Skid plate

[Carbon_One]

Due to the low ground clearance of the tike, today I built a skid plate for better protection of the oil pan. I managed to rip out the oil pan plug last summer so today decided it was time to do a preventive mod. With the design I came up with I can still access the oil filter and change oil without taking the skid plate off. Attached are a couple pics of the damaged pan and the new skid plate mounted.
Larry

[Ragtop69gs]

Did you make more than 1 set?

[Carbon_One]

Did you make more than 1 set?

Not yet but will be . I may alter the design a bit but not by much. I'll let you know later.
Larry

[Big Juice]

I have only had my trike for 2 months and have bottomed it out 3 times. I was going slow, so didn't do any "permanent" damage, but the day will come.........

[Bones158]

Larry nice job! You know I'll want one. I have bottomed out a few times loading on the trailer and every time I pray. It just touches on something.

[the paparazzi]

Well I haven't done that yet but as we all know stuff happens and it only takes once to spoil your day and perhaps several days after. Great job Larry. How many bolts to mount it? Four I would guess.. If and when you are ready to put them out there I sure would be interested. I see you have a mud flap on the rear of the front fender did you through bolt that in order to mount it? Just curious.

[tom w]

ouch!! makes a guy think about those speed bumps. make up a few thousand of those . people are going to want them. (including me after seeing that pan.)

[Carbon_One]

thanks for the interest in this skid plate guys. I do intend to get more made up but for now want to do further testing to ensure the design is right and if it needs tweaking more before offering them for sale.

Currently it uses the two footrest bolts up front and one bolt at one of the center stand tabs at the rear. I don't think two is really needed at the back but may add a second after evaluating further. The pan is 16 gauge steel because that is what I had on hand plus the fact that my hand break is only capable of bending up to that thickness. I should know later if that is heavy enough.

Any other suggestions are more than welcome too.
Larry

[Craigatcsi]

Why would three wheels make it bottom out but two wheels don't?

Does the kit lower it? - If so, how / why?

[Ragtop69gs]

If your trike has a raked front end it does lower it a little. When you add in a speed bump or too great a breakover angle while loading on a trailer, you risk hitting the oil pan drain bolt, it's the lowest point under the bike.

Why would three wheels make it bottom out but two wheels don't?

Does the kit lower it? - If so, how / why?

[Carbon_One]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Ragtop69gs</strong>
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<div class="message">If your trike has a raked front end it does lower it a little. When you add in a speed bump or too great a breakover angle while loading on a trailer, you risk hitting the oil pan drain bolt, it's the lowest point under the bike.</div>

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</div> I took some measurements this morning concerning ground clearances. If you have running boards the rear support bar that clamps to the frame measures at 4 3/4&quot; from the lowest part to the ground. <br />
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Up front both the crash bars and the skid plate measured out at 5&quot;.<br />
The Hannigan kit does lower the bike at the rear and when adding in a raked tree it'll be lower than stock bike. When it's all said and done the Hannigan trikes end up with about 5&quot; of clearance. Keep in mind that even 2 wheelers will vary their ground clearances and levelness in height due to air in the shock, lowering kits or leveling links added.<br />
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I want to do further testing before offering them to other. but at this point feel the design is pretty much set. If anyone is wanting one let me know and I'll put you on a list.<br />
Larry

[Craigatcsi]

Unless the price is waaaay out of line, which I'm sure it isn't, please add me to the list!!

Wow, I just keep buying more and more from you! LOL

What else are you going to invent that I can buy from you?

craigr

[Carbon_One]

Unless the price is waaaay out of line, which I'm sure it isn't, please add me to the list!!

Wow, I just keep buying more and more from you! LOL

What else are you going to invent that I can buy from you?

craigr

How are you set for a trailer hitch if intending to pull a trailer? I make those too.

[Craigatcsi]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Carbon_One</strong>
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<div class="message">How are you set for a trailer hitch if intending to pull a trailer? I make those too,</div>

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</div>i bought the trailer hitch for my two wheeler, which I guess I will have to sell. I did order the hitch with my Hannigan Kit from Hannigan. Do you make one for the kit that is better?

[Carbon_One]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Craigatcsi</strong>
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<div class="message">i bought the trailer hitch for my two wheeler, which I guess I will have to sell. I did order the hitch with my Hannigan Kit from Hannigan. Do you make one for the kit that is better?</div>

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</div>Can't say it's better, a little cheaper. I do offer color matching powder coating thou.<br />
Larr

[Carbon_One]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>the paparazzi</strong>
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<div class="message">Well I haven't done that yet but as we all know stuff happens and it only takes once to spoil your day and perhaps several days after. Great job Larry. How many bolts to mount it? Four I would guess.. If and when you are ready to put them out there I sure would be interested. I see you have a mud flap on the rear of the front fender did you through bolt that in order to mount it? Just curious.</div>

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</div> On the mud flap I took off the chrome trim then once I decided where I wanted the mud flap at I marked two spots to be drill thru the fender but to be covered up by the trim piece. I used small flat headed screws to go thru the fender and mud flap. And used a larger screw at the center where the trim fastened as originally bolted on.<br />
The center screw I used was a button head Philips in SS. You could also use a Allen hexed screw.

The end result is just the center screw showing leaving a neat finish but still secured solidly.<br />
Larry

[the paparazzi]

Thanks for the mud flap info Larry, I need to take another more serious look at mine and just get it done.. <br />
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On the skid plate issue.. I was wondering just how much engine heat (if any at all) is designed to be dispersed through the bottom crank case cover? More than likely very little or none at all. I admit I sometimes trend to over think things, but one thing we all know for sure, for every action there is an equal reaction.. Your thoughts?

[Carbon_One]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>the paparazzi</strong>
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<div class="message">Thanks for the mud flap info Larry, I need to take another more serious look at mine and just get it done.. <br />
<br />
On the skid plate issue.. I was wondering just how much engine heat (if any at all) is designed to be dispersed through the bottom crank case cover? More than likely very little or none at all. I admit I sometimes trend to over think things, but one thing we all know for sure, for every action there is an equal reaction.. Your thoughts?</div>

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</div> There's enough of a space in front for plenty of air flow. If anything I think that the skid plate will trap and funnel air when moving between it and the engines bottom.<br />
Larry

[adventurer 08]

Might as well put me down for one too. Let me know any details.

[bongobobny]

Me too Larry...