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KW
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« on: July 12, 2010, 09:31:33 PM » |
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I stopped at the Honda dealer I got my Valkyrie at 9 years ago and what do you know? He had a used, mint condition, manufactured trailer. And, the price was so cheap, everyone here would probably call me a liar if I said what it was!!! I was prepared to pay what he was asking, but being Scottish, I offered him $50 less. He took it. As he was writing up the receipt I asked him to throw in a can of Honda cleaner and . . . . he did! (I almost felt guilty.)
I’ve been pricing trailers for about 3 years. . . Lord willing, my bride and I are heading west next summer and a trailer is just what was needed.
Anyway, I have to find a trailer hitch for the Fat Lady and was wondering if anyone had any tips or suggestions what type I should look for? And, any tips on installing the bar and wiring up the thing up?
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« Last Edit: September 19, 2011, 06:37:14 AM by KW »
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Sodbuster
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« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2010, 04:10:45 AM » |
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Hitch Doc http://www.hitchdoc.com/motorcyclehitches.phpMine is the one with removable ball ....   |
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VRCC # 30938 '99 Std. - Black & Silver - "Spirit Horse" Dear God, Seriously .... Thanks for creating beer. You rock !!  |
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Mildew
Member
Posts: 464
Live, Not Just Exist
Auburn, Ga
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« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2010, 04:24:48 AM » |
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They sell a hoppy 5 into 4 wiring thingy at nearly any auto part store. I just spliced 5 wires under the seat and played with it until my trailer lights did what they were suposed to do. Taped them up good and tuck it under the rubber stretchy thing that holds the battery in place. I built my own hitch for around $20. I made it from the measurements of the hitchdoc using mild steel.
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Live, Not Just Exist
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Doc809
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« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2010, 05:47:59 AM » |
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I run a Hitch Doc on my 99 std. Easy to install, pulls great. I was told when I first did the install that the trailer would pull me into the ditch, run me off the road, etc since the trailer did not have a swivel tongue. Nothing could be further from the truth. It swivels on the ball fine and does not affect my turning at all. It gets a little "squirrley" about 80 mph but I don't have any business pulling a trailer that fast anyway. Good luck with your project and enjoy your trip. L
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How much fun can I have before I have to go to hell?
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~ Timbrwolf
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« Reply #4 on: July 13, 2010, 05:57:22 AM » |
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...yup....Hitch Doc is the way to go...got this same one...they come chromed or not...course I had to have the chromed one....you dont say how much ya paid for that trailer 9 years ago...but if its as great a deal as you say....get ready for sticker shock.....I paid 400 and change...4 years ago.....and my Piggy back Trailer was 699 dollars...... |
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. . . ...I saw a werewolf at Trader Vics. . . ...his hair was perfect...
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KW
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« Reply #5 on: July 13, 2010, 06:24:27 AM » |
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I got the trailer yesterday . . . it's fiberglass, custom paint, w/hand painted stripes that sadly, will be lost when I repaint it to match our bike (It's dark purple, our Valk is Pearl Silver & Black.) It has a luggae rack, wrap around light bar, four BIG rear lights, and side markers that light up. Everything works. It also came with a new spare tire, but no cooler on the tounge (I'm thinking that's a 'must have', eh?) I don't know the namebrand and I'm too fat & lazy to walk out to the garage right now to check  but I've seen them before and they sell 'new' for well over $2000. (I'll post a pic at some point.) The Dealer got the trailer with a trade-in on a 97 Wing. The Wing sold the next day and the new owner didn't want the trailer. So, the Dealer had already made his money. I gave him $450 for it out the door. The thing looks brand new. The little 'thingys' of rubber are still sticking up on the tires (do they have a name?  ) I'm thinking I got a decent deal. . .
Now . . . this morning I just went through some serious STICKER SHOCK over the prices on the hitchs!!! WOW! You were DEAD ON Timber!!! GOODGRIEF!! I thought I had misread the price!! Over $320 (plus shipping) for a new one!?!? I did, fourtunately, find a used one on for $150 (Trailer Doc brand.) It's chrome and off a Valk Tourer. My question is; will it fit a Standard with LeatherLyke hard bags? I'm thinking it would, no? Thanks for the input fellas.
PS Timber; Lord Willing, we're riding up Friday to InZane. Maybe we can meet and have a cup of coffee?
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X Ring
Member
Posts: 3626
VRCC #27389, VRCCDS #204
The Landmass Between Mobile And New Orleans
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« Reply #6 on: July 13, 2010, 07:17:33 AM » |
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The threaded part of the LeatherLyke bolts might not be long enough to go through the hitch sideplates and spacers into the fender rails and fenders.
Marty
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People are more passionately opposed to wearing fur than leather because it's safer to harass rich women than bikers.  |
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Snoopy
Member
Posts: 31
multi year nam vet AC130 (puff)
Jacksonville Beach, Fl/ Pickens,SC
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« Reply #7 on: July 13, 2010, 09:00:12 AM » |
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Just get you some longer bolts.
If you have the wiggle at high speed just shift your trailer weight around adding more tongue weight or if you have a tongue mounted cooler just add more beer or ice.
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Multi year nam vet AC130 (Puff) All gave some, some gave all
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Doc809
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« Reply #8 on: July 13, 2010, 09:50:42 AM » |
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I've got LeatherLykes with my Hitch Doc. The bolts are just "barely" long enough to go though but they will do it. L
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How much fun can I have before I have to go to hell?
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warren
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« Reply #9 on: September 18, 2011, 02:49:58 PM » |
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I have a 2000 Valk Interstate. I have successfully completed installing a Hitch Doctor removeable hitch, as well as installing a Hoppy harness/wiring from the bike to the trailer. All seems to be working perfect. If memory serves me, I found the instructions and pictures on this site. Unfortunately, I accidently tossed this information. Does anyone remember seeing this info? Until I found the above info, everything was leading me to "engineering" the wiring, as well as changing the lights on the trailer. The Hoppy harness allowed me to avoid this and the trailer not only works with the bike, but but with my car.
As the bulbs in the trailer lights are standard utility trailer bulbs, should I change them out for LED to have less power pull?
Thanks.
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warren
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« Reply #11 on: September 18, 2011, 03:45:38 PM » |
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Doc Rogers, thanks for the info.
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Gear Jammer
Member
Posts: 3074
Yeah,,,,,It's a HEMI
Magnolia, Texas
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« Reply #12 on: September 18, 2011, 04:14:13 PM » |
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. My question is; will it fit a Standard with LeatherLyke hard bags? I'm thinking it would, no? Thanks for the input fellas.
HitchDoc sells a set of hardware made especially to mount the LeatherLyke bags with their hitches. Sells for around $35 I believe. I bought a set when I had LL bags. |
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 "The problems we face today exist because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living. |
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Bugslayer
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« Reply #13 on: September 18, 2011, 08:29:48 PM » |
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Pictures!........... Pictures!  |
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Sodbuster
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« Reply #14 on: September 18, 2011, 08:45:14 PM » |
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Something that hasn't been noted is that the Hitch-Doc hitch with the removable/hidden receiver is constructed such that it supports the lower part of the rear fender on the fat lady which is known to fatigue and crack over time. For those that have a hidden receiver Hitch-Doc look up under neith and you'll see what I mean. So to me that is a plus to go with a Hitch-Doc hidden receiver style hitch.
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VRCC # 30938 '99 Std. - Black & Silver - "Spirit Horse" Dear God, Seriously .... Thanks for creating beer. You rock !! |
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