New Hitch - FJRay

[trikerbiker645]

Hi FJRay, Just wondering how things are going with your frame mounted trailer hitch? Just curious as I also was going to attempt to make one but changed my mind. Thanks and safe riding!

[fjray]

I got held up waiting for material and then mother nature dumped a buch of snow. It's moving along slowly while I engineer as I go. It should be done in a few days and then I'll have to wait for spring weather for trial runs. It's strong enough to hang the bike from so I don't expect issues. I tend to use a fair amount of overkill .

[Chupaca]

glad your still on track. 'ing to see the outcome even pre-tested. Seems a better way to pull your trailer....

[fjray]

Got some time to myself so I finished up for now. Subject to change later. I must say that they didn't leave a lot of room to add pieces but I think I got a good result. It would be nice to have everything symmetrical but the machine isn't so the hitch isn't. The swing arm is much wider on the belt side so everything needed to be moved outboard to allow for suspension travel. I'm not going to type the whole thing but will be glad to discuss it with folks that want to know. Here is some pics I hope.DSCN3504.jpgDSCN3510.jpgDSCN3512.jpgDSCN3513.jpgDSCN3515.jpg

[fjray]

I guess you can only do 5 pics so here is the last one.DSCN3516.jpg

The picture with my fat finger in it is where there are two unused threaded holes in the frame that I used for the upper mount. If you know where they are you don't have to take the rear module off.
The push/pull tubes are attached to the inboard side of the passenger foot rests which is about the strongest point available. It took a lot of tweaking to get the tubes bent just right to clear everything but it all clears. I had to scrap the receiver idea due to lack of room between the tire and fender but if I don't want to look at it when not in use, two bolts release the rear section. Will add more info after testing when the snow is gone although I did stress test for tongue weight by standing on the hitch and it holds my 270 lbs just fine.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I guess you can only do 5 pics so here is the last one.DSCN3516.jpg

The picture with my fat finger in it is where there are two unused threaded holes in the frame that I used for the upper mount. If you know where they are you don't have to take the rear module off.
The push/pull tubes are attached to the inboard side of the passenger foot rests which is about the strongest point available. It took a lot of tweaking to get the tubes bent just right to clear everything but it all clears. I had to scrap the receiver idea due to lack of room between the tire and fender but if I don't want to look at it when not in use, two bolts release the rear section. Will add more info after testing when the snow is gone although I did stress test for tongue weight by standing on the hitch and it holds my 270 lbs just fine.

Nice job........ and that's almost 7 times the Max tongue weight for the OEM Hitch ...... So pulling 400 lbs isn't going to be an issue either .......... Mike

[Roadster Renovations]

Looks very good. Very strong with a great deal of potential.

[trikerbiker645]

Thanks FJRay, Nice start or maybe even the finished project after testing.................safe riding!

[Sallyann]

Looks great! I want a hitch for my 14 RTS, but my husband doesn't like the idea of the hitch attaching to the swing arm, and keeps saying he's going to make one. I'm going to show this thread to him. Maybe it will give him ideas. Thanks for posting!

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Hey FJ, good job! That worked out a lot simpler than I expected it to! I would suggest you get it patented but that's a super expensive process to go through, and it doesn't take much for someone to circumvent it. But I do think you ought to approach Big Bike Parts or motorcycle-hitch.com and see if you can work out some sort of licensing/royalty arrangement with them. They're in a much better position to market it than you may be, plus they probably have the liability insurance to help protect you. It looks to me like the installation time shouldn't be any more, and maybe even less, than for the BRP style of hitch. If nothing else a set of detailed drawings would be great so we can make our own.

If the passenger foot pegs are adjusted up or down does that move the front end of the tubes also. If so, I'm guessing it would make hardly any difference in how the hitch hangs, right?

[ssines]

Where did you tie in the wiring at for the trailer?

[fjray]

Like anything it looks easier than it is. If I were to build another one I don't think it would take near as long and probably would not use tube. I remains to be seen if there as adequate suspension clearence . The tape measuse says it should clear but to be sure I need some full load test rides so I'm waiting for snow melt.
As far as wiring it's just a matter of reading the instructions that come with the kit you buy.

[Sallyann]

You made the comment "If you know where they are you don't have to take the rear module off." Where and how would you do it now? And do you recall what size bolts went into them?
Thanks,

I guess you can only do 5 pics so here is the last one.DSCN3516.jpg

The picture with my fat finger in it is where there are two unused threaded holes in the frame that I used for the upper mount. If you know where they are you don't have to take the rear module off.
The push/pull tubes are attached to the inboard side of the passenger foot rests which is about the strongest point available. It took a lot of tweaking to get the tubes bent just right to clear everything but it all clears. I had to scrap the receiver idea due to lack of room between the tire and fender but if I don't want to look at it when not in use, two bolts release the rear section. Will add more info after testing when the snow is gone although I did stress test for tongue weight by standing on the hitch and it holds my 270 lbs just fine.

[fjray]

PM sent.

[Bob Denman]

vv
Question: If you wanted a receiver style hitch; couldn't you have just extended everything out beyond the rear fender?
Or would it have had to stick out too far?

(Okay: TWO questions...)

[fjray]

It would cantilever the weight out a bit but the main reason for wanting it was to be able to remove it when not in use for a little cleaner looking installation like you see on lots of goldwings. There just wasn't enough working room between the tire and fender to hide it. It will be nice when mother nature melts the 3/4 mile of ice between me and pavement so I can function test it. Just my luck a buyer will show up for the RT and I won't know if it works or not cause I'll put the stock hitch on to sell it.