A sissy bar, also called a "sister bar" or "passenger backrest" is an addition to the rear of a
bicycle
A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike or cycle, is a human-powered or motor-powered assisted, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A is called a cyclist, or bicyclist.
Bic ...
or
motorcycle
A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising ...
that allows the rider or passenger to recline against it while riding. Alternatively it can serve as an anchor point or support for mounting luggage or equipment that is not part of the bike. They can serve as one of the main mounts securing the rear fender to the motorcycle. Over the years the sissy bars have been a focal point of expression for the bike builder. Custom sissy bar designs can be simple or extravagant. They can be built for comfort, purpose, style or a combination of all three.
In the early 1960’s some states initiated laws that mandated the use of a bar on the back of a street motorcycle for safety reasons. At the time bikers were not a group particularly concerned with safety, and started referring to the bars as “sissy” bars because they were not happy about having to comply with the new law. Some bikers began making excessively tall sissy bars as a form of protest, which later became part of the chopper look we know today. A variety of materials were used to fabricate these custom sissy bar designs such as tubing, rod iron, plate metal, and even welded chain.
Sissy bars for
cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. Modern cruisers are generally the largest ships in a fleet after aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, and can usually perform several roles.
The term "cruiser", which has been in use for several hu ...
-style motorcycles are usually affixed to the rear fender
struts, and are typically made of chrome-plated steel with a foam padded seatback for comfort. Some elaborate custom examples can extend three feet or more. A backrest for a
touring motorcycle
A touring motorcycle is a type of motorcycle designed for touring. Although almost any motorcycle can be used for this purpose, manufacturers have developed specific models designed to address the particular needs of these riders. Touring motorc ...
is often shorter and less elaborate and may be built into a
top box.
On bicycles
Inspired by its motorcycle counterpart, a smaller version of the sissy bar was a common feature on 1960s- and 70s-era
wheelie bikes, such as the
Schwinn Sting-Ray
The Schwinn Bicycle Company is an American company that develops, manufactures and markets bicycles under the eponymous brand name.
The company was originally founded by Ignaz Schwinn (1860–1948) in Chicago in 1895. It became the dominant manuf ...
and the
Raleigh Chopper. This extended backrest, which attached to the rear of the bike's
banana seat, gave a passenger something to lean back on and hold on to besides the rider doing the pedaling.
References
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Motorcycle technology
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