Originally Posted by
paid4c4
I posted several weeks ago that my motor trike wasn't level in the rear. It ended up being out of level about an inch. Following the service manual I adjusted the trike to within 1/4 inch. For the first time my rear bottom hatch springs open instead of me having to dig at the top of it to pull it open. I wouldn't have thought such a small amount off level would have an effect but the hatch proves something was binding.
Bill
I am surprised that adjusting rear axle relation to body in any way changed the opening of the door. Perhaps in lacking, etc something slipped a related betweeh body & chassis itself.
A trike .... like a tripod .... will set all three feet or tires firmly on the ground / road / floor / etc. There is no "twisting" force imparted by their foothold like you would see on a 4 or more wheeled vehicle where each tire is suspended and supports weight through it's spring / torsion bar / airbag. A trike or tripod distributes it's load amongst the three points as a function of distance and vector from center of mass.
Even a 4 wheeled vehicle like a tractor or mower with a free pivoting front axle will act like a trike until all pivot travel is used up and the front axle placed in a bind.
I copied this info for a buddy some time back ..... I also have copies of the MT book saved that I think I downloaded from the link and the book details body shimming as well as suspension adjustments ..... assuming I got them from this link? Was a long time ago.
Code:
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE - FROM MOTOR TRIKE, INC
1. The brakes will need to be adjusted at the 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mile points or until the brakes have seated. The drum brakes on the rear are equipped with self adjusters, but they will not work due to the light weight of the trike. The brakes will need to be adjusted with a brake spoon. The correct process is to lift the rear end in the air. Remove the rubber adjustment hole cover. It is rectangular in size and about 1" in width. Spin the wheel and adjust the brakes slowly until the wheel starts to drag. The wheel should be able to spin freely for 270 degrees. If the wheel was a clock, it would start at 12 and stop at 9 o’clock. Reinstall the rubber and repeat process on the other wheel.
2. Grease rear universal joint every 5,000 or when the oil is changed.
3. Inspect and tighten all jam nuts. Make sure a medium grade (BLUE) loctite is used.
4. Grease two swing arm pins on the shoulder where ladder bars rest every 24 months or every 15,000 miles. Also remove the front motorcycle U joint and repack splines, front and rear. Use high quality lithium grease.
5. Use a dry silicon spray to protect heim joint from wear. (3M makes this product and can be purchased at any auto supply store.)
6. Tire pressure for riding around town should be 18-24 lb. depending on geographic location and road conditions. Tire pressure for the front tire should be 42 lb.
7. You have a suspension that uses two coil over gas shocks and two air bags. The correct air pressure for the air bag is 20 lbs. with driver only. Two people would be 35 lbs and up. If you are pulling a trailer with two people, you would use 50 lbs and up.
8. Fender Bras: It is OK for your fender bras to get wet. However, you must remove them when you are finished riding for the day. If you leave wet fender bras on your trike, the paint underneath could blister and peel. Dry the fender bras and dry the body before reinstalling.
9. For a complete installation and Motor Trike GL-1800 maintenance manual click here:
http://www.junkmaster.com/kj5ix/MTServiceManual.pdf