bags cross bar, and hitch mod - I know I saw it! Also, homemade bag-drop?

[Walküre]

I know I saw where someone modded the cross bar, when they put a trailer hitch on, so the bags were parallel, instead of "squeezed" together at the bottom. Can't seem to find it...any help?

Also, I know some people have done their own "bag drop" set up, and I can't find any good pictures or descriptions of that, either.


More help?

Thanks,

Roger

[Joe Hummer]

Hey Roger,

I have done the mod...but not sure I have pictures of it.  Here is a post describing it...sorry, no pictures...

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,17208.0.html

Joe

[GOOSE]

daryl at xf6-custom.com has his trailer hitch on his web site.  it is made out of stainless steel, and  all the hardware is in it.  i have one on my c-t, and there is not a problem with bag alignment, or anything else.  check out his web site, and i think you will be happy with what you see.

[Walküre]

Joe - just curious, was the spacer "stepped"? Or just a barrel? Also, do you know what it was made out of? And painted, or polished? Inquiring minds want to know...

About the other hitch, I already have a HitchDoc, that's why I will be spreading the cross bar.

I'm new to all of this - converting my standard to bags and hitch.

[Joe Hummer]

This one was stepped and made of aluminum.  You don't need to clean it up because it is under the fender.  To install mine, I cut my cross piece in half, slipped in the spacer, drilled holes through both, installed a bolt, and re-installed on the bike. 

Joe

[Walküre]

thanks, Joe - that's exactly how I pictured it. I'll be making one, since I have a lathe. Is it easy to get under there and take a quick measurement, how wide it should be? I've seen "around 1/2" a few times, but if yours is right, and easy to measure, it might save me a bit of trial and error.

I suppose they would be pretty small bolts, through the cross bar and spacer. If the spacer was a pretty snug fit, do you think a good quality cotter pin would work?

I think I'll have to put the bags on, just to see how everything goes together, then work on getting the hitch on with the bags. I don't have any Valks close by, to compare to. I think I get the idea of the bag drops - basically, the "bolt" ends up with open threads on the outside, so you can capture everything with a nut, and that would make it easy to drop everything for tire changes, riding "commando", etc.

I'm not going to be in any hurry, once I drop the rear tire, so that will give me time to get the right stuff.

Thanks again, to all...

R

[Joe Hummer]

We measured the hitchdoc spacer you have to put behind the bag mounts.  I believe it was about 1" but don't take my word for it.  As for holding it together...it doesn't have to be very tough...there is little to no load on it...in fact...i would think the load would be more pushing together than pulling apart.  I am using cable ties because I didn't have the bolts I wanted to use on hand.  The ties had been there every since. 

Joe

[sandy]

If you have a lathe, making something is easy. I have a Hitch Doc and just left the spacer out. Don't use it anymore. With that setup, I've been cross country 4 more times with loaded bags. Never a problem.

[sandy]

I forgot. Here's a pic that might help.