Hitches
I have a first generation Bushtech hitch on my 1800 which I had to do some work to make fit. I have a new 04. I had an 01 with this type hitch which I really liked.
The 04 bikes have a new baffle on the inside and top of the right muffler. One of the acorn nuts on the top of right muffler hits hard on the hoop of the old style hitch and the muffler hangars also hit.
I ground the acorn nut that hit down to the thickness of a jam nut, and the retainer of the nut on the muffler hanger I modified to make it clear the old style hoop.
John Preston bent over backwards for me and sent me his first new style hitch when I told him the 04s were different. That shows just what a good supplier and proponent of motorcycling he is. I returned it because I will do a lot of trailer testing over the next year or so and the old style hitch is stronger and stiffer, although John may not be of the same opinion.
The hoop is now interrupted by being welded to a plate with ears. It may never give trouble in service with lightly loaded trailers. However, I told John that I wished he would also offer the old style hitch with the dogleg in the hoop that he put in the new hitch to clear the two obstacle on the new bikes.
There is not doubt in my mind that the old hitch is stronger and stiffer, even if harder to install and prevents the tire from being removed out the back.
I would like to know who would ever take the tire off that way. The lug nuts are so tight, I don't know who would be carrying a large torque wrench to put them back.
Unless the tire is badly damaged, a plug can be put in on the bike as I have done three times, very successfully. If the tire is too bad to plug, the bike has to go to the shop anyway.
John builds quality stuff and is a very good ambassador for motorcycling. That does not mean we always agree, nor does it mean that he is wrong on any issue. I do not know anything about the Rivco hitch.