Side covers

[Blackwillow]

Hey all, Let me start off by sayn my thoughts go out to the folks in Oklahoma.
I am having a devil off a time trying to get my side covers on . After reading some posts a while ago about replacing the grommets as some experienced losing covers on the road. I did find that my covers in the beginning felt a little loose so after picking up new grommets and installing same. I cannot seem to get covers to slip back in with out rupturing the rubber things just when I think its lined up and give a gentle push and then pull it off to check, sure enough its popped out and distorted.
Question1, OEM part# 83504-GEO-000 this has a large flange on one side and a smaller flange on the other with way does it go on?
Question 2, Can someone the next time they have the covers off (side) measure for me the distance between the top 2 grommets in a straight line realizing the front most grommet is oblong so to the center of that one to the center of the top one on the fender. Just trying to rule out an alignment issue. Thanks in advance. Take care All.

[bayoudave]

The grommets go with the small lip inside. With new grommets you may need to lubricate the pins before you put them on. However the lubrication needs to be something that will dry quickly so they don't come off. I use, sorry if it sounds yuck but, a little spit. In fact I usually put the pin in my mouth and get it really wet and then on the the next until they are all wet. Hope this helps.

[Luxo2r]

a little hairspray will do the job and evaporates pretty quickly too

[Blackwillow]

Thanks for the replys. So I did have them on the correct way. Left side is not that bad to get on and found another use for KY, but the right side is another story, since I have to deal with the parking brake I need to investigate a little further. Any body out there who has a parking brake on their M.T. have any issues with installing that side cover??

[Blackwillow]

After much huffing, puffing and nashing of teeth I reasoned that if I removed the seat I would not have to tilt the side cover out at the bottom which was interfering with the park brake molding. Voila.pepper Got it to go on no problem. Me thinks the park brake assy. is a little to close to that cover. M.T. or installer???

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

Just wet the with a little water and they slip on real nice. Water dries and covers stay on.

[John Luciano]

After loosing one of mine and costing me $375 to replace I finally drilled a hole in the frame. Mounted a bolt with a nut ligned it up with the cover. Drilled a hole through the cover and it is now on with a chrome cap nut.

[87Trike1200]

Check out <a href="http://rudysproducts.com/index_store.html" target="_blank"><b><font color="Blue">RudysProducts</font></b></a>. (scroll down for the various items). You have to "fish around" a little to find the correct kit for what your trying to protect. I have one on the little rear compartment door (near GL1500 rear speaker) after losing mine and approx. $55 to replace.<br />
<br />
This is probably a "poor" explanation, but each kit contains a small piece that adheres to (for example) the inside of your side panal, and special short lanyard that attaches to the bike. Everything is hidden inside the panel and if it should come off, whala <img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" />, there it is still "dangling" from the attached cord. (I know, lousy explanation. <img src="images/smilies/grin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="big grin" class="inlineimg" /> )<br />
<br />
Check it out...

[John Luciano]

At 75 miles an hour it rips that wire to spreads and beats your leg up until it flew 60 feet in the air and landed on the yellow line on the high-way only to be run over by the next 3 cars. New side cover $85. 00 new Goldwing logo $60.00 paint cover to match bike $120, replace the graphics on the cover to match the bike $130.00.

[Calgary]

When installing new grommets I lightly coat the exterior part of the grommet that touches the frame with clear silicone before I insert the grommet into the hole. Clean away any excess silicone and make certain the grommet is neatly centered. Leave the silicone cure overnight before installing the side covers. I, like others have mentioned, liberally coat the pins with saliva and then install the side cover.<br />
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Once the saliva dries, the side covers are extremely secure. Touch wood, but I've yet to lose one. <img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" /><img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" /><img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" />

[87Trike1200]

At 75 miles an hour it rips that wire to spreads and beats your leg up until it flew 60 feet in the air and landed on the yellow line on the high-way only to be run over by the next 3 cars. New side cover $85. 00 new Goldwing logo $60.00 paint cover to match bike $120, replace the graphics on the cover to match the bike $130.00.

John, I somehow get the feeling you don't care for this product... ( p.s. - I'm glad I never go 75 mph. )

[John Luciano]

When it landed on the yellow line I said as soon as the traffic clears I run out and get it. Then bam bam bam. Then tears. You know what my side covers look like .

Close look at bottom front corner of cover you can see the bolt that is holding it on.

[87Trike1200]

When it landed on the yellow line I said as soon as the traffic clears I run out and get it. Then bam bam bam. Then tears...

For some unknown my side covers are "extra hard" to get off, and I'm always nervous when I do have to take them off, fearing I might break them (or the tabs holding them on).

My trike installer, thinking he was doing me a favor (I guess he really was), put a screw in them with the little chrome button showing. It's OK but makes for an extra step removing the cover - which are already hard enough to take off...

Barbara likes the picture of your bike and wants to know the general location of the countryside pictured in the background.

[driver10]

I drilled a small hole in the back of mine and used a 12 in stainless steel fishing leader to secure mine if it blew off. sure enough was running 75 bucking a head wind here in okla. and one blew off. couple other GW rider saw it and thought it was a neat idea

[Blackwillow]

Jus so we are clear, the issue turned out to be the fact that as I tried to install the right side cover I found the molding of the park break was interfering with the ability to properly install this side cover and only by removing the seat was I able to accomplish an installation of that side cover. No amount of moisture was going to accomplish this. As I truly appreciate all responses, I know now more then ever feel there is an alignment issue. Take care, 2 years of warranty left, And I plan to use it.......M.T. nor My installer has contacted me on this issue..
How do you like me now!!!!!!!!!!pepper
Take care and ride safe and on a side note was very lucky I was not killed yesterday, a story for another day...........

[Blackwillow]

Placed a call to Ritcherd of Motor Trike , whom has not returned my call as of 12:00 pm yesterday( we are all busy but I own a service company and make sure I get back to my customer in a timely fashion), re my issue with the parking brake alignment issue as discussed earlier.
The net is a wonderful thing ......Governments' have been over thrown.pepper

[Blackwillow]

Still have not heard from MT on this issue.
Thinkin I am so way north????
This could be my last MT conversion At 50+ I have a few more miles on me There loss my gain. All it takes is a phone call.
In the end it should not take a week to get back to a customer.

[87Trike1200]

Hi Blackwillow - check your PM's - I just sent you a contact suggestion regarding MT. Best wishes...

[Yellow Trike]

I finally gave you and bought matching duck tape!

Got tired of clinching my left leg around the soon-to-be-gone side cover and then slowing without shifting!

I even have a heated gear wire threaded through the back of the side cover and it would still try to fly.

[Boscoporp]

I have had many problems with side covers. After much grunting and fidiging with the covers I took it to a Honda dealer and he told me that HE DIDN'T THINK THE PEOPLE THAT INSTALLED MY KIT PUT THE GROMMET HOLES IN CORRECTLY.

Let me tell you how I corrected it and it works 100% all the time. First under the front of the cover I applied a two inch strip of Velcro. Then I made a tether using black zip ties in the rear going thru the large vent hole. Since I have done this I have NEVER had them come off and if they do they would only move about 1 inch because of how tight I have the zip ties. If you need to remove cover just snip zip tie and replace it to put it back on. They only cost a dime!

WORKS PERFECTLY and no one even notices the zip cord.