Flag Mast Height Question...which do you prefer?

[Firefly]

I'll find the site I was reading - it wasn't bike specific - perhaps bikes get a free pass on that rule.

Whatever you do - don't do it - ahem--- half-massed------

 

[SpyderByter]

I like the taller one on the right...I think it will be more visible. I do have concerns that it will tend to hide the turn signals when underway, however, or in the wrong wind conditions. You are probably best to judge from a few car lengths back, with the lights and flashers on, to see for yourself.
-Scotty

As always, Scotty gives sound advice. As I was reading thru the posts, after looking at your pics, I was going to say, "whatever height will NOT ever wave in front of any lights." I rode behind a bike with a flag on it and it looked like the signal was on because the flag kept waving in front of a running light. Very bad for safety, we all know what happens if you have a signal on when you are not turning. A car will assume your turning and act accordingly. In front, real bad, you get cut off. In back, not so bad, but still not safe.

 

[dltang]

I'll find the site I was reading - it wasn't bike specific - perhaps bikes get a free pass on that rule.

Whatever you do - don't do it - ahem--- half-massed------

Here is the explanation from a web site:


Flag Placement On Motorcycles
Flag Code Explained

US Flag Only
If only the US Flag is on your bike, it should either be at the center, or to its "marching right" - on
the right side of the motorcycle to the rider's perspective when facing forward.

US Flag And One Other Flag Of Any Type
If the US Flag is on your bike with another, it should be to its "marching right" - on the right side
of the motorcycle to the rider's perspective. If the other flag is that of another nation, it should be
the same size and at the same height of the US Flag - NO flag should ever be displayed higher
than the US Flag.

US Flag And More Than One Other Non-National Flag
If the US Flag is on your bike with several other non-national flags (POW/MIA, ALR, Eagles,
Service Banners, etc.), it should be at center and higher than any of the other flags.

US Flag And More Than One Flag Including Those Of Other Nations
If the US Flag is displayed on your bike with those of any other nation, the flags should be same
size and at the same height, with the US Flag to marching right (right side of the vehicle), and
others arranged in alphabetical order to the left. Other flags should be arranged in order of
decreasing importance - Nations first, states (in order of admittance) and territories second,
military third (in order of establishment), and then any others. Again, no flag should fly higher
than the US Flag, but the US Flag should be no higher than that of any other nations displayed.

Rationale
It’s argued that, since the small bike flags we use are all but invisible from the front (when
mounted on the rear), the concept of "Flag's own right" should be used with the vantage from
the rear of the bike. (This would place the Flag on the on left-hand, rear of your bike). This
concept, unfortunately, overlooks a more applicable concept.
If you equate the motion of your bike with marching, and you equate traffic with a procession,
another portion of the Flag Code becomes the obvious choice for display of the Flag alone, or
with another:
Rule 9: "The Flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags should be either on
the marching right; that is, the Flag's own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the
center of that line."
The second portion of this rule does not work well with most motorcycles, since there usually is
no means to mount the Flag in front (in the direction of travel) of the others if all flags are to be
mounted at the rear of the bike. In this case, we rely on:
Rule 10: "The Flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest
point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are
grouped and displayed from staffs." Included in this would be POW/MIA flags and American
Legion Riders flags.
Finally, if you are displaying another country's flag along with the US Flag, they both should be
at the same height and the same size, and the US Flag should be displayed on the right side
(again, marching right). This is basically Rule 11: "When flags of two or more nations are
displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of
approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above
that of another nation in time of peace. The order of precedence for flags generally is National
flags (US first, then others in alphabetical order in English), State (host state first, then others in
the order of admission) and territories (Washington DC, Puerto Rico, etc.), Military (in order of
establishment: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard), then other."

 

[bone crusher]

Here is the explanation from a web site:


Flag Placement On Motorcycles
Flag Code Explained

US Flag Only
If only the US Flag is on your bike, it should either be at the center, or to its "marching right" - on
the right side of the motorcycle to the rider's perspective when facing forward.

US Flag And One Other Flag Of Any Type
If the US Flag is on your bike with another, it should be to its "marching right" - on the right side
of the motorcycle to the rider's perspective. If the other flag is that of another nation, it should be
the same size and at the same height of the US Flag - NO flag should ever be displayed higher
than the US Flag.

US Flag And More Than One Other Non-National Flag
If the US Flag is on your bike with several other non-national flags (POW/MIA, ALR, Eagles,
Service Banners, etc.), it should be at center and higher than any of the other flags.

US Flag And More Than One Flag Including Those Of Other Nations
If the US Flag is displayed on your bike with those of any other nation, the flags should be same
size and at the same height, with the US Flag to marching right (right side of the vehicle), and
others arranged in alphabetical order to the left. Other flags should be arranged in order of
decreasing importance - Nations first, states (in order of admittance) and territories second,
military third (in order of establishment), and then any others. Again, no flag should fly higher
than the US Flag, but the US Flag should be no higher than that of any other nations displayed.

Rationale
It’s argued that, since the small bike flags we use are all but invisible from the front (when
mounted on the rear), the concept of "Flag's own right" should be used with the vantage from
the rear of the bike. (This would place the Flag on the on left-hand, rear of your bike). This
concept, unfortunately, overlooks a more applicable concept.
If you equate the motion of your bike with marching, and you equate traffic with a procession,
another portion of the Flag Code becomes the obvious choice for display of the Flag alone, or
with another:
Rule 9: "The Flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags should be either on
the marching right; that is, the Flag's own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the
center of that line."
The second portion of this rule does not work well with most motorcycles, since there usually is
no means to mount the Flag in front (in the direction of travel) of the others if all flags are to be
mounted at the rear of the bike. In this case, we rely on:
Rule 10: "The Flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest
point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are
grouped and displayed from staffs." Included in this would be POW/MIA flags and American
Legion Riders flags.
Finally, if you are displaying another country's flag along with the US Flag, they both should be
at the same height and the same size, and the US Flag should be displayed on the right side
(again, marching right). This is basically Rule 11: "When flags of two or more nations are
displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of
approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above
that of another nation in time of peace. The order of precedence for flags generally is National
flags (US first, then others in alphabetical order in English), State (host state first, then others in
the order of admission) and territories (Washington DC, Puerto Rico, etc.), Military (in order of
establishment: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard), then other."

Got it...I have it on the right and I'll put the other mast in on the left that is also 14 inches...the 8.5 inch mast is simply too low...

I wonder why this rule doesn't apply to the Olympics when they raise the flags...doesn't the gold winner always go higher? Can't remember, for sure...maybe with international competition, it doesn't apply...

 

[Desert Spyder]

Actually, I believe Old Glory goes on the left. Look at it as if you were looking at a stage and Old Glory is on the left.

 

[bone crusher]

Actually, I believe Old Glory goes on the left. Look at it as if you were looking at a stage and Old Glory is on the left.

No...right side bike if you are on the bike...

Also, the longer length mast (14 inches) is still a little below the turn signal so it shouldn't interfere with visibility...

I think this is a good product...well-built...recommend this business for flag mounts and flags...

 

[Roaddog2]

Been running Flags on bikes for years and I go for the low approach looks cleaner on bike.Flags last longer also and have snapped a antenna or 2 on my dressers Ive had.Looks good either way and like what you have there :2thumbson't think you would have to worrie about snapping look like it's made well

 

[AMTJIM]

Very funny... Nice comment! I covered the tag...would never surrender our flag!

So, the 14 inch mast looks better...that's what I was thinking, but you never know.

I can't understand why people always cover their license plate...what do you do when you are out in public and people roll up behind you? Do you jump off your Spyder and hide your plate? Do the police let you ride around with your plate covered?

 

[bone crusher]

I can't understand why people always cover their license plate...what do you do when you are out in public and people roll up behind you? Do you just off your Spyder and hide your plate? Do the police let you ride around with your plate covered?

Good question...I see it done everywhere so I did it too...I'm not really sure what anyone can do with it...but someone started this trend...

I guess it's like one of those old wive tales...

Who knows...regardless, what do you think of the mast heights?

 

[0228lisa]

My choice is neither...but if you must....the one on the right.:spyder:

 

[bone crusher]

My choice is neither...but if you must....the one on the right.:spyder:

Don't like flags, huh? If the weather holds, I'm heading to Rolling Thunder...also ride with a motorcycle group that displays flags. I think it's nice to fly the U.S. flag...I'll do so with pride...

 

[irish2themax]

I got the same flags as you did from Bikers For Like and I regret now not getting the taller staff. (By the way, the flag flies from a staff, not a mast)

As for the comment about the stage, the flags are positioned relative to the dignitaries, not the audience. Going to order the taller staffs

 

[bjt]

I think I like the taller height.

 

[bone crusher]

I got the same flags as you did from Bikers For Like and I regret now not getting the taller staff. (By the way, the flag flies from a staff, not a mast)

As for the comment about the stage, the flags are positioned relative to the dignitaries, not the audience. Going to order the taller staffs

Call Mr. Harvey up...he'll likely swap them with you...he's very nice to deal with...I ordered a few flags so that I can change them...

Also, for those out there who can't see the setup, the flags and staff (thank you Irish) can be unscrewed and removed...leaving just the mount...so, you don't have to always ride with the flag if you don't want to...the mount itself is barely noticeable...

I actually installed my mount on the bracket backward so that I'd get another little bit of height...they screw in on the back so this can be done without a problem...

 

[AMTJIM]

...regardless, what do you think of the mast heights?

I just asked the question out loud and my wife insists on a full mast.

 

[irish2themax]

Originally Posted by bone crusher: the flags and staff (thank you Irish)

Please don't think I was trying to put you down. Not my intent at all

Originally Posted by bone crusher: If the weather holds, I'm heading to Rolling Thunder

Weather forecast is GORGEOUS for the weekend!!

 

[sabunim5]

Just my 2 cents. When mounting, besides the proper respect for our country's flag, I would consider two things.
1. As has been stated, don't obscure anything that can get you killed or ticketed; ie; license plate, vehicle lights.
2. Make sure the flag isn't flapping on any part of the Spyder. Your paint or other finish can be eaten away in surprising hurry by a flapping flag. :yikes:
Ryde Safe and Enjoy :spyder:

 

[vt228]

:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:he doesn,t want us to see his plate lol scared I think :agree::clap::clap::clap::clap:

 

[bone crusher]

Please don't think I was trying to put you down. Not my intent at all

Weather forecast is GORGEOUS for the weekend!!

I know that you weren't putting me down...I'm not sure about all the lingo anyway...

Rolling Thunder on Sunday should be nice...can't wait! You can join if you want!

 

[irish2themax]

I know that you weren't putting me down...I'm not sure about all the lingo anyway...

Rolling Thunder on Sunday should be nice...can't wait! You can join if you want!

I wish I could. I have my carotid artery surgery tomorrow moring and then can't drive for a week. I should be in full Spyder withdrawal by then!! :cus: