Champion Trike Build - Sportster
Finally got the Champion trike kit delivered, so now the fun begins! My wife had a hip replacement last year and was having problems handling her bike after the surgery. She doesn't want to give up riding, so she decided to go with a trike kit. The Champion kit is a well made unit, and comes pretty much ready to bolt on, and also comes with a 5 degree rake kit for the front. I will post updates here as the conversion progresses, although my wife is having a second surgery on the hip next week, so I won't get much done for at least a couple of weeks.
First step... inventory all the parts.
Swing arm, shocks & fenders (fenders being sent out for paint)...
[URL="http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/gdgraham/media/Trike%20Build/Swing-Arm_zps28579bd0.jpg.html"][IMG]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag240/gdgraham/Trike%20Build/Swing-Arm_zps28579bd0.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
The tires (205/70/15's)...
[URL="http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/gdgraham/media/Trike%20Build/Tire_002_zps80f03e53.jpg.html"][IMG]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag240/gdgraham/Trike%20Build/Tire_002_zps80f03e53.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL="http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/gdgraham/media/Trike%20Build/Tire_zpsa98a2aa6.jpg.html"][IMG]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag240/gdgraham/Trike%20Build/Tire_zpsa98a2aa6.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Right side axle...
[URL="http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/gdgraham/media/Trike%20Build/Right-Side-Axle_zps885279a8.jpg.html"][IMG]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag240/gdgraham/Trike%20Build/Right-Side-Axle_zps885279a8.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Left side axle with drive pulley and differential...
[URL="http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/gdgraham/media/Trike%20Build/Left-Side-Axle_zps63c16342.jpg.html"][IMG]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag240/gdgraham/Trike%20Build/Left-Side-Axle_zps63c16342.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Bike on the jack and ready for tear down!...
[URL="http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/gdgraham/media/Trike%20Build/BikeReady_zpse78b555d.jpg.html"][IMG]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag240/gdgraham/Trike%20Build/BikeReady_zpse78b555d.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
Love to watch trike builds! ThumbUp
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
Cant wait to see pics once everything is all done!!!
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
gotta treat our women right. i think it's great for what you are doing for your wife as i have done the same for mine. i just love the champion trike kits for sportsters and she is just going to love it also. the only problem with them is that there is no room for all the stuff a women likes to carry. we have a back rest and a leather bag attached to it for her stuff and now she is even happier, again gotta treat them right as we do have to live with them and if momma ain't happy nobody's happy.
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
If you don't mind a couple suggestions?
When you install the front rake kit you probably remove the lower neck race?
Harley makes a tool for the purpose but it's costly. It's a pain in the ass to try and drive it out with a chisel, and forget grinding and splitting it.
The best and easiest way is to put a spot weld on the bearing race. This will shrink the race and give a place to set your chisel and it will practically fall out.
The other suggestion for you wife's comfort is to look into a set of air shocks perhaps from a dresser?
It will make all the difference in the world.
I re-manufactured my batt. box to more easily mount my switches and elect. contacts.
Google- pcombe library/photobucket to see some of what I did.ThumbUp
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
[QUOTE=captdanwh;223427]gotta treat our women right. i think it's great for what you are doing for your wife as i have done the same for mine. i just love the champion trike kits for sportsters and she is just going to love it also. the only problem with them is that there is no room for all the stuff a women likes to carry. we have a back rest and a leather bag attached to it for her stuff and now she is even happier, again gotta treat them right as we do have to live with them and if momma ain't happy nobody's happy.[/QUOTE]
One of the reasons we chose the Champion kit over the Frankenstein is the way the fenders mount. They mount such that there is a lot of open space between the original fender and the trike wheels/fenders, and I am hoping to mount some narrow saddlebags in the open space... stay tuned once I get the trike built. On top of that, she already has a tour pak!
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
Finally got some time today to work on the bike. Removed the V&H Double Barrels, right side footpeg, brake pedal, passenger pegs, sprocket cover, belt guard, rear wheel, rear brake assembly, shocks, swing arm & drive belt.
[URL=http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/gdgraham/media/Trike%20Build/No-Tire-2_zps925f0dcd.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag240/gdgraham/Trike%20Build/No-Tire-2_zps925f0dcd.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/gdgraham/media/Trike%20Build/No-Tire-1_zpsfd14b319.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag240/gdgraham/Trike%20Build/No-Tire-1_zpsfd14b319.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Since I had it apart, I inspected the rear motor mounts and swing arm assembly... this bike only has 3K miles on it, so everything is still intact and good. The 2004 & up rubber mounted Sportsters tend to have some issues with the rubber isolators and the swing arm mounting assembly, so a good time to check it all out.
[URL=http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/gdgraham/media/Trike%20Build/Mounts_zps67f7ed80.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag240/gdgraham/Trike%20Build/Mounts_zps67f7ed80.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
I put new heim joints (bushings) in the new swing arm, but just as an FYI, if you ever need to remove the bushings from the stock swing arm , a Craftsman 1 1/6 socket fits right on the meat of the bushing and just clears the hole in the swing arm... you can drive them right out with a hammer.
[URL=http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/gdgraham/media/Trike%20Build/Bearing-Removal_zpsef2bc1be.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag240/gdgraham/Trike%20Build/Bearing-Removal_zpsef2bc1be.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Champion trike axle and shocks mounted...
[URL=http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/gdgraham/media/Trike%20Build/Trike-Axle-2_zpsacbe34a5.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag240/gdgraham/Trike%20Build/Trike-Axle-2_zpsacbe34a5.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/gdgraham/media/Trike%20Build/Trike-Axle-1_zps255e9926.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag240/gdgraham/Trike%20Build/Trike-Axle-1_zps255e9926.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Next step will be to assemble the rear axle and differential on the bench, then it will get bolted to the swing arm.
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
Thanks for the pics. Gonna make a good ride. RIDE SAFE
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
GREAT Pics.....Please continue.....nothing better at [COLOR=#0000FF][B]TRIKE TALK.com [/B][/COLOR][B][COLOR=#000000][/COLOR][/B][COLOR=#000000]than an actual step-by-step Trike Build......THANKS.....ThumbUp[/COLOR]
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
In August of 2012 I had a Champion kit delivered for my 1800 Goldwing. My son and I built it. I really enjoyed the work. It came out great. Took 26 days last summer and the wife and I went to the west cost, headed south into Old Mexico, then worked our way back to Ohio. We are leaving in June this summer heading back to Alaska. Life is great on 3 wheels. Good luck with your build. Be safe and enjoy the ride. Larry
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
Having rode one of these a couple weeks ago, even more enthusiastic about this build....I really enjoyed my ride on one.....ThumbUp
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
I am going to enjoy watching the build. good luck
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
Great photos keep them coming!!!! Got to keep the better half happy!! ThumbUp
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
ThumbUpThumbUp,,,Same here keep those pics coming I too enjoy a build . Rode my first Sportster a couple months ago after my son bought one . Now not really made for a big 'ol boy like me but I was impressed by how nimble it was , easy scooter to ride .ThumbUpThumbUp
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
My Wife keeps "eyeballing" the Champion/Sportster Conversion with a lot of real interest......;) ThumbUp
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
Finally got a chance to work on the trike again today... got the axle assembly put together and on the bike. It went smoother than I expected. I assembled the axle, brake lines & mounting clamps that attach the axle to the swing arm. Next I mounted the tires to the axle and rolled it up to the rear of the bike, lined up the clamps, and installed the mounting bolts. Next step was to put the rear of the bike on jack stands and remove the tires so I could align the rear end... had to center it side-to-side for proper belt deflection and also front-to-back for proper belt tension. The belt is centered on the pulleys and per the spec has 3/4 inch of deflection. Next step is to bleed the brakes, re-install the exhaust system and passenger pegs, then put the tires back on and install the rear fenders.
[URL=http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/gdgraham/media/Trike%20Build/axle_003_zps7314a4bb.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag240/gdgraham/Trike%20Build/axle_003_zps7314a4bb.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/gdgraham/media/Trike%20Build/axle_005_zps120c2994.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag240/gdgraham/Trike%20Build/axle_005_zps120c2994.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/gdgraham/media/Trike%20Build/axle-004_zps2f0eff42.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag240/gdgraham/Trike%20Build/axle-004_zps2f0eff42.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/gdgraham/media/Trike%20Build/axle_002_zps63d6923c.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag240/gdgraham/Trike%20Build/axle_002_zps63d6923c.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://s1369.photobucket.com/user/gdgraham/media/Trike%20Build/axle_001_zps89c9d250.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1369.photobucket.com/albums/ag240/gdgraham/Trike%20Build/axle_001_zps89c9d250.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
Looking Nicer by the Day.....ThumbUp:10:
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
Looking good! ThumbUp
You'll be riding before you know it! :clapping:
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
Are Those the shocks You already had on the Sportster, or did they come with the kit.....?????...Thanks.....ThumbUp
Re: Champion Trike Build - Sportster
[QUOTE=skuuter;230556]Are Those the shocks You already had on the Sportster, or did they come with the kit.....?????...Thanks.....ThumbUp[/QUOTE]
Those are the shocks that came with the kit.