rear strut bolt, sort of providing a stay(piece of steel) to mount the side mount to. So I'm thinking that I need to get a piece of thick, flat 1 inch x 1/8 steel with two holes and connect one hole to the strut bolt with it hanging down from the strut/strut cover about 3 inches, then connect the side mount license plate bracket to the other hole in the steel plate. That would essentially leave it installed where I want it on the furthest rear strut bolt, but drop the whole mount down about 3 inches so it doesn't interfere with my detachable hardware or view of the rear tail lights/turn signals. Of course want something strong that has the least chance of breaking off. Any advice definitely appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Court b

sftosendai · 10-01-2009, 07:57 PM

Don't know if that ebay link came through, so here it is again(at the bottom).

Thanks for any installation advice/help in advance.
Happy riding from japan,
Court B

**Dave63** · 10-01-2009, 07:59 PM

Linky no worky. (either of them)

sftosendai · 10-01-2009, 08:11 PM

Alright, third times a charm right. Here's the darn mount on my flickr page. Any help very much appreciated. Only difference is I've painted it black, and it's 9 x 5 inches in size to fit my Japanese plate. Also, aluminum so pretty light. Shouldn't put too much stress on any kind of steel that I mount somewhere on that rear strut/detachable hardware bolt.
Thanks in advance,
Court B

Universal Side Mount License Plate Bracket on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

PS I also edited/fixed the original threads bad link. Thanks Dave

**Dave63** · 10-01-2009, 08:37 PM

Hey...nice!! I like that. Simple and not all chromey like some other's I've seen.

Correct me If I'm wrong....but isn't this supposed to be mounted behind the axle nut, or via the axle end??

That's how most are mounted. It's relatively easy, and the thickness isn't supposed to be enough to affect the axle/nut. Not sure exactly if that's correct or not, though.....

Jack up the bike JUST enough so rear wheel is barely touching floor.

Remove axle nut cotter pin.

Remove nut.

Slide axle out.

Install through plate holder.

Push axle through spacers, bearings and brake caliper holder.

Reinstall nut.

Torque to 60-65 ft/lbs.

Replace axle nut cotter pin.

Now.....here's the dealio: I'm not sure if this gets mounted on the OUTSIDE of the swingarm, and all goes back together just dandy, or on the INSIDE of the swingarm, and you need to shorten the left spacer, by the same thickness of the plate holder. Maybe someone else can chime in..... I believe the left side is the brake caliper bracket up against the swingarm.

sftosendai · 10-02-2009, 08:12 AM

Dave, you're probably right about the axle mount, but I'm pretty set on mounting it there on the furthest rear bolt on the left strut, using my detachable hardware screw(or longer one from the hardware store) to secure a metal plate of some sort with the license plate bracket mounted to the metal plate. I want it to be in a similar area as the original side plate on the Irons in the States, plus I won't be wiring it up with a light, so figure somewhere right below the tail light will suffice for now. I found a pretty sturdy double 90 degree bracket that I may try out, but still waiting to hear what others have to say about it first. I'm definitely getting a lot of "that things gonna break off if you mount if low on the bike," or "vibrations gonna eat that thing up so mount it up higher on the bike," but really just want some input on mounting the thing. Thanks a lot there buddy, as your input is really appreciated.
-Court
Sendai, Japan