Triking My Ultra

[Greydog]

I'm really considering having a Champion Kit installed on my '08 Ultra. I've done a lot of research on the web trying to get all my ducks in a row before I pull the trigger. Is it worth the extra money to boost the engine to 103CI to compensate for the extra weight? I already have Rinehart True Duals, Ness Big Sucker A/C and the SERT installed and tuned. I was going to have the reverse option installed as well as the EZ Steer but am having second thoughts about the reverse as I'm pretty tall and should be able to back it up if the situation arises. I have no reason to trike the bike other than.....I just want a trike. Attached is a photo of the bike I want to convert.

[Nana]

Now that will make a beautiful trike !

[Dwight]

Greydog,

I don't have reverse on my 07, just watch how/where you park and you'll be ok. Your choice on the 103, I did it, plus I ended up changing the gearing (lower). My kit is CSC and I think it's probably heavier than the Champion. The drive system on the CSC makes gearing changes tuff, check with Champion on what you can do. The 6 speed trannys are geared too high in low and I always had to slip the clutch and listen to it ping until I got it moving. The new gearing cured that.

Dwight

[jkchipster]

I have a 06 ultra with a Lehman kit. Slip ons and stage one. The low end is excellent and top end I can run about 90 max. I only have the 5 speed so that may be the difference. I do wish I had more punch when I'm running 75 or 80 on the Interstate I would like to hit 100 if I needed it to pass or GET OUT OF THE WAY of some bad drivers. I think I will build the motor and go for a bigger clutch and may be add at 6th gear when I get a few more miles on it. But all in all I love the ride compared to two wheels.

[Greydog]

I have a 06 ultra with a Lehman kit. Slip ons and stage one. The low end is excellent and top end I can run about 90 max. I only have the 5 speed so that may be the difference. I do wish I had more punch when I'm running 75 or 80 on the Interstate I would like to hit 100 if I needed it to pass or GET OUT OF THE WAY of some bad drivers. I think I will build the motor and go for a bigger clutch and may be add at 6th gear when I get a few more miles on it. But all in all I love the ride compared to two wheels.

I really have no need to run 100Mph. Did it once by accident, with the wife on the back, when passing a couple cars. Thought I was doing about 80 til I glanced at the speedo and saw 103MPH!! I generally run about 70 on the interstate and let the folks in a hurry go on by. I'm more into comfort over the long haul than speed. My goal is to find a happy medium between the performance I have now and what the trike will give me. I'm leaning towards bumping the engine to 103" to recover what I anticipate I'll lose in 6th gear. Smaller rear tires also seem to make a difference based on what I've read.

[1550vt]

You should be able to get by just fine. I'd opt for changing the gearing as opposed to pumping up the engine. You can drop a couple of teeth on the drive sprocket or even run a little smaller tire. I dropped my rear tire size down to the stock TG (205/65R15) and reduced my rpm buy close to 200-or-so all across the gears. It pulls-away better and runs much better out there on the highway. I had discovered a long time ago there is no gain in fuel mileage by running in 6th., if it lugs the motor and 2700 at 70 in 6th. on a loaded trike lugs the motor. I now run around 2900 in 6th., rarely down-shift to 5th. up hill and the drive train loves it. I would pocket my motor upgrade money and work on the gearing first. You can always put more punch in the motor if you don't like what you have.

[BlueTrinity]

Just my :2cents:. It all depends on how tightly your budget is strapped, but I wouldn't trim the reverse unless you absolutely must.

It's true that you can watch where you park, but if like me you want to visit a lot of unusual places, you'll find yourself in spots where there is no ideal place.

We don't hesitate to leave the blacktop and I've been on some sloping gravel areas where it would have taken three men and two boys (slight exageration? ) to push me back out of parking.

As for the power, I'm running a stock '06 Ultra with only improved breathing, pipes and a Power Commander. The only place I could use a tad more is on a long steep grade. Otherwise, I'm like you and have no need for a white-knuckle burst of power at 70 mph.

Great thing is that what ever you decide will be right for you and you'll love every moment of riding it.

[Greydog]

Thanx to all for the insight and info. I keep changing my mind about what to do and gotta get this right the first time. Think I'll take the advice about the reverse and have it installed but take a pass on the engine for now. I can always get that done later if I need it. I'm going to the Dealer and order the kit tomorrow!! Really nice to talk to folks who have a common interest in Trikes. My biker buddies are about to dis-own me for converting to a three wheeler...been takin' a lot of ribbing about it but I only have to make me happy. BTW, is the ride very much stiffer as far as bumps etc.?? Gotta keep the wife comfortable.....and happy!! :yes:

[Ironhorsepilot]

Welcome Greydog to the family. Personally, I couldn't do without my reverse and would find it embarrassing to have to push it out of a parking space. I can't touch the ground and so far I have found very few places that I haven't needed my reverse.

[Gorilla]

Greydog I just installed reverse on mine. I'm handy so I did it myself. I used the AIM MUMBA kit. It's very similier to the Champion reverse. Love it. I did it for the safety factor of not getting caught where I needed to back up. I went 6 months without it and only needed a push back once.

My trike has a 103 motor because it started life as a police road king, but I believe the 96 would be more than enough. You can always punch it out later. There is no benefit in doing it now as far as expense goes, because it is a completely separate job.

[BlueTrinity]

I took a lot of ribbing about going to three as well. Even got the "if I get to the point I can't ride on two wheels, I'll quit riding" spiel from some of my best friends.<br />
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Funny thing, one has now bought a trike and two others are on the verge.<br />
Big thing was that they thought they would have to slow down and wait for me on the hills and curves. :no: <u><i><b>Ain't gonna happen!</b></i></u><br />
<br />
So just grin and bear it. Their attitude is about to change.

[Mr.Wizard]

96", set of cams, SERT (all the dyno work done by me), SEAC, true duals, geared down at the primary and it's all the power I need. Will burn both back tires or pull the front end if I want, will pull hills at 80+ and will run over 100 if I push it but I really don't. Sixth gear is no problem with my gearing and I get an average of 35 MPG or so depending on where I get the gas.<br />
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I could do more to the motor but it would be a waste of time and cash. Reverse? Yup, I use mine every now and again when necessary but I mostly use Flintstone reverse.<br />
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The question is... it's not what we have but what do you really want? <img src="images/smilies/grin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="big grin" class="inlineimg" /><img src="images/smilies/grin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="big grin" class="inlineimg" /> They are work in progress and there's plenty of time to change but it's tougher to install the reverse later or get your rake later than it is to do now. I say that because I set up my bike to be converted later. <br />
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Not trying to tell you what to do or be smart, but a plan is worth it's weight.<br />
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Can't wait to see your conversion before, during and after pics.<br />
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Oh, and don't forget to pick up our take offs. Ebay got me about 1500 bucks back but I got a grand for my bags which may have been an ebay record.

That was like getting the rake or reverse free.<br />
<br />
<br />
Wiz

[dwiht]

I have an 08 Ultra with a Lehman kit. I ride lots of hills and curves, no problem with the curves, wish I had a little more power in the hills but think that a lower gear in the primary would be a better answer. I hardly ever use 6th gear and 70 mph is about 2900 on my tach so that helps. I wish first gear was a bit lower and may opt for a gear change. I wish I had reverse especially when pulling a trailer. Whatever you do, you will love the trike. I out corner all of my buddies on two wheels too.

[Greydog]

Well folks....I went over to the Dealer Tuesday, with deposit in hand, to order the champion kit. Got all the way to the counter and was talking with the parts girl and I backed out. I think at this point I'll hang on to my money and look for a used Goldwing or Harley Trike that I like and that fits my budget or keep saving and buy a Tri-Glide when I can afford it. I've attempted to trade for a Tri-Glide but the Dealers have so many new bikes on the floor that they won't offer a decent trade in. Best I could get was $18,000.00 for the '08 Ultra Anniversary Edition and with my add-on's I've got close to $26,000.00 in it. Paid over 23K new. Although I'm still on two wheels I hope you all won't mind if I hang around the Forum. Friendly and helpful folks here and I like the atmosphere!!! :yes:

[Nana]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Greydog</strong>
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<div class="message">Well folks....I went over to the Dealer Tuesday, with deposit in hand, to order the champion kit. Got all the way to the counter and was talking with the parts girl and I backed out. I think at this point I'll hang on to my money and look for a used Goldwing or Harley Trike that I like and that fits my budget or keep saving and buy a Tri-Glide when I can afford it. I've attempted to trade for a Tri-Glide but the Dealers have so many new bikes on the floor that they won't offer a decent trade in. Best I could get was $18,000.00 for the '08 Ultra Anniversary Edition and with my add-on's I've got close to $26,000.00 in it. Paid over 23K new. <b>Although I'm still on two wheels I hope you all won't mind if I hang around the Forum. Friendly and helpful folks here and I like the atmosphere!!!</b> :yes:</div>

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</div>Greydog, you are absolutely welcome to keep hanging around whether you have a trike or not. Besides, you are still in the market for a trike, and you will continue to gain valuable information and ideas from our membership. So keep on participating!!!!

<img src="images/smilies/grin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="big grin" class="inlineimg" />

[Mr.Wizard]

Watch out Greydog.. Nana charges for lurking so keep posting.<img src="images/smilies/grin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="big grin" class="inlineimg" /><img src="images/smilies/redface.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Blush" class="inlineimg" /><img src="images/smilies/grin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="big grin" class="inlineimg" />

[Greydog]

Thanx folks!!! I'll be looking for a Trike and saving my pennies over the winter. Maybe have something by the time Spring rolls around again!!!

[Gorilla]

greydog you don't say what changed your mind from the Champion. I'm really interested in knowing. I have 2 friends that have Tri-Glides and I have my Champion. I may be a little bias but I think my conversion is a much better product then what HD puts out. Nothing wrong with their product but I was able to do everything the way I wanted it instead of having to except how HD built it. The biggest issue was I was able to select a mechanical reverse over an electrical reverse. I was able to keep most of those little items that you add to your 2 wheeler that you will get hardly nothing for on a trade or sell.

[Greydog]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>tmigala</strong>
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<div class="message">greydog you don't say what changed your mind from the Champion. I'm really interested in knowing. I have 2 friends that have Tri-Glides and I have my Champion. I may be a little bias but I think my conversion is a much better product then what HD puts out. Nothing wrong with their product but I was able to do everything the way I wanted it instead of having to except how HD built it. The biggest issue was I was able to select a mechanical reverse over an electrical reverse. I was able to keep most of those little items that you add to your 2 wheeler that you will get hardly nothing for on a trade or sell.</div>

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I wish I could tell you what changed my mind but I really don't know myself. Maybe because once the conversion is done....it's done... and I'm gonna have to live with it, like it or not. I've bought and sold four homes over the years and built another but never have I wrestled with a decision like this!!

I haven't seen that any of you folks regret converting your bikes so maybe I should just quit being a freakin' worry wart and gitter done!! Still thinkin' !!

[Nana]

You do whatever you need to do to be comfortable with your choice, but I'll bet there are 150 posts on this forum that say: "I wish I had triked it long ago!!!!!" I suspect that sooner or later you'll be on three wheels with the biggest ol' grin, catching bugs in your teeth with the rest of us! <img src="images/smilies/grin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="big grin" class="inlineimg" />