Need Lifts installed

[Skeet7373]

I've check on Dennis's site for installers. The closest is Smokey Mt. HD in Maryville, Tn. Randy the owner of TT is 400 miles away in Dolthan, Al. Randy was kind enough to offer to install, so a road trip is in the plans.

Looking for an installer closer to Nashville, TN, anyone know of someone that has the experience to install the lifts?

Karen

 

[TNTriker]

Karen, how many miles have you put on that new trike? Has all the issues been resolved?

 

[BinIdaho]

Karen, some of us had our HD dealer install the lift brackets....not complicated and minimum time/cost involved. And, will not void your warranty...that's a good thing! You will be amazed at the handling capabilities. Should have come standard from the HD factory

 

[delta]

The directions that come with the lift kit are pretty straight forward and require a minimal amount of tools. I would think that your local garage could handle it. The biggest head scratcher is how to jack this monster up and getting over the fear of jacking up the trike. I just did mine today. Used a floor jack at the lift point described in the owners manual and placed jack stands where and how Dennis describes in the directions. Make sure you use the 1" piece of wood between the mufflers as described. I think I used a 1"x3" cut to the proper length. Chocked the front tire and used a strap to activate the front brake and keep it there. Lifted the left side, placed the jack stand with the wood on top, then repeat for the right side. Make sure you loosen up the lug nuts on both wheels before lifting. It only took me 90 minutes.

Don't forget the loctite. It really is this easy.

 

[Skeet7373]

Delta, I'm too old to be trying this myself, 10 years ago I would have done this myself. But, I know that I just can't do it now. I can set on a stool and hand tools and beer! The dealer I bought the TG from the only mechanic that works on the TG's wants a waiver relieving them of any liability. I'm going to another dealer tomorrow and show them the lifts. The service manager at Smokey Mountain HD in Maryville, Tn is a very nice guy to talk too. He loves the lifts and Dennis's other products. He spoke very highly how much better the TG handled with the lifts. He said to have the service manager from any dealer to call him and he'll tell them that there is no fear in installing the lifts.

I'll visit another dealer tomorrow and see what they say.

Annette, the dealer measured, took the wheels off, and the fairing to make sure everything was straight.

The fairing is very slightly tweeked to the right now, but not anything that is as noticable as before. And they installed the spot light harness with no charge, just the cost of the part for me. Now, to put some miles on the ole girl, but I sure would like to have the lifts on her before I get too used to they way it handles now.

 

[eagle1]

any bike shop can handle this job. and while your at it check out dennis's wind deflectors. they really work. i have both on my '09 t/g. even if you have a local car mechanic , he can do this.

 

[jcolson]

Karen, if I lived close I would install the lifts for free. But I'm a few states away. The wind deflectors are a must if you want to get rid of that cold air from blowing up between the tank & forks. I installed them & love them. It cut out all the air coming up through there. Jim

 

[iaff84]

Karen,
Try the mechanic you use for your auto repairs. He may be willing to install as it takes no special tools. Too bad you are not closer to me.
Dennis

 

[gbsb]

I installed mine a few months ago and love them. We will be in Nashville in June if you haven't found some one to do them by then I will put them on for you. My wife and I live in our 5th wheel full time and travel all summer. We have family in Murfreesboro and come threw every June for a couple of weeks, love TN. George

 

[Skeet7373]

I installed mine a few months ago and love them. We will be in Nashville in June if you haven't found some one to do them by then I will put them on for you. My wife and I live in our 5th wheel full time and travel all summer. We have family in Murfreesboro and come threw every June for a couple of weeks, love TN. George

Thanks George, I'm going to the dealer tomorrow for sure and take the lifts with me to see about install. We have 4 different dealers that are close. I'll start there first.

Karen

 

[screwball]

Just food for thought....

You have already reported a problem with your suspension being crooked, having to steer to go straight. Now you are going to install lifts on the rear of your trike just to keep from possibly scraping your exhaust tips when going up and down a driveway. I'd have some very strong thoughts about doing that, if that alignment problem ever came back. I and wife don't scrape exhaust tips by going up and down driveways on a bias, not straight up. I don't think Dennis advertises the lifts as an aid to steering, I just don't see how raising the back end and putting a little more force on the front will improve handling

Good Luck, and ride that thing, have fun with it. You have a ton of time to bolt stuff to it.

 

[rhino 2]

Just food for thought....

I just don't see how raising the back end and putting a little more force on the front will improve handling

QUOTE]

I put the lifts on [11T/G] to stop the pipes from scraping, and to level the Trike out, I just didn't like the look of the back end droop,
The improved handling came as a complete surprise to me, I would use them just for that alone.ThumbUp

 

[Skeet7373]

Just food for thought....

You have already reported a problem with your suspension being crooked, having to steer to go straight. Now you are going to install lifts on the rear of your trike just to keep from possibly scraping your exhaust tips when going up and down a driveway. I'd have some very strong thoughts about doing that, if that alignment problem ever came back. I and wife don't scrape exhaust tips by going up and down driveways on a bias, not straight up. I don't think Dennis advertises the lifts as an aid to steering, I just don't see how raising the back end and putting a little more force on the front will improve handling

Good Luck, and ride that thing, have fun with it. You have a ton of time to bolt stuff to it.

If you are commeting on my post, I never said I was scraping the exhaust tips going up and down a driveway. I had the dealer check my trike out. I'm satisfied with straightening things up. Yes, the fairing is still a little off but not noticeable to anyone but me while driving. Yes, I'm trying to ride every day weather permiting. I'm learning the quirks of this type of vehicle. I just want my trike to set level, if that helps in the handling then that is an added bonus. And IF it changes the handling, I would prefer to get this done and learn it now then after a while of riding the trike like it is.

And besides, I'm a big bottom girl high and tight, I just want my TG that way also!

thanks to all of you who have offered to help. I may contact some of you and make a road trip if I can't get help here. Thanks so much.

And Dennis, I love the fork wind deflectors. I had them on my Deluxe and they made a world of difference in the negative air pocket. I haven't been on the interestate yet, but I look forward to the next few days if the weather clears up to get up to speed with those on the front. I know this will make the ride more comfortable for me.

 

[Trent]

I will swear with one hand on any book you want that the lift kit makes a difference in the handling. Putting just a little more weight on that front end makes it grip the pavement better, plain and simple. Common sense tells me that also. Just a sweet side benefit of leveling the bike out for better looks. Many TG owners that have seen mine then installed it on my recommendation will testify about the better handling also. But, ya won't know unless ya try it. Certainly happy that I did.

 

[msocko3]

I just don't see how raising the back end and putting a little more force on the front will improve handling

It does make a difference, I noticed the steering being quicker after I put the lift on.

 

[BinIdaho]

Stack the books high.....If you don't have the lift brackets and like the ass-end drooping, then so be it. Everyone that has had the brackets installed have commented on how much better the handling is. Best not to make comments dissing the lift brackets if you don't have them on your Tri-Glide. The main objective is get the trike sitting level....the handling is a bonus.

 

[jcolson]

I have the lifts on my bike & I swear by them. Thats the first thing I added from Dennis. They really do make cornering much better, especialy cornering at higher speeds. I swear by anything Dennis comes up with.

 

[Trent]

Hey Barb!! You need to put a new photo up there with your new lift brackets!! Your A$$ end is lookin' kinda droopy! Ha!!!!

 

[TheBobs]

I originally was going to sit this one out, but I can't now. I've had more than a one-time anicdotal experience with the postive effects of Dennis' lifts. Like nearly everyone, I had an instant positive experience with the handling of my Red '10. Then I bought Big Blue and went though the experience of driving without the lifts. To me the handling scuked. Thank goodness that Dennis rushed me a set. They immediately went on Big Blue. I had the perfect alibi to back out of using the lifts without losing face, but I installed them as soon as I could.
Go figure:Shrug: Two different TGs, same result. I've even seen some skeptics eventually install them and like them too. Bet you've guess by now I like the lifts.

Big Blue and I are going on an 8,500 mile trip from California to Rhode Island via Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. I'll keep you posted on how the lifts (and baffle & wing deflectors & tourpac rails) work.:Trike1:

 

[screwball]

I stand corrected. It is unlikely I'll ever know the difference, I'm perfectly happy with the way my trike sits and steers. Dennis, you have a very loyal following.