GL1200 building receiver hitch from scratch

10177 Views 33 Replies 10 Participants Last post by plainmech, Jul 24, 2009

outofcontrol

Discussion Starter · Jun 26, 2009

imported post

This weekend I'm going to attempt to build a reciever hitch for my 85 GL1200. There's a hitch for sale at wingstuff, but I plan on hardly ever using the hitch, so I want a reciever type, so that I can remove it. (somewhat like the 1500-1800 options out there right now). There seems to be nothing out currently for sale, so I'm going to build one myself. there was a guy selling them on Ebay in 06, but he only made 10 and they're long gone. Yes, I've been welding and building stuff for 20 years now, and I'm a part-time fabricator; don't worry, it will be stout.

I'd love to see some pictures of old designs for receiver hitches on 1200's. I acutally saw one on a 1200 a month ago in a pizza parking lot, but I didn't have time to stop and check it out.

Oh, and one more thing...if you're interested...I'm also building a single rail trailer for it so I can tow my supermoto bike to regional races. ye-ha. a motorcycle towing a motorcycle. kind of like the trailerinabag.com idea. I know I'm not the first one to think of the idea, but I've wanted to do it ever since I picked up this bike. there's a new supermoto track in Seattle that's about 3hrs. away, so I want to ride the GW up spin the track for an afternoon, and ride back. It will probably make more sense financially when gas goes back to $5/g. but for now it will be just fun.

cheers!

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 20 of 34 Posts

Bike...and Dennis

· #2 · Jun 26, 2009

imported post

Hey Dude!

Is your washer fix still working?

I was just up there. I spent a night in Portland to change my oil. (at the worst motel on the planet)

tricky

· #3 · Jun 27, 2009

imported post

See if this one will do you:

http://www.gl1200goldwings.com/viewtopic.php?f=77&t=3525

outofcontrol

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 27, 2009

imported post

Tricky,
Not only is that link helpful, it's exactly what I need.
I've been searching for 2 weeks now, and all I had to do is post up. Thank you so much. Pictures, dimensions, specifications...amazing. Many thanks. I surely will post updates to this build.

Dennis,
Bike is running great. the stumble only happens when it's cold, otherwise it's like a tractor.

outofcontrol

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 29, 2009

3

imported post

got her mocked up, I'm going to rattle can it now.
Next is the single rail trailer for the supermoto. eh, he, he. (evil laugh)

See less See more

actionpack

· #6 · Jun 29, 2009

imported post

outofcontrol wrote:

got her mocked up, I'm going to rattle can it now.
Next is the single rail trailer for the supermoto. eh, he, he. (evil laugh)

nice work on the hitch , on the third pic down what is the i beam looking peice i see there , above the hitch ,

tricky

· #7 · Jun 29, 2009

imported post

That is the lower section of the rear mudguard with the reflector removed

outofcontrol

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 29, 2009

4

imported post

yes, that's the plastic tab for the OEM mud flap. Since I'm only going to use this hitch 5% of the time I ride, I wanted it to "disappear" when not in use. The last pic is with the OEM mud flap in place.
-Kevin

See less See more

terry_208

· #9 · Jun 29, 2009

imported post

That is a nice looking hitch. Good job. Thanks for the great read. Terry

Bike...and Dennis

· #10 · Jun 29, 2009

imported post

Clean install, Kevin.

Very nice. BTW, where'd you get that tire? They haven't made those since Clinton was president.

outofcontrol

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 30, 2009

imported post

I was wondering if anyone would notice that. It's old, but in great shape. If I was heading out on a tour, I'd probably replace both front and back... but this bike was sitting in a garage for 13 years when I bought it. Grip is fine, plenty of rubber, no cracking, must be the extra moist Pacific NW air.

outofcontrol

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 2, 2009

2

imported post

Tonight I emptied out my enclosed trailer to lend it to a friend and I had to pull it out so that he could get to it easily. I was going to use my truck as usual, but I decided to use the goldwing and take the 6x12 around the block for some comedy. I didn't go more than about 4mph, and towing a 1500lb trailer is kind of a joke, but I thought it was funny. My wife didn't think it was as funny as I did. hehehe

See less See more

Bike...and Dennis

· #13 · Jul 2, 2009

imported post

I won't mention your riding apparel.

Oops! guess I did.

Sorry.:baffled:

actionpack

· #14 · Jul 2, 2009

imported post

that should have made the front alittle lite , how did the wing like that much load on her

tricky

· #15 · Jul 2, 2009

imported post

Nice looking hitch, btw you did eventually tighten the lower bolt

?

Does the bolt go through the tubing where it is fastened at the foot rest?

See less See more

outofcontrol

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jul 2, 2009

imported post

tricky wrote:

Nice looking hitch, btw you did eventually tighten the lower bolt ?

Does the bolt go through the tubing where it is fastened at the foot rest?

Yes. I had the unit off and on about 10x during construction, and most of the time I'd just throw that bolt in the hole. That picture was before I even painted it.
That bolt connects to the forward arm (1x1) of the hitch, but There's a .125" tab on the end for the bolt.

Yes, the front end was light with 200lbs of tongue weight. And, if you're curious, I had no worries about the strength of the hitch; I was more worried about the strength of the 6x12 trailer against me and the bike. I had to go up a little transition from gravel to pavement, and it almost threw me off.

Bike...and Dennis

· #17 · Jul 2, 2009

imported post

outofcontrol wrote:

and it almost threw me off.

Can anyone blame the bike? If you hooked up that kind of load to me, I'd toss you into the gravel too.

actionpack

· #18 · Jul 3, 2009

imported post

was there a gathering watching u move the trailor , that would have been popcorn time , watching ya move the trailor , lol , glad ya made it safe and sound

outofcontrol

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jul 5, 2009

4

imported post

Nobody really cares about my antics. My neighbors are 70 and 90yr olds. They just think that I make a lot of noise.

Here's the trailer so far:

See less See more

actionpack

· #20 · Jul 6, 2009

imported post

looking good bro , that should get your dirt bike there and back

1 - 20 of 34 Posts

Status: Not open for further replies.

Top