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DNA rear ends
I'm not sure if posting this in the right spot or not if not feel free to move anyway my question is about how reliable the DNA rear ends are? Does anyone have any experience with these? I have a 94 sporty that I want to trike because I am disabled and these kits fit my budget. I would like to take some long trips on the trike and don't want to have to worry about things happening. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Same Here, Bruh....
Well, RyBeatty, you are not the only one. I bought a DNA kit from Rebecca at TrikeLife on eBay to convert my '04 Sportster. I'm mostly done now, have taken a few short test rides and am currently working (solo) on swapping out/installing raked 4 degree Frakenstein triple trees.
The forum owner and resident guru, Bazooka, has stated (IIRC) that many have utilized the DNA rear ends to good effect and that lots of folks have accumulated many miles on them.
I am not one who sniffs at Asian made products. These days, their metallurgy and manufacturing standards are very competitive and comparable to most anything available in the US, other than bespoke shops. And that is out of the price range of most, but especially those like you and I (on a tight budget).
Good luck, hang in there, and feel free to e-mail or IM me any time, brother.
-BearE
I have a Fatboy with a DNA conversion. I have only had it for a few months but I think it will last for a long time. 😁
Originally Posted by BearE
Well, RyBeatty, you are not the only one. I bought a DNA kit from Rebecca at TrikeLife on eBay to convert my '04 Sportster. I'm mostly done now, have taken a few short test rides and am currently working (solo) on swapping out/installing raked 4 degree Frakenstein triple trees.
The forum owner and resident guru, Bazooka, has stated (IIRC) that many have utilized the DNA rear ends to good effect and that lots of folks have accumulated many miles on them.
I am not one who sniffs at Asian made products. These days, their metallurgy and manufacturing standards are very competitive and comparable to most anything available in the US, other than bespoke shops. And that is out of the price range of most, but especially those like you and I (on a tight budget).
Good luck, hang in there, and feel free to e-mail or IM me any time, brother.
-BearEthanks for the insight guys. the trike life is the same people that I was thinking of getting my rearend from on eBay. I'm also trying to decide if I want to try and do the auto clutch or the electronic shifter. I'm about to sell another bike I built before I got hurt to pay for this stuff. the wedding and vacation I just took seriously cut into my trike budget but hey momma gets what momma wants LOL!!
DNA ordered
Ive got a Trike Axle and Swingarm ordered from Rebbeca also, I hope I don't regret going with the low cost set up. I can not find any complaints on the Web, but only time will tell I guess. I'm a decent wrench and bike restorer so I intend to build my own body for the trike, I work at a Fiberglass shop so the guys will be keeping an eye on me, keeping my work up to standards.LOL...... I'm surprised that I can not find much info on the installation process for the DNA parts, I guess it must be pretty obvious as no instructions are available. I really want to know the lubrication requirements, hopefully the info will come with the parts, I'm waiting for delivery now.
I haven't got my rearend yet had some more important things to take care of but hopefully I will real soon. I did recently get some more bikes for free but they have been sitting for a long time. One of them is a 78 cb750k that needs little work and I'm thinking about maybe turning this one into a trike instead of the sporty. I believe the dna would also work on this bike.
750 trike
.....Try to compare your 750 to a Harley, I've been reading up on this subject and it appears that the DNA axle is designed to fit Harley's and just "adapted" to other brands. Some off brands needed different offset wheels for each side to"center"the "pumpkin"with the chain/belt. I would make sure the supplier has actaully installed the kit on a bike, not just welded up a swing arm.
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.....Try to compare your 750 to a Harley, I've been reading up on this subject and it appears that the DNA axle is designed to fit Harley's and just "adapted" to other brands. Some off brands needed different offset wheels for each side to"center"the "pumpkin"with the chain/belt. I would make sure the supplier has actaully installed the kit on a bike, not just welded up a swing arm.
DNA Sporty Trike KIt
My Swingarm arrived yesterday, now just waiting for the DNA Axle to put in an appearance. I will say that the SWingarm is really well done, kind of heavy but the welds are a thing of beauty. I need to weld up the foot peg mounts then decide between paint and powder cote for the arm. I know most people prefer Powder but I've seen issues with peeling once you get a chip, paint is easy to repair.
Well my DNA Axle arrived from Trike Life 2-28-16, I must say it appears to be a nice rugged piece. The folks at TRike Life seem to be a nice bunch of people and they invited me to call anytime if I run into any snags on installation. Much nicer Axle than I anticipated!! I spent two hours last night drilling and taping holes for the passenger peg mounts. Two 3/8 holes an inch deep into solid steel on the Swing Arm.Good Fun, LOL.
TRike build
My project is progressing nicely. I'm amazzzed at how fast things get to my doorstep when they are shipped. Summit Racing delivered some wheel spacers to my door in less then 24 hours after I called in the order. I bought two 225/60 R 15 tires on eBay at 4:30 in the afternoon and they were on my porch at 1:30 the next afternoon. I wish everything went this smooth. Dennis Kirk took 3 days to get me the longer drive belt for the build and I thought that was Quick. Silly me.
Sportster Trike build
Just an update if anyone cares, The Trike kit is installed and went pretty darn smooth. Just a shim here and there, races and bearing in the new swingarm and some custom spacers for the right side shock. I decided to build a model A style pickup truck style bed for the body, I ordered some shortened Model A bed sides from Last Refuge Hot Rods in Colorado they are due in any day now. I bent up a floor and mounted it, just waiting for the bed sides to weld on, finish paint and I'm good to go.Really a smooth project.
Good to hear that it went smooth! I'm gonna order one in a few weeks things finally fell into place for me and I'm getting excited about being able to ride again. I am wondering about reverse though! I know you can get reverse kits for the harley big twin trannys on ebay. I'm wondering if I should sell my sporty, put a few bucks with it and get like a dyna or something that I can put reverse in. What kind of bike was yours
Trike build
My Model A truck bed DNA build was based on a 1996 XL1200 C. I went with the old Sportster because I feel that the frame mount swingarm will be stronger than the rubber mount Sporty's that mount the swingarm to the rear of the rubber mounted engine. And yes I have no reverse gear, I think a Sporty Trike is light enough for me to push around if I need to.
I have some use of my legs but I am a primary wheelchair user hence the need for reverse. My sporty is a 94 883 with a 1200 kit has like 4-5 gallon sport bob tank with a decent rake. I've even considered maybe a side car but I think trike is the way to go. Post some pics of your build I'd like to check it out
I'm pretty bad at this computer stuff, someday I will get my busy wife to post pics. If you want to look at trike pics, Google "Trikes with Truck bed"and scroll through the 5 pages of images that come up at the top of the page. I really like the Orange Harley with box along with the flat black Crossbones build.
I know it's been awhile but I'd though I'd check in and see how the dna rearend is holding up? I finally have the funds to start my project bUT im unsure what kit I want to get
Rybeatty, Sorry I took so long to get back to you.I've been riding the trike for a couple months now with no problems. The rear brakes are nothing to brag about but they work. I don't do long trips but for my usage the DNA has been just fine on the Sporty. Very easy to roll around, and turns very well in a tight circle. I was worried about having enough power but truth be told I can't feel any difference with the kit on, this thing goes like stink just like it used too. I now believe a 883 would even be fine with a Trike kit my 1200 is faster than it needs to be and surprised a few of my buds on their big twins. Good fun! I would still like a new Free Wheeler some day but I can live with the Sporty until the Lotto comes through, HA Ha .
Yea a 1200 sporty is nothing to shake your head at. The power to weight ratio is very good. And the trike kit on those is not very heavy so you do not loose a lot. It really does make a great trike.
Stallion #406 // 2013 Tri-Glide
Cool man I finally got mine and I am working on getting it put together. I was worried about the weight but you eased my mind! Trying to upload a pic but it won't let me do it on my phone. I took pics up to where I'm at in the project and I think I might do a build thread
DNA axle dimensions
I would really like to use one of these axles on my Triumph Bonneville. Any way you could measure it for me. I just need to know how wide it is from wheel mounting surface to wheel mounting surface, and where the chain or belt drive is from either side. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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