On curves to the left it feels softer than right curves

[tysavell]

Hello all. I have a TowPac kit on my '88 GL1500 Goldwing and it is overall great. I have noticed, tho, when the road curves to the left, the right side of the rig feels "soft" but when the road curves to the right, the kit feels more stable. I have checked tire pressure, alignment and downward pressure. On a straight and smooth road with no crown, it is great. It is really just noticable on those curves to the left and when the road crowns. On the road crowns, I feel like I'm leaning to the right...again something going on with the right side of the rig...? Thanks in advance for your help.

P.S. Still getting used to the steering thru curves. It feels like I'm really having to "muscle" thru the turn. Is that what you folks have noticed?

[Condor]

Muscling is about right. I don't have any experience with the Tow Pack, but have set up a Voyager. There should be a setting somewhere that adjusts the down force of the TP wheels. Try just sitting on the bike and leaning left and right. If it feels the same you may not be centered up in the saddle...?? If the right side does feel 'spongier' it's time to read the installation manual.... Good Luck.

J

[tysavell]

Muscling is about right. I don't have any experience with the Tow Pack, but have set up a Voyager. There should be a setting somewhere that adjusts the down force of the TP wheels. Try just sitting on the bike and leaning left and right. If it feels the same you may not be centered up in the saddle...?? If the right side does feel 'spongier' it's time to read the installation manual.... Good Luck.

J

Thanks Condor...I'll check it.

[dadztoy]

Sounds like what your describing is a difference in down force on the two TP wheels... Unfortunately there is no "scientific" way to check the down force that I know of... The TP techs told me to grab the TP wheel and try to move it, giving a good rearward or upward yank on the spokes... The down force should be such that you can just break the wheel loose from the ground with a good tug on the wheel spokes...

Another thing you might try is to measure from each rear corner of the cart frame to the floor/ground and see if the distance is the same... Mine is within 1/16" of an inch from side to side... A little bit of difference in this measurement can make quite a bit of difference in handling...

My TP kit is installed on my 1800, so the rear suspension is different between the two bikes, but have you tried playing with the air pressure on the bikes rear suspension??? I wouldn't think this would effect just one side of the TP but you can never tell, because the 1500 employs an air bladder on one side and a spring on the other side - might be worth a try playing with air pressure...

Also remember that due to the crown of the road, with the RH lane sloping downward, RH turns will feel different than LH turns because you hardy ever turn to the left the same way you turn to the right... Where the crown on the right is severe, you will find that it takes substantially more steering effort to keep the bike centered in the lane... I tend to drive right down the middle of the lane most times to minimize this effort...

In terms of steering effort, what can one say - steering effort is high even on a regular trike conversion, unless you install a rake kit... That may be a viable alternative for you if you plan to leave the TP kit on... Even if you don't, your not "going to instantly die" or have "an apocalyptic event" with a rake kit on 2 wheels... Just be aware that the bike will handle differently, most likely responding slower to turn input... There are people who have raked their bikes and still occasionally ride them on 2 wheels...

When I have my trike kit on, I just have to be aware that I have to slow down a bit more in turns to reduce steering effort and to be able to safely guide the bike thru the turn... I have thought about a rake kit, but I seem to be able to handle things for the time being, so until I actually go for a full conversion, I'll stay with the stock configuration...

Best of luck,

Les

[jmk865]

My Tow=Pac equipped '94 Vulcan 1500 was already set up when I got it and after re-learning to ride; I found I had to play with the outrigger tire pressure a bit and also learned to "stiff arm" the steering depending on road crown or camber. In my area, what appears to be a "flat" road or highway, is in fact not flat. Our roads all tile to one side or the other and you have to adjust as you go.

[tysavell]

Sounds like what your describing is a difference in down force on the two TP wheels... Unfortunately there is no "scientific" way to check the down force that I know of... The TP techs told me to grab the TP wheel and try to move it, giving a good rearward or upward yank on the spokes... The down force should be such that you can just break the wheel loose from the ground with a good tug on the wheel spokes...

Another thing you might try is to measure from each rear corner of the cart frame to the floor/ground and see if the distance is the same... Mine is within 1/16" of an inch from side to side... A little bit of difference in this measurement can make quite a bit of difference in handling...

My TP kit is installed on my 1800, so the rear suspension is different between the two bikes, but have you tried playing with the air pressure on the bikes rear suspension??? I wouldn't think this would effect just one side of the TP but you can never tell, because the 1500 employs an air bladder on one side and a spring on the other side - might be worth a try playing with air pressure...

Also remember that due to the crown of the road, with the RH lane sloping downward, RH turns will feel different than LH turns because you hardy ever turn to the left the same way you turn to the right... Where the crown on the right is severe, you will find that it takes substantially more steering effort to keep the bike centered in the lane... I tend to drive right down the middle of the lane most times to minimize this effort...

In terms of steering effort, what can one say - steering effort is high even on a regular trike conversion, unless you install a rake kit... That may be a viable alternative for you if you plan to leave the TP kit on... Even if you don't, your not "going to instantly die" or have "an apocalyptic event" with a rake kit on 2 wheels... Just be aware that the bike will handle differently, most likely responding slower to turn input... There are people who have raked their bikes and still occasionally ride them on 2 wheels...

When I have my trike kit on, I just have to be aware that I have to slow down a bit more in turns to reduce steering effort and to be able to safely guide the bike thru the turn... I have thought about a rake kit, but I seem to be able to handle things for the time being, so until I actually go for a full conversion, I'll stay with the stock configuration...

Best of luck,

Les

Thanks so much dadztoy. That is a lot of good information. I'll check those things and do a trial run to see what fixes the issue. Thanks again.

- - - Updated - - -

My Tow=Pac equipped '94 Vulcan 1500 was already set up when I got it and after re-learning to ride; I found I had to play with the outrigger tire pressure a bit and also learned to "stiff arm" the steering depending on road crown or camber. In my area, what appears to be a "flat" road or highway, is in fact not flat. Our roads all tile to one side or the other and you have to adjust as you go.

That's what I'm finding out as well. Overall I like it, but just having to re-learn, like you said. I love the stability, but do kinda miss riding on two wheels...just getting old with bad knees...lol...but hey, it allows me to keep riding.

[skuuter]

Because of the "drain angle" of the road, Your Bike (Trike) has laid over slightly farther during left handers than right handers before wheel touch down and loading also...just a thought......

[dadztoy]

Thanks so much dadztoy. That is a lot of good information. I'll check those things and do a trial run to see what fixes the issue. Thanks again. - - - Updated - - - That's what I'm finding out as well. Overall I like it, but just having to re-learn, like you said. I love the stability, but do kinda miss riding on two wheels...just getting old with bad knees...lol...but hey, it allows me to keep riding.

Sure thing Tysavell - glad to help... I'm certainly not a Tow Pac expert but I have fooled around with mine a LOT and have readjusted things many times in an effort to get it where I want it... As a final thought, you might try reducing tire pressure in the TP tires too... Most of us I think, are running 35-40 PSI in the TP tires and I find that quite sufficient... Think I am at 40 PSI but can't remember if I dropped them to 35 PSI or not... Those little 12" tires don't take a lot of pressure to obtain the proper tire patch footprint... I'm also running 12" tires on my Dart trailer and IIRC, I run those at 20-25PSI although there is less weight on them...

My knees are still holding up, but I'm losing both upper and leg body strength as I continue to age, so the Tow Pac really does help when I use it... I still enjoy my 2 wheel adventures but anything to keep us riding is a big plus in my book, so do what you have to do guys to keep riding whether it be Tow Pac, Voyagers, Triggs, full conversions, landing gear, whatever!!! Just do it!!

Les

[BIG DENNY]

Well Im here too tell you I put a 6 degree rake on my Trigg outrigger and it made a great thing greater. I no what they say but Im here to tell you it is BLACK and WHITE difference in trike kit, plus a little sim KEEP THE SHINNY SIDE UP BIG DENNY

Hello all. I have a TowPac kit on my '88 GL1500 Goldwing and it is overall great. I have noticed, tho, when the road curves to the left, the right side of the rig feels "soft" but when the road curves to the right, the kit feels more stable. I have checked tire pressure, alignment and downward pressure. On a straight and smooth road with no crown, it is great. It is really just noticable on those curves to the left and when the road crowns. On the road crowns, I feel like I'm leaning to the right...again something going on with the right side of the rig...? Thanks in advance for your help.

P.S. Still getting used to the steering thru curves. It feels like I'm really having to "muscle" thru the turn. Is that what you folks have noticed?

[dadztoy]

Big Denny,

Have your ridden the bike with the rake kit and the Trigg removed??? If so, how does it handle??? I have test ridden regular trike conversions with the 6 degree rake and I agree with your comments - it is great, but just wondering how the bike alone would handle with the 6 degree kit installed and on 2 wheels...

Les

[rnrider78]

Hello dadztoy,

I see you own a tow pac Insta trike on a GL1800. Do you still have it?

I have one on my 2005 GL1800 with my 8 inch wheels, regular motorcycle wheels for my front and rear. I have been reading your posts on how you set your bike up with the TP.

What led me to this post was my search for how to setup my own ride properly. I rode this past weekend and I noticed that I have to slow the bike way down when trying to take a left or right hand turn and when that happens one of the TP wheels usually raises up and I have to fight my steering and hang on hard. I know to push and pull but that feeling is rather unsettling and it feels like it puts a lot of strain on the attachment points (ie. rear crash bars and underneath the saddle bags where it attaches to). Not only did I feel strain etc. but there my body definitely was beat the next day...I really had a workout. Otherwise driving the highways, roads, that did not have too many hard curves were manageable.

Speaking of slowing way down even when turning a hard circle in an empty parking lot whenever I increase my speed I notice the inner TP wheel come up.

I have not gone dark side yet but have thought about it but before you went darkside what were your suspension settings, Frnt and rear wheel and TP pressures set at? I weight a 160lbs, don't carry much gear with me but would like to do so on longer trips. Right now my tires still have life in them and will probably ride it till it wears out.

Also, I wonder if having the smaller 8" wheels have anything to do with the ride handling and comfort?

I would appreciate your experience as a TP owner in this matter and hope to read your response.

Thank you so much!

Ed

[dadztoy]

Hello dadztoy,

I see you own a tow pac Insta trike on a GL1800. Do you still have it?

I have one on my 2005 GL1800 with my 8 inch wheels, regular motorcycle wheels for my front and rear. I have been reading your posts on how you set your bike up with the TP.

What led me to this post was my search for how to setup my own ride properly. I rode this past weekend and I noticed that I have to slow the bike way down when trying to take a left or right hand turn and when that happens one of the TP wheels usually raises up and I have to fight my steering and hang on hard. I know to push and pull but that feeling is rather unsettling and it feels like it puts a lot of strain on the attachment points (ie. rear crash bars and underneath the saddle bags where it attaches to). Not only did I feel strain etc. but there my body definitely was beat the next day...I really had a workout. Otherwise driving the highways, roads, that did not have too many hard curves were manageable.

Speaking of slowing way down even when turning a hard circle in an empty parking lot whenever I increase my speed I notice the inner TP wheel come up.

I have not gone dark side yet but have thought about it but before you went darkside what were your suspension settings, Frnt and rear wheel and TP pressures set at? I weight a 160lbs, don't carry much gear with me but would like to do so on longer trips. Right now my tires still have life in them and will probably ride it till it wears out.

Also, I wonder if having the smaller 8" wheels have anything to do with the ride handling and comfort?

I would appreciate your experience as a TP owner in this matter and hope to read your response.

Thank you so much!

Ed

Hi Ed,

Yup - still have it and still riding it - AAMOF, we're out in California right now and just rode in Sequoia N.P. today with it... Your only a few hours away from me in Eastern Tennessee and if you would like to drive up, I would be glad to give you a hand tweaking things a bit... I won't be home until August 1st but think about the offer...

OK, lets see where to start... I run a Bridgestone BT-45 up front at 36PSI but have had it as high as 41 PSI... I like the softer ride at 36 PSI and handling and wear still seem good...

I am currently running a Bridgestone DriveGuard on the rear at 28PSI and it feels great... It is a run flat tire and gives a very compliant ride...

My TowPac cart tires are 12" and I run them at 32PSI... Alignment is within 1/16" on both sides and really closer to dead on on either side... My bike suspension is set to 18 and I usually pretty much leave it there unless I am riding a passenger who is on the heavy side...

My bike is equipped with a Traxxion 4.5 degree raked billet triple tree and I also use Traxxion springs in the front end - 1.1kg/mm IIRC... Everything else is stock...

In terms of down force, it's kind of a set and ride thing to see how it works out... IIRC mine is set so that my measurement from ground level to the top of the cart bar is 11 1/4" but I usually set the right hand side a bit higher to compensate for road crown... Maybe 1/16 to 1/8 higher than the left hand side...

Steering effort will be quite high in turns without having the front end raked - it's just the nature of the beast... Again, if you want to try mine with the 4.5 degree rake kit, you are more than welcome to come up and give it a test ride...

Before going Darkside, I ran Bridgestone 704 and 709 tires... Only got about 8 k miles out of them before having to change them with the front tire cupping so badly it would shake the handlebars until I got above 30 MPH... Tire pressures on thise stones were 41 front and 42 rear respectively...

Now, running double darkside, I typically get 17+K miles out of the rear and 20K+ miles from the front and tire cost is about 100 bucks less for front and rear... Flying a wheel is not uncommon with outrigger type trikes as they are a compromise in deign... I do it on occasion, but proper down force adjustment will minimize this condition unless you drive like a mad man...

In terms of the smaller tires, they will probably effect ride quality to some degree on rough roads and potholes, but other than that, I wouldn't think there would not be a lot of difference between those and the 12" tires... AAMOF, in some respects, they will be better as they have a lower unsprung weight than larger tires...

Let me know if you have additional questions... Just be patient as Internet on the road is not always available or dependable...

Les

[rnrider78]

Les,

I appreciate your response and reading your experience on the TPac Instatrike. I am going to use some of the settings you have on your bike with regular motorcycle tires.

F=41 PSI

R=42 PSI

TP tires=32 PSI

Bike suspension @ 17

I can definitely feel the road crown but like you said I might have to adjust the down force on the right but the ride is not terrible.

I have no doubt the 4.5 deg rake kit is a huge upgrade. Who did your rake kit?

In terms of riding like a "mad man" I ride at regular speed but I feel I have to reduce my speed quite a bit just to take a left or right hand from say a county road to a street, I mean I still like I am moving forward while taking a left and I feel like I am being thrown off (I expect this) I am just concerned the TP care putting all the pressure where it mounts to the saddle bags and rear tip over bars. Do you have any metal parts where your TP is attached to bend or fail?

As for my tires I am gonna ride them till they wear out since they are relatively new.

Speaking of tires, how easy or difficult was it to remove your rear tire with the TP kit?

What a journey you are on right now...did you ride from TN all the way to CA on the TP kit? 1 up or 2 up?

I would love to meet up with you. I am planning on going to the Wing Ding in Knoxville (probably the last day) any recommendations on where to stay that is reasonably priced and close to the convention center?

You be safe out there on the roads and enjoy your trip!!

Ed

p.s can you accept me on your PM? Thanks!

Hi Ed,

Yup - still have it and still riding it - AAMOF, we're out in California right now and just rode in Sequoia N.P. today with it... Your only a few hours away from me in Eastern Tennessee and if you would like to drive up, I would be glad to give you a hand tweaking things a bit... I won't be home until August 1st but think about the offer...

OK, lets see where to start... I run a Bridgestone BT-45 up front at 36PSI but have had it as high as 41 PSI... I like the softer ride at 36 PSI and handling and wear still seem good...

I am currently running a Bridgestone DriveGuard on the rear at 28PSI and it feels great... It is a run flat tire and gives a very compliant ride...

My TowPac cart tires are 12" and I run them at 32PSI... Alignment is within 1/16" on both sides and really closer to dead on on either side... My bike suspension is set to 18 and I usually pretty much leave it there unless I am riding a passenger who is on the heavy side...

My bike is equipped with a Traxxion 4.5 degree raked billet triple tree and I also use Traxxion springs in the front end - 1.1kg/mm IIRC... Everything else is stock...

In terms of down force, it's kind of a set and ride thing to see how it works out... IIRC mine is set so that my measurement from ground level to the top of the cart bar is 11 1/4" but I usually set the right hand side a bit higher to compensate for road crown... Maybe 1/16 to 1/8 higher than the left hand side...

Steering effort will be quite high in turns without having the front end raked - it's just the nature of the beast... Again, if you want to try mine with the 4.5 degree rake kit, you are more than welcome to come up and give it a test ride...

Before going Darkside, I ran Bridgestone 704 and 709 tires... Only got about 8 k miles out of them before having to change them with the front tire cupping so badly it would shake the handlebars until I got above 30 MPH... Tire pressures on thise stones were 41 front and 42 rear respectively...

Now, running double darkside, I typically get 17+K miles out of the rear and 20K+ miles from the front and tire cost is about 100 bucks less for front and rear... Flying a wheel is not uncommon with outrigger type trikes as they are a compromise in deign... I do it on occasion, but proper down force adjustment will minimize this condition unless you drive like a mad man...

In terms of the smaller tires, they will probably effect ride quality to some degree on rough roads and potholes, but other than that, I wouldn't think there would not be a lot of difference between those and the 12" tires... AAMOF, in some respects, they will be better as they have a lower unsprung weight than larger tires...

Let me know if you have additional questions... Just be patient as Internet on the road is not always available or dependable...

Les

[rnrider78]

Les,

I replied to your msg yesterday just wondering if you received it? Something is going on with the site.

Also I was trying to send you a PM.

Ed

Hi Ed,

Yup - still have it and still riding it - AAMOF, we're out in California right now and just rode in Sequoia N.P. today with it... Your only a few hours away from me in Eastern Tennessee and if you would like to drive up, I would be glad to give you a hand tweaking things a bit... I won't be home until August 1st but think about the offer...

OK, lets see where to start... I run a Bridgestone BT-45 up front at 36PSI but have had it as high as 41 PSI... I like the softer ride at 36 PSI and handling and wear still seem good...

I am currently running a Bridgestone DriveGuard on the rear at 28PSI and it feels great... It is a run flat tire and gives a very compliant ride...

My TowPac cart tires are 12" and I run them at 32PSI... Alignment is within 1/16" on both sides and really closer to dead on on either side... My bike suspension is set to 18 and I usually pretty much leave it there unless I am riding a passenger who is on the heavy side...

My bike is equipped with a Traxxion 4.5 degree raked billet triple tree and I also use Traxxion springs in the front end - 1.1kg/mm IIRC... Everything else is stock...

In terms of down force, it's kind of a set and ride thing to see how it works out... IIRC mine is set so that my measurement from ground level to the top of the cart bar is 11 1/4" but I usually set the right hand side a bit higher to compensate for road crown... Maybe 1/16 to 1/8 higher than the left hand side...

Steering effort will be quite high in turns without having the front end raked - it's just the nature of the beast... Again, if you want to try mine with the 4.5 degree rake kit, you are more than welcome to come up and give it a test ride...

Before going Darkside, I ran Bridgestone 704 and 709 tires... Only got about 8 k miles out of them before having to change them with the front tire cupping so badly it would shake the handlebars until I got above 30 MPH... Tire pressures on thise stones were 41 front and 42 rear respectively...

Now, running double darkside, I typically get 17+K miles out of the rear and 20K+ miles from the front and tire cost is about 100 bucks less for front and rear... Flying a wheel is not uncommon with outrigger type trikes as they are a compromise in deign... I do it on occasion, but proper down force adjustment will minimize this condition unless you drive like a mad man...

In terms of the smaller tires, they will probably effect ride quality to some degree on rough roads and potholes, but other than that, I wouldn't think there would not be a lot of difference between those and the 12" tires... AAMOF, in some respects, they will be better as they have a lower unsprung weight than larger tires...

Let me know if you have additional questions... Just be patient as Internet on the road is not always available or dependable...

Les

[paws]

PMs were disabled last November due to continued high spam activity.

[rnrider78]

That is good to know.

Thank you!

PMs were disabled last November due to continued high spam activity.

[dadztoy]

Les,

I appreciate your response and reading your experience on the TPac Instatrike. I am going to use some of the settings you have on your bike with regular motorcycle tires.

F=41 PSI

R=42 PSI

TP tires=32 PSI

Bike suspension @ 17

I can definitely feel the road crown but like you said I might have to adjust the down force on the right but the ride is not terrible.

I have no doubt the 4.5 deg rake kit is a huge upgrade. Who did your rake kit?

In terms of riding like a "mad man" I ride at regular speed but I feel I have to reduce my speed quite a bit just to take a left or right hand from say a county road to a street, I mean I still like I am moving forward while taking a left and I feel like I am being thrown off (I expect this) I am just concerned the TP care putting all the pressure where it mounts to the saddle bags and rear tip over bars. Do you have any metal parts where your TP is attached to bend or fail?

As for my tires I am gonna ride them till they wear out since they are relatively new.

Speaking of tires, how easy or difficult was it to remove your rear tire with the TP kit?

What a journey you are on right now...did you ride from TN all the way to CA on the TP kit? 1 up or 2 up?

I would love to meet up with you. I am planning on going to the Wing Ding in Knoxville (probably the last day) any recommendations on where to stay that is reasonably priced and close to the convention center?

You be safe out there on the roads and enjoy your trip!!

Ed

p.s can you accept me on your PM? Thanks!

Hi Ed

Those settings sound good to me... I believe the issue of difficult steering can be solved with the rake kit - that's why I installed it as steering was quite fatiguing after riding for a while... I installed my own rake kit as well as new roller bearings that came with the kit from Traxxion... If you would like to install one, I would be happy to help you if you want to ride up to Eastern Tennessee to my place and very well equipped garage...

I have been riding my TP for close to 6 years now and there has been no sign of failure anywhere... I have modified the trailer hitch a bit for increased ground clearance while loading the bike (trike) into my truck on my Rampage lift) but other than that, it is pretty much stock other than another mod for quick disconnect on the fenders to facilitate loading into the truck...

When I change a rear tire, I use the layover method on the bike so this means I remove the TP kit and lay the bike over... I also have to remove the bolt on the TP lower left frame and loosen the u-bolts on the top left side behind the rear bike fender... Not a difficult job, but a bit time consuming...

I haul the trike in the back of my F-250SD pickup on a Rampage lift... At my age, (72) riding cross country in 100 degree heat is a thing of the past and my wife would never commit to doing that , so we ride in comfort in the truck and offload the bike when we get to the riding destination... I have ridden for over 45 years now in all kinds of weather and have nothing to prove, so now we ride in comfort... It is a necessity at this stage in our lives...

Sorry but I am not familiar enough with the Knoxville area for recommendations on hotels... I was going to go to Wing Ding but my pinstripping vendor cancelled so my wife cancelled our hotel reservations that we had...

Maybe we could take a ride up there together... We'll be back in town by than and you could stay at our place before we go... If that interests you let me know via PM and I'll give you my address, phone and so forth... I did accept you on the friend list too

Les

[rnrider78]

Les,

Managed to take the bike out on some twisties this past weekend with the new settings, the ride was definitely much more enjoyable. Still have to slow way down to take a left or right turn from say a county highway and onto a street or if the turns are too tight. Just doesn't feel right that the bike wants to throw you off of it.

I think the rake kit will definitely help. What degree is your rake and do you have handlebar risers?

How many hours did it take you to install the rake kit?

So even with the bike laid over, hardware for the TP has to be removed?

Would the rear tire be easier to remove if it was raised on a lift?

When you go to remove the TP kit do you put the pieces of wood underneath the TP tires to facilitate removal from the frame attached to the bike?

Nothing wrong in hauling your bike on a truck to get to your destination where you can ride. I would love to do that with my station wagon but I don't think it can pull that much weight unless I get a chock to hold the front wheel while the rear wheels are left on the ground and pull my GL 1800.

Sounds like you are quite happy with your TP, ever think of going to a real trike?

I appreciate you offering your garage to have the rake done and a place for to stay. I am deciding on rake kit and also the wing ding. I will let you know if I am going.

The PM thing is not working, I think a member said the PM function does not work because of the spam some members are receiving. Try sending me a PM. I tried but it didn't go thru.

Is there another way we can communicate in private?

Hope you did some good riding this weekend.

Ed

Hi Ed

Those settings sound good to me... I believe the issue of difficult steering can be solved with the rake kit - that's why I installed it as steering was quite fatiguing after riding for a while... I installed my own rake kit as well as new roller bearings that came with the kit from Traxxion... If you would like to install one, I would be happy to help you if you want to ride up to Eastern Tennessee to my place and very well equipped garage...

I have been riding my TP for close to 6 years now and there has been no sign of failure anywhere... I have modified the trailer hitch a bit for increased ground clearance while loading the bike (trike) into my truck on my Rampage lift) but other than that, it is pretty much stock other than another mod for quick disconnect on the fenders to facilitate loading into the truck...

When I change a rear tire, I use the layover method on the bike so this means I remove the TP kit and lay the bike over... I also have to remove the bolt on the TP lower left frame and loosen the u-bolts on the top left side behind the rear bike fender... Not a difficult job, but a bit time consuming...

I haul the trike in the back of my F-250SD pickup on a Rampage lift... At my age, (72) riding cross country in 100 degree heat is a thing of the past and my wife would never commit to doing that , so we ride in comfort in the truck and offload the bike when we get to the riding destination... I have ridden for over 45 years now in all kinds of weather and have nothing to prove, so now we ride in comfort... It is a necessity at this stage in our lives...

Sorry but I am not familiar enough with the Knoxville area for recommendations on hotels... I was going to go to Wing Ding but my pinstripping vendor cancelled so my wife cancelled our hotel reservations that we had...

Maybe we could take a ride up there together... We'll be back in town by than and you could stay at our place before we go... If that interests you let me know via PM and I'll give you my address, phone and so forth... I did accept you on the friend list too

Les

[paws]

Ed...

Here is a trick these guys on TrikeTalk told to offset that “being thrown off the side of the bike feeling”...

If you are in a left curve, press down with the right foot on your foot peg or board through the curve and do the opposite with the right hand curve.

This works amazingly well. Try it!

[dadztoy]

Les,

Managed to take the bike out on some twisties this past weekend with the new settings, the ride was definitely much more enjoyable. Still have to slow way down to take a left or right turn from say a county highway and onto a street or if the turns are too tight. Just doesn't feel right that the bike wants to throw you off of it.

I think the rake kit will definitely help. What degree is your rake and do you have handlebar risers?

I have a Traxxion Dynamics 4.5 degree rake kit and MLB risers as well... I also use a Texelent Bar for mounting my accessories...

How many hours did it take you to install the rake kit?

I didn't really keep track of it but I would guess it's about a 4-6 hour job... My Traxxion tree also came with All Balls Roller Bearings so I replaced them as well while I was in there... That required putting the races in the freezer overnite before starting the job to shrink them up a bit

So even with the bike laid over, hardware for the TP has to be removed?

Would the rear tire be easier to remove if it was raised on a lift?

For me, laying the bike over is easier... Remember I run a darkside run flat tire that is a bit tougher to squeeze into place... I do have a Handy Lift that I work on the bike with, but I am 72 years old and don't have the upper body strength I used to have, so lifting up a #25 tire and muscling it into place is to tough for me these days... If your a younger man with good upper body strength, a lift may work better for you, and if your running a standard bike tire, you may not have to shim the TP frame out of the way...

When you go to remove the TP kit do you put the pieces of wood underneath the TP tires to facilitate removal from the frame attached to the bike?

No, I put some wood under the bike's front tire to force the TP tires onto the floor with the bike on the center stand... Then I loosen the stinger bolt and the lean stop bolts and remove the cart... I would suggest keeping the stinger grease with white lithium grease or wheel bearing grease to facilitate easy removal and insertion and prevent rust...

Nothing wrong in hauling your bike on a truck to get to your destination where you can ride. I would love to do that with my station wagon but I don't think it can pull that much weight unless I get a chock to hold the front wheel while the rear wheels are left on the ground and pull my GL 1800.

I don't think that would be a good idea as proper lubrication needed for the rest of the bike may not occur... Have you thought about pulling a small inexpensive trailer... My buddy from Chicago uses a Kendon folding trailer and that works out quite well for him with his Ford Escape...

Sounds like you are quite happy with your TP, ever think of going to a real trike?

Yeah, the wife and I talk about it all the time but the last estimate I received from a local trike shop was just north of $17K!!! That's a he** of a lot of money and I would rather spend it on other things we need or want to do... The better way to go may be to sell my bike and buy a trike that is already built... From what I see in looking at adds, I could do that for 8-10K rather than 17K... But for now, the TP is doing everything I want it to, so I see no need to change... I did ride a Tilting Motor Werks conversion the other day a friend of mine has and was very disappointed in it's handling, so guess I will stay with the regular trike configuration for now... At my age, one has to look at how much longer I will be able to ride versus spending large amounts of money, so I weigh those decisions very carefully...

I appreciate you offering your garage to have the rake done and a place for to stay. I am deciding on rake kit and also the wing ding. I will let you know if I am going.

OK, sounds great - just let me know what your thinking and we can make it happen and I have no qualms about riding up to Knoxville and meeting you there, or you coming to my house and us riding up together... Like I said, we have plenty of room and putting you up would not be an issue - - - - AND I make an excellent smoked pulled pork, brisket, or even smoked burgers!!!

The PM thing is not working, I think a member said the PM function does not work because of the spam some members are receiving. Try sending me a PM. I tried but it didn't go thru.

Is there another way we can communicate in private?

Send me an e-mail at "nomad3150@sbcglobal.net" and I will give you my private e-mail from there... The nomad address is a junk e-mail address I use and I don't want to give out my private one here on the forum... Just let me know here when you send the PM so I can go check the nomad e-mail account as I have stopped forwarding form that account to my private account...



Hope you did some good riding this weekend.

We're on vacation out west right now and currently in Sedona, AZ where it is OMG hot, hot, hot!!! Temps have been in the low 100's for the several last few weeks where we have been, so needless to say not a lot of riding has occurred... Can't wait to get back "to the cool" of my Tennessee, where I can start riding again... Won't make the mistake of coming west again in July!!!

Les