OEM Hard Bag Installation Question

I was helping a fellow member (Wrestler) install his OEM hard bag racks yesterday and we ran into a bit of trouble and I need clarification on a couple of things.

1) There are two flange bolts that go through the license plate light assembly. These bolts then continue through the spacer on the back of the light assembly before attaching to bracket "A" which mounts to the fender. Are these flange bolts supposed to be longer than the bolts that were there previously?

2) The flange bolts mentioned above are supposed to be inserted through the flange collars. Are these flange collars supposed to be shorter than the existing collars? It seems that the end of the flange collar protrudes out of the back too much and are wider than the holes on bracket "A". This is preventing the bracket "A" from sitting flush against the back of the spacer. Do the holes in the bracket need to be drilled out so the collar can go through or should Ed have received different collars?

3) Bracket "C" is missing. What exactly does this bracket do?

4) The two spacers that go under the grab handles are missing. How important are these pieces and will he need to order them or is it possible to complete the installation without them?

Regards,
Rollin

 

are you using the oem installation instructions?

 

Are these the instructions you are using?

 

1) don't remember. It's been 4 years since I put them on - sorry
2) see #1
3) that helps hold a lot of things together. If it isn't there, then they forgot to pack it. back picture, but my license plate is in the way BikePics - 2006 Honda VFR 800 - you can somewhat see the bracket just to the left of the top bolt. If you click on the picture then you can zoom in even more.
4) if the spacers are not there, then the handles are not up high enough to clear the bracket.
see pics: 2006 pearl VFR closeup of saddle bag carry system - VFRworld Photo Gallery

 

See my photo gallery for installation close up picture.