That gap is probably to allow you to center the rack with the bike. I would put the rack in and center it and then tighten the nut on the ball and it's locked in place...it's not going to move unless the nut on the ball is loose.

 

Normal gap, allows for alignment. Do make sure you have the anti-rattle bolt tightened down in the vertical receiver portion.

 

Ok,
I'm just slightly confused here. I've installed a couple of motorcycle hitches and I've had on slop in any components. Now, I don't have what I see in the pictures presented so, I maybe shouldn't comment. But, based on what I'm seeing in the pics, the item with the two horizontal holes is held in place with the nut, that locks the ball to the slider, correct? Or is this some sort of optical illusion here? I mean, if that large nut, that locks the ball in place, also locks that item in place, then who cares what kind of gap is on either side of it?

If the nut does lock that item in place, then the gap(s) mean nothing because, there should be ZERO movement in that item. At least that's my thoughts on what I see. IF, that nut on the bottom of the ball is supposed to lock that item in place but, that item is MOVING due to the gaps, then SO IS THE BALL moving. Maybe help me understand here.
Scott

 

Thanks for everyone's input.
@Roadie - I tightened it up and now it's solid. Didn't have the best wrenches for the job initially, but all is good now.

@ssncob - yes, the anti-rattle bolt was already tight. No slop in the actual drawbar.

@FIRE UP - you are correct, but since I got my hitch on eBay (like you), I was partially thinking that corners were cut and the drawbar was slimmer...which was part of the reason for my post. Now that I know the gap is normal, I tightened everything down and all is good.

By the way, for those who don't know, the mount is for attaching the quick-release Rivco hitch rack.

 

Looks nice but looks like it will drag in the corners

 

That's probably how it looks from the photo, but at only 16 inches across, I can assure you it would not drag in the corners.

 

I have a similar setup on my Gen-5. The only thing I have had happen is when there is a severe speed bump, the
rack can hit. Not a huge deal if I'm aware and take it slow.

Corventure Dave

 

Hey Dan,
I appreciate you answering me on my questions about the setup. Looks good. May I ask, from the pics the rack level at least appears to be at the same level as the exhaust tips. If that is the case, would there possibly be any concern about the heat from the exhaust possibly damaging anything in the rack? Or, is the rack actually higher than the output of the exhaust? Thanks again.
Scott

 

@FIRE UP
I haven't been able to test it out myself due to the poor weather out here, but I did a lot of forum research before I bought it. Heat and/or exhaust smell was a legitimate concern of mine as well, but everyone reporting on the forum said they never experienced it.

@Corventure
I had a large cargo carrier on my last car, and definitely scraped it on some steep driveways, so I know that will have to take a sharp angle when desending any of those. Thanks for the reminder.

 

Caution here! I had the same type of hitch on the back of my old 2002 (it wasn't a Rivch though) and it burnt 2 holes into the bottom of my cooler, after my first trial run...I ordered/and installed "turn down" exhaust tips for the ends of my exhaust pipes, and that fixed the problem. {Not try'n to be Debbie Downer" here/ and tryin to help only} BUT check out the heat coming from the exhaust pipes, before ruin'n any expensive stuff that you plan on hauling, using, your new hitch...
It's actually a pretty cool idea, and it works!

Ronnie
2/18/23

 

@Captron
Thanks for the warning, Ronnie. I think you've just convinced me to strap down an empty cardboard box for my test run. That should help me identify if any areas might get burnt. It might also provide a nice little towable fireball of my own! I'll make sure to have a camera capturing the moment!

 

@Captron
Thanks for the warning, Ronnie. I think you've just convinced me to strap down an empty cardboard box for my test run. That should help me identify if any areas might get burnt. It might also provide a nice little towable fireball of my own! I'll make sure to have a camera capturing the moment!

Now, there's an idea, that I wish that I thought of, it would have saved me from buy'n another expensive cool'rrr, to replace the one that got burnt........

Ronnie
2/18/23

 

I still have a similar setup from my last Wing, a Pak-it-Rak. I was telling Capt. Bob about it the other day and he told me the same thing, that I should get turn down tips to save the bag. That's too bad since this Wing came with turn down tips that I swapped out for stock tips. I actually used that bag though for a small trip we took up to Father-in Law's place in Georgia and didn't have an issue. It is a bag that secures down to the platform though not a cooler, maybe that had something to do with it not being damaged. Been in a box in the shed for years so I don't remember what material it is made of 🤷‍♂️

 

Well,
Another alternative to this situation is to raise the rack. I've been a fabricator for decades so an idea like this would be pretty simple for me since I have all the tools, place to work and experience in this sort of thing. But I realize that many of you might not possess the tools, facilities and ability to make the potential alterations to the rack to raise it even a few inches. Just an idea. I realize that if one raises the rack some and then loads it with whatever, you may be blocking the license plate at least some. I myself wouldn't worry too much about that because, if LEO wants to pull you over, they'll eventually see what they need pertaining to the plate.

As far as how to raise it, well, not seeing any of those up close, it's hard to recommend a procedure. I'd have see one of the slider bars to see what could be done, if at all possible.
Scott

 

P.S. The little safety keeper pins that secure the rack to the hitch receiver can be found at Lowes and probably other hardware stores in the speciality fasteners bins. So then you can go and buy more before you find the ones you misplaced , at least you will have spares😄. Yes, I speak from experience!!

Safety Keeper Pin

 

My hitch was home made, with the rack, so maybe it was lower than the Rivco brand (it's good news that it worked for you/and I'm sure Rivco thought about height before make'n this hitch... (I got to admit that my height of the rake was quite low, (and inches above the pipes) It's good that you tested it out, BEfore burn'n any expensive cargo... (i just wanted to give you a "heads up") before...

Ronnie
2/28/23