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Cruising RPMs
Hello, I put a Trail Tech tach on my '71 1600. I'm wondering what is a safe RPM range for running on the Interstate. I don't get on it often, but when I do I don't pass much that's not on the shoulder. My mechanic said to just listen to the motor, but I don't hear well enough anymore for that. What RPMs do others run at cruising speed? Thanks for your time.
Just before the valves start floating..........You'll know it when it happens...
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
Mines a stock 1500 single port. I run it flat out on the interstate and hope I don't get run over by a semi.Originally Posted by sonny8l3
I don't need no cruise control flat out, and I don't have worry about exceeding the speed limit.
Its been to California Texas and Canada. At different times in its life. Its a lawnmower engine can it really run too fast?
Yep......I would run my Beatles 71 and later 73.....From the Lincoln tunnel up the missing mile down Rt 80 To Rt 287.....Flat out and i found that gravity was the Rev Limiter....Mines a stock 1500 single port. I run it flat out on the interstate and hope I don't get run over by a semi.
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
A speed to rpm chart.
And a page from the owners manual.
So in original trim.
3400rpm is about 70mph.
This where the original balance is made between speed, head temperature, and oil temperature.
It should happily slug along at 3750 at 81mph but your head temperature and oil temperature will be all the way to max acceptable. (Assuming all systems are in perfect factory working order)
Because we are light and have the engine in the open air we can get away with more than a car can.
An up-geared trans is nicer in a trike.
Stock valve springs will go around 4000rpm.
Stock crank will go around 5000rpm (because of balance, not strength)
Mines a 68 auto stick. The interesting part in the maual is that top speed and cruising speed are the same. Can't speak for others but my stone stock 1500 wpould be hard pressed to see 78 mph. Maybe with a tail wind down a mine shaft.
I can get 78 at the very top of second gear.
Thanks folks, I'm going to mount the tach today.I'm going to meet another fella with a VW trike from Livonia and we're going to Slidell for a car show Saturday. He said he runs at 70 or so, so I will see what it's like to do 70 for a while. I usually run serface roads at about 60. I'm interested to see how Mable does with the extra wind too. Thanks form your time
By the by, any one in this area interested in a car show, 9-15-18 is the Crab Fest in Slidell to benefit Autisum and 2 veterans.
I may be trying to organize something here in Vicksburg.
So I took Wilma out for a romp to gather data for this thread. Near top speed of 83 at what appeared to be 3700 on the tach. Speedo was reading 2-3 mph high at 45mph compared to a gps unit. Tach appeared close enough when compared to a bench mounted tach/dwell meter. I wouldn't cruise at that speed but it did feel quite comfortable. That wasn't top speed on level ground but Im sure it was close to it. More background info: wilma has a 1970 1600cc motor, later dual port heads with 34pict carb. Mid 70's tranny that someone called a freeway flyer. And last but maybe more important, giant rear tires! I measured a circumference of 2030 millimeters to calibrate the new speedo. I think these tires, combined with the later ( maybe modified ) transaxle help account for lower rpms at speed and the need to downshift to climb hills that don't seem that steep.
So...my question is...would putting on smaller diameter rear tires be much of an advantage? I could regain a little torque for climbing hills, but would the trade-off of less than 36mpg be a good compromise?
What would you do?
Hello, Thanks a bunch for all the info. folks. I just got back from the mechanics. He put the tach on a meter to check accuracy and said it's pretty close, which is close enough for my purposes. Since I don't hear real well any more, I asked him to take it down the road and listen to it and compare it to the tach. He took it down the road and said on my speedometer, which reads about 3 mph above my ground speed, 70 to 73 is fine for cruising. 75 is ok, but not for a long time. Since I usually run surface roads under 65, this is going to work fine. 70 on the interstate is going to feel like really hauling @**. For $59.95 to my door, one wire connection, and easy mounting options, the Trail Tech Tach is going to work fine for my riding style. And if a scooter show happens in the Vicksburg area, Mable and I would make plans to get there and probably bring a friend with a pretty VW trike.
This morning I was doing 75 and the tach was reading about 3700
I should not have been doing 75 but I wanted to see the RPMs
The fastest I have gone on my trike is in the high 90 MPH
one thing I found out is a set of bumps I normally slow way down for if I do 75 over them instead it is not that bad
Thank you
Bob
I think I read somewhere that big bumps and 75+ is required to pre-qualify for a pilots license. :-)
Its like riding on abandoned rail road lines......The faster you ride between the rails in the ties with ATV's the smoother the ride......I kid you not....
Sometimes a Cigar is Just a Cigar.....
2019 Tri-Glide.......
They actually did a test on that on Myth busters. They found the faster you go over bumps the less your vehicle moved up and down.
I liked the Myth Busters wish they were still on
Thank you
Bob
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