Sorry, More trike Questions............

[mgwtrike]

.........Yeah I know I been bug'in you trike owners with tons of questions, and some days I feel spring can't come soon enough until I get my '12 Goldwing is converted with a Roadsmith system, especially when I got word the unit is in their house ready to go.

From what I understand from my converter wrench, I will be losing the Goldwings "link" braking system when my Gwing is converted.

A couple questions:

#1.....When I apply the brakes, will the feel change from the linked system, and is there something I should be aware of when braking on three wheels?

#2.....Also, what's the average reasonable time I can except for a Roadsmith unit to be completed?

Come on Spring...........

[dirtdobber]

You can use the yellow pads for more braking power in the rear. It will still stop quick and safely.
Once they start the conversion it won't take long to do it. If they start on Monday morning you should have it back by Wednesday., give or take a day.

[Shimpy]

Maybe just mine which is a Champion conversion and not linked but I noticed much less braking since converting to 3 wheels. I've gotten used to allowing more distance in front of me from whoever is ahead of me. Could be the extra 300 lbs approx. My front brakes feel ok, but the rear won't even lock up the tires.

[Lucky]

#1 I have never used a linked system so no opinion on difference, but I have never had any problem stopping my ROADSMITH.
#2 Depends on the installer I would guess,but I would rather have it right more than right now.

I KNOW THE WAITING IS TOUGH!

[mgwtrike]

I have never had any problem stopping my ROADSMITH.

Thanks, good to know.

- - - Updated - - -

I would rather have it right more than right now.

[jaxbobg]

I had my '12 Wing converted with a Roadsmith kit about 3 months ago.
Yes, the brakes are no longer linked, but it's not that big a deal, just remember to apply both the hand lever and foot pedal at the same time when braking.

I used to get a little lazy and just use the hand lever to slow down, but then again most linked systems don't give full rear braking power unless you simultaneously apply the foot pedal.

Also, be aware that the TPMS system will be disabled during conversion, even though the front rim still has the TPMS style vale in it.

[mhgoldwing]

Braking with the RS de-linked system is different but still effective. It requires changing from front brake dominance to rear brake dominance. Those two big tires on the rear offer much more road contact than mc tire and during hard braking the rear doesn't lift like a bike does. So, I still use both front and rear but I place much more emphasis on rear now.

However, contrary to another poster's experience, my trike (equipped with Yellowstuff pads on rear BTW) will stop in a hurry when I truly want to shut it down quickly using all the braking power available. Bikes that follow me have learned to keep their distance.

[bikerbillone]

What mhgoldwing said is good information, no more brake linkage, ABS disconnected, but not a problem. Info from Road Smith, if you use the rear foot brake albout 80%, the front 20, you're good to go. You don't need a lot of front brake, or you're gonna be replacing brake pads up front often and that gets expensive. I think all the new RS conversions are using the 'yellow pads' on the rear. Check with your installer.

[cavie]

I use rear brakes most of the time. never an issue. All three will stop on a dime.

[dirtdobber]

I got into a snag and had to hit the brakes hard to avoid a situation. I was completely surprised to see how fast it will stop, safely I might add. They will not lock the rear wheels but do u really want it to do that. I don't.
I feel secure with the braking system on mine.

[Goldwinggene]

I just had my conversion on my 2009 Goldwing (Deep Blue Metallic) completed on Jan 29, 2016 with a HTS1800 kit w/running boards, two tone paint, chrome wheel package, the Avon Trike front tire, rake kit, and decided on the extended trunk option instead of the extra fuel tank. I also picked out the color for the two tone accent at a paint store here in Rockford, IL and sent the mixing specs to them. They had the painting done before I got there and I could see it as they were finishing it up. It really turned out great. I have already had many comments on how nice it looks.

The conversion was done at the factory in White Bear Lake, MN by Mark, their installer. Arrived right at noon on Wednesday, they rolled into their shop after lunch, and I put it back in my trailer before noon on Friday. I did have extra lights and chrome they had to deal with, so it took longer than a normal conversion. My brother did his last year and it took him only about a day and half to get his done.

I have never had things go so smooth as working with the people at RoadSmith. The were very easy to work with and I was able to see the conversion progress as it happened. Took some photos of it as it progressed, so I could show others of how it was done. Got a tour of the factory and met the people that did the work. This is a really quality machine.

Now if the weather would straighten up, I could get out and ride some. I only have put 20 miles on the trike since I got it home. I need some road therapy bad, been confined to the house for way to long.

[bcop31]

Maybe just mine which is a Champion conversion and not linked but I noticed much less braking since converting to 3 wheels. I've gotten used to allowing more distance in front of me from whoever is ahead of me. Could be the extra 300 lbs approx. My front brakes feel ok, but the rear won't even lock up the tires.

Yep, mine is a Champion conversation also and I noticed the same braking results as you mentioned in your post. My rear brakes won't lock up either......I took mine back to the dealer two days after I got it and they checked it out again for me. No difference. Like you, I have gotten used to it.

[Dude]

As far as breaking I was not thrilled with it at first and then swapped to the newer style break pads from Roadsmith, they changed to them right after I did my conversion. Some better.

[CrystalPistol]

Maybe just mine which is a Champion conversion and not linked but I noticed much less braking since converting to 3 wheels. I've gotten used to allowing more distance in front of me from whoever is ahead of me. Could be the extra 300 lbs approx. My front brakes feel ok, but the rear won't even lock up the tires.

Really?

I've ridden several Champions as well as Lehmans my buddy converted when he was a dealer / installer and never did it appear that they had less braking. I've ridden GL1500s in 2 wheel guise and regularly ride my '85 GL1200A which has some less weight and slightly smaller rotors but which will whoah down as good as a 1500. My Lehman is still linked and has 9" diameter Ford drum brakes at rear .... and my fear when I'm leading a group and a bike is behind me is he can't stop as fast if an emergency crops up. I know my trike is "heavier" than a bike .... but there's a lot of brake back there.

I don't want the rear wheels locked as that has it's own peril if released in any but a straight line .... like maybe a "high side on steroids" ....

[scribe5]

I have a 2005 Champion conversion on a 2005 Goldwing, which I bought in 2011. I also was not happy with the rear brake performance. I changed out to EBC Yellowstuff pads, put new calipers on since the bike was getting a bit old, raised the brake pedal a couple notches and added a larger brake pedal pad to get more foot leverage. That was about 3 years ago and it has performed very well. I can even make the rear tires chirp if I get on it.

[CrystalPistol]

I'm liking my old 9" Ford drums more and more every time I open this thread.

[Marc H]

I can can tell you the brakes on my Champion are real easy to get sliding if your in even a slight turn and can be got to slide in a straight line.I do have to stand on them pretty hard to get it to happen when going straight.I haven't really done any math but I wonder if the piston area of the one front caliper and the rear is more than the 2 rears on the trike.That would add to the pedal effort required.

[schiel1]

I have a CSC conversion and they keep the intergraded brake system. I don't understand why some manufactures remove it. No matter how you look at it it's still removing a system installed for better braking and safety.