Parade Flag Holder

TooEasy · #1 08-07-2009, 08:38 AM

I use a RIVCO Parade Flag Holder with two large 3X5 flags and I am very happy with this setup. Its expensive (about 200 bucks for the '09) but the quality is really impressive. The Chrome is mirror like finish and the components are heavy and very well made, its such a good looking unit that I normally leave it on the bike between missions. There are two heavy duty brackets permanently attached to the fender mount which function as a receiver and the flag holder itself can be removed in seconds by removing two safety pins.

This is how it looks on the bike:

Sometimes we escort remains from city to city and we have to drive in the freeway. Two large flags create a lot of drag, so I made braces from pieces of aluminum flat stock and 1" electrical clamps to make sure they would stay in place, it ended up being a very secure system:

And this is how my rig looks like:

Some of our guys have homemade flag holders which turned out really good too, I will post pics of those for the members that want to make their own.

A word of caution: at high speeds, large flags can make a bike wobble, no matter how secure they are mounted.

Regards,

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boston · #2 08-20-2009, 09:22 PM

I like your setup. I just purchased the Rivco mount and since I have an o7 Roadking, I would like to mimick your set up. However, I can't find the electrical connecters you used . If you could refer me to where you purchased them, I would really appreciate it. Thanks

TooEasy · #3 08-20-2009, 09:52 PM

Boston,

Tomorrow morning I am going to get that clamp part number for you, I bought it at Lowe's for a couple of bucks.

regards,

H20DOG · #4 08-21-2009, 03:18 PM

I like your set up. I have a 2007 Heritage Classic I do not have a trailer hitch. Is there something else that I can use? Perhaps that is not quite that expensive.

Roosterboots · #5 09-07-2009, 10:09 PM

Dog: post photos of your passenger foot pegs (if they're still on) and your sissy bar. I'm working on a flag mount that attaches to the pegs, using PVC and hardwood. First run was this morning with a single 3x5...there will be a few design changes before I'm done. If mine works out OK, you might want to put one together yourself.

aeromass · #6 10-30-2009, 10:24 PM

What are your poles made of and where did you get them. They look great. I have the same mount system but need poles. HP gets the speed up lots of times on the interstate.

TooEasy · #7 11-06-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeromass

What are your poles made of and where did you get them. They look great. I have the same mount system but need poles. HP gets the speed up lots of times on the interstate.

They are clothes poles, the kind that go in a closet. I bought them a Lowes for about 9 bucks apiece. For a 3X5 flag they need to be 6 ft long, and they are the right diameter for the holder. They come in white, but a rattle can can fix that, and they are strong, I have had my bike at 80 MPH with no problem.

Ugly Troll · #8 11-07-2009, 09:31 AM

I also use and love the Rivco mount. I've been using it for over 2 years now. It is excellent. Over time, the chrome finish will deteriorate (at least in some climates.) Also, whatever set up you use, whether it's home made or commercially available, it is going to weaken over time, so even though it's been tested by you at highway speeds and has held up, it is NOT always going to do so. It will fail eventually, so give a thought to your own safety as well as those around and behind you. Here in Mass we HAVE had a flag come off a bike at speed; so we no longer run with open flags on the highway. Also, please note that at least on the Rivco mount pictured, there is a warning label from the manufacturer that clearly states it is meant for parade speeds only! ("official" parade speed is 11mph.) Please keep this in mind so our mission does not end up causing a tragedy! Thanks to all and ride safe!

aeromass · #9 11-07-2009, 11:01 AM

Thanks, I hadn't been to that department yet. On my way now.

TooEasy · #10 11-08-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugly Troll

I also use and love the Rivco mount. I've been using it for over 2 years now. It is excellent. Over time, the chrome finish will deteriorate (at least in some climates.) Also, whatever set up you use, whether it's home made or commercially available, it is going to weaken over time, so even though it's been tested by you at highway speeds and has held up, it is NOT always going to do so. It will fail eventually, so give a thought to your own safety as well as those around and behind you. Here in Mass we HAVE had a flag come off a bike at speed; so we no longer run with open flags on the highway. Also, please note that at least on the Rivco mount pictured, there is a warning label from the manufacturer that clearly states it is meant for parade speeds only! ("official" parade speed is 11mph.) Please keep this in mind so our mission does not end up causing a tragedy! Thanks to all and ride safe!

This is correct. At speed, the drag created by the flags causes the mount to flex up and down, enough movement for other riders to see it and comment on it, and probably would cause metal fatigue over time.

The brackets above the holder eliminate all this movement, period.