Livin' on a 454

[psnw]

Hey everyone...

I'm faced with a bit of uncertainty here.  How realistic is it to pack your 454 and call the road home?

I know it wouldn't be a problem with a KLR or better.  Would the 454 handle a the gear load out? Thankfully, Bushcraft is in my forte so packing semi-light and improvising may have to be thought out.

Kinda makes me wish I met up with KLR instead of my cruiser...but I still love her!!

Any thoughts, tips, ideas greatly appreciated.

[eaglerider]

The 454 easily carries a passenger, loaded saddle bags, and luggage rack bag......I see no problem, actually. GWK even fabricated a trailer hitch, and pulled one of those loaded cargo trailers made for motorcycles, and carried a passenger, on a trip of about 650 miles, with no problem. Of course his had a 500 engine, but the 454 engine will do the same.

[psnw]

That is definitely good to know!!  I wonder if GWH would mind sharing his hitch design.  If one could tow a motorcycle trailer...then one could also have the integrated tent trailer setup.

I was looking at the Moto-Mule as an idea. It is a little small, but when space is an issue every cubic inch of storage come at a premium. 

[eaglerider]

I ended up with the hitch and then sold it a few years ago, I don't think I have any pics of it, but I will try to look around and see if I find any. I doo remember that it required some modification of the sissy bar at the mounting points on the frame, as that is where it bolted up to.

[Blaine]

Here is the original video of "Life of Kit".There some pics of the hitch that may give you some ideas.

[eaglerider]

Thanks, Blaine! Yes there are a couple of pretty good views of the hitch, there. The last few pics are of the "re-modeled" KIT. Oh...the side covers with the gold eagles on them, I have, and the engine (2004 custom built by Kawasaki EX500) I also have. The engine does not have the custom side covers, and valve cover on it. That was one fine bike, and one many members called the "benchmark" 454. We made a calender one year that had pics of 12 very sharp bikes, that had some big "blood, sweat and tears" work went into building them. Lots of members may not know the history of our forum, but it has been around well over 10 years, along with the websight, which GWK ended a few short years ago, due to the expense of up keep and servers, but, like the original owner of the forum from Australia, before GWK took it over, kept the forum alive for the rest of us.

[BenInPA]

Well thankfully GWK kept the forums alive. If it wasn't for the guys on here I would paid out the wazoo for the work that I can do myself now. Eagle, Blaine and Zekk are the ones who have helped me the most on here. That is no disrespect for any others who have helped. Just those three have helped tremendously. Thanks guys!

Sent from my Verizon LG G2.

[psnw]

I am certainly grateful as well for this site.  There is a wealth of info here and good people as well.  I was in awe in K.I.T.... Now I realize even though I am "think" I am almost "there" with getting it put back together, the reality is there is no end to it.

What a truly awesome bike.....Thanks for the trailer hitch ideas.  Was the hitch attached at two points only? (on the seat bracket frame) or were there other points of attachment as well.

[eaglerider]

Those were the only two mounting points....which are on the frame, holding both the sissy bar and rear fender.

[heinz1]

Thanks Blaine for the video. I have wondered what KIT looked like now i know and wish i could get mine to look half that good