Step 1 : Factory Rack Removal and Stealth Rack Install

We have designed this install to be chimp-easy with minimum tools required. You will use all your stock bolts and spacers. All you'll really need is a set of hex wrenches.

1. First ..Remove your rear factory black plastic rack.(pic at right) There are 4 factory bolts holding it on and each bolt has it's own spacer. Try not to lose one or you'll be royally screwed. Set these aside for a moment and go have yourself a beer.. You're almost done.
2. After you've finished your beer, place the furnished black aluminum Stealth rack on your bike. Line up the 4 holes. Drop your (4) factory spacers in place.
3. Start 2 factory screws on one side a couple of threads. Do NOT tighten.. Just get them started.
4. Press down on the other side and start the other 2 screws a couple of threads. As the rear is slightly curved.. you may have to press down hard.. or not.
5. If all things go well... you'll have all 4 screws started and you can now tighten them to the recommended torque (52-69 Inch/LB). That's INCH Lbs.! If all the planets align.. you're done.

If you can NOT get the spacers to drop into place and/or get the other two bolts started.. we've kinda figured that out.. I'll explain this fix in the next step.. Time for another beer... When you are done and the empty can as been efficiently placed in a recycle bin ....Proceed to the next step..

Step 2: Alignment and Adjustment Technique

We have discovered that on some Kawasaki Concours 1400's the rear bracketry might be slightly out of alignment from the factory making it difficult for the customer to get the spacers in and the 4 screws started to install his new aluminum Stealth rack. Here's the solution...

1. Remove the rack and slightly loosen the 2 screws pictured at right.. This will allow the captive nuts on the reflector bracket below the grab-rails to better align with the screw holes.
2. Now place your new aluminum Stealth rack on the factory bracket and check to see if you can  line up the holes, drop the spacers into place, and get the screws started... You should be able to.
3. Now that everything is lined up... carefully remove your Stealth rack , re-tighten those two screws without twisting the reflector bracket, and re-install the new Stealth rack. Remember to tighten the 4 mounting bolts to the recommended torque (52-69 Inch/LB). That's INCH Lbs.! You should be good to go.

Step 3: Backrest Usage & Seat Removal

1. Slide the backrest all the way in. There are two positions. Full back... or one position about 1" forward (recommended for children passengers ONLY)
2. Lock it in using either the furnished 1/4" screw ..or the furnished Quick Release Knob. Only one screw is needed. DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN. Snug will do.

Seat Removal: At some point you may need to remove your seat while the Stealth rack is in place.The Stealth rack was designed so that the stock seat can be removed and installed without drama. The clearance is there if you are using the proper seat removal technique. If you are having troubles removing your stock seat.. Here's the way we do it. The front of the seat has "hooks" that require the seat to be slid to the rear, but if one unlatches the rear of the seat, slides to the rear then forward while lifting the rear of the seat, it will clear the rack. Also, the seat pan is flexible, and one hand holding down the center of the seat lets if flex and helps the rear to clear.

Here's another tip.. If you have difficulty removing the seat, first release the seat latch with the key, stand behind the bike and push the seat forward as you raise the rear of the seat clear of the rack. Take advantage of the flexibility in the seat pan to bend the seat as the rear is raised.

Aftermarket Seats: There are a lot of aftermarket seats out there for the Kawi Concours 1400 and our design may or may not be accommodating for seat removal with every brand seat. On some aftermarket seats it may be necessary to remove our rack (taking all of 2 minutes) in order to remove your seat.. There's absolutely nothing we can do about this. Just making you aware. As of this writing we have heard that our rack is compatible with the HT Moto Seat. We'll update with seat compatibility info as we get access to different brand seats.

Warranty: Pirates' Lair will replace the Stealth bracket and/or slide bar assembly FREE of CHARGE for a period of TWO YEARS from date of purchase should your bracket break. We will also warranty the upholstery portion for ONE YEAR. No need to keep your receipt. We'll have you on file. Just contact me via email or phone at 828.628.7093EST if you encounter any problems.

The Versys Stealth Backrest kit contains a pair of adjustable rails that attach to the oem "carrier stays" in place of the stock luggage rack. The rails mount with the (4) included bolts & wave washers, through the counter-bored holes, with these holes placed UP & toward the front of the bike. The stock rack collars & bolts are used to attach the new rack to the adjustable rails.

1. Remove the stock luggage rack, retain the stock hardware.

2. Attach the rails to the carrier stays, using the (4) included bolts and wave washers, with the two counter-bored holes up & toward the front of the bike. Snug the bolts so the rails will hold a position but can still be moved slightly for alignment. 

3. Use the new aluminum rack. Place the stock collars in the rack counter-bored mounting holes.

4. Use the rack as a guide to assure that the rails are the correct distance apart. The stock bolts should drop through the collars and engage perfectly with threaded holes in the rails. Reposition the rails as needed to assure that all 4 rack mounting bolts align and engage the threaded holes.

5. Without moving the rails, remove the Stealth rack and tighten the mounting bolts to secure the rails to the carrier stays.

6. Attach the aluminum Stealth rack to the rails. The front rack mounting holes bolt to the third threaded hole from the front of the rails. This is a starting point and should allow an optimal location for the backrest. If not, reposition the rack using another set of threaded holes in the rails.

7. Slide the backrest bar into the channel welded to the bottom/front of the rack and insert the threaded knob through the provided hole and thread into the bar. There are two holes in the bar to provide optional positions for the backrest.