My first question

[Stephen]

On this forum is, which trike manufactures will let you do your own install?

[Nana]

Champion and DFT do, and there might be another one or two..... Frankenstein I'm pretty sure does.

[trike lady]

Nana's right on Champion and DFT, Frankenstein is also a DYI kit. Roadsmith may sell to you. There is also John Edwards Enterprises Corsair Trikes and US Trikes.

[Stephen]

Mostly talking about GL1800 conversions.

[trike lady]

Champion, DFT & Roadsmith GL-1800

[jim peacock]

The problem arises with the do it your self kits is some insurance companies will no longer insure them unless they are installed by a certified trike installer
.

[Stephen]

It wouldn't hurt my feelings if I became a certified trike installer.

[trike lady]

first you have to become a dealer, buy a given amount of units, go to dealer training, have proper documents to run a shop and insurance; a big investment if you want to build one trike and deal with a situation that may be a gamble.
How many people build their own trikes from VW's and they get insurance?
There are people who do their own conversion and they get insurance, I guess it depends upon the insurance company.

[Gorilla]

Jim, We would be courious what insurance company that you heard about. I have Progressive with no problem and also have priced with Geico with no proble. I built my own Champion.

[Stephen]

first you have to become a dealer, buy a given amount of units, go to dealer training, have proper documents to run a shop and insurance; a big investment if you want to build one trike and deal with a situation that may be a gamble.
How many people build their own trikes from VW's and they get insurance?
There are people who do their own conversion and they get insurance, I guess it depends upon the insurance company.

I'm just going to check with one manufacturer and see what the deal is. One install a month would probably make me more money than most jobs around here would.

[Stephen]

Sure would beat the heck out of being a walmart greeter.

[triwinggirl]

I don't know about the other kits mentioned. I purchased a DFT. I found it very easy to install, took only a few hours of actual work. i took longer to do the paint than the install. I have been told to become a DFT installer/dealer you only have to do 2 installs. that can be difficult, at this time I have only done mine. I do not know anything about owning a shop, so i can not tell you about that. I can tell you that i love my DFT it is very easy to work on and parts are very easy to get. Leon the man who builds your rear end will help you with anything and talk to you personally until your problem is resolved. I recommend DFT's because i ride one. I have no knowledge about other kits and i am not saying you should not check them out. A person can not know what they want until they look. Check them all out, consider what advise you get then buy what makes you happy and ride the tires off it. Welcome to you, looking foward to seeing pics of your install

[tfdeputydawg]

The problem arises with the do it your self kits is some insurance companies will no longer insure them unless they are installed by a certified trike installer
.

Have checked w/several-none where concerned if it was done by me or not

first you have to become a dealer, buy a given amount of units, go to dealer training, have proper documents to run a shop and insurance; a big investment if you want to build one trike and deal with a situation that may be a gamble.
How many people build their own trikes from VW's and they get insurance?
There are people who do their own conversion and they get insurance, I guess it depends upon the insurance company.

Didn't know you had to buy "a given amount of units up front". I was told I needed to show pictures of my facilities, my retail license and show up to built my first unit at the factory, where the training and the actual build would take one week

Jim, We would be courious what insurance company that you heard about. I have Progressive with no problem and also have priced with Geico with no proble. I built my own Champion.

Me too, see above.

[Stephen]

Didn't know you had to buy "a given amount of units up front". I was told I needed to show pictures of my facilities, my retail license and show up to built my first unit at the factory, where the training and the actual build would take one week

Excellent info. I take it the retail license would be the same as a DBA (Doing business as). And I think they will be very impressed with my man cave (garage) as my facilities. :yes: Me hope so.

[trike lady]

tfdeputydawg,
Some companies will tell you that you must purchase 3 kits another says you can have 'Jobber' status and buy just one. Every company has different requirements to get a dealership. Voyager wants you to buy 3 units and attend dealer training too. I believe Roadsmith/Trike Shop may be the one with the 'Jobber' status. I put the dealer contract away, as I was going to introduce them in Port Richey until the bottom fell out of our economy.

[PhilGilbert]

"The problem arises with the do it your self kits is some insurance companies will no longer insure them unless they are installed by a certified trike installer"

In my experience, I register and insure the bike before the conversion, after all, it's still a motorcycle. Just as long as the VIN is still on the steering neck, that's what it is, a motorcycle. I only carry liability insurance so that may be why the insurance company doesn't ask about modifications.

[tfdeputydawg]

"The problem arises with the do it your self kits is some insurance companies will no longer insure them unless they are installed by a certified trike installer"

In my experience, I register and insure the bike before the conversion, after all, it's still a motorcycle. Just as long as the VIN is still on the steering neck, that's what it is, a motorcycle. I only carry liability insurance so that may be why the insurance company doesn't ask about modifications.

For those that carry more than just liability, make sure your agent has a complete list of accessories, including the trike conversion.
You may get a big rude awakening, if you suffer a loss and then find out your only covered for the current market value of the bike and none of the accessories are covered! Some policies limit accessory coverage to $5,000.

[jim peacock]

When we had our 96se triked in 06 I went with foremost full coverage with towing,reimbursement for car rental,and up to four night stay in a hotel.
Now it will not pay the full amount on motels are car rental if I remember right about eight per cent now with towing a hundred per cent up to a hundred miles.
I had to send a copy of the build sheet from the installer who was certified and it is insured as a trike,plus two thousand dollars worth of accessories are covered.
It still cost me less then three hundred dollars a year and this is with no lay up.
As for as some insurance companies not insuring home built kits this is just what I have been told.

[Stephen]

When we had our 96se triked in 06 I went with foremost full coverage with towing,reimbursement for car rental,and up to four night stay in a hotel.
Now it will not pay the full amount on motels are car rental if I remember right about eight per cent now with towing a hundred per cent up to a hundred miles.
I had to send a copy of the build sheet from the installer who was certified and it is insured as a trike,plus two thousand dollars worth of accessories are covered.
It still cost me less then three hundred dollars a year and this is with no lay up.
As for as some insurance companies not insuring home built kits this is just what I have been told.

Thanks for that info, foremost may lose my business. I figure I, as a licensed Aircraft mechanic can do a simple trike build and if they don't agree then pee on em.

[Bob Witte]

On this forum is, which trike manufactures will let you do your own install?

The Trinity Trike will allow you (once we talk it over with you to make sure that your particular donor ride is not beyond your skill set).

We also have just started up an "independent installer" program for part time folks. Drop me a PM (or use our website email link) for further information.

Just so you know, although the Trinity systems work on dozens of chain/belt systems and soon a number of shaft drives as well, the Goldwing family is not one of them. Just too many players in that field for us to bother and anyway our new shaft drive designs are intended for the 650-1300cc range. I'll be posting more information about those in the near future.

Bob Witte, President
The Trinity Trike