Newbie with some dumb questions

[sarvbill]

I just picked up a 91 Harley Ultra Classic with a Champion trike kit installed on it for the wife. This is definately her bike as I have a Victory Vision and don't feel at all comfortable riding the trike. She basically wanted the bike so she could have a bigger bike (and not worry about the weight) to ride on longer trips and not always be a passenger. The trike is beautiful and in great condition, but just not my cup of tea at this time...but then again, it's for the wife and not me. By the way - she loves it.

Now for the dumb questions...we've only had the trike for a little over a week, but I'm frustrated at not being able to do the simple maintenance tasks on it (and yes I do most of the work on my Victory).

1. Where the hell are the air valves for the air shocks?? I've read that they are behind the right access panel, but all I find there are the ECM connector along with various other electrical connections.

2. I really feel stupid on this one, but I can't remove the seat. According to the manual, you have to raise the rear of the seat above the tour pack (while pushing forward and down on the front of the seat) and then pull the seat to the rear so the front tab comes out of the slot in front of the tank. My problem is I can't get the rear to clear the tour pack - it feels like I'm going to break off the front tab if I try and raise the rear of the seat any higher.

3. How do you get the bike off the ground to remove the wheels?? Can you use a regular motorcycle jack?

4. What type of table can handle a trike?? Will a regular table with the side skirts work, or is there a special table that will work for both a trike and a 2 wheel motorcycle?

5. Her trike has the lower dress kit/running boards/rain shields (or whatever the kit is called). Does this have to come off to jack up the bike? There doesn't appear to be a lot of ground clearance.

I appreciate any help you can provide. I haven't felt this dumb since my first bike years ago.

I'm also going to post this on the General discussion board...wasn't sure where I should place this to get the most visibility.

Bill

[Gorilla]

welcome aboard Bill. I can not help much on the first couple of questions because I have no knowledge on a "91" Ultra.

The air valves could be anywhere. When it was triked I believe they would have had to relocate the rear shock valves. Try following the lines when you get it jacked up.

Same with the seat. The rear mounting area was all changed when it was converted. I expect you are going to have to remove the tour pack to find out how the seat is attached now. The front attachment should of remained the same.

I use a regular floor jack and find a spot to place the jack under in the rear. My trike has a nice open place on the axle housing and the swingarm connect at to place the jack. The front I use the bike frame about where the side stand was to jack the front up from. This spot should clear your shields/runningboards.

I have a 1500 lb bike table with the side extensions added on for by lift. Works great for me.

Good luck

[FLTR2008TRIKE]

I had a 1990 Ultra Classic, the air valves on mine for the front suspension will be on the end of the left handlebar. The rear valve I think was on the right side near or under the side cover.

Seat removal requires you to open the tourpack lid, while lifting the back of the seat you have press down on the rider section of the seat and slide towards the rear. There is a tongue tab the seat slide over on the front you have to clear

To jack up the trike on the floor I found that if you raise the front section of the trike up just a little first, using a motorcycle sissors jack such as this to raise the back >> 1100LB MOTORCYCLE CENTER SCISSOR JACK LIFT STAND ZINC PLATED NO RUST | eBay

If the trike has a tow hitch receiver you can then use a automotive floor jack such as this placing the jack under the tow receiver and rasing the back end >> 3 Ton Heavy Duty Floor Jack with Rapid Pump® | eBay

After raising the trike up I would place jack stands under the the rear axles for stability

You should be able to raise the trike up more then enough to service it.

As Gorilla stateted >> A 1500lb motorcycle table will lift the trike. You will still need the sissors jack to life the back section if ever have to remove the rear tires

[Biker-Dave]

The seat on my '01 Ultra is a real bear to get off. Took me a few times to get it right. First a long thin screwdriver works best. loosen the screw, but dont try to get it out. My big paws will not reach it. I just leave in on the seat. Pull up easy on the back and slide it back. If all goes well, the front will clear and you can lift it out nose first. keep an eye on the screw. Once under the seat look for your air valves. I found mine under the seat. Looked like small studs sticking out, there were no caps on them. I hope this helps a little. Best of luck. I know mine drove....still drives is more like it....me nuts once in a while.

[sarvbill]

Thanks for the responses. I figured the seat removal out...the seat has a drivers backrest which attaches to the frame under the seat (all the ones I've had attached to the seat frame itself). So after removing the backrest, the seat came off easily. This is when I also found the air valves for the shocks, which were located on the frame under the rear of the seat.

I will eventually get all this worked out, I'm just use to working on a bike - not a trike.

Bill