ST1300 Hitch Group buy

[Imrubicon]

Would any one be interested as I'm trying to get some one to fab a dozen or so in the next month .
Costs should be way lower than the $300 everybody asks for them . We will be using a template made from another hitch on a ST1300 so it may look a lot like some of the other ones :rolleyes:
I'm testing the waters as I'm not planing to make anything other than to get my hitch for half pice so costs will be as low as possible .
Also why has this not been done before as we have some good people good at metal work on the BB .
I am not one of them as I'm a PC Geek lol:cool:


I restarted with a poll to keep easier track of those that would be interested ?
Sorry If I bumped your response off .

[Earache]

Do you have some plans or rough dimensions you could share with me?

[Imrubicon]

Will send as soon as possible and you have a email

[Mellow]

I'm sure there won't be a ton of interest, as with Wingers, however I do think you'll have enough interest to get it done. I just don't think the trailer/hitch market is big in the sport touring segment. They are pretty basic, I'm sure someone could fab a few up.

[Imrubicon]

Seemd like a few were interested and hope it means 10 people out of all the members .By the way I'm still on for leaving by 3pm on Friday

[Mellow]

Yeah, there's got to be at least 10 and there are a few that already have some hitches that might be able to throw in some dimensions.

I'll see you Friday.. don't forget to bring some Deet.. I just got hit in the garage by and FA-18 Skeeter and when I slapped it, it popped like a cherry tomato.

[Mac]

I've found that zip ties and safety wire work well as a trailer hitch.:eek:

[Imrubicon]

Polls going well LOL :eek:

[Toaksy]

:( Just bad timing I think that my wife will blow a gasket if I buy any thing else for the bike. espcially when I don't have a trailer yet.

[Imrubicon]

Im thinking it will be a couple of weeks till it gets together then a week or two for someone to build then shipping ,

Hey it would make a great fathers day thing ?:03biker:

[Imrubicon]

Please comment also .
If you vote please say why ?
and what you want as this is the very beginning

[jmcglash]

Although I voted way lower I realy would like to vote for a build it my self solution so I would love to see a set of drawings or even a kit.

I am sure working at a bike shop and having a nice tig welder has a lot to do with that.

Either way I will be following this thread.

Jim

[Imrubicon]

Just a Bump to get the list of buyers moving

[TLTONEY]

I voted for under $250. It would be nice to have a receiver hitch for either a small cooler, or pulling a trailer. Can it be made with a similar "ball mount" to the "unigo"? (like a universal joint so it can rotate when pulling a trailer).

My .02

Trey
:biker:

[Mellow]

If it's made with a vertical receiver, the appropriate couplers can be purchased separately as they already exist. I have a vert hitch and an L shaped coupler that has a ball mount, my cooler rack also has an L shaped end and you can buy an end piece from uni-go which also fits a vert hitch.

The best part is when not in use, you don't even see the hitch.

[Imrubicon]

I voted for under $250. It would be nice to have a receiver hitch for either a small cooler, or pulling a trailer. Can it be made with a similar "ball mount" to the "unigo"? (like a universal joint so it can rotate when pulling a trailer).

My .02

Trey
:biker:


The Universal joint on my trailer is in the
Tongue
of the trailer not on the hitch itself and I think the Uni-Go is the same way .

The

[Imrubicon]

nice we are all working so hard today

[Mellow]

The Universal joint on my trailer is in the
Tongue
of the trailer not on the hitch itself and I think the Uni-Go is the same way .

The

That's correct, it's part of the trailer tongue.

[DRAFT1]

I'm in. I have already bought the trailer and have been fishing for a hitch. I would be interested in specifics of the hitch, but would be willing to make a partial upfront payment. Let me know.

Thanks

[STindy05]

I'm in. I have already bought the trailer and have been fishing for a hitch. I would be interested in specifics of the hitch, but would be willing to make a partial upfront payment. Let me know.

Thanks

Were you the one in Chat on Wed. asking if we knew of any out there? Could not think for the life of me who it was.

[DRAFT1]

Were you the one in Chat on Wed. asking if we knew of any out there? Could not think for the life of me who it was.

Yes, that was me. Thanks

[fitenfyr]

Interested, but price/performance would be my final decision.

No offence meant, but it would have to be built well in my opinion and have quality welds/steel before I would buy one.

Their is a HUGE liability with producing something like this as I am sure you are aware.

[Imrubicon]

Interested, but price/performance would be my final decision.

No offence meant, but it would have to be built well in my opinion and have quality welds/steel before I would buy one.

Their is a HUGE liability with producing something like this as I am sure you are aware.
This is St friends helping ST Friends out nothing more .
I'm not in business and wont make money doing this so most likely not the type you would want to buy from:rolleyes:
If you want to sue me later for not making the hitch idiot proof so no one spills hot coffee in their lap :eek:
I dont own or earn enough to make it worthwhile

[Imrubicon]

Interested, but price/performance would be my final decision.

No offence meant, but it would have to be built well in my opinion and have quality welds/steel before I would buy one.

Their is a HUGE liability with producing something like this as I am sure you are aware.

I have to apologize
as I did take offense at your post and I don't think it was meant that way .
So I'm sorry I got my hackles raised as it hit a personal note that you had or have nothing to do with .
As stated this is not a business venture for me but just trying to help other ST'ers out that may want a option . I was going to go to a fab shop here in town but they didn't know where to begin .I have seen companies run into this with my other passion Jeeps .
most of those companies that make rear bumpers don't class the receiver for towing but many do so with no problem .
I assure you someone with the right mechanical skills and knowledge will be making these as I will be using one of them also .( I dont weld as Im a PC Geek) ,
I can fix almost anything to do with windows and hardware but I know my limits .You should see the shed I built

[STindy05]

Do you have some plans or rough dimensions you could share with me?

You interested in making them Eric? I could always ride down to your place one weekend so you could take measurements. I could even stick around and help out then we could test fit it, if your interested.

[Imrubicon]

If you all were just closer to TX .
Really in TX as it so far to the borders of the state alone :rolleyes:

[STindy05]

If you all were just closer to TX .
Really in TX as it so far to the borders of the state alone :rolleyes:

I should have asked you first I guess. Since you don't produce them, if Eric wants to...I assume that is ok with you?

[Imrubicon]

I should have asked you first I guess. Since you don't produce them, if Eric wants to...I assume that is ok with you?
I dont mind anyone producing them as long as they give a decent price to fellow Bboard members .
I just felt and from some of the PMs I have recieved the current price of hitches is just another way to say I kissed you first the ntook your wallet.
Please feel free to ride down to eric's and give him the bike he needs for sizing .If he lived closer the nI would ride down . I'm just jealous is all .
Well please keep posting as I'm on the road in 15 min so wont have a PC to check or maybe not even a cell as I'm turning it off till needed

[fitenfyr]

No problem.
It was as you suggested not meant to be inflamitory.
Just pointing out a potential problem to the project if you seek a shop to manufacture these things.
This litigous society we live in has created that monster. :D

A "kit" maybe the better option in the long run.
That way the owner is responsible to ensure it is assembled and mounted "correctly".
That takes some of the monkey off the back of the guys/gals who cut the steel. :D

I am sure that a big chunk of the cost for hitches of any nature is going towards an "insurance" fund of some sort. :(

[motomac]

The Unigo hitch is basically a kit. When you get the package it requires assembly. It takes about an hour to install it. There are some bolts on the ST that are replaced by longer ones that come in the kit. There is disassembly of the motorcycle required to install the kit pieces. All the pieces are black powder coat and very good quality. It wouldn't take a genius to reproduce the hitch as it is fairly simple to copy. Getting the bends on the banjo piece to match the holes in the frame will be the hardest thing to do. Making the tabs and welding them to the banjo will be fairly simple. Georgegeorge from CT made his copying the Unigo style hitch and I don't think he has had any problems with his version. The Unigo hitch attatches to the saddle bag support brackets at the top to suspend the banjo. That piece will probably be the hardest to copy.

[Imrubicon]

Bump to catch the morning crew .
The more that want in the merrier

[Earache]

I'm gonna bow out on this one - liability issues are already scaring me.

[Mellow]

Just put a label on it when you make then... "For Off Road Use Only".. there ya go...

[Imrubicon]

I understand .
Well sort of I just dont understand why if I dump hot coffeee in my lap anyone besides me is to blame :(

I will keep this alive as I'm looking at other means to get the kit fabbed as I do have someone in mind here in town.
There will be a disclaimer on the hitch if this goes through about its only for looks or something . That is what they do for a lot of the jeep rear bumpers .
I mean come on the manufacturer says not to tow even with a wing .
So maybe a follow your owners guide will suffice , I have a laywer friend that will look it up for me .


Tis a sad day when we are more afraid of what the legal system can do to us rather than for what it should do for justice .

But I do understand I will post when more info is available.
There seems to be enough interest to build 10 or so anyway

[Mellow]

I can't find the installation/paperwork that came with my Wing hitch. However, Honda gets out of it by saying the bikes are not supposed to pull trailers.

You can't blame Earache, he has a livelihood to protect and a family and getting involved with some dork that doesn't take responsibility for what he's putting on his bike is a hassle I'm sure he doesn't want to deal with.

The top boxes and luggage racks typically say something like 20lb weight limit.. LOL.. 20 lbs is a lot but I'm sure some of us push that limit.

I'll see if there are some of the big wing vendors that will talk to me about any of this as well as the hitch manufacturers.

Maybe we can shed some light on all this.

[Imrubicon]

I can't find the installation/paperwork that came with my Wing hitch. However, Honda gets out of it by saying the bikes are not supposed to pull trailers.

You can't blame Earache, he has a livelihood to protect and a family and getting involved with some dork that doesn't take responsibility for what he's putting on his bike is a hassle I'm sure he doesn't want to deal with.

The top boxes and luggage racks typically say something like 20lb weight limit.. LOL.. 20 lbs is a lot but I'm sure some of us push that limit.

I'll see if there are some of the big wing vendors that will talk to me about any of this as well as the hitch manufacturers.

Maybe we can shed some light on all this.

Earache please dont take what posted wrong
No :eek: Please dont get me wrong as I dont Blame Earache at all Its not his fault !:bow1:
He has to be careful as he is not someone doing it out of his backyard bench for a buddy .
I understand its his rear if one dork sues cause he tried to pull a full size fifthwheel camper with a hitch.
The costs alone in defense would break most people even if you win .
Its the fact that cases like this are even allowed in a court room.
Any way back to subject

I will be looking at what I can do from this end and will let it be known as soon as I can

[Imrubicon]

I spoke with Unigo and they will do a group buy but it would still be around $225 would anyone still be interested as I will post another poll to see later .
Please let me know

[MAC_JD]

Add me to the yes list.

JD

[Imrubicon]

I will start a group buy post and see if we can get at least 10 as they said that would be enough . Remember the UnIgo hitch needs a adapter plate for normal ball hitch mount . Looked to be a L shaped peice of metal with 4 holes to bolt to unigo hitch and one larger hol in the bend for ball t obe inserted in the lower part . not very hard to make or have done for you

[bygdawg]

I'd be in if I could use it to go along with something like this:

http://www.dauntlessmotors.com/Mountinghardware/images/coolerrack.JPG

http://www.wingstuff.com/pgroup_detail.php?pgroupid=2055

http://www.dixonymachine.com/

http://www.dixonymachine.com/Pakit%20Rak%20GL1800.htm

I don't think I'll be investing $2,000 in a uni-go anytime in the near future. I made it fine on my 21 day trip with the rear bag that Mellow mentioned from Cabelas.

For those interested, these guys make a cheaper trailer:
http://www.mctrailersllc.com/MCII_specs.asp

Of additional interest:
http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Luggage1.html

[DRAFT1]

I am in if this happens.

[2dogs]

I never thought I'd e v e r attach anything to the back of my bike .. but
one of those hitch mounted cooler racks would be ... well ah, cool.
And after seeing Mac's Unigo wow ... very cool but the price is prohibitive.
So you have my interest just not sure on the cost. I'll be watching.

[Imrubicon]

Please take time to know difference of hitch styles as the unigo style you would need to have a adapter plate made which means extra $ for a normal ball mount and the normal ball mount hitch would need a adapter for a Uni-go trailer

I have called both Uni-GO (Starting price $295=Shipping:eek: ) for a hitch and they will work with us for a group buy . Problem with these are you need a adapter plate to connect a normal ball mount trailer as the UNI-GO trailer .

Im trying to get in touch with hitch USA (alsoStarting price $295=Shipping:eek: :eek: ) as they have hitches that are Ball mount only like normal trailers.

Shipping for both seem to be a bit high to TX $35 to $51



There doesnt seem to be a hitch that takes a reciever so we could mount a cooler rack only on the back ?
Maybe something someone can fab up one ?

[motomac]

I got one of those hitches from Hitch USA and could not get it to fit right. They first sent me a hitch for a FJR and I sent that one back and they sent me another and for a week I was on the phone, e-mailing pictures and could not get it to work. I sent it back and got my hitch from Unigo.

[Imrubicon]

I got one of those hitches from Hitch USA and could not get it to fit right. They first sent me a hitch for a FJR and I sent that one back and they sent me another and for a week I was on the phone, e-mailing pictures and could not get it to work. I sent it back and got my hitch from Unigo.
Thanks Mac for the input I will post this on the poll I posted

[iride]

What ever happened to the cheap trailer hitch?????
Was any ever made???
Mike

[DRAFT1]

What ever happened to the cheap trailer hitch?????
Was any ever made???
Mike

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showpost.php?p=320214&postcount=15

Not sure if this will get you there but I ended up buying a Denray. I know people have talked bad about it but I thought it was a good hitch at $245.00 plus shipping. You can do a google on Denray hitches, quite a few dealers that can get them. You may want to read and see photos of the above thread. Hope this helps. Good luck.

[peterm]

I've also used the Denray for a few years on my 1100. I pulled a trailer over 2,000 miles in the past few years and didn't have any problem. The hitch's vertical rods had to be modified (a local machine shop made new stainless "legs" for me with a bend to fit by the side bags). The cheap aluminum arms just would not fit properly. I was also concerned about the welds, but despite abusing the hitch while riding over the Rockies I had no problem at all.

I've now taken the hitch off my 1100 anticipating the arrival of a 1300. I'm hoping I can retrofit the hitch to the new bike. If not, I have the same local machinist willing to make a new, sturdier hitch for me. I asked him if he would consider making several identical hitches should there be a demand, and he was enthusiastic about the idea (slow economy).

I'll post photos and a report in a few weeks, weather permitting. If all goes well, I may be able to offer a hitch source shortly.

[STOC# 889]

I would buy the Uni go hitch if we get a group buy going. I use the hitch to support my bicycle rack mounted to my Givi rack.