champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

[pcombe]

champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

:Excited:clapping
:Shrug: I have read so much about the different trike kits on this forum.
I have ordered the champion straight axle kit for my 1989 tour glide.

If you wish please tell me what you like and don't like about the champion.
I have read about overfilling the oil on the axles, and seals going out and such.

I have been told it's a fine kit and the conversion is easy.
How about longevity?
I have a tendency to keep things forever as is evidenced by the year my bike was made! ( my wife has the same tendency or she would have dumped my sorry self).

I can't wait to get started converting my old scooter.
Also the kit shown on the champion site shows custom wheeels. The kit comes with aluminum alloy wheels but i can't tell what that wheel looks like for sure?

As always thanks for you input.

 

[Gorilla]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

I love mine. Straight axle on a 2007 Road Glide. Over 35,000 miles since Jan 2009 without a signal issue. Easy to install my a normal mechanic.

 

[meredog]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

my Champion straight axle kit is not on a Harley(on a vtx 1800) ---am close to 25,000 trouble free miles-----

 

[Nana]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

I had the champion straight axle on a fat boy for six years. Handling was sweet and twistie roads were a blast. there was not a single problem with the kit in that time, and I sold the trike to an old harley guy for his wife. He rode it and went over it thoroughly and absolutely loved the trike.

 

[tommy loso]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

I bought an 03 GW- 1800 that was triked in 05 (with a new Champion) and have put 97,000
flawless miles on it...Very happy with the kit....

 

[Rickie "T"]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

had one on a 91 stc rode ruff but kit was nice made well

 

[Hawkeye]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

My '07 Ultra/Champion has just about 85,000 miles on it (it ain't no garage queen)without a single problem. Wouldn't change a thing.

 

[philmcc]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

Had a 2006 flh with champion straight axle I installed myself 50 thousand trouble free miles.

 

[pcombe]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

had one on a 91 stc rode ruff but kit was nice made well

Thanks for everyones input!
keep em coming, What do you like best and what do you like least?
It sounds like a strong kit judging by your comments!
I still haven't figured out for sure what the stock aluminum wheel looks like?
I have looked at the wheels on your bikes.

Riki T.:
Thanks for your input.
I guess my brain clutch is slipping so i will have to ask, What is an STC?
I think of a street glide?
What kind of shocks were on it?
Or what do you think made it ride rough?

 

[americanbadass]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

Thanks for everyones input!
keep em coming, What do you like best and what do you like least?
It sounds like a strong kit judging by your comments!
I still haven't figured out for sure what the stock aluminum wheel looks like?
I have looked at the wheels on your bikes.

Riki T.:
Thanks for your input.
I guess my brain clutch is slipping so i will have to ask, What is an STC?
I think of a street glide?
What kind of shocks were on it?
Or what do you think made it ride rough?

I was wondering what an STC is myself, I know what an STD is:gah:
I think RikiT has ridden an IRS trike before and is making the comparison of rides between the two. I have both and the IRS is a much smoother, less jolting (stiff) ride...that being said, the straight axle is a lower maintenance unit, and does not lean in curves as much (more of a stable feeling). It's not like you are gunna be riding it 500-600 miles per day, so a little stiffer suspension should be no big deal-hell you might even like the no lean stability better anyway.:Shrug:
Pcombe you can't go wrong with that Champion Kit you are gettin, it is battle tested and should be a smooth easy install.

 

[pcombe]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

I was wondering what an STC is myself, I know what an STD is:gah:
I think RikiT has ridden an IRS trike before and is making the comparison of rides between the two. I have both and the IRS is a much smoother, less jolting (stiff) ride...that being said, the straight axle is a lower maintenance unit, and does not lean in curves as much (more of a stable feeling). It's not like you are gunna be riding it 500-600 miles per day, so a little stiffer suspension should be no big deal-hell you might even like the no lean stability better anyway.:Shrug:
Pcombe you can't go wrong with that Champion Kit you are gettin, it is battle tested and should be a smooth easy install.

That is good news about the installation.
I really might do 5-600 miles in a day, thats not unheard of for me.
Don't ask me why?
I found out a long time ago that my head is a dangerous neighborhood, I try to never go in there myself!
Strictly for entertainment purposses only?

That forces me to ask what an IRS is? I haven't become aquainted with that trike.

IRS is a three letter word in my book. They like me more than i like them!
( I try to avoid them other than for a once a year contribution.)

 

[americanbadass]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

That is good news about the installation.
I really might do 5-600 miles in a day, thats not unheard of for me.
Don't ask me why?
I found out a long time ago that my head is a dangerous neighborhood, I try to never go in there myself!
Strictly for entertainment purposses only?

That forces me to ask what an IRS is? I haven't become aquainted with that trike.

IRS is a three letter word in my book. They like me more than i like them!
( I try to avoid them other than for a once a year contribution.)

independent rear suspension- is the technical term...usually has 2 or 4 shocks on either side ..allowing movement side to side...much less "headshake". I will post a pic of a similar IRS used in my 2003 roadking. IRS.

 

[John Luciano]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

One thing I do like about the Champion is the rear disk brakes. Great kit .A friend had one and it was built proof. You will horror stories about every kit out there. If you stack it up against all the good stories it is only about 1% .

 

[pcombe]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

independent rear suspension- is the technical term...usually has 2 or 4 shocks on either side ..allowing movement side to side...much less "headshake". I will post a pic of a similar IRS used in my 2003 roadking. IRS.

I guess there is a reason that Harley used the straight axle on the tri-glide.
My friends glide rides really nice and steers easy.
I should get the raked tripple trees tomorrow.
Each time i ride his tri-glide i have to beat on my high chair and cry because i can't afford one!
I have been riding his other trike until mine is done, a Harley springer/with a lehman kit.
I don't care for the shocks, they remind of the old jap bike shocks with adjustable spring settings, and rides pretty rough.
Its a beautiful, head turner trike and appeals to my outlaw side but i wouldn't want to hit the road with it for a long trip until the ride could be softened.
I get along with the stock rake but you need to be ready for some sugar shaking at low speeds.

 

[americanbadass]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

I guess there is a reason that Harley used the straight axle on the tri-glide.
My friends glide rides really nice and steers easy.
I should get the raked tripple trees tomorrow.
Each time i ride his tri-glide i have to beat on my high chair and cry because i can't afford one!
I have been riding his other trike until mine is done, a Harley springer/with a lehman kit.
I don't care for the shocks, they remind of the old jap bike shocks with adjustable spring settings, and rides pretty rough.
Its a beautiful, head turner trike and appeals to my outlaw side but i wouldn't want to hit the road with it for a long trip until the ride could be softened.
I get along with the stock rake but you need to be ready for some sugar shaking at low speeds.

Sounds like you have more experience with trikes than you let on. If you like the ride of the TG, you should be good with the Champion suspension, especially if the shocks are adjustable. Keep in mind your rake kit is going to smooth the ride out, by lengthening the wheel base a bit, as well as reducing headshake.

 

[pcombe]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

Sounds like you have more experience with trikes than you let on. If you like the ride of the TG, you should be good with the Champion suspension, especially if the shocks are adjustable. Keep in mind your rake kit is going to smooth the ride out, by lengthening the wheel base a bit, as well as reducing headshake.

I have picked up some info here.
Thanks for the email i needed that.
I got the gas tank,fairing and lowers and instrument panel off today.
There is already a day invested and i still haven't gotten to the tripple trees.
I got tred! Having that damn oxygen hose in the way all the time frustrates the crap outta me!
I should get my tripple trees tomorrow.
I have a friend i first met in wyoming in 1979 and we lost contact with each otherfor some years but ran into each other again about five yrs. ago.
We spend quite a bit of time together.
He has three trikes, two Harleys and a suzuki that his wife rides.
She won't sell me her springer so i have to make my own trike.
She never rides the springer so i am abliged to do it for her.
Hell maybe i should just keep riding hers?
Thanks for the education on independant suspension.

 

[Rickie "T"]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

STC=1991 Harley Davidson Softail Classic

 

[americanbadass]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

You dint need to take the gas tank off to install the rake kit...cud of just put a blanket over it. If you are having it painted then that splains it.

 

[Rickie "T"]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

softail had shocks under the frame to make a clean look when converted to a trike had to keep them with the new swing arm and then put coilover shocks on the axle that all came in the kit

 

[pcombe]

Re: champion kits on a harley, tell me what you like and don't like?

STC=1991 Harley Davidson Softail Classic

Ok? Got yah now. Thanks