Running boards on GW trike question

[Burnerboy]

I'm about to trike out my Goldwing, my question is:
If reverse stops working, how hard will it be for a lone rider to use his legs to back out a triked out wing, with running boards installed? (I like the boards personally)

Other question: Can a trike be backed up w/o boards installed using only legs??

Is the reverse gear on a wing strong enough to back up trike w/o wearing out reverse gear??

thank you

Ronnie

[Gold Rush]

I'm about to trike out my Goldwing, my question is:
If reverse stops working, how hard will it be for a lone rider to use his legs to back out a triked out wing, with running boards installed? (I like the boards personally)

Other question: Can a trike be backed up w/o boards installed using only legs??

Is the reverse gear on a wing strong enough to back up trike w/o wearing out reverse gear??

thank you

Ronnie

Sounds like you still aren't convinced Ronnie...

Depending on leg length and strength you can push a GW trike back while seated. Many guy do. Some of us vertically challenged guy do not have an option.

My '06 had nearly 50,000 miles on the trike conversion when I sold it and never once had an issue with reverse. OH, and I use it A LOT !!

The key is to keep the mechanism lubed and the road dust washed out. Take the right engine side cover off and look toward the rear of the engine. See the big spring? Wash that area really good with spray silicone ever few months and I bet you will never have reverse issues. I has worked for me on three GL1800 over the past 16 years now.

[tfdeputydawg]

In all the years I have followed several forums, I have yet to see a post about any one losing reverse on a Wing, triked or not.
As to backing a trike up manually that has floor boards, yes, it is possible if one is tall enough.
Make sure the conversion you decide on has weight bearing boards available. Then take you rider foot pegs off and enjoy more comfort than you've had, resting your feet on the boards!
BTW, add a Kury heel rest to assist in using the brake pedal.

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

The Aqua Shields (running boards) on my Champion are not that wide and is real easy to back it up while on the trike.
I also like them because they finish of the bottom of the trike kit and keep some of the road grime off the rear fenders.

[ricksurratt2]

In all the years I have followed several forums, I have yet to see a post about any one losing reverse on a Wing, triked or not.
As to backing a trike up manually that has floor boards, yes, it is possible if one is tall enough.
Make sure the conversion you decide on has weight bearing boards available. Then take you rider foot pegs off and enjoy more comfort than you've had, resting your feet on the boards!
BTW, add a Kury heel rest to assist in using the brake pedal.

Hey Ronnie,
I have rode GW's since 1979 and have never heard of a reverse gear going bad, however I'm sure as long as the reverse gear has been added to the GW that some have failed. I wouldn't get worried about it failing on you!! The odds of that would probably be about the same as winning a Powerball lottery! I hope I'm not giving you the jinx by being so confident but it just don't happen! Hope this gives you a lot of confidence that you will be safe in assuming the reverse gear is pretty solid.

I have a Hannigan trike kit on my GW and it would be impossible (w/o longer legs) to back mine up manually w/o getting off and pushing it.

[mhgoldwing]

Other than on flat ground my short legs don't reach well enough to push so I get off the trike and push using the passenger grab handle. I do this once in a while just to save over using reverse. My trike is '06 w/ 60K miles and reverse works just fine.

[Grandpa1]

Yep, just get off and push it. I do it all the time. You can get in front or in back or on the side and push or pull it anywhere you want it.

[CrystalPistol]

I've heard some say there are times when they wished they didn't have the wide floorboards .... but those times are rare I've noticed.

Our GL1500 trike does not have the wide floorboards, I just have "Add On Low Boys" and my own shifter and a heel rest on both sides (I added one on left) and there have been a few times when I could not back it with just my legs while sitting on it .... like that day a bike behind me went down and I heard about it on my CB and went to make a U-turn on the narrow road and the front wheel just barely dropped off the far edge of the roadway near the end of my "U". The roadway had recently been repaved so there was a "ledge" of a couple inches. There was a ditch beside the pavement so I could only back up ... but not with just my legs .... so I engaged reverse in neutral, hit button ... reverse would not back it up over edge .... so then I gave a push with my legs as I pulled on the handlebars and she backed up onto roadway pretty quick.

Normally, I "pull into" up hill parking where I can drift out easily .... and I "drift back" into down hill parking where I can pull out easily. If "just near" level, I find it easy enough to just place in neutral and shove with feet .... so I really seldom ever use the reverse. Only like stated ... as an "assist" usually ... and for not over a few brief seconds. With reverse engaged, there is no "drifting" .... which means a stop and change if drifting far back or go all the way in reverse .... hence why I just push with feet and let the trike drift.

I do like the looks of the wider floor boards, I even saw in this months WW a add from CSC that shows a 1500 "Sport" trike with a set of boards that look like they could fit on our Lehman. But then I always have boots on and some have said the wide boards make for hotter feet.

As a side note .... once dismounted ..... I find the trike is easier to push backwards with precise control as no effort is required to also balance the weight while doing so. All effort can be used to push .... like when I am putting her in the basement. The bikes I can ride in and spin around on the center stand once inside ... not so the trike.

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

CP, I'm with you . I do use my feet to back up or move on level area's. Park on small inclines also helps. Every little bit helps save your reverse.

[knob]

Being short legged I usually just push it backwards. It rolls real easy and I do it with the wife on the back all the time. Be ready to grab the front brake though because once she gets rolling she rolls really well.

[Burnerboy]

Ok thanks guys, that's what I wanted to hear........
I'm in the process of triking out bike very soon...and floorboard I really wanted

Ronnie

[Motogordo]

Mar. 27, 2022

I have a 2004 GL1800 with the Pr Mine doesn't have the floorboards. I prefer not to have them since it is harder to reach the ground with them. Also I am concerned with the floorboards that it will bottom out and hit the curb when going on to the driveway.When we talk about floorboards are we talking about the plastic fairings that go along the side , not the driver floorboards that are added ?

Motogordo