Used wings with trailer hitches - transmissions

[Retroyz]

I have an '81 1100i and am thinking of getting an '83 Interstate. Not a huge difference but I am tired of putting new tires on. My bike has the 17"/19" rims and I can't find a high mileage tire in this size. The '82-'83 models came with 16"/18" rims - the size that the high milage tires come in, like Dunlop Elite II or IIIs.

I also like the fact that that the '83 models came with cast aluminum rims and they were geared higher. I prefer the Interstate because I don't really want all those luxury items like on board compressor, cb, digital dash etc. They would be nice but I just see at as more stuff that can break.

I have seen a couple for sale with hitches on them. Does anybody know if the extra load of pulling a trailer on these models wears out or shortens the life of the clutch and transmission? I don't want to buy one just to find out that the transmission is clapped out or that I will need to replace the clutch.

 

[Ansimp]

As with any vehicle it is always hard to figure the towing history just because it has a hitch. One old Subaru I owned all my mates suggested that we should measure it as they were sure that it was 3" longer due to all the towing that I had done with it :whip:

 

[roncar]

As with any vehicle it is always hard to figure the towing history just because it has a hitch.

+1

My '78 had a hitch on it for 6 years and never saw a trailer.

 

[dan filipi]

Mine has a hitch and I towed a trailer about 10 miles just once to try it out.

 

[Anonymous]

I never pay the asking price and if I see a hitch I drop my counter offer by a third - motorcycles aren't made to pull trailers - trailers are made for boats, and I pull it with my truck.!

 

[Retroyz]

I agree with 1060dsl. If I had to bring enough stuff to pull a trailer I would drive a car. I'm sure the newer goldwings were designed with a trailer pulling in mind, but I really doubt the GL1100s were.

Nevertheless, it seems that the consensus is that those with hitches do very little trailer pulling, in general, and probably have littlte effect on clutch and transmission wear. But that still won't keep me from using it as a bargaining chip.

 

[Anonymous]

smart man !!
That seems to be the consensus up here - see a hitch, drop your price. !

 

[Tory]

Always take advantage of any barganing ploy to help lower the price.

My 83 had a hitch on it when I bought it with less than 40,000.It now has almost 80,000 stills pulls a trailor every once and awhile to carry the tent and chairs for club activitys/shows as well as camping gear every 2 or 3 times a year along with a sidecar and have never had any transmision troubles.

I am not sure I have ever seen a goldwing of any year with a tranny problem.Has anyone else?

 

[Anonymous]

ya I have seen tranny problems as well as final drive problems Clunk type of threads pop up from time to time - universal joint type of threads - engine problems that come from excess strain. Even right now there is an active thread about engine chatter (coolteck) I see he has a trailer hitch.

 

[dan filipi]

I don't think there's any one good answer to whether a bike with a hitch has seen harder miles than one without as I 'spect a lot of the hitches were put on way back when just because it was a chrome accessory and gave bragging rights.

I also don't think pulling a trailer will harm these drivelines as long as they're properly maintained.
The only true way this could ever be known for sure is to be the original owner.

 

[joedrum]

side car is much worst than strait line pull....in my opinion

 

[OldWrench]

My 83 has a hitch on it, the bike had 92k on it when I bought and now has 122k and doing very well. Have had no trans or clutch problems. I have no idea if previous owners pulled a trailer regularly or not. I don’t pull a trailer but wouldn’t be opposed to doing so. However your question is a very good one, and one I hadn’t thought of.

 

[scdmarx]

My 83 had a hitch but there was no wear on the ball.