Flags

[beemerlt]

I've been flying a Union flag on my bike for the past couple of years, which I bought from Rumbling Pride (http://www.rumblingpride.com/rpweb3_0/rpweb.htm), and have been pretty happy with it. I wasn't able to find anyone in Europe who made flags designed specifically for bikes, and able therefore to withstand the constant buffeting. There was a German source but their flags were way too big for my liking. Most ornamental flags shred or distort very quickly. The weak point with the RP flags was the flag-pole attachment sleeve: the single row of stitching eventually failed.

I wanted to fly the Saltire and Lion Rampant flags also, but RP didn't make them until recently. I'm now able to fly the full set of colours! :) Kevin Franke (the owner of RP) has also improved the attachment sleeve, making it much stronger. UV-resistance seems pretty good also, although I've not been outside the UK since fitting the RP flags.

I just bought the flags without any mounting kit and I'm still experimenting with mounting options. At first I had the flag mounted halfway up my radio antenna (it would bend the antenna too much if mounted at the top). Even so, the antenna eventually snapped off, so I bought the CB antenna mounting parts and am currently trying that side. If the CB antenna snaps also, I'll fit a stainless steel rod in place of the antenna next time (I don't use a CB).

I bought a few of each. The Union flags cost me $10 each, while the Saltires and Lion Rampants were more expensive 'custom' flags and cost $13.25 each. If you want to enquire about other custom flags such as the Cross of St George, I'd recommend you phone and try to speak with Kevin himself. He's not great at answering emails, but does deliver a good product.

[pozo_izquierdo]

Hi David,

your flags look cool. Where did you get the CB antenna mount? Is just to walk to your friendly BMW dealer and order one for 350 euros or is there an aftermarket unit available. I would not need the CB unit either.
Was the German company you mentioned called Fahnen-Stammler http://www.fahnenstammler.de/Seiten/home.htm ? They seem to have some GW-related kitch-and-junk for sale.

Regards

[airborneod]

I fly the American flag on the right and POW on the left. The flags are mounted low. The flags measure 11X14. I had a friend reenforce all the seams. The flags last about 7 or 8 K

I use a piece of 1/4 inch stainless 13 inches long to hold the flags and tie wrap it to the lower portion of the mast.

I would not place two together as it places too much strain on the masts.

[beemerlt]

Was the German company you mentioned called Fahnen-Stammler
Hi Ari

Yes, that was the one. Some of their stuff is OK, but some is junk, such as their wall clocks (according to Hans, I think).

I just bought standard BMW parts but I'm sure you could fabricate something ingenious yourself. ;) The most expensive part is the aerial base (#65 21 2 337 377), which is attached to the bike's sub-frame with four screws. The rear carrier has to be cut to allow it to be fitted, but this is pre-marked, showing where to cut. ETK doesn't show this but the base is threaded and the 'Coil' (# 65 21 7 654 399) screws into it. I bought a coil (also quite expensive) but would recommend you just find a suitable substitute with the required thread and weld/solder the flag pole onto this.

The coil consists of brass bottom and top sections, separated by plastic and a coiled wire: not very strong. The aerial is simply attached to the coil by two tiny grub screws. I lost one aerial with flag pretty quickly due to the flexing while riding. :( So next I had the aerial soldered to the coil - it needs silver solder to bond to both the brass of the coil and steel of the aerial. We tried soldering with the plastic immersed in a water bath, but this drained the heat away too quickly and prevented the solder from setting, so we were forced to do without any coolant, with predictable results: the plastic melted. What was not expected was that the whole thing just fell apart! That's how I know the construction of the thing. So we just cut the coiled wire off the bottom (threaded) portion of the coil, drilled it out a little bit (IMPOSSIBLE to drill all the way through) and soldered the aerial into it.

I like the symmetry of the bike using the standard base, aerial and cover on both sides, but, as I said, if this aerial fails also, I'll go for a shorter, stronger mast the next time.

[beemerlt]

I would not place two together as it places too much strain on the masts.
I certainly have concerns about the strain also, but I'm prepared to give it a try. If it doesn't work with the stock antenna mast, I'll find another solution that allows me to fly all three flags from a single mast. I'm not going to fly a flag from my FM radio mast again, having snapped it once already (not immediately: it took several k miles). And that was with a single flag, which was quite a bit smaller than yours: only 9-1/2 x 5-1/2 inches vs 14 x 11 inches for yours. I did fly that fly at half-mast though (just so that it cleared the top case). If you place your flag at the bottom of the antenna you might be OK.

[leemans]

Here is what I use now for two years, works fine for me. I can send you more photo's if you like.

Hans

[dmottv]

Here is what I use now for two years, works fine for me.

Yes, that is where I have mine attached, low on the antennae. I fly the US flag on the right, the Canada flag on the left. I have seen a special flag post mount for a round luggage rack. There is a FL company that has the best quality flags for motorcycles. I usually see them at Americade, but also saw them at Daytona 2005. Don't know if they have a Lion Rampant though...

Dave

[unleashd]

Just got back from a PGR mission and was wondering how else can I mount a big Flag on the bike. Say 5'x3'?? I have two small 18x12 kinds that are on each antenna (CB & Radio), secured all the way at the base of the antenna.

While waiting at the funeral home, a couple of us were discussion options and came up with barely anything :rolleyes:

Any other ideas????