Custom Sissy Bars for Harley Street Glides When Transferring from a Wheelchair

Getting a Custom Sissy Bar for Your Street Glide When You Use a Wheelchair

Riding a motorcycle when you use a wheelchair can require some custom modifications like a custom sissy bar. Harley-Davidson's Street Glide model has a large touring-style rear fender that can support a sissy bar to help wheelchair users get on and off the bike more easily. With the right custom sissy bar, you can continue to enjoy riding even with limited mobility.

Challenges of Getting On a Street Glide from a Wheelchair

The Street Glide is a versatile bike, but mounting it from a seated position in a wheelchair can be difficult. The stock rear fender doesn't provide a lot of leverage or support when pulling yourself onto the bike. You need a way to stabilize yourself as you transfer from the wheelchair to the saddle.

Most stock sissy bars for Street Glides aren't ideal for wheelchair transfers because they are quite small and only attach to the fender, rather than the bike's frame. They are meant more for aesthetics and don't provide much in the way of support or assistance.

Benefits of a Custom Sissy Bar for Wheelchair Users

A custom sissy bar for your Street Glide can make a huge difference if you need to transfer from a wheelchair. The right sissy bar gives you:

• A sturdy handhold to grasp as you hoist yourself up
• A large surface area to push up against with your back/shoulders
• Extra leverage for getting your body positioned over the saddle
• A way to maintain your balance as you settle onto the bike

With a solid custom bar to hold and lean on, you can pull yourself out of your wheelchair and onto the bike seat much more safely and easily.

Considerations for a Custom Street Glide Sissy Bar

To serve as an effective aid for transfers, your custom Street Glide sissy bar should:

• Attach securely to the bike's frame using four bolt points
• Be tall enough to properly support your back when seated in the saddle
• Extend wide enough to give you plenty of surface area to push against
• Feel comfortable against your back without any pressure points
• Support at least 250 lbs of force
• Match the finish on your Street Glide for an integrated look

It also helps if the sissy bar is slightly rearward curving to cradle your back when seated. Padding on the rear surface improves comfort as well.

Getting a Custom Sissy Bar Made

To get a custom sissy bar made for your Street Glide, you have a few options:

• Work with a custom motorcycle shop to fabricate a one-off bar just for your bike. They can tailor it exactly to your needs.
• Order a custom bar from an aftermarket parts company. Some companies offer bars you can customize to your dimensions.
• Buy a backrest sissy bar made for wheelchair transfers and adapt it to fit your Street Glide.

No matter which route you choose, make sure the shop or company is experienced at building secure, heavy-duty sissy bars. Getting accurate measurements and explaining how the bar needs to interface with your wheelchair is also important.

Installing the Custom Sissy Bar

Once your custom sissy bar is ready, you or a qualified motorcycle mechanic can install it onto your Street Glide. The process involves:

1. Removing the stock fender supports to access the frame's sissy bar mounts.
2. Holding the bar up to the mounts to align the holes and mark hole positions if needed.
3. Drilling any required holes in the sissy bar to match the bike's mounting points.
4. Bolting the sissy bar securely in place using grade 8 or better hardware.
5. Reattaching any necessary lights or supports to the fender.
6. Checking that all hardware is tight and the bar is firmly attached.

With the custom sissy bar installed, make sure to test it thoroughly before hitting the open road. Lean your full weight on it in various positions to ensure it is stable and up to the task of supporting you.

Using Your Custom Street Glide Sissy Bar

When transferring onto your Street Glide, roll your wheelchair directly behind the bike, as close as possible. Lock the wheels in place and engage your chair's brakes. Then:

1. Grasp the sissy bar with both hands and hoist yourself up, letting the bar take your upper body weight.
2. Stable yourself with one hand, reach back with the other to move/remove the wheelchair if needed.
3. Lean forward pressing your back against the sissy bar's rear pad to support yourself.
4. With the bar's support, swing a leg over and lower yourself onto the saddle.
5. Settle into a comfortable riding position, keeping hold of the sissy bar until ready to ride.

To dismount, reverse the process - hold onto the bar for stability as you come to a complete stop, then slowly lower yourself back into your waiting wheelchair.

A custom sissy bar for your Street Glide can make all the difference, letting you enjoy the freedom of motorcycle riding regardless of disabilities. With a strong, wheelchair-friendly sissy bar, you can ride as far and fast as you desire.

FAQs About Custom Street Glide Sissy Bars for Wheelchair Users

How much weight can custom sissy bars hold?

It depends on the design, materials and construction, but most heavy duty custom sissy bars are rated to hold at least 250-300 lbs when properly mounted to the bike's frame. Quality steel or aluminum bars engineered specifically for wheelchair transfers can often support over 500 lbs.

How do I determine the right sissy bar height?

The ideal height depends on your wheelchair seat height, saddle height when seated, and your personal needs. In general, the top of the sissy bar should be 4-8 inches higher than your saddle to provide optimal back support. Measure the heights and talk to the manufacturer.

Can a sissy bar be padded for more comfort?

Yes, many custom sissy bars either come with padding or are designed to allow you to add padding later. Thick, firm foam padding with a durable cover can be attached to the rear surface very easily with straps, velcro or adhesives.

Do sissy bars affect the bike's handling?

A properly designed sissy bar mounted securely to the frame should not impact handling, steering or stability. A very large or improperly mounted bar could potentially influence the bike's overall balance.

Will a sissy bar work on any Street Glide model?

With custom fabrication, a sissy bar can be made to fit any Street Glide. But bars designed specifically for certain model years will bolt on more easily. Make sure the bar matches your bike's sissy bar mounts and geometry.

Should I get a detachable sissy bar?

Detachable bars allow you to remove the bar when not needed for transfers. However, quick release mechanisms may not be as sturdy. A permanently mounted bar using motorcycle-grade hardware may be the most stable and secure option.

FAQs

Can I get a custom sissy bar chromed or powder coated?

Yes, many sissy bar manufacturers offer chrome plating or powder coating services to match the finish on your Harley. This gives the bar a clean, integrated look. Make sure to ask about different finish options when ordering your custom sissy bar.

What is the best material for a wheelchair transfer sissy bar?

Steel and aluminum are the most common materials. Steel provides exceptional durability and strength. Aluminum is lighter, rust-proof and easier to mold into ergonomic shapes. Titanium is also used by some high-end manufacturers for its strength-to-weight ratio.

Can I get a backrest pad for my sissy bar?

Yes, padded backrests that strap or bolt onto the sissy bar are readily available aftermarket add-ons. The extra cushioning improves comfort and support for your back when using the bar during transfers.

Will installing a sissy bar void my Street Glide's warranty?

Most Harley-Davidson warranties allow you to add aftermarket parts like sissy bars without voiding coverage. As long as the bar is not directly related to any component failures, it should not impact the warranty.