2003 Honda Shadow Spirit Trike with Cass County Chopper Conversion -handling problems

[Tigerzlioness]

Hi! I am new to this forum and seriously hope to get some help. I had a scary crash on 2 wheels a little more than a year ago and have since obtained a 2003 Honda Shadow Spirit which we converted into a trike. My husband did the conversion using the Cass County Chopper conversion kit. Neither of us have any experience with a trike so we have no idea if the way that this thing handles is normal but it is a workout! I have to fight to steer it around the corner, it shakes like a mofo when I hit any sort of bump and I am toast after a few hours of riding. Can someone shed some light on this? Thanks!

[keepinon]

If you haven't already, you need to get hubby to install a rake kit for the forks. On that cruiser, maybe a 6* rake kit. Contact Bazooka, he sells and has probably installed more rake kits than us members.

Oh, and welcome to the forum, and three wheels!

[Ezjerry]

You do need a rake kit it makes it a lot easier to turn. But it probably will not solve your other problems. It sound like something is misaligned.

Good Luck.

[Marc H]

Everything that has been said plus whats your tire pressures?Probably should be in the 20-25 range in the backs.

[Mick]

I would have to agree with all thats been said about rake and tire pressures,tire pressure is important for ride on a trike. But to add to the pot you need to look up some videos on how trikes handle. With all thats said and done now you kind of need to forget how to ride a bike and now you need to learn how to drive a trike. Forget the leaning now youre steering the trike and youre using different muscles. And secondly first time trike riders fight the ride because its so different,relax a little.

[mhgoldwing]

From what I can see on Cass County Chopper's website, the trike is a solid axle kit using the bikes original swingarm for the main rear suspension points. By design this trike will ride rough, particularly on roads with irregularities that run across the lane.

1. Install rake kit if you haven't. HOWEVER, I see you live in hilly country and a trike will be harder than the bike to steer thru the twisties even with the rake kit. But it is much more manageable with the rake kit.

2. Are the rear shocks adjustable for preload? If so, check how much the trike squats from empty to you aboard in riding position. It should probably go down 1/2 to 1". Any less and the ride will be harsh IMO. Please bear in mind I'm guessing here.

You need to go through rear suspension and be sure it's correct.

3. Tire pressure: as others stated, probably somewhere in the 20# range. Give it a try.

Keep in mind that a trike feels every irregularity in THREE lanes of the road where the bike only felt ONE (the two tires air inline so only feel one). By their nature trikes will ride rougher on non smooth pavement than a two wheeler.

Also, if you're new to triking, it takes about a thousand miles to feel comfortable on one. As you gain confidence you will lessen your grip on the handlebars and than alone will make the ride better. Try these things and let us know how it's going. Good luck.

[Gorilla]

welcome aboard. PM "BAZOOKA" this forum with questions. He will advise you and if you are in the market sell you a rake kit at a price that can not be beat.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Welcome to the Gang

[driver10]

When my wife had that problem with her 750 Areo 2006 it was the hime joint bolts were loose and worn. After I replaced them the bike was rock solid. But like others have said it will take a while before you get used to it. And she didn't have a rake kit on it.

[Tigerzlioness]

I seriously wish I hadn't purchased the Cass County Chopper kit because of the lack of independent suspension. For future reference, which conversion kit is the best?

[keepinon]

I seriously wish I hadn't purchased the Cass County Chopper kit because of the lack of independent suspension. For future reference, which conversion kit is the best?

Kinda like asking which oil is best, or which tire. We all have our preferences.

I've owned both straight axle & IRS trikes. Really, on the open road, I couldn't tell a lot of ride difference between the two. IRS is usually considerably more funds.

On your CCC, I'd experiment with the shock settings and and rear tire air pressure. On my Valkyrie SA, I only ran the shocks at the 2nd position (1 being softest) and the rear tires at 22 psi when 1-up. It was somewhat bumpier on ragged roads, but I liked that machine.

Give yourself a chance to learn the ride, I bet you get it better suited to yourself. And if Bazooka doesn't chime in, send him a PM for advise. I know he has sold a great many of the Shadow trikes.

You didn't mention which Spirit, 750 or 1100? Be sure to ask about the rake kit. It should be an easy install on the Spirits.