1997 Heritage Springer Trike

[hat]

First off. Hello to all on the Trike Talk forum and thank you for the welcome.
My younger brother passed away Feb. 18th and I bought this bike from the estate as it only had 4500 miles on it and he had bought it from my older brother. I contacted Champion and they never pointed out that I would have a wobble problem. We are in the process of tighening the neck bearing. A couple of questions I hope ya'll can help me with. Will a damper stabilizer help and does anyone know of one that will fit onto a springer front end. Also, does anyone know anyone that makes rockers that are 1" over stock. I am trying to fix this up as a trike that the wife can ride. Thank you for anyhelp provided.

[Nana]

Hat, welcome to TrikeTalk! First of all, I am so sorry to hear of your brother's death. Being able to take care of, and enjoy the bike that was his must feel like a real gift to you! You will get some great help on here. Join the discussions, and all questions are welcome.

[hat]

Yes, My oldest brother sold it to my youngest brother and I wanted to do this as a memorial to him and so as my wife could ride. I ride a Custom Street Glide and when I am unable to ride 2 wheels any longer, I will probably trike it out, but will do more research before I undertake this again. Thank you for the welcome and I look forward to hearing some sound advice.

[skuuter]

WELCOME to TRIKE TALK...Truely Sorry for Your Loss.........."Question".....why are You wanting 1" Longer Rockers for Your Springer Front End.....???

[hat]

I was thinking that this would effectively give me about 5 to 6 degrees more rake. I just helped the mechanic tighten up the neck bearing and it helped out tremendously. I think I am going to try a damper/stabilizer bar and see if that will be the easy fix. I appreciate the condolonces very much. Any tips or advice is certainly welcome and needed. Thank you.

[skuuter]

Having built a lota' Bikes years ago with various Springers and Girders, and with long extensions and long rockers sometimes......Springers already have very different things at play than standard hydraulic forks in the areas of Rake and "especially" Trail. Your Springer already places Your axle ahead of the Fork stem more than "most" (not all) Standard type forks. As it hits bumps, it actually tends to move the axle back closer to the centerline of the stem...very nominal amount, but still does. If You start this axle distance at a greater amount in front, it remains so to a greater degree. This is great for straight line riding, helping it hold a stable line, but detrimental (usually) on twisty roads, Some of these issues were why the standard fork of today became the dominant frontend, along with ride, and better "bump steer". Nothing LOOKS better than a nice Springer or Girder though (I love em'...). Longer Rockers do not get You exactly the same effect as a raked neck, or raked trees using a standard hydraulic fork.......

[ThirdWheel]

Hat, welcome!! Have you had the front tire checked for round and balance. I am trying to remember from way back when, but I am thinking that those two things where felt more so with the springer. That period of my life is rather blurry so I may be thinking of something entirely different. That is another story altogether......

[hat]

3rd, If we take the front wheel off, you can be assured that it will be changed.

[Gorilla]

welcome aboard HAT. You will have to make your own mounts for a damper. I have not seen one on a springer front end. I don't know about the rockers. The steering neck tightness is real critical.

[hat]

Question, would putting low profile tires on the back 2 tires reduce the trail problem on this monster and help eliminate the tremendous wobble at low speeds?

[Papa Zook]

Not enough to make any real difference. The Harley Springers have the least rake/trail from the factory of the whole HD line. In the case of a springer front end, the forward rocker offset moves the axle forward and therefore has a direct influence in reducing trail.

[hat]

Thanks Zook. Do you know of anyone that makes extended rockers? Thanks.

[Papa Zook]

You dont want to extend the rocker as that would reduce trail even more. You need to increase trail.

[Papa Zook]

I found a site that illustrates what I was trying to explain to you. Check this out:

Jeri's Springer Front End - Rake and Trail Explained

[hat]

I have spoke with Jerry and taken down the measurements and will email to him in the AM. We were talking about making the rockers 1 " longer moving the front wheel forward and I thought this would have basically the same effect as raking therefore reducing the trail. Am I off on this?
Thanks for the input.

[Papa Zook]

I have spoke with Jerry and taken down the measurements and will email to him in the AM. We were talking about making the rockers 1 " longer moving the front wheel forward and I thought this would have basically the same effect as raking therefore reducing the trail. Am I off on this?
Thanks for the input.

In theory, I would say no, but Jerry is far more knowlegable than I on the handling characteristics of springers. Increasing the length of the rockers should decrease the trail, achieving the opposite of increasing rake. If you have ever noticed trikes with long, raked front ends that use springers, they are normally equipped with extra long rockers as they can get away with the extreme rake due to the the reduced trail the long rockers provide.

It cant cost a whole lot so if you want to give it try, go for it. Hey Ultraboy and Wizzard, you guys are engineers...take a look here and chime in please. If Im wrong, tell me.

[skuuter]

In theory, I would say no, but Jerry is far more knowlegable than I on the handling characteristics of springers. It cant cost a whole lot so if you want to give it try, go for it. Hey Ultraboy and Wizzard, you guys are engineers...take a look here and chime in please. If Im wrong, tell me.

...Nice Springer Link....turnin' into a Good Discussion Thread......would be nice to have the stock Trail measurement that's on the Bike now. The "problem" with Springers and Trail, is that the axle is not traveling up and down along the same line as the Fork Tubes...it has it's own "imaginary arc-type movement" as the front legs are compressed because of already being mounted in a floating position forward of the stationary rear legs of the springer (which are inline with the Frame neck angle)....Right now I gota' go with "no" also on extended rockers being the same as Raked Trees....second call...."Ultraboy, Wizard"......:wtg:

[hat]

I think from my research that the trail on a FLSTS is around 6. My understanding is that I need between 2 and 3 to operate safely. Help!

[hat]

This trike kit axle is now about 3/4 of an inch above the centerline of the front hub from standard. That is one reason I ask about low profile tires, to bring that offset into the equation.? Any help is dearly appreciated.

[Southern Man]

Welcome Hat:

I am also a new member here but an old springer owner.
I have 7 of them myself, 2 of them being 97's.

I have also been considering converting one for my wife to ride one day.

In the past I have only seen one Champion springer and it was listed on Craig's list about a year ago in south Fla. a 1998 anniv.

Have you already converted your bike? If so I would love to see photos of it.

Here is what 56 springers in one place at one time looks like.
This was taken a few weeks ago at our summer rally held in ES Ar.
Great riddiing and we had a super host hotel.
They led rides every day, cooked each evening, and partied with us each night.