Some ideas -- your critiques?

[oldmustang]

Happy Thanksgiving. I've been lurking and reading for a while on this great website -- trying to educate myself a little about trikes, and Harley trikes/conversions in particular.

What I'd like to put together is a daily rider for the commute to work (about 40 miles round trip), weekend rides with my wife 2-up, maybe some weekend to week-long trips when I have time off from work. My wife won't get on a two-wheeler behind me, and doesn't want to ride her own, hence the trike. She does love the sound of a V-twin though And she's made favorable comments when we see trikes on the road.

I'm handy with building stuff, have a good working knowledge of motors, mechanical, electrical and techie stuff, so I was thinking about finding a clean late-model Sportster 1200 and getting the Frankenstein Trikes kit:

Harley-Davidson Sporster Trike Kit

The looks, light weight, and obviously quality construction appeal to me, and I've got to do this to a tight budget anyway.

I've been away from motorcycles for some time and haven't followed what's been going on in the Harley world (my last bike was a BSA Lightning. . .). Any preferences between pre-2007 carbureted and '07-later EFI?

Any other comments or caveats I ought to be aware of? Bouquets or brickbats?

I'd rather hear I've got a bad idea up front (believe me, it wouldn't be the first or last time *that's* happened!) than after I've laid out some long green and committed to an expensive false start.

Thanks again,

Steve
near Libby, Montana

[Nana]

Steve, you'll get some good input from a number of folks who have built their own here, but I also suggest you get in touch with Grimm. He has a HD Night Train that he put the Frankenstein kit on, and I know he loves it! It sure does look good <img src="images/smilies/grin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="big grin" class="inlineimg" />.

[Gorilla]

Steve, I can not help on the kit but I can advise on the bike. <br />
<br />
I would suggest a 2004 or later Sportster because the engine was rubber mounted starting then making it a whole lot smoother. I also personally I like EFI. With that being said I had a 06 that I put a Thunderslider carb kit in that made it real easy to start and it ran great with the slip-on mufflers I added. It was really a fast bike up to 110 when I chickened out. It still had more to it.

[oldmustang]

Thank you Nana,

I've seen some of the pics of Grimm's trike -- very cool. I'll send him a PM.

Ted, thanks for the input. I remember riding a friend's pre-2004 Sportster, I appreciate the reminder! '04 or later it is, then. Thunderslide filed away under good ideas for pre-EFI Sporty.

Cheers,

Steve

[rocker bri]

Hi Steve,<br />
ive still got my bsa lighting and love it to bits ha ha, go for the efi big difrence in performance smoothness of ride and power etc, my wife has the 1200 sporster, we converted it to a real nice trike but in hind-sight i would have got her a twin-cam rather than the sportster, dont get me wrong fab bike but on long distance and we did 15,000 miles on them last year she had to change gears a lot more times than the big twin-cam, this in itself is not a problem just a bit more work on the ride also she had to stop for fuel a lot more times due to the tank size. down to size of seat, comfort is all important if you are going 2 up and your a big guy like myself then i would look for some thing with more comfort for when you want to do the long distance rides you may wish to do from time to time , these are just things you may wish to consider the sporty is a fabulous bike and im sure you will both have lots of fun on one, and whats the saying they have been blowing away big twins since 1957.....<img src="images/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Wink" class="inlineimg" /><br />
lots of luck in your trike build,<br />
RB.

[Dwight]

Steve, <br />
Personally, I like the Sportsters. But (knew I was going to say that didn't ya) if I was you I'd look for a Big Twin if you're planning on riding the trike two up. Not much room on a Sporty for two people. Also you won't have much cruising range. I've put together several of the Sportster trikes, (Lehman) and they don't have much power for a two up ride. Now, if it's going to be a solo ride, then the Sporty would be ok. I can't remember if the guys at Frankenstein (rode down there last summer just to check them out) offer a rake (actually trail) kit for the Sporty but Lehman didn't offer one and they are a bear to turn without one. The upside to a Sportster is the ability to buy a low mile, late model one fairly cheap. Don't spend a lot of money on a Sportster trike, they don't bring much when it's time to sell. Whatever you do, I'm sure you will have a good time on it.<img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" /><br />
<br />
Dwight

[Greydog]

Although I've never ridden a Sporty in Trike form. like Dwight, I'd think you would need more power riding two up. Another consideration, if you plan on weekend or week long forays, is storage. You'll need rain gear and other "just in case" jackets in addition to regular clothing changes. I don't know the bike market in Montana but here locally there are some great deals on used '06 to '08 Big Twins. Also, unless you're dead set on a Harley, I've seen some great deals on used Goldwing Trikes that are less expensive than the cost of buying and converting a Sporty. My friend here, who owns the Ford dealership, just bought an older 1500 with 28,000 miles on it that looks and runs like a new one!! Paid $16,000 for it and if I'd seen it first, before I converted my Ultra, it would be sitting in my garage right now!!!

[oldmustang]

RB, Dwight, Greydog -- thanks for the input.

RB -- what I remember most about the BSA was that it was possessed by Lucas, Prince of Darkness (owners of vintage UK motor vehicles will know what I mean!). Nice ride otherwise though, once I got the electrical system sorted out.

I appreciate all of your comments about the Sporty's power. That is a concern of mine, not only for 2-up riding, but also for riding in the mountains here in western Montana with the additional weight of the trike (though the Frankenstein kits are quite a bit lighter than the full-dresser touring kits).

And, I'll admit it, I want a big engine, too, just because.

The Sportster idea came from cost concerns, since I have to bring this project in on a limited budget. But as my dad was fond of saying, "How are you going to afford to buy it twice if you can't afford to do it right the first time?"

I'll widen my search to include the big boys.

Thanks again,

Steve

[Ozarkryder]

Re: the Sporty trike conversion. Storage, to me, would be a bigger issue than power. Even with a trike kit a Sportster is lihgter than a Big Twin, and I would thing you aren't thinking of an 883. 'Sides, a few Buell parts can go a long way in getting up the HP. Though a BT has more raw grunt, a better ride and more room....OK - I'll agree a Big Twin is the better choice.<br />
<br />
I too had a Britbike with the "Prince Of Darkness" electrics once upon a day. I remember someone from Lucas talking about the lack of light. I think the quote was "A gentleman does not go motoring after dark." I had a t-shirt with the Lucas logo, and a drawing of a switch with 3 positions: Off, Dim and Flicker.

[motorman7]

A big twin would be better. Harley went to the 103 ci from the 96 ci for that reason. The added weight plus better highway performance. Need a little extra every once in a while especially when riding two up.
Also as mentioned previously try to get some storage as i know if you like to ride you will want to venture farther out from home so the extra storage and horsepower will make it a better experience.
Best of luck whatever you choose.

[Gorilla]

Steve, If you are going to consider a big twin and are on a budget, I would suggest looking for a used 2007 Police Road King. Should be able to get one at a good price. Do not get anti lock brakes because they do not convert onto the trike very easly. Has the 103 motor and 6 speed trans. Doing the conversion yourself and depending on the kit should be able to build for 17 to 19k bike purchase and kit.

[oldmustang]

Thanks Ozarkryder, Motorman, Ted -- all good points and I appreciate you all taking the time.

I love the Lucas slogan on that tee shirt. The same time I had that bike I also owned a Triumph TR-4A sports car. I was a glutton for punishment I guess.

The only time I got everything electric working on that car at the same time, the line to the oil pressure gauge came off behind the dash. About the time I realized the reason my lap was unaccountably getting warm, things really got exciting for me and the traffic around me! I got the car over to the shoulder without hitting anybody or anything, but how I escaped being arrested for hopping around pulling my hot oil soaked jeans off beside a heavily traveled road, I'll never know.

Space for Bette on the back of the Sporty could be an issue. I had been thinking of saddlebags for storage between the bike's fender and the Frankenstein kit's fenders, with perhaps a small removable tour pak for extra space on trips. Guess it might get a bit crowded back there.

Ted, good idea about starting out with the 103 motor to begin with. There's no substitute for gross tonnage or cubic inches. My only reservation is the initial expense versus my budget. Police models aren't exactly falling off the trees here in Montana. . . but I will keep my eyes open.

Thanks again,

Steve

[Gorilla]

Watch e-bay they are on there all the time. Cost of shipping is around 400 to 700 depending on how far it has to go.

[oldmustang]

Thanks, Ted. I always seem to forget about eBay. Three or four there right now that fit the profile, from dealers. Another couple from private individuals, including a policeman.

I'll have to do some calling Monday. Kind of at the outside edge of my budget right now, but there could be worse things than being forced to ride 2 wheels for a while until I can save enough $$ for a rear axle. . .

Steve

[ultraboy]

Steve, I'll also have to say that the Sporty, although a fine bike, would not be my first choice for a trike that was going to see some two-up and/or touring duty. Range, power, comfort, and storage capacity all have to come into consideration in a trike build plan. If you already owned a Sporty, that would, of course, be different.
Another consideration, which should be made right now, is weather to have a body, or not. Most trike bodies have trunk space, and there are several trike body makers out there, US Trike, American trikes, Santiago, etc. You should also consider making your own, if you are wanting to go that way.
While Frakenstein makes a great rear end, there are several other 'straight axle' rears available at half the price. As the investment in the project will be a concern, you may want to look at the literally hundreds of used trikes out there as well. While these will require a high initial investment, you may be spending less overall.
First, decide if you want a full body or not, then look for a good used big twin. It's a buyers market out there right now, and go from there. Another idea is buying a 'trike rolling chassis' American Classics motors and others have several choices available, which would allow you to purchase parts as budget allows.
The main thing here for you is to decide how you want the finished product to look, and what storage and passenger comfort level you need. You already know what you want it to do.
Good luck, and keep those questions and ideas coming, there is plenty of information right here.

UB

[oldmustang]

Thank you for your comments, Dave. I really appreciate your input.

Together with the other sage advice, I think we've put the last nail into the Sportster idea. The whole rationale for triking is to be able to take my wife along with me on days off and (hopefully) longer rides. So having enough power to do so is a prime consideration, even if most of the time I might be riding by myself to work and on errands.

Having my wife be happy behind me also drives the space and storage decisions, though I doubt we'll ever do much tent camping -- that's just not her thing anymore. And I confess, I don't enjoy sleeping on the ground as much as I used to either. Motel to B&B to cabin is the kind of traveling we do.

So, reliable daily rider with enough power and space for 2-up day and weekend trips, maybe some longer -- big twin.

As far as full body or not, I lean towards not. I like the sporty looks of the more open running gear.

What I had in mind was something with fenders, saddlebags, and removable behind-passenger storage. Comfortable 2-up seating with back rests (maybe removable also). I really like the "old school" looks of the Heritage Softails, and the example at the Frankenstein Trikes site:

05_Harley-Davdison Sportster Trike Conversion

Which is not to say I've married myself to only the Frankenstein kit. For one, I'd have to modify or fab different fender mounts if I was going to able to fit saddlebags inside of the rear fenders. Not a big deal, but a consideration.

For more storage, longer trips, there's always the option of a small trailer.

Again, thanks for weighing in Dave.

Next question: single rear brake, or duals?

Steve

[rocker bri]

I would all ways go for duals, here is a photo of the wifes sporty 1200...
what ever you get good luck it will be fun for you both...

[Gorilla]

Duals would really be preferred. More weight more brake needed.

[oldmustang]

Hey Ted, RB --

Can't fault your logic -- the single rear disc might be adequate for a Sportster, but looking at the 725-800 pound weight of starting with a Heritage Classic or Road King Police bike, more brake -- like more motor -- would be more better.

Thanks!

Steve

[Gorilla]

Plus with the bigger trike you are going to carry more stuff with you. Then you may even want to tow a trailer, so MORE BRAKES PLEASE