Vibration on CSC GW Trike - Questions ...

[Monkei]

I have a 2002 GW Trike, conversion done by CSC. The bike had almost 40,000 miles on it and recently it developed a shake and vibration in the front end when I get the bike up to 60 mph. There is no shake or vibration at 50 or less. It is not highway specific and does it all the time. I took it to my local Honda shop and they told me that the front wheel was cupped and needed replaced. So I ordered a new tire and installed it and vibration at 60+ still there. (Not a bad deal even though it did not fix the problem, a new tire is always good) This is a phenom that just appeared this riding season. Last year there was no vibration. I am not sure if it is a trike issue or a GW issue. But I am looking for other things I can look into if the shop does not come up with any other items.

Any ideas?

[ricle41]

How did you balance the tire?

I'm assuming the shop checked for loose or worn bearings in the front?

Myself, anytime I replace a tire, it gets 2 oz of dynabeads for balance.

[Monkei]

How did you balance the tire?

I'm assuming the shop checked for loose or worn bearings in the front?

Myself, anytime I replace a tire, it gets 2 oz of dynabeads for balance.

I am not sure how they balanced the tire. I will ask them when I take it back in. I will also ask them about bearings, but will see if a simple balance will fix it.

I was thinking if it was bearings I might feel the vibrations at a lower speed?

But thanks was good information.

[chaz_36]

Check rear tire balance.....might be the culprit.....

[TRIKERBOB69]

check the tire balance on all 3, then save some money by not buying snake oil products to balance things out and spend the money on a new set of bearings, you may have original honda steering bearings, they are replaced when they rake them now but before I believe they used the factory ones that tend to fail over time,,,,JMHO

[BlueTrinity]

then save some money by not buying snake oil products to balance things out

WOW! .....Snake Oil ????

I assume you're talking about Dynabeads ?????

[mpolissky]

Consider upgrading your front end with Traxxion Dynamics products. I'm doing this upgrade in two weeks. From what I read, it's well worth the $$$.

[trikes4ever]

Dynabeads to the resucue AGAIN. Had my tires mounted (Mickey Thompson S/Rs) on Weld Draglites before I took the Deuce in for the Frankenstein conversion. Per their recommendations I put 3 oz in each tire. The tire shop just threw the bag in - I asked why they didn't cut it and dump them, and they said they use these all the time (car and truck tires) and never cut the bag. When the shop called for me to pick up the trike the guy said it was vibrating terribly on a very short test run so he didn't take it on his normal 15 mile run. Weather was ****ty and I didn't want to wait so I just picked her up and hauled her home. I was fairly certain that the bags just had not disintegrated yet, so there was a clump weighing 3 ozs sitting in each tire - obviously in the wrong place. Took her for the maiden voyage the next day, and smooth as glass. If the shop had driven her another mile or two she probably would have been fine - but he didn't want to cup the brand new tires - that's how bad it was.

So - to those who prefer 'snake oil' over the high $$$ solution - it's ok to just throw in the entire bag (inner bag only) - you just have to drive a few miles before the beads start working. NO external weights on my wheels!

[CadtoChrome]

Just a thought, have you checked your neck bearing torque?
have seen similar problem and it was neck (triple tree) bearings less than required torque.

Chuck

[trikes4ever]

A pretty convincing demo.

[TRIKERBOB69]

WOW! .....Snake Oil ????

I assume you're talking about Dynabeads ?????

:Monster:

[rodeo1]

damn ! thats cool. i'm definitly gonna buy them beads if my water bottles start wobbling, i just hate wobbly water bottles !

[fred-houston]

I have actually used the Dynabeads for years. Mainly on the rear of my BMW, because the dealer where I get my tires mounted does not have the adapter to be able spin balance the wheel.

Have numerous friends who use them exclusivity on both two and three wheel bikes. Call them snake oil if you like, but they work like a champ.

[Cycleguy]

I have a 2002 GW Trike, conversion done by CSC. The bike had almost 40,000 miles on it and recently it developed a shake and vibration in the front end when I get the bike up to 60 mph. There is no shake or vibration at 50 or less. It is not highway specific and does it all the time. I took it to my local Honda shop and they told me that the front wheel was cupped and needed replaced. So I ordered a new tire and installed it and vibration at 60+ still there. (Not a bad deal even though it did not fix the problem, a new tire is always good) This is a phenom that just appeared this riding season. Last year there was no vibration. I am not sure if it is a trike issue or a GW issue. But I am looking for other things I can look into if the shop does not come up with any other items.

Any ideas?

Have you checked the steering head bearings for play?

The fork bushings for wear?

You didn't say how old the conversion is, raked trikes wear out bushings. A somewhat less likely possibility is the driveshaft, rear problems can cause front end effects.

CSC has gone through a few changes there.

[DEIC]

I had this problem.....it was the brand new tire that I bought! Its very rare to get a tire that is out of round.....but this one was! I did get a refund from the maker.....but it was hard to convince them. BOb

[Burnerboy]

A pretty convincing demo.

Wow! Your video was what I needed to see to be convinced............I'm buying the bead(s) tomorrow for all three wheels...............thank you

[tfdeputydawg]

Wow! Your video was what I needed to see to be convinced............I'm buying the bead(s) tomorrow for all three wheels...............thank you

RideOn does the same thing plus seals punctures!!!!

[CrystalPistol]

Work well in bike tires and even car tires of 65-70-75 series or higher. I have them (not balance beads, I used .22 cal. Air-Soft Red Jacket hard plastic BBs in same weights as charts say, different medium, same effects) in the '85 GL1200 Bike and the '97 Trike which has 215/70-15 rear tires and no external weights, super smooth too.

After much experimentation both as a primary and as a "fine tune" method, with 55 and 60 series and lower profiles ... not so good in them. One time they may be OK, slow down or encounter a good bump and I think the beads get rolled across the floor of the tire. Just not consistent at best in wide lower profile tires at beast and sometimes, consistently not good.

I have access to good mount / dismount / balancing equipment, I knew I was "playing".