New Guy Info Request

[1852cc]

A little history first:
I have a 02 ultra and it has a 113ci Stump Puller Motor, I had it built for nothing but torgue. It has 100 ft lbs at 1800rpm and 140 ft lbs at 3000rpm.
Am sure it will jerk a trike around.
I need to trike this bike so i can help my just disabled wife on and off, of course I am not getting any younger either 61, the wife and I have been riding together for 30 years, and I have on 2 wheels 45 years.

I want my whole bike painted no dealer will do it either.

When I say exhaust issues I can't and will not Strangle My Motor with stock exhaust.

I wanted a CSC, but that is not happening they are crazy it is my bike not theirs, exhaust issues and no dealer in AZ.
So then to number 2 Hannigan, only theirs dealer can install, and again exhaust issues, no AZ dealer. Then they decided they would ship a kit to me but no warranty.
So now to number 3 Roadsmith is not a issue will ship me a kit to be installed by who ever.

So who rides a Roadsmith here and how does it perform and would they do it again, any problems?
Thank You in advance!

 

[Nana]

Hi there...I can't personally answer your questions about Roadsmith, but you should get some knowledgeable information from the group here! I do want to give you a big welcome to Trike Talk! Sorry to hear about your wife's disability, but a trike is a great way to keep riding together. I think you are making a wise choice!

 

[saybel]

So who rides a Roadsmith here and how does it perform and would they do it again, any problems?
Thank You in advance!

Hi and welcome 1852cc
I purchased and put a Roadsmith kit on my 07 Ultra last year. My wife and I are both very happy with the Roadsmith. I purchased it from the company and did the installation myself. The installation was easy and went without any problems. I found the "The Trike Shop" very easy to work with, and the kit was delivered on time, even though it was "Sturgis" week. We have about 4k on the trike without any problems. We wouldn't have any other trike conversion, I don't want to get into the reasons why, on this tread, as others have there reasons they went another way. One thing I would recommend is the reverse option, it makes it so much easier when backing into a busy street, no pushing, no getting on in traffic, you can take the first spot available, without looking for a "special" spot (this is especially important with your wife's condition). If you have any questions I can help you with PM me.
I triked our bike because of a physical problem I have, the trike allows us to continue to enjoy riding together (we love it). I hope you and your wife enjoy yours as much as we enjoy ours. I wish you and your wife many years of triking,

 

[BlueTrinity]

Hey new guy,

C&R Cycles in Tuscon is a CSC dealer and installer and
should be able to find a quality painter to repaint the whole rig.

The exhaust on the CSC shouldn't be an issue. They do use a shorter muffler, but the one they supply is a short Supertrapp and adjusting the flow is as simple as adding discs.

Welcome to the forum and keep us up to date on your decisions.

 

[Gorilla]

Mike,

I like saybel, built my own. I have an 07 Road Glide with a Champion conversion. I did not do the Roadsmith because I was on a VERY tight budget. I am very happy with mine and have about 6k on it in 4 months.

I agree also get the reverse and I suggest the Champion reverse (it is offered separately). Those in the know say more reliable then an electric reverse.

I did my own exhaust. I used a set of Vance and Hines true duals. Used the little z pipes supplied with my conversion kit. Cut the header pipes to fit the proper length and welded the z pipes onto them. Added my V & H mufflers.

My 103 motor is not as torque y as yours but I get 105 Ft Lbs at 2400 which works great on the trike.

I hope this helps. I painted my whole trike also. I think either conversion will work out for you. The Roadsmith is a good setup just more than I could spend.

Ted

 

[Ozarkryder]

Welcome to the forum, glad to have you here!
First off, we know Dick and Helen, the founders of the Trike Shop. They "retired" to Daytona and have a Trike Shop there. Doug, their son, runs the manufacturing and shop up near St. Paul, Mn. Also Good People. We had one of their VW based trikes, they always had time to answer any questions. We ran into one of those too good to be true deals on Her Purpleness, a GL1500 'Wing Motor Trike (Very good kit, BTW) - If we hadn't run into the deal we would have had a Roadsmith. Saybel has it pegged, plus they have a bit longer wheelbase so the passenger is riding in front of the rear wheels, not over them as most kits. I am told this makes a smoother ride, especially for the passenger. I think the trunk is a little begger than most, especilally if you don't get the auxillary gas tank.
Check them all out, all the major makers have very good kits. No matter what yo are on I am sure there will be many smiles per mile:yes:

 

[1852cc]

BlueTrinity,
Thanks for the info, but CSC didn't want my money the first time around and I am a liitle unforgiving so they will never see a dime from me. I liked their kit but this bike is mine not theirs and their demands were more than I could bare.
It is the same with Hannigan, they had the same demands.

Only thing I can figure is they really must not need the money, strange in the world today.

So Roadsmith is getting my money and the trike will be built my way.
Mike

 

[1852cc]

Ozarkryder,
Thanks for the welcome, the choice has been confirmed thanks to the input from Saybel, and the talk I had with the Roadsmith people today.
I am sure that when it is all over I and the wife will be happy and so will my motor.
Mike

 

[ben721364]

A little history first:
I have a 02 ultra and it has a 113ci Stump Puller Motor, I had it built for nothing but torgue. It has 100 ft lbs at 1800rpm and 140 ft lbs at 3000rpm.
Am sure it will jerk a trike around.
I need to trike this bike so i can help my just disabled wife on and off, of course I am not getting any younger either 61, the wife and I have been riding together for 30 years, and I have on 2 wheels 45 years.

I want my whole bike painted no dealer will do it either.

When I say exhaust issues I can't and will not Strangle My Motor with stock exhaust.

I wanted a CSC, but that is not happening they are crazy it is my bike not theirs, exhaust issues and no dealer in AZ.
So then to number 2 Hannigan, only theirs dealer can install, and again exhaust issues, no AZ dealer. Then they decided they would ship a kit to me but no warranty.
So now to number 3 Roadsmith is not a issue will ship me a kit to be installed by who ever.

So who rides a Roadsmith here and how does it perform and would they do it again, any problems?
Thank You in advance!

I can't speak specifically to the H-D trike conversion. I can however report excellent service from the Hannigan/K LT trike that I sold in a weak moment and to the Roadsmith/GL18 that I now have. Both kits are well engineered and both companies were/are a pleasure to deal with. There are more similarities between Hannigan and Roadsmith than between some of the others. Both have long wheelbases, large trunks and automotive based independent suspensions. I can't address your 'reverse' question as both the GL and the K LT are factory equipped with reverse which carries over in the conversion. Good luck. I predict that you will enjoy your ride...