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[dcigar]

there is no doubt this bike looks 10 times better without the pillion pad and back rest, and that pesky grab strap that all ways falls down when the pillion pad is on , but what is the best way to stow it  when riding one up, i have been removing the seat and squashing it in there, or is it easier to just take it off altogether ,

[Fired00d]

I've always taken them off my bikes.... figured I wouldn't be putting anybody on the back that I wouldn't want to (or be embarrassed about them) grab(ing) me around my waist if they needed to hold on.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[2harleys]

X2 ---  first two things that are removed from all of my bikes  ---  grab straps and those cute little reflectors. 

[RidgecrestCVO]

I just happened to be looking at my grab strap today and thought about removing it. I noticed a bolt that secures it but does anyone know if the nut under the fender is loose or welded, I wanted to go for a ride so I just folded it back up and took off as I didn't want to get into a project just then, Theres riding to do! 

[Gamma742]

I have about a half a dozen of those straps brand new if anyone needs one..

[RCFlyer]

I just happened to be looking at my grab strap today and thought about removing it. I noticed a bolt that secures it but does anyone know if the nut under the fender is loose or welded, I wanted to go for a ride so I just folded it back up and took off as I didn't want to get into a project just then, Theres riding to do! 

I changed my seat and if I remember correctly it has a welded nut underneath.  You can just remove the bolt.

[PierceEye]

I rarely remove the pillon seat because I never know if the wife or mistress will want to ride LO
I just took a small piece of velcro and placed it in the middle of the strap and on the seat...like a sliver 1/4" strip x 1/2"
I wonder if you removed it; soaked it in water and let it sun dry if it would shrink it to make it stay tight?

[Ironhorse]

The grab strap is very useful in helping to pick up the bike. I know no one ever wants to drop a bike, but sometimes it does happen. And if it does, a grab strap can make a difference. With your butt in the seat and one hand on the low side hand grip with the bars turned into the tank, the grab strap is in the ideal position for the other hand.

But taking it off does make the bike look cleaner.

[porkypig]

I also have taken the strap off my bikes.  I don't find them useful at all and they always hang down and look unbecoming to the beauty of the bike.  And I sure wouldn't want to be trying to rely on a cheap strap to keep me on the seat when the bike is going sideways.  I always tell my passenger that if things go south, grab onto me like a little monkey and we'll ride it out.  And I don't think the strap is actually made out of leather so it isn't going to shrink and be smaller or tighter.  I believe it is made out of naugahyde (an invention at least several decades old now that is a cheap, leather look-alike).  Sewed next to real leather, these craftsmen present the illusion of being real leather but don't think the strap is.  Usually just the actual seating part is leather and that allows them to cut some costs on the balance of the material.  Pork.

[ezpgh]

I also have taken the strap off my bikes.  I don't find them useful at all and they always hang down and look unbecoming to the beauty of the bike.  And I sure wouldn't want to be trying to rely on a cheap strap to keep me on the seat when the bike is going sideways.  I always tell my passenger that if things go south, grab onto me like a little monkey and we'll ride it out.  And I don't think the strap is actually made out of leather so it isn't going to shrink and be smaller or tighter.  I believe it is made out of naugahyde (an invention at least several decades old now that is a cheap, leather look-alike).  Sewed next to real leather, these craftsmen present the illusion of being real leather but don't think the strap is.  Usually just the actually seating part is leather and that allows them to cut some costs on the balance of the material.  Pork.

There's no leather in the seat either anymore.

[dcigar]

especially on the convertible , it just falls down, unlike my fxstc still taut after 15 years

[chywy]

Yeah - the grab strap was the first thing to come off my bike - even before I left the dealership.

CHYWY

[porkypig]

I wonder if you removed it; soaked it in water and let it sun dry if it would shrink it to make it stay tight?

Ok, here's a little known constant about a little part of our universe (leather):  If you want leather to shrink, it will stretch; if you want it to stretch, it will shrink; if you want it to last, it will deteriorate; and if you want it to take on that "worn" look naturally, it will continue to look brand new a quarter century later.  And if you're expecting it to be genuine leather.............it won't be.  Unless you touch it and it moos, it's probably naugahyde.  And they'll make seat straps out of it!   Pork.