Well Guys/Gals, I received my Tow Hitch and Door Popper in the mail yesterday from Tone. I went to NC today to got the hitch installed. BIGGEST PAIN IN THE AZZ YOU COULD IMAGINE! Yet worth every minute. Fits and looks just like factory. Gonna slide the MotoTote in it tomorrow, load the bike on and drive around town for a bit to see how the VX responds to the extra 500 lbs on the back. Will let you know.
Biggest problems encountered during installation...
1. Didn't wanna remove the gas tank shield (which is bolted to the cross member), so we had to cut out a section with a blow torch for the hitch to fix directly to the cross member, but not over the tank shield. That was risky business, welding that close to the tank, but was the only way to avoid having to remove the hitch if for any reason the tank ever needed to be removed or replaced. And since I was planning on welding the hitch to the frame in addition to the bolts, this was the only way.
2. None of the 4 hole in the hitch lined up with the holes already in the cross member, so all 4 new holes had to be drilled.
3. Removing the rear side quarters was a pain also. They don't snap off so easily with a quick pull as suggested. Broke 2 of the 4 tryin' to do this.
4. Started out with the 2.5x4" cut in the bottom of the rear bumper after everything was installed and being reassembled. Bottom screw holds didn't line up! Removed bumper and made 4" cut 4.5". Reassembled and no go. Removed and made 4.5" cut 5". Reassembled and no go. Removed again and made it 5.5". Snug fit, but cause a little buckle in the bottom of the bumper just above the hitch. Remove one last time and made the cut 6"... Perfect Fix! but a far cry from the 4" orginal estimated. But like Tone's directions suggest... Better to cut 3 or 4 times and have it perfect, than the cut to much the first time and be pissed off ;)
All and all the entire job took about 3.5-4 hrs, but guess what?
I'm the happiest hitch on a VX having person in the world right now. THANKS TONE!
