[horse]

Hi there:
Made a backrest and think that the "molded/curved" rest looks much nicer and provides more stability then the flat ones. Mine is adjustable forward or bakward 2". The forward position is used if I want to attatch the "extenders" so I have support if I make any long trips by myself (need to add 2" to the extenders as well as angle them down a bit , just got piece from upholsterers and put it on for first time.)
"just in case" anyone wanted to make their own I'm including a sketch of the support brackets that attatch to the three bolts behind the seat.All materal is 10ga. mild steel and is very sturdy. Would appreciate any comments (both positive and negative)

[Aptera#965]

Props to you for skill and ingenuity

It's getting to the point where owners can't wait any longer for the backrests so I'm not surprised to see something cool like this.

[Lee]

Great skill with the back rest, the look (to me) for the passenger is nice. However the extended piece for the driver looks way too intrusive. Great work though.

[spyderrider]

Great piece of work. I don't have my Spyder yet so it is difficult for me to figure this out without some reference. If you happen to have some pictures showing a step by step process such as the 3 screws you talk about, any dimensions to all the pieces including the support arm that holds the backrest and goes down to the base. If I wanted to have one made up so it is ready when I get my Spyder the end of May I couldn't do it without more data. I appreciate you offering the drawings and showing us the finished product and I'm intrigued so whatever else you can provide so I can show it to a fabricator would be a great help.

[SpyderGirl]

I like the look of it as a passenger back rest, but not with the extensions for the driver. Not sure about the intrusive drilling of holes you had to make to mount it, otherwise it really looks great.

How much did this fabrication run you in parts?

[horse]

SpyderGirl, on Apr 28 2008, 10:23 PM, said:

I like the look of it as a passenger back rest, but not with the extensions for the driver. Not sure about the intrusive drilling of holes you had to make to mount it, otherwise it really looks great.

How much did this fabrication run you in parts?

Most of fabrication I did myself... the rest beer/beer/beer -1 case powder coat -1 case upholstering etc etc.
Total cost about $100 to $125.(which includes the $24.95 cad for case of beer)Sure like that US beer, hehe.
I agree with the earlier comment about the extensions, don't know if I'll be using them, still have some playing with design. A bag between the driver and rest might look better and work ok.
As to measurements/detailed drawings etc..... took me 2 days to remember how to use the cad program I have for the rough sketch I made. Everything was cut/fit/cut/fit etc. Once plastic back cover is removed the drawing should help to refab some pieces. Length and angle of the support piece can be an individual thing (to fit the passenger that uses it most).
Finally... It's very sturdy, not flimsy, the savings of over $600 makes it much more appealling.Oh by the way ... forgot to include some pics of the individual pieces.

This post has been edited by horse: 29 April 2008 - 10:10 AM

[SpyderGirl]

Not bad. Great job!! Looks nice!

[sabunim5]

Thanks for posting this. Started mine this weekend and approached it from a different angle. Won't be done with mine for a few weeks but will try and post it when finished.
sabunim5

[B1TTEN #509]

That would look better on a Yellow Spyder than the BRP one, wait, it looks better PERIOD. Nice job

[Danimal]

Well - I don't know about 'better' looking.... as the BRP one is really sharp... but this one looks pretty decent and functional.

[Putt-Putt]

Congrats on the backrest. Glad someone did something about it. Do you have any specs. to go with the pictures? A lot of people are waiting for a after market co. to make one. so far thats it just waiting. Good job.

[Truckee George]

I think it looks great, and I'd like to try one. Any chance of getting the drawings, dimensions, etc.?

Thanks,
George

[Oregon1]

Nice job Horse,nice looking.Now can you work on a taller handle bar riser with adjustable angles? Regards Den


Welcome Truckee George to Can-am talk, are you in Truckee ca ?Regards from the Oregon coast

[Truckee George]

Oregon1, on May 17 2008, 01:44 PM, said:

Nice job Horse,nice looking.Now can you work on a taller handle bar riser with adjustable angles? Regards Den
Welcome Truckee George to Can-am talk, are you in Truckee ca ?Regards from the Oregon coast

Hi, Den - yes, I live in Truckee, CA. And I'm still wondering if we'll be able to get specs on the back rest. Spoke to a metal fabricator near here, and I'd be better off buying one from BRP. I don't have the metal bending equipment needed to do one myself.

[horse]

Truckee George, on May 24 2008, 05:24 PM, said:

Hi, Den - yes, I live in Truckee, CA. And I'm still wondering if we'll be able to get specs on the back rest. Spoke to a metal fabricator near here, and I'd be better off buying one from BRP. I don't have the metal bending equipment needed to do one myself.

Didn't use any drawings for fabrication. The mounting brackets were the most difficult part. The sketches I posted show the shapes required to fit the existing bolts behind the seat. I made a paper template of the original plastic cover and remade it out of 10ga steel. The actual backrest height and angle was trial and error fit for my passenger. I don't have equipment to bend the 10ga material so I made a "mock up" using 16ga (even 28ga tinplate could be used for easier bending)which I bent in a regular vise. Took the mock up and 10ga material to a machine shop and had them make the bends for me ($25). Used a jigsaw and metal blade to cut out shapes.I don't fabricate or reproduce for production, I just wanted to show people that with some time and effort a functional and reasonably good looking backrest can be made.