Hi, have just got back on a Harley after a few years away from bikes, wife and I are going to do some travelling and are going to tow a trailer, does anyone here know where I can get a tow bar for a reasonable price, IMO Classic Industries towbars although quite good quality are too expensive. Second hand would suit if still in good condition. I don't mean to be disrespectful to Classic but $450 is a lot to pay.

Hi again, anyone with towbar knowledge or information?

Cheers.

I took a look at the classic ones then built my own . once for an ultra then one for my roadking. both did what they were meant to and cost around 20 dollars in material. if you cant weld , grind etc, then perhaps approach an engineering firm close by and see if they might be able to build one cheaper than classic. keep in mind though the classic bars come with a certification which might come in handy re insurance if things turned nasty on the road with a trailer in tow god forbid. from memory if the towbar was built before a certain date in Victoria where I am, then certification wasn't a problem but might pay to check with local qld registration regs.

good luck

Thanks for the reply cactus, I can weld and grind, but as you said may cause a problem with insurance if I needed to claim. Just cant believe that the towbars are so expensive. May look at oversees, but they might have the same problem with certification in Aust as well.

from what i gathered on the usa ones, they use the rear mudgaurd attachments to hold the towbar on. google them and you will see what i mean. where as the classic ones use the rear footboard mounts and top shocker mounts to bear the load of the trailer. that is what i made based on their pics but i probably over engineered mine in comparison. i just couldnt bring myself to attach a trailer to the fender supports although im sure they would have been tested in the states. stretching the memory cells now but by the time you shipped one from the usa and their purchase price, there wasnt a lot of difference to the classic ones. again insurance may be an issue with us built certifications as you say. i agree, classic are expensive but so is a trailer and bike and the only thing holding the two together apart from the wiring plug is that old towbar. in perspective of your total outlay for a travelling holiday re, bike and trailer etc, the 500 odd for a towbar isnt all that bad as long as it complies with australian standards. insurance companies these day will get out of any claim they can. no room for error.

sorry i cant help with a cheaper legal alternative.

cheers

That's cool Cactus, have been looking at the ones from the US and with the drop in dollar and postage costs I can still save between 100 and 150, but as you said insurance and compliance could be a problem, also another company sells one for mine here in Aust and is actually $30 dearer, I think unless I can find a second hand one here then I will buy the Classic. Thanks for your replies mate very much appreciated.

 

Rosscoe 

Kuryakyn have towbars so try http://www.mandmcycles.com/ or http://griffinspares.com.au/ Griffin are based in Sydney and M& M are in Ohio USA.. I have to get one for my FXST and it looks as though I have to go with Classic.

thanks mate for the chat etc
good luck with it all
JJ @ Griffin Spares