Trike Conversion Questions????

[crzrlou]

I am going to convert my 2005 Harley Electra Glide to a trike this winter myself and I have a lot of questions. I hope someone who has done this conversion there self can answer a few for me. Does a straight axle ride good enough or is it worth the extra thousands to buy an independent suspension axle? I read ultraboys article about the 09 tg triple tree and I am sure I will go that way but does the extra expence for the longer forks make enough difference in handling to warrent the extra expense over the stock forks? Any recomendations on the best axle kit for the money? Which is the best reverse for the money? Thanks for any help you guys thats been around the block a few times can give me. Lou

[Nana]

Welcome to TT, Lou. There are several on here who have converted their rides themselves. You will get lots of good information. You are in the right place! Glad you found us .

[Ozarkryder]

Straight axle or IRS is a personal preference thing. I know folks that swear by both. From what I can see, and I have ridden both, the IRS is a bit more cushy, but is slightly less precise in the twisties, Solid axle is stiffer in the curves, but a little harsher over bumps. We have a Motor Trike with a ladder bar suspension. It is supposed to be a little of both. It may be a moot point if you are going to do the conversion yourself. Many trike kit builders won't sell to individuals, only their trained dealers. They say it is a liability issue if an untrained assembler puts it together wrong and someone gets hurt. I think the Trike Shop (Roadsmith), DFT and Hannigan sell kits outright, and I think they are all IRS. (I may be way off base on that)

As far as reverse goes, the tried and true Flintstone reverse is cheapest, but for real mobility Champion makes a very good unit, replaces the trap door and a few other tranny components, about $1300.

The rake you can do per Ultraboy's article and save some bucks over buying a whole kit. It isn't just longer forks, the steering head angle is changed, modifying the rake and trail. It makes a BIG difference if you ride curves a lot. It's like power steering vs manual in a car. Now if you ride mostly in South Dakota, Nebraska or Kansas, the rake kit may not be needed. Virtually everyone who rode without then raked the trike wished they would have done it sooner. (Me too!)

[Mr.Wizard]

+1 Oz

[1550vt]

Straight axle or independent suspension pro's-n-con's can be debated all day and there are winning arguments on both sides. Like the post above...it's a matter of preference. I will tell you that I think the straight axle will be much easier to install and maintain and be cheaper as well. As far as the product, if you look under the hood at the Lehman, Champion and most others you will see they pretty much do the same thing. Just look for the body-style you want and any of these will have a good running gear. Some will offer disc brakes while others have drums and suspension systems will vary. It's just a matter of what all you want to pay for.

As far as rake, that too is a matter of personal choice. I rode a non-raked trike for years and just recently performed the TG tree conversion and used the stock-length forks. It will cost you a little ride height, but mine works fine and I have had no problems with the conversion. I wish I had done it years ago.

My cost was around $400.

Now for reverse. I favor simplicity and don't carry a reverse or parking brake on mine. I park just like I do/did with my two-wheelers. Park in a situation you can always drive or coast backwards out of. When somebody ask me if I have a reverse...I just point to my wife. She is a little thing, but man can she push that trike backwards. Actually, the trike is easier to push backwards than any two-wheeler as it won't try and flop over.

In any event, a reverse and tree rake is something you can always do after you get the thing converted.

It ain't rocket science and you can do all this yourself!

[lazor1]

if you are not looking for a big body kit, try frankenstein trikes. they have a complete kit . no welding or fabricating. they have straight axel. the kit comes complete, axel,wheels,shocks, some new swingarms , or modify your swingarm,several choices of fenders.Frankenstein Trikes Trike Rear Ends and Trike Kits

[Gorilla]

I did a Champion kit to my 07 Road Glide this past February. I love it. My research told me it was the best deal for the buck. With paint a little less than $10K. Check my album for pictures of the build. Send me your e-mail address for more pictures. Ted

[1852cc]

Hannigan, will sell it to you if you pressure them but, "NO WARRANTY".
That made up my mind going Roadsmith. Good Luck

[Dwight]

Hannigan has been offering an "install it yourself" option but you have to go to their factory in Murray Kentucky. You save a few hundred dollars on the install but spend it on Motel's and food so it's not a real money saver but does give you the chance to do most of the work for yourself. I've installed a Hannigan kit (when they would still sell an individual one) and helped a buddy install his at the factory. Roadsmith and Champion used to offer self install kits but I'm not sure they still do. Your choices are going to be limited to which ever company will still sell to an individual.

Dwight

[Gorilla]

Champion does sell to individuals. Just go to their web site.

[1550vt]

Champion will also sell individual parts-n-pieces too. Even if you don't have a Champion kit. I have found those folks very easy to deal with and I think they make a good product. Their straight-axle kit is close to a Lehman clone. I don't think you could go wrong with a Champion. Lehman will barely even talk to you and insist that you go to a dealer for anything. The last thing I would consider is a Lehman based on customer support and poor attitude alone.

[crzrlou]

Thanks for all the info. Now to figure out which kit to buy that I can afford. Any ideas? If I ever figure out how to post a picture on this forum I will post some before and after pictures when I ever get it done.

[1550vt]

I think tmigala gave you the numbers on the Champion. That is the first place I would look. My raw Lehman Renegade kit was right at 7K and then had to be painted. etc. I likely have around 8-9K in it, but mine is a few years old. I think 10K is going to be about the best you can do. As I remember, the "going rate" for an installed Champion kit is around 12-13K around here. The last Hannigan that I know anything about was right at 20K installed by an HD Dealership. It kept going back to the dealer to have fixes until it was sold. Don't know if it was dealership issues or kit issues.

[1852cc]

The Trike Shop aka Roadsmith will ship the kit to your house, and you can install with no change in the warranty at all.
Roadsmith is my choice because of the supension, and the longer wheel base, than the other kits.

[billh]

When you are done triking it, be prepared to get into the engine to somehow increase the power. You WILL lose some power, I speak from experience.

Not sure what I will do yet, but I am looking to increase power some how, some way, this winter. All ideas are welcome.

Bill

[John Luciano]

I am reading this and all tho it has nothing to do with this .... well sort of does. A guy was talking to us at a stop. All of a sudden he says in a very straight voice . So what do you have to pay for one of these rigs $8,000 to $10,000? He is taking the Whole Trike as he was looking at it.

[1550vt]

Did you educate him or just decide not to waste your time.

[Gorilla]

billH,

There are a couple of ways to go. Read all the threads all ready posted. You can drop the gearing by a sprocket change, or kick the motor up with a jug and cam change. Plus and minuses to either way.

[BlueTrinity]

John, when some DA asks me how much my trike cost me, I have two pretty standard responses;

If its a biker I say, "If you have to ask, you probably can't afford it."

If its some one in a car, it's " A lot more than you paid for what you're driving."

[ultratrike]

I can not help you right now as I am converting my 2007 ultra glide with a roadsmith this winter, so next year I might have someting to say about a roadsmith then. I would say they are all are pretty good as to what I have read. I would say read about all and get the one that meets your needs. Have a good built and take and post pictures