For mounting the two steel ( 3/16" x 1 1/2" x 15" ) arm rests , I used 1/8" aluminum angle stock , cut , bent , and drilled.

I decided to use aluminum just in case a break away point is needed.

Right side: 

                  The very top of the aluminum bracket I bent a tab over and used the grill cover bolt (both sides).

                  Top 1/4" bolt goes through the arm rest steel , the aluminum bracket and the black plastic housing.

                  The bottom 1/4" bolt goes through the arm rest steel and the aluminum bracket.

                  The arm rest pads I already had from my other bike.

The left side: 

The 1/4" bolt goes through the steel arm rest , aluminum bracket and the black plastic.

The bolt is double nutted and used as a hinge bolt.

Note the aluminum tab above the double nuts, is bent for the steel arm rest to stop.

When the left arm rest is raised a bend in the arm pushes against a plastic rib on the back pad creating a gap for the movement.

The hardest part of this project is bending the 3/16" x 1 1/2" x 15" steel in all the right places.

All I had was a vise mounted on a work bench. A metal shop bender would have been very useful.

Let me know what you think.

Tom

wjoel - 2010-03-28 10:07 AM From the standpoint of the pictures, they look great. How does the passenger like them? That is the true test. It would be great to possibly have these mass-produced for sale ! Comparing these to the aftermarket ones from Polaris, these look much nicer.

Thanks.......... William    

My wife has sat on the rear and rested her arms (with a BIG smile) but we still need to test them on the open road. 

The weather in Wisconsin has been cold lately...next week looks better.

Yeah..that would really be something if Polaris or the aftermarket would take off with this mod.

Tom

roadgrit - 2010-03-28 11:18 AM is it hard to get in the passeger seat? or do they flip up?

The left side (guessing) flips up  about 60 degrees.

My wife says no problem getting into or out of the rear seat.

Tom

GAColson - 2010-03-28 11:19 AM They look great. My wife asks every time we ride; "when do I get my arm rests?". Let's hope somebody can get these mass produced.

Thanks............Grady,

Funny... I kept hearing a similar remark

These could defiantly be mass produced.

Tom

Bones - 2010-03-28 11:40 AM What other bike did you get the pads from? I have an office chair at work that looks almost identical!!! I do like it and they sure beat Polaris's fugly contraption.

The pads came off of aftermarket arm rests, I believe made by custom world (not really sure) . 

I since made my '99 Suzuki Intruder into a solo cruiser and use the Vision for 2up

Maybe these pads are universal, such as your office chair arm pad, that would be convenient.

Tom

Bones - 2010-03-28 11:40 AM What other bike did you get the pads from? I have an office chair at work that looks almost identical!!! I do like it and they sure beat Polaris's fugly contraption.

I went and remeasured my arm rest pads and these

http://chairarmpads.com/Chair-Armrest-Pads-Petite-YOYA1810.htm 

appear to be the same pads that I used.

Tom

GeekVisionRider - 2010-03-28 6:07 PM My wife says the same things. She wants armrests. I just can't bring myself to put the Victory ones on my Vision. They are fugly. But Thomas has a good looking alternative. Great job!!

Thanks............Rick!

I thought the $350 factory ones have a bit of a wheel chair look. However the factory arm rest have chrome and seem to attach with ease.

Tom

Prostreet1 - 2010-03-28 6:29 PM Good bit of ingenuity there Tom.....well done.

Thanks........................Michael,

Maybe there is something to necessity being the mother of invention...LOL!

Did you ever get a chance to make the fork bullets ?

Tom

ByteN2it - 2010-03-28 7:04 PM Looks good-when my wife first saw passenger arm rests on a Goldwing she said it looked like a dentist's chair and she had the same comment for Victory's version. Thanks for the idea-Brian

Thanks.....................Brian!

I think your just the guy that might make a set

Tom

ebayjoe - 2010-03-29 4:40 AM Good job, ordered my arm pads today Go Super Steel

Thanks....................Joe!

Should be interesting how yours will turn out.

There will be some gap between the speaker grill and the back pad.

It can be minimized on how you bend your arm rest steel. 

Way to GO!

Tom

chesshiretuna - 2010-03-30 7:20 AM Great design. I am a custom metal fabricator with my own shop. Please give us some feedback on your test rides. I could make this with the equipment in my shop. I have already made some heel rests for mine and 2 others in my group. I was impressed with your forming the arms in a vice. The great thing about these forums is the support and designs that we come up with for our Visions.

Thanks...........................  chesshiretuna,  It was a real brain warmer!

Judging by the nice work you did on your heel rests, you should be able to manufacture this project.

I started out making the first arm out of aluminum, it ended up breaking on me. 

At one point I felt like a blacksmith bending/twisting steel clamped in a vice. LOL!

My wife and I did a short 20 mile ride today.  She said that the arm rests felt comfortable and solid.

She was able to have her arms straight on them or have her elbows bent out.

Also she added, that she was still able to use the crab handles on the bike.

If I was to critique this project it would be the gap between the back pad and the speaker grill.

I feel the gap could be reduced to a minimum with the arms bent more precise.

Tom