Flag holder

[hitime]

I'm looking for a holder that will hold a flag larger than the standard sized ones people mount to their luggage rack. I have seen the ones meant to mount to the reciever hitch, but the description sounds like they are only good for parade speeds, not highway speeds. I want to fly a large flag, even when I am on the highway. Anybody have an idea where to find one? Thanks.

 

[Ozarkryder]

A PGR buddy wanted to do the same thing, and as he is a machinist went to work on it.
He set up a mount for his reciever hitch on his FLHT. The pole is attached to the drawbar and braced under the trunk, and is 5 or 6' long so the flag doesn't touch stuff below it (as specified in the US Flag Code). Put a 3x5' flag on it.
So far he has bent rebar, 1/2 and 3/4 inch square and round tube, 1/2 inch solid steel round bar and broken a 1" wooden dowel. He has had more luck with 3/4 inch steel bar - that only bowed after running 70mph.
Riding that fast with a full size flag also tore up the flag, and he said he could really feel the drag. He is back to running the normal motorcycle size flags except for parade duty.

He still wants to be able to fly the 3x5 flag at speed - If you come up with a solution let us know and I'll pass it along.

 

[hitime]

I'm not a machinist, but I was thinking along the lines of getting a drawbar and bolting something to it. Then I could insert a heavy-duty flag pole to it and fly the flag. I don't suppose there is much out there that is going to be great on the superslab, but the back roads and county highways (55 or so) there should be something that will work. Thanks Ozarkryder. I'll keep you posted. Would you do the same, if he comes up with a good solution. Maybe he could make more than one?<img src="images/smilies/grin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="big grin" class="inlineimg" />

 

[Nana]

hitime, go to PapaJoe's profile page and see his pictures. He flies bigger flags than anyone I have ever seen! I have told him to be careful if the wind picks up---he'll lift off the ground! <br />
<br />
He rides a Goldwing, and perhaps some of his rig could be adapted to fit your trike.

 

[Mr.Wizard]

My PGR squad (Georgia) has several bikes and trikes that carry regulation flags. Most all the trikes use a welded device on their hitch as stated. Many do bend while on the hwy but they fly them only during a precession. The flags are rolled up with a sleeve over them the rest of the time.

Even with chain cross-overs to each flag and stays attached to the trike frame they will bend up to 2" angle iron at speeds up to 70+ and the flags rip and fray easily. Precession speeds are normally 25 to 50 MPH but like Nana said you have to be very careful or the trike can and will come up.

I compromised as you can see in the pic below. When my flags are unfurled I hook fishing line to each antenna mast and support it around the luggage rack so it doesn't break my antenna bases. When I roll them up I hold them with a velcro wrap.

 

[Yellow Trike]

RIVCO markets one....not cheap.<br />
<br />
I have one a friend welded for me and machined a beautiful aluminum pole for the hollow pole to fit on....and shortened the hollow pole to help alleviate the high-speed bend.<br />
<br />
I have re-enforced a large flag....Folded over the short edge and fabric glued it in place then secured with bias tape.<br />
<br />
A good sewn, cloth flag lasts longer at high speeds.<br />
<br />
The bracket is only a minor part of the whole....if the flag pole isn't solid it won't last at highway speeds. You can also run guide-lines from the pole to a couple places on your ride to keep it from bending.<br />
<br />
Here is a link to a hitch listed on Ebay....<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2%22-HITCH-FLAG-DISPLAYER-and-POLE-HOLDER-cheap-FLAG-ON_W0QQitemZ260443275792QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">2" HITCH FLAG DISPLAYER and POLE HOLDER cheap FLAG-ON:eBay Motors (item 260443275792 end time Sep-06-09 12:13:25 PDT)</a>

 

[Nauga Mok]

In the NV PG Escort Riders, we often have to run escort missions from Las Vegas to Boulder City where the Veteran's Cemetery is. We've made it a practice to limit our highway speed to 65 when flying the 3' x 5' flags though with our pole set up we could run 70 pretty easily -- I've done it. We use 1" sch 40 PVC with a 1" wood dowel inside it. We also add at least 2 more gromets (I add 3 for a total of 5) to the flag & attach it to the pole with 3/16 screw eyes -- like an eye bolt with a wood screw. Bend the eye open, insert the flag's gromet & reclose the eye. Running to & from the missions, we use a sleeve over the furled flag. We've made our flag holders out of a 18" piece 1 1/4" sch 40 black pipe. For those that have trailer hitches, we weld a plate on the bottom with a 1/2" bolt in it to attach to the trailer hitch. We usually weld a tab at the top of the pipe to run bracing to the tour pack framework -- I use tabs I made from 1/2" x 1/8" flat bar on the rear 2 bolts that hold the tour pack to the frame under it. I've been using 1/2" x 1/8" flat bar stock for the bracing -- I tried some lighter stuff & it bent.

I've built several hitches like this and built some that plug into the hitch reciever. I've added 2 extra fubes to my holder so I can fly US Flag, State Flag, & service flag if I have to run "scout" position. If there's any wind, flying 3 flags can really bounce me around! Of course, once I get the conversion done, I'll have to start all over & build a new mount for the trike. We have a new NV PG member with an '06 Ultra that'll give my old mount a good home. <br />
<br />
We only get 3 - 5 missions out of a flag before it starts comming apart at the seams -- literaly. Every Memorial Day at the Veteran's Cemetery, as part of the Memorial Day Services, the Boy Scouts do a flag burning ceremony (the proper way to dispose of a worn out flag) & we usualy have several to give them. It's like a funeral for the flags with the Nellis AFB Honor Guard (one of my old outfirs) firing the 21 gun salute & playing taps. It's realy a nice ceremony when done right.<br />
<br />
Hope this helps!<br />
<br />
NM

 

[Lunchbox1983]

NM<br />
<br />
I do not run with the large flags, but the other PGR that do I have heard them talking about using super glue on the seams to help make the flags last longer. Not sure if it works but it should help keep the threads form popping. The big thing is not defacing the flag in any way.<br />
<br />
Thanks for riding with the PGR to honor thoese that protect us from evil.<br />
<br />
Please post pictures of your mount, as I would like to build a mount for the Stallion. It would be a good winter project.

 

[Nauga Mok]

Clear nail polish on the seams helps too. For a flag to come appart while being properly flown isn't disrespectful or "defacing". Good flags aren't cheap, so we don't intentionaly damage them -- it's just part of the price we pay as PG riders. Your thanks are MUCH appriciated. Since I'm a "Nam era Vet", I do this for a LOT of reasons -- the most important is seing the Heros we have today are NOT forgotten like we were then. <br />
<br />
NM

 

[Gorilla]

NM welcome home brother

 

[Nauga Mok]

Thanks!

I'll post some pix of the flag mounts when I get it AND the trike built. All parts are still on order.

NM

 

[jimc]

lunch box i got a flag holder for my stallion from sportmast 1888fan9909 thier in calif had to remove trailer ball and weld on square receiver.ive ridden 80mph no problems.i do go through 3x5 flags fast. i bought flags wholesale 50 for $250 at 5 bucks a pop i dont care see dec totm,pgr calif viet vet 196 batt americal div

 

[jimc]

flag holder $99 duh

 

[Lunchbox1983]

Clear nail polish on the seams helps too. For a flag to come appart while being properly flown isn't disrespectful or "defacing". Good flags aren't cheap, so we don't intentionaly damage them -- it's just part of the price we pay as PG riders. Your thanks are MUCH appriciated. Since I'm a "Nam era Vet", I do this for a LOT of reasons -- the most important is seing the Heros we have today are NOT forgotten like we were then.

NM

I agree, I guess I ment defaceing by gooping the wrong kind of glue on it and causing the color to bleed. The nail polish sounds good too.

Thank you for your service to our country, I was too young by my Brother was a C-5 mechanic duing the war.

 

[Lunchbox1983]

thanks for the link Jimc