Bumper with flag mount

[nevtat]

Rivco makes a bumper and flag mounts plates they say are "bolted" onto the underside of the bumper. I have a H-D bumper that looks exactly like Rivco's bumper. I'd like to install the Rivco plates to my H-D bumper. I'm wondering if they are indeed bolted on, are the "bolts" self-tappers since they don't come through the top of the bumper or have they welded a nut on the inside of the bumper tube? Does anyone have this setup? I'm also wonder how strong that set-up is.
http://www.rivcoproducts.com/products/product.php?productid=842&cat=436&page=1

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I'm guessing if you drilled and tapped your bumper they would work.

 

[Sloufoot]

If you are going to keep a 3x5 flag off the ground the pole will have to be around 5' min. Mine are 6' & 6.6'. Those only bolt to the underside of the bumper with three bolts. The thickness of the metal in the tube isn't going to take much to break out. The tube will take a lot more than that mounting !
What you are going to have to put in your bumper is a nut insert through the wall. there isn't an easy way to make the tube stronger. The only way I would do those mounts is to drill through the tube & bolt all the way through.
Rivco will most likely tell you it works because it goes around the corner, which does help but I wouldn't trust the longevity of the tube. I guess it might make a difference if the one end went to the end of the tube, & how many times you use the flags a month.
I use the mount that goes on a hitch in the center, & pull three flags.

 

[nevtat]

If you are going to keep a 3x5 flag off the ground the pole will have to be around 5' min. Mine are 6' & 6.6'. Those only bolt to the underside of the bumper with three bolts. The thickness of the metal in the tube isn't going to take much to break out. The tube will take a lot more than that mounting !

What you are going to have to put in your bumper is a nut insert through the wall. there isn't an easy way to make the tube stronger. The only way I would do those mounts is to drill through the tube & bolt all the way through.

Rivco will most likely tell you it works because it goes around the corner, which does help but I wouldn't trust the longevity of the tube. I guess it might make a difference if the one end went to the end of the tube, & how many times you use the flags a month.

I use the mount that goes on a hitch in the center, & pull three flags.

I completely agree with you. Late yesterday Rivco told me the plates are attached to their bumper via one bolt with a cap nut on the outside.

if that's true, why drill 3 holes on the plate?

They also said the plates would not work on the stock H-D bumper. I don't believe that. The whole setup might work fine at parade speeds, but as a Patriot Guard Rider we often ride at freeway speeds and I doubt the tube would withstand that stress. I agree that a hitch mounted flag holder is the way to go, however, my extended warranty would be voided if the MotorCo knew i had installed a trailer hitch (I have not BTW).

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I do like the LEDS on the bumper ... they are on the web site if ya scroll down

 

[Sloufoot]

I do like the LEDS on the bumper ... they are on the web site if ya scroll down

I was thinking about making a thin metal mounting that would go from end to end on the bottom side of the bumper tube,& using one of the strobe led strips. Like the Night Rider lights.
Kuryakyn makes a light strip that goes across below the trunk door side to side, but the bumper blocks it some.Also it doesn't strobe.

 

[nevtat]

I was thinking about making a thin metal mounting that would go from end to end on the bottom side of the bumper tube,& using one of the strobe led strips. Like the Night Rider lights.
Kuryakyn makes a light strip that goes across below the trunk door side to side, but the bumper blocks it some.Also it doesn't strobe.

Good idea, should make an outstanding flag mount. Right on topic. Thanks for the input.

 

[DTR 11TG]

I completely agree with you. Late yesterday Rivco told me the plates are attached to their bumper via one bolt with a cap nut on the outside. if that's true, why drill 3 holes on the plate? They also said the plates would not work on the stock H-D bumper. I don't believe that. The whole setup might work fine at parade speeds, but as a Patriot Guard Rider we often ride at freeway speeds and I doubt the tube would withstand that stress. I agree that a hitch mounted flag holder is the way to go, however, my extended warranty would be voided if the MotorCo knew i had installed a trailer hitch (I have not BTW).

If you like the rivco mounting plates, but not their way of mounting, you could make a nut plate to go inside the tube.
Using the rivco plate as a pattern, drill 3 hole in bottom of the bumper, take a strip of metal, drill the same 3 holes and weld nuts to one side, To install, pop off the end plug, tie a light string to the nut plate, feed it into the tube & using the string as a guide, take a longer than needed bolt to thread into the nut plate and now you have a guide & holder to install one or 2 of the correct bolts thru the rivco plate into the nut plate and then remove the guide bolt and tighten all 3 correct bolts and your done, super strong mount. Just an idea, hope it helps.

 

[nevtat]

Modified flag mount

Modified hitch so it can never be used as a hitch and only as a flag mount. Service tech says no go, if the trike comes in for service with it installed, he'll red flag VIN. As a Patriot Guard Rider, Honor Guard Escort Rider, I really need a flag on the trike. i guess it's back to the drawing board.

 

[Sloufoot]

Modified hitch so it can never be used as a hitch and only as a flag mount. Service tech says no go, if the trike comes in for service with it installed, he'll red flag VIN. As a Patriot Guard Rider, Honor Guard Escort Rider, I really need a flag on the trike. i guess it's back to the drawing board.

That Tech is an ass! His head is still swelled from MOCO school. Try going to Harley direct & explain why. Is there another dealer close ?

 

[BinIdaho]

I have a hitch installed on my '13 TG and a flag mounting bracket made for 3x5 flag on Patriot Guard rides. My dealer has NOT said a word about my hitch being installed. I don't think the HD bumper (or any bumper) would withstand the mounting of flag holder (just my 2 cents).

 

[67fisher]

Flag mount

I have a hitch installed on my '13 TG and a flag mounting bracket made for 3x5 flag on Patriot Guard rides. My dealer has NOT said a word about my hitch being installed. I don't think the HD bumper (or any bumper) would withstand the mounting of flag holder (just my 2 cents).

I want to do the same thing, for the same reason on my 2014 TG. Could you post a picture or two of your set-up. Thanks.....

 

[BinIdaho]

Modified hitch so it can never be used as a hitch and only as a flag mount. Service tech says no go, if the trike comes in for service with it installed, he'll red flag VIN. As a Patriot Guard Rider, Honor Guard Escort Rider, I really need a flag on the trike. i guess it's back to the drawing board.

I am also a Patriot Guard Rider and have a hitch installed on my '13 Tri-Glide with flag insert installed for 3x5 flag. My HD dealer has "never" said anything about the hitch.

 

[dirtdobber]

I have made a few for folks. Trailer hitch makes it really easy to do.
Using the 1 1/4 inch female receiver tube. I use a 1 1/inch solid or thick way female receiver then weld a thick wall pipe, steel about 10 to 12 inches long in a 90 degree angle. The steel tube or solid steel needs to slip over the pipe welded to your receiver hitch.
Some of these guys run 75-80 mph all the time with no problems. The mask will need to be tough too. Some use metal water pipe and some use conduit and a few order a mask.