Tie/Cross bar

[tunnelz]

A car bumped my bike at the gas station and it went down hard. The non-locking kickstand folded and the left crash bar bent. Finally got a new crash bar which allowed me to install the cross bar I got from Wanner Machine. ( see the classifieds) I recommend this part to all as it really stiffens up the crash bars and also makes highway pegs more trustworthy. I also bought his trunk extender kit and am very pleased with it too. tunnelz

[cranky]

... next try his mirror extenders and saddle bag tethers....
the mirror extenders really make the mirrors useable.

[GrandpaDenny]

A car bumped my bike at the gas station and it went down hard. The non-locking kickstand folded and the left crash bar bent.

I've never heard of a "non-locking" or, for that matter, a "locking" kickstand. Did you have the bike in gear or in neutral?

[triton28]

The big twin HDs had a side stand that would lock into place once the bike was leaned over on to it. Probably still the same with the newer ones.
Dave

[Nails]

Unrelated to the topic at hand, but I want to mention that it's possible to push the bike backwards right off that double-jointed center-stand.

I didn't know about the "wizz-bang" jacking center-stand because the "jacking" foot lever was rusted off my bike. Let me just say, it was a bitch to put on the center-stand. Once, I used a little too much force, and the bike went clear over it -- the center-stand was now angled forward. And then quite the double-bitch to push the bike forward onto it.

When I first read the OP, not paying enough attention, I thought it was about this.

[SgtSlag]

The trunk extender is the bee's knee's!

Our's creates a pocket of space between the passenger seat, and the trunk, where we like to place our bike cover, in a vacuum bag, for storage during tours. The cover also acts as a support pillow, for the passenger's lower back/tailbone. Our only issue with it, is that our trunk easily slips forward, as the lock is not great. Apparently, we push it forward, without realizing it, getting on/off, or when unloading the trunk. We often climb aboard, only to discover the trunk has slipped forward, and we're crunched between it, and the driver's backrest.

I used a galvanized plumbing pipe, between my crash bars. Makes a world of difference! Without it, our highway floor boards would bend inwards, every time we pushed our feet around, adjusting their position... Did not inspire confidence, at all. Now, rock solid.

The mirror extenders are fantastic, even though the OEM mirrors, themselves, kind of suck tailpipe. My OEM mirror base on the left side, is severely cracked. The extender is fine, just the OEM mirror is showing its age.

Planning to cut some polygon wood wedges, to attach some aftermarket mirrors, which extend further out. Their base for attaching to the fairing, is at the wrong angle: need a wedge to mate them to the fairing. They have longer stems, so adjustment will be a breeze, once they're attached to the bike. Never been happy with the OEM mirrors. Always felt they were one of the weakest elements of the design. Everything else is fantastic on this bike, with the exception of the crash bars, and the trunk not going back far enough...

If you ride two-up, the passenger highway pegs are fantastic, as well. We trade positions, around every two hours, so I know the in's and out's of both positions on the bike. The passenger highway pegs allow you to adjust your posterior just enough, to gain another 30-60 minutes (maybe longer) ride time. Makes a huge improvement on long days in the saddle.

One other thing... The trailer hitch can be equipped with a carrier: will hold sleeping bags, tents, coolers, etc. It is super-fantastic on long trips! Just be careful not to overload it... We have loaded a small cooler on our's, stowing sandwiches, and drinks, with ice. We secure it with a bungie net, with multiple wire hooks. Gives us the freedom to pull over anywhere that is safe, along our route, to have a picnic. No need for a rest stop, or a restaurant, though Mom & Pop diners are a huge part of our fun in touring. Sometimes we need to make time, and the cooler allows us to do it on our terms. Cheers!

[GrandpaDenny]

Unrelated to the topic at hand, but I want to mention that it's possible to push the bike backwards right off that double-jointed center-stand.

I didn't know about the "wizz-bang" jacking center-stand because the "jacking" foot lever was rusted off my bike. Let me just say, it was a bitch to put on the center-stand. Once, I used a little too much force, and the bike went clear over it -- the center-stand was now angled forward. And then quite the double-bitch to push the bike forward onto it.

When I first read the OP, not paying enough attention, I thought it was about this.

Mine had one of its feet bent backwards from hitting the speed bump in my parking lot - when I first got her she was a low rider from not having any air in the shocks. I remember dragging pegs on Lincoln Drive in Philly at 25mph when I first got her. I went through there at about 50 the other day, didn't scrape a thing. The speed limit is 25. As I've learned about the bike, I've been fixing and tweaking things.

Since I replaced the front springs, man she is SO easy to put up on the center stand!

[Nails]

Tell me about it. I had to repair a bashed header. https://www.amervoyassoc.org/forum/view ... 649#p85649

[tunnelz]

Nails -- Your info on going over the top with the centerstand is valuable and appreciated. Thanks for all the other comments and advice. tunnelz

[Nails]

To be clear, I once wrenched at a Harley shop for a couple months, all after hours, in oil country where the Harley weirdos definitely come out after dark. Ask me how I know.
(I originally took my Gold Wing there to replace the headset bearings. The owner got an oilfield job and hernia surgery at the same time. He needed help getting bikes out of the shop.)
I got a set of leathers out of it -- and some stories for my father. (Spoiler: I saw the owner pull a derringer out of his hip pocket ... all in good fun, you see.)
I find that with that experience, and a five-spot, I can get a cup of coffee pretty much anywhere.
You have been warned.

[Barry]

A car bumped my bike at the gas station and it went down hard. The non-locking kickstand folded and the left crash bar bent.

I've never heard of a "non-locking" or, for that matter, a "locking" kickstand. Did you have the bike in gear or in neutral?

Not saying I'm old, but I used to ride a Moto Guzzi Eldorado LAPD model. It had a locking side stand that worked just like the police Harley's. I think it's a very good safety device that can prevent embarrassing incidents.