Brake pads & wheel alignment query

I have a 2008 GL1800 with a 2013 Motor Trike Razor conversion. My local MT conversion dealer is in Knoxville, TN. Earlier this year I took the trike up to have several things done prior to the start of a new "riding season". One of the items I wanted checked and if needed installed was new brake pads front and rear. I made it clear this was a trike and it has been in their shop previously for maintenance. When they called to say it was ready for pick-up I was told they could not do rear brakes that they were not "set up" for that.

My queries:

1. If they are a Motor Trike conversion dealer just wondering why they are unable to do rear brake pads?

2. How do I have the rear wheel alignment checked and adjusted if needed. I assume since they cannot do brake pads they would be unable to do the alignment check.

[QUOTE=alwrmcusn;610024]I have a 2008 GL1800 with a 2013 Motor Trike Razor conversion. My local MT conversion dealer is in Knoxville, TN. Earlier this year I took the trike up to have several things done prior to the start of a new "riding season". One of the items I wanted checked and if needed installed was new brake pads front and rear. I made it clear this was a trike and it has been in their shop previously for maintenance. When they called to say it was ready for pick-up I was told they could not do rear brakes that they were not "set up" for that.

My queries:

1. If they are a Motor Trike conversion dealer just wondering why they are unable to do rear brake pads?

2. How do I have the rear wheel alignment checked and adjusted if needed. I assume since they cannot do brake pads they would be unable to do the alignment check.[/QUOTE]

I think a call to MT is in order here: [B]800-908-7453[/B]

or

here is a list of other dealers in Tenn:[url]http://motortrike.com/TrikeDealerLocator.aspx[/url]

I suppose this is a "just curious" type of query. I bought the trike from one of the three dealers listed on that trike dealer listing. Great selection, good prices, but...I had to take the trike back via trailer three times because of a clutch/shifting problem. The same mechanic was on the service invoice each time. The problem was it would occasionally stick in gear or not shift at all. The third time the tech/mech said there was no problem that I had (as bought!) Kuryakyn grips (too big) and tassels that prevented the clutch lever from being pulled sufficiently. JFI: I had a separate problem with that dealer on another trike (2009 RSV Hannigan) that should have been a clue that I might need to try elsewhere for service. After the grips/tassel "diagnosis" I trailered it to my Knoxville dealer who identified the problem with a parking lot ride. They fixed it and it has been trouble free since.

Basically I can do the rear brake pads myself, after all they are simply auto wheels/brakes. But I am curious how the rear wheel alignment might be checked. Auto shops see the rear end as a motorcycle even thought it uses car tires/wheels and they refuse to even consider it.

My Knoxville MT dealer was not on that list by the way.

Dug this up, from a different sight, totally different trike, but, the idea should basically be the same - might get your creative juices going...

"The process detailed here checks and adjusts the rolling alignment of the wheels. In other words, this procedure allows you to set the rear axle so the rear tires are tracing the same path on the road as the front wheel.

I assembled my own tools for this process. Any of a number of approaches can be used to accomplish this goal. First, a tool is required that can be placed against the rear rim and that projects a laser beam forward. I used a board cut to the proper length that rests on the rim without touching the tire. I then wire tied a Laser, pen light to the board.

A laser level or other ready made device can also be used. The goal is to get a device that can be placed against the rim and that projects a laser beam forward. You can put this device on the side wall of the tire, but using the rim as the support is more reliable and repeatable than tire sidewalls that vary in conformity.

The second tool required is a measurement device/s that can be placed alongside the front wheel for the laser to project onto. I affixed yardsticks to a 2 X 4 that can be set on the floor alongside the front wheel.

You can either move the measurement device from one side of the front tire to the other or make two of them and place one on each side of the front wheel. The measurement device must be placed directly below the axle to minimize any variance caused by the front wheel not being turned perfectly straight ahead.

To perform the alignment, set the 2 X 4 with the yard stick attached alongside the front wheel. Place the laser device on the rear rim on the same side of the Trike and note where the laser dot falls on the front measurement device. Then go to the other side and do the same. Ideally, you would adjust the Heim joints in or out to get the same reading (measurement) on both sides of the front wheel. This would mean all three tires are rolling in the exact same forward path. However, since most of our roads have a crown with the road falling off to the right, the Trike tends to drift to the right. Therefore, I have found canting the rear axle to the right (set the laser measurement on the right of the front wheel ¼” more than the left measurement) causes the Trike to run straight with less effort."

Thank you for the input.

Why does anyone need a trike dealer just to change out brake pads?

They don't if they want to do it themselves. Not everyone wants to do that.

My person feeling is if you sell it you service it.I wonder how much of your answer was management and how much was techs.

I'm not sure who at the dealer/service gave me the reply. The query was a phone call to the dealer, transferred to service department and was told they could not do trike rear brakes. I don't recall the exact conversation but I was replacing the rear tires and was told they could not do that and could not do the rear brakes because they were not "set up" for that service. They did tell me that the rear brakes looked almost new.

I bought new tires via AAFES, removed the wheels and took them to a local tire ship for mounting. I remounted the wheels myself (dang those things are heavy!!).

I went to or called aver 20 so called Motor Trike Dealers trying to find one that would do the rear wheel alignment. I was wearing out rear tires every 10,000 miles. I finally had it aligned in Austin at a Motor Trike dealer and rode to Alaska, 6000 miles and had to get new rear tires. The dealer that aligned it made it worse. So I started stopping in and Calling all the dealers I was going to be near on my way back to Texas and was informed that they only install them, they don't work on them, or in some cases when it was a Harley dealer, i was told they only work on Harley's. I finally found a Motor Trike dealer in Fort Worth that knew how to do it, and they aligned it and 40,000 miles later it is still good. They also told me that they haven't had to change any rear brakes yet, but the are standard car brakes and can be purchased at most auto parts stores

Welcome to Trike Talk-......Johnny......:wave4:

Hey Johnny, Welcome to Trike Talk Forum from West Virginia.:wave4:

[QUOTE=Jbell142;619644]I went to or called aver 20 so called Motor Trike Dealers trying to find one that would do the rear wheel alignment. I was wearing out rear tires every 10,000 miles. I finally had it aligned in Austin at a Motor Trike dealer and rode to Alaska, 6000 miles and had to get new rear tires. The dealer that aligned it made it worse. So I started stopping in and Calling all the dealers I was going to be near on my way back to Texas and was informed that they only install them, they don't work on them, or in some cases when it was a Harley dealer, i was told they only work on Harley's. I finally found a Motor Trike dealer in Fort Worth that knew how to do it, and they aligned it and 40,000 miles later it is still good. They also told me that they haven't had to change any rear brakes yet, but the are standard car brakes and can be purchased at most auto parts stores[/QUOTE]

1. I'm curious why anyone would buy a trike that had to have rear wheel alignment?

2. You guys are way pass due to call MT direct and demand to speak to someone who can resolve your problems. This is nuts!

With most dealers it isn't the pads that are the issue. They have no clues as to how to bleed them properly.

As you mentioned they are car brake pads. Should be good for 40K + miles at the least.