I rode in the local Armed Forces Day parade today. About 50 bikes, (a mix clubs, PGR, and veteran riders) led the parade of military vehicles and personel.





I've been trying to figure out how to mount the US and PGR flags I got few weeks ago. I've been rolling ideas around on how to make something myself. I wanted something that I could leave on the bike, didn't use bungee cords, and wasn't really visible when not in use. Here's what I came up with.

2 pieces of round bar about 8" long with a bend of about 10°. Then some pipe "sleeves".



I have the round bar mounted to the back of the saddle bag frames with band clamps in case I didn't like to the fit. But I think I'm going to weld them on for a more finished look.



The sleeves fit over the round bar to give some extra length for holding the flag poles.




Then some minor adjustments to the clamps so the poles stand at the right angle.







Only cost me about $3 in clamps and some scrap metal. I think it came out pretty good for a DIY job.

That's a pretty good idea. With the rods welded on and everything painted or powdercoated, you probably wouldn't notice them when not in use. I like inexpensive dyi mods like this.

Good idea, the only thing I would add is drill a hole big enough so that you could push a locking pin thru both so that the flags do not become a flying spear for the people ring behind...

Kai_Sayson wrote:
Good idea, the only thing I would add is drill a hole big enough so that you could push a locking pin thru both so that the flags do not become a flying spear for the people ring behind... Really? Guess I could look at some method for locking them down. I don't know how you flatlanders do parades , but I never went more than 5 mph. Stayed 1st gear with the clutch in most of the time.

I have a more elaborate setup, I just use the platform that Ironman built for me, and mounted 3 flags on it using the luggage rack to hold the 8'flag pole steady. the other two I drilled two inches deep into the fiber wood base and then used Auto body bondo to hold them tight.
Up on the luggage rack I used 1" aluminium angle to hold 3 more flags (the window mount type) and I put two screws into the base of each so they don't fall off.

I can pull the 8' pole off to stand the line if I need it. Will post a picture later if anyone wants to see the setup.

Kinda miss my 03'. Had a setup specifically made for 2 flags. Interested in Ironman's brackets though.

tykesplace wrote:
Kai_Sayson wrote:
Good idea, the only thing I would add is drill a hole big enough so that you could push a locking pin thru both so that the flags do not become a flying spear for the people ring behind... Really? Guess I could look at some method for locking them down. I don't know how you flatlanders do parades , but I never went more than 5 mph. Stayed 1st gear with the clutch in most of the time.

Tykesplace, thats a parade.If you ever escort troops coming back to their Base. Sometimes you can go as fast as 80 MPH!!!! and you'd better have sturdy flag poles and flag pole holders when you do that...

Good Job on the DIY. I haven't figured out where I would put any on my bike.

Kai_Sayson wrote:
tykesplace wrote:
Kai_Sayson wrote:
Good idea, the only thing I would add is drill a hole big enough so that you could push a locking pin thru both so that the flags do not become a flying spear for the people ring behind... Really? Guess I could look at some method for locking them down. I don't know how you flatlanders do parades , but I never went more than 5 mph. Stayed 1st gear with the clutch in most of the time.

Tykesplace, thats a parade.If you ever escort troops coming back to their Base. Sometimes you can go as fast as 80 MPH!!!! and you'd better have sturdy flag poles and flag pole holders when you do that...Didn't think of that. These definitely aren't for highway speeds. In fact my poles specifically said not for highway use.