Triking a 2004 Harley Ultra classic with 88CI engine

[MrJohn]

Hi Guys

I am new to Trike Talk. My buddy is triking his Goldwing and now I am thinking of Triking my 2004 Harley
Ultra Classic. I have no idea about what Trike kit I would like as I don't know anything about them.

My main question is about the engine. I have a 88 cubic inch engine and wonder if it has enough power
after a Trike kit is installed. I am sure I can get an answer here from someone who has done it. It seems like a lot of weight for that engine to perform well. Also any suggestions on a trike kit would help also.

Thanks Mr. John

 

[J.T.M.]

I had a Hannigan Transformer kit installed on my 2010 Ultra Classic. I have a 96 cid engine and am pleased with the power but I am not a hot rodder or power freak. Check with Hannigan, they are located in Murrary Ky and may have a dealer installer close to you. The transformer has a large trunk and independent suspension. The ride is smoother than it was as a 2 wheeler and we get complements every where we stop.

 

[MrJohn]

I had a Hannigan Transformer kit installed on my 2010 Ultra Classic. I have a 96 cid engine and am pleased with the power but I am not a hot rodder or power freak. Check with Hannigan, they are located in Murrary Ky and may have a dealer installer close to you. The transformer has a large trunk and independent suspension. The ride is smoother than it was as a 2 wheeler and we get complements every where we stop.

Thanks J T M

My buddy was at Harley today and asked whether they install trike kits and they told him they install MotorTrike kits. He gave my buddy a price which was quite high. He also said it would be pushing it with
a 88CI engine and suggested a big bore kit. Not going to happen. Too much money on a 2004 to do all that.

Mr.John

 

[pcombe]

Hi Guys

I am new to Trike Talk. My buddy is triking his Goldwing and now I am thinking of Triking my 2004 Harley
Ultra Classic. I have no idea about what Trike kit I would like as I don't know anything about them.

My main question is about the engine. I have a 88 cubic inch engine and wonder if it has enough power
after a Trike kit is installed. I am sure I can get an answer here from someone who has done it. It seems like a lot of weight for that engine to perform well. Also any suggestions on a trike kit would help also.

Thanks Mr. John

Im running an 80" evo with a E-27 (mild cam) I seldom find a wish for more power. The mild cam is ALL I have done with my engine because I am of the school that the more you do to an engine, the more you will have to do to an engine.
The Harley motor has lots of torque. Top speed 90 mph.

I pull a small trailer also, don't let anyone tell you, you HAVE to hop it up.
If your not into go fast all the damn time everywhere you go your 88" will work just fine.

sending you a private message ok?

I'm not a member of trike talks staff or a sponsor who you would buy from, I make no profit from this at all ok?

Just another rider and builder of my own trike.
You can trust what I tell you.

Check out the build threads if you wish?

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It's possible to solve all your trike questions in a few simple steps and they can be found right here.
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Not only that but the folks around here are just generally friendly except me of course?:AGGHH:
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[Smitty Werben Manjensen]

I have a Road King with 88 engine, have a DFT Trike kit installed, and pull a very heavy trailer loaded to about 500lbs. The 88 struggles to keep up, especially on hills and against the wind, and sucks gas like a pig above 60MPH.

Two years ago, I installed a 98 big bore kit myself, and the difference is great and all I need. I don't even think it hurt mileage. I can now pull hills with ease, and the wind doesn't slow me down. However, I generally only travel 60-65MPH or so with or without the trailer.

Since we are always wanting to change something on our cycles, how about getting it triked, drive it a couple years, save some money, then do the engine upgrade?

My progression --- triked, 4 years later trailer, 2 years later big bore, 2 years later rake kit. What is next --- can't wait!!

 

[clint44]

Hi Guys
I am new to Trike Talk. My buddy is triking his Goldwing and now I am thinking of Triking my 2004 Harley
Ultra Classic. I have no idea about what Trike kit I would like as I don't know anything about them.
My main question is about the engine. I have a 88 cubic inch engine and wonder if it has enough power
after a Trike kit is installed. I am sure I can get an answer here from someone who has done it. It seems like a lot of weight for that engine to perform well. Also any suggestions on a trike kit would help also.
Thanks Mr. John

You might be better off,money-wise, trading in your 04 Ultra on a used TriGlide. To answer your question though,your 88" will probably be fine in a trike.

Welcome to the site! Glad to have you aboard.

 

[jc1300]

I'm of a mind that the 88 will do fine.....not a monster, but that engine in my opinion, is damn near bullet proof. Now if it's a 5 speed that might be worth changing to a 6...Shorter gears and then the slightly taller 6th might be the way to go. Again - My opinion only - jc

 

[MrJohn]

Thanks guys for all the comments and information so far. Great forum.

Mr.John

 

[tndragonrider]

Hey Mr John, why don't you just buy a new Goldwing trike and and have all the power you need!

 

[pcombe]

I have a Road King with 88 engine, have a DFT Trike kit installed, and pull a very heavy trailer loaded to about 500lbs. The 88 struggles to keep up, especially on hills and against the wind, and sucks gas like a pig above 60MPH.

Two years ago, I installed a 98 big bore kit myself, and the difference is great and all I need. I don't even think it hurt mileage. I can now pull hills with ease, and the wind doesn't slow me down. However, I generally only travel 60-65MPH or so with or without the trailer.

Since we are always wanting to change something on our cycles, how about getting it triked, drive it a couple years, save some money, then do the engine upgrade?

My progression --- triked, 4 years later trailer, 2 years later big bore, 2 years later rake kit. What is next --- can't wait!!

Wow pretty heavy trailer, I can see why you need more umph? ThumbUp

I like what you said about riding it and see for yourself what you want to improve and leave alone.

 

[MrJohn]

Hey Mr John, why don't you just buy a new Goldwing trike and and have all the power you need!

Mr. TNdragonrider

Why don't you just give me your Bike when you get it Triked?

 

[tndragonrider]

Mr. TNdragonrider

Why don't you just give me your Bike when you get it Triked?

I would be happy to, for the low price of $40,500 + tax + CC business tax!

 

[Smitty Werben Manjensen]

Wow pretty heavy trailer, I can see why you need more umph? ThumbUp

I like what you said about riding it and see for yourself what you want to improve and leave alone.

It would take more than 3 of me to equal 500lbs, so I put the heft of would could be me in the trailer. :laugh:

 

[trikermutha]

Not only will you need a better cam and tune or? but don't forget the steering will be like turning a car with no power steering without changing out the trees to help with the steering and all the other things needed around the handlebars like cables,etc.

Then there's the front end. May have to raise that 2 inches.

I always like to tell others if they plan on a conversion to look at all things that will need to be added later or you may not be happy. Maybe better off buying a trike already converted or a factory trike. Probably will save you cash in the long run,

 

[jc1300]

This is a pretty cool mash-up of HD Trikes {and others} for sales kinda all over the place:

https://www.chopperexchange.com/Search/Harley-Davidson/Trikes/Motorcycles

At least it may give you an idea of what's out there and for how much - jc

 

[3FOR2]

Mr. John,
All the comments make good points. Here's my personal story for your consideration. I bought a 2000 Utra Classic, new (Twin Cam 88, 5 speed). ($$) In 2004, I put a DFT kit on it. ($$) A couple years later, I put a Champion EZ Steer and Reverse on it. ($$) We absolutely loved that trike. We put many miles on it over several years. It was just perfect, in our world.

Maybe we gained weight (we did), maybe we dragged around more crap (we did), but, after 8 years, I just couldn't take the constant shifting, lack of power, needing a mile of clear straight stretch to pass someone... it just got old, and I couldn't take it any longer. So I changed.

So, on the one hand, like many have said, it would be fine. Just be sure to add up all the costs - it will get up there pretty good with kit, paint, ez steer, etc.

On the other hand, maybe not so much.

The Harley/DFT was our first trike, our first love. We still talk about it, remembering the good about it... but then my mind goes to being a little cramped, lack of power, shift to get up the hill, shift again going down the hill....

With the money you'd sink into it, I'm just wondering if something updated might suit you better. Hope this helps a little. Best of luck in your decision(s).

 

[MrJohn]

Mr. John,
All the comments make good points. Here's my personal story for your consideration. I bought a 2000 Utra Classic, new (Twin Cam 88, 5 speed). ($$) In 2004, I put a DFT kit on it. ($$) A couple years later, I put a Champion EZ Steer and Reverse on it. ($$) We absolutely loved that trike. We put many miles on it over several years. It was just perfect, in our world.

Maybe we gained weight (we did), maybe we dragged around more crap (we did), but, after 8 years, I just couldn't take the constant shifting, lack of power, needing a mile of clear straight stretch to pass someone... it just got old, and I couldn't take it any longer. So I changed.

So, on the one hand, like many have said, it would be fine. Just be sure to add up all the costs - it will get up there pretty good with kit, paint, ez steer, etc.

On the other hand, maybe not so much.

The Harley/DFT was our first trike, our first love. We still talk about it, remembering the good about it... but then my mind goes to being a little cramped, lack of power, shift to get up the hill, shift again going down the hill....

With the money you'd sink into it, I'm just wondering if something updated might suit you better. Hope this helps a little. Best of luck in your decision(s).

Thanks 3for2

I decided against triking my 2004 Harley and put it up for sale. I am going to the Dark side if everything works out.

 

[pcombe]

I'm of a mind that the 88 will do fine.....not a monster, but that engine in my opinion, is damn near bullet proof. Now if it's a 5 speed that might be worth changing to a 6...Shorter gears and then the slightly taller 6th might be the way to go. Again - My opinion only - jc

Actually the five speed on my 80" is perfect, If I put a six speed on it I will be shifting way more than I have to now.

My 5 speed will run up the back end of my friends tri-glide on a hill when he is sixth gear and we are both running on cruise control. I have to back out of mine to avoid hitting him from behind.

He put a thunder max on his tri-glide at a big cost to do what running in 5th gear does for me.
Essentially he was lugging his engine on a hill where mine was running in the sweet zone.

I often hear people say the tri-glide is underpowered when in actuality they are lugging their engines and a downshift would cure the problem. My friend admitted he was just to lazy to downshift.:laugh::Shrug:

 

[alienwulf]

Glade to see your going to get a trike new or used. Just remember the cost won't stop with new want to make it your own. Not like every other on the floor. As far as power my 80 pulls strong thru the gears and will lay rubber down no problem. We ride two up most of the time at 70 down the road no sweat. I am not into speed at my age but if a 103 or 110 won't pull stronger and better than mine something is a miss. Anyway you go, people here will only steer you right.

 

[clint44]

Mr. John,
All the comments make good points. Here's my personal story for your consideration. I bought a 2000 Utra Classic, new (Twin Cam 88, 5 speed). ($$) In 2004, I put a DFT kit on it. ($$) A couple years later, I put a Champion EZ Steer and Reverse on it. ($$) We absolutely loved that trike. We put many miles on it over several years. It was just perfect, in our world.

Maybe we gained weight (we did), maybe we dragged around more crap (we did), but, after 8 years, I just couldn't take the constant shifting, lack of power, needing a mile of clear straight stretch to pass someone... it just got old, and I couldn't take it any longer. So I changed.

So, on the one hand, like many have said, it would be fine. Just be sure to add up all the costs - it will get up there pretty good with kit, paint, ez steer, etc.

On the other hand, maybe not so much.

The Harley/DFT was our first trike, our first love. We still talk about it, remembering the good about it... but then my mind goes to being a little cramped, lack of power, shift to get up the hill, shift again going down the hill....

With the money you'd sink into it, I'm just wondering if something updated might suit you better. Hope this helps a little. Best of luck in your decision(s).

You might post a pic of your trike,my friend,before people get the wrong idea.