696 Passenger Grab Rails

[Raux]

Thanks!!!

Looks like it would be a perfect place to run a couple of nylon straps for a big seat bag for overnights.

yeah thanks for pointing that out. sold the set i had. and my damn bag  just keeps wanting to slide off one side or the other.

[Kev M]

yeah thanks for pointing that out. sold the set i had. and my damn bag  just keeps wanting to slide off one side or the other.

DOH  Sorry man   

[Kev M]

So I ordered a set of the grab handles to use a luggage tie-down points.

Will report back how the look/work etc.

[Raux]

do you have all three mounting holes?

[Kev M]

do you have all three mounting holes?

I dunno - won't know until I see em... kinda figured since Pro Italia said they'd fit that they would - but will report back after they arrive on Friday.

It's a 2011 696 if that matters?

[Raux]

Look at the end of your subframe past the passenger grab area. if u have holes there u are ok. otherwise u will have only two of three bolts per side.  they use the exhaust mount for the front two

[Kev M]

Look at the end of your subframe past the passenger grab area. if u have holes there u are ok. otherwise u will have only two of three bolts per side.  they use the exhaust mount for the front two

They'll be here Friday - so I'll hold em up to the subframe then and report back.

Heck, even if there was only 2 of the 3 bolts holding them on, they'd likely work for our purpose. We're not looking to carry a passenger, just looking for mounting points to strap a tail bag to for a couple of summer rallys/tours.

[Kev M]

Peaking underneath it looks like all the holes are there...two at the front of where the rail would mount and one at the rear on each side.

EDIT - duh, those 2 holes I saw have nothing to do with it - the front two rail holes are for the muffler mount bracket (I guess Raux had mentioned it, but I didn't realize what he meant until I went to install them).

[Kev M]

RECEIVED AND INSTALLED. Can take pics if anyone is interested. I think they are going to serve our intended purpose (place to attach luggage straps) quite well!

Nice parts. Fit is on the tight side of near perfect.

Each mounts with 3 bolts - the front 2 are the muffler mount bolts already being used (the grab rail replaces the stock "shimming pad" that goes between the muffler mount and frame rail).  The rear bolt threads into a hole in the underside of the bike frame that, at least on my 2011, was already there, behind the muffler mounting bolts.

As I said, fit it tight, which means it's probably a good idea to start ALL the bolts in a given rail before attempting to run them all down or snug them.

They are threaded into the aluminum frame, so DO NOT overtighten them or you'll probably strip out the holes.

Also, it was initially tempting to be lazy and try to leave the muffler in place but I quickly realized this was folly. The damn muffler is only held on by ONE BOLT and a spring. Just remove it (takes seconds), get it out of the way and installation of the rails will take 10 minutes less on each side if you do that. With the muffler in place it is tight to get an allen key or ratcht in there.

Lastly, IF you use a ratchet to tighten the bolts, again, remember you're tightening into aluminum, DON'T GO TOO HEAVY HANDED. Hold it by the head and NOT the lever.

[Kev M]

Figured I might as well add a pic of those passenger grab rails being used as I intended (as an anchor point to strap luggage while touring).