Hey Priscilla,
Well at least it sounds like you're having fun with all of it.
That mechanic sounds like the one at my local Triumph dealer.
Yeah, you just push the pillion pad forward a bit and lift it up over that slotted bolt. Once you do it a couple of times, the process becomes 2nd nature. Getting it back on can be more of a chore though.
Sounds like you have a good noggin, since you know that impatience and rushing things can lead to trouble. Just stepping back and thinking about it for a minute can often produce better results.
