2017 TG sitting unlevel in rear?

[azbob09]

My 2017 TG was 3/4" lower, measured on the center of the left rear fender compaired to the right fender.
I had it back to the dealers twice & the best they could get it is still 3/8" off. They had the body off twice & they say everything is at HD's specs.
I know that the early 2011's had a problem like this but there was enough adjustment in the body bolts to bring them level.
I would like to know if this is an isolated problem or if anyone else has had this unlevelness in the rear & how was this corrected?

 

[Waldo1]

I got a 2016 a few months back and the first thing i did was install the lift kit in the rear to leavel it out and handles way better and was a easy job maybe 45 min

 

[azbob09]

I got a 2016 a few months back and the first thing i did was install the lift kit in the rear to leavel it out and handles way better and was a easy job maybe 45 min

I already have the DK comfort lift kit installed.
Could that be off? The same dealer that I had tried to correct it is the one that installed it.

 

[Bill G]

I have noticed all the Harley trikes are a little or a hair lower on the left side. My 2017 was this way and my 2015. The one thing that helped was with the factory air shocks was I aired them to max 50psi pulled the valve stem drained completely a few times. Then aired back up to max 50psi and used the shock pump bleeder to slowly set the shocks back at 40 psi the setting we like. This really helped level the trike out from a visual standpoint. I still think all the HD Trikes are a hair lower on the left side when measured. This could have to do with a built in road angle adjustment for handling ?? from the factory most of our roads in this country lean or angle, slope to the right from center for rain water drainage, just a guess here.

Ride Safe,
Bill G

 

[Lee H. Mann]

It should sit level on level ground.

Eliminate the simple things:
Check for uneven air pressure in the rear tires.
Shocks are same length when no rider/passenger on trike.
Tires are the same size and profile.
Rear fenders not mounted at the same height on either side of the body.
Suspension works freely up & down without air in the airshocks.
If tourpak is not mounted level even when the body is.

After the above checks and it still looks as though it is leaning:
Trike body deck is not level (where tourpak sits).
Trike body frame is not level.
The rear axle is not level or parallel ******

We are assuming that the trike has never been wrecked.

When building a trike they have to start with a level platform.

All manufacturers have tolerances to allow for variations of fitment.

If the frame where the body attaches is not level, the rear axle is not parallel to the frame and body frame, nothing that bolts on top of it will be level either. And on Harley-Davidson in particular the rear shocks mount to the body frame and rear axle. If the body frame is out of level or the rear axle is not parallel ... voila ... everything is crooked.

To check this:
Remove the seat and the rear body.
With all initial checks above and on level ground, place a level across where the seat set on the frame. There are 2 spots on the frame (where the seat was) used while jigging the frame, lay the level across both. This will be the control level whatever the reading.

If you are really anal you can place a screwdriver under the tire to get ZERO.

Now go to the body frame and lay the level across the frame that the body sits on.

Lastly find a spot on the rear axle housing tube to lay the level.

I use a digital level and except a variation of .1 degree difference.

That is 1/10th a degree. If the differences between the reading between the 3 locations exceed 1/10th a degree, I make an adjustment.

***** Someone posted that increasing the air pressure in the shocks to 50psi made it level out somewhat. This would indicate an out-of-level rear axle or body frame.

I am sure these checks are not made at the factory where they rely on the parts off the shelf to fit.

Sometimes just loosening the bolts and re-tightening them will make the changes necessary.

This is not rocket science we are dealing with.

 

[azbob09]

It should sit level on level ground.

Eliminate the simple things:
Check for uneven air pressure in the rear tires.
Shocks are same length when no rider/passenger on trike.
Tires are the same size and profile.
Rear fenders not mounted at the same height on either side of the body.
Suspension works freely up & down without air in the airshocks.
If tourpak is not mounted level even when the body is.

After the above checks and it still looks as though it is leaning:
Trike body deck is not level (where tourpak sits).
Trike body frame is not level.
The rear axle is not level or parallel ******

We are assuming that the trike has never been wrecked.

When building a trike they have to start with a level platform.

All manufacturers have tolerances to allow for variations of fitment.

If the frame where the body attaches is not level, the rear axle is not parallel to the frame and body frame, nothing that bolts on top of it will be level either. And on Harley-Davidson in particular the rear shocks mount to the body frame and rear axle. If the body frame is out of level or the rear axle is not parallel ... voila ... everything is crooked.

To check this:
Remove the seat and the rear body.
With all initial checks above and on level ground, place a level across where the seat set on the frame. There are 2 spots on the frame (where the seat was) used while jigging the frame, lay the level across both. This will be the control level whatever the reading.

If you are really anal you can place a screwdriver under the tire to get ZERO.

Now go to the body frame and lay the level across the frame that the body sits on.

Lastly find a spot on the rear axle housing tube to lay the level.

I use a digital level and except a variation of .1 degree difference.

That is 1/10th a degree. If the differences between the reading between the 3 locations exceed 1/10th a degree, I make an adjustment.

***** Someone posted that increasing the air pressure in the shocks to 50psi made it level out somewhat. This would indicate an out-of-level rear axle or body frame.

I am sure these checks are not made at the factory where they rely on the parts off the shelf to fit.

Sometimes just loosening the bolts and re-tightening them will make the changes necessary.

This is not rocket science we are dealing with.

I appreciate the suggestions.
I also measured under the trunk at the square channel which I think is part of the frame & it was 5/16" to 3/8" lower on left.
Everything else with the 2017 M8's is really good.

So may just except it???

& enjoy & ride it as it is.

 

[Bill G]

It should sit level on level ground.

Eliminate the simple things:
Check for uneven air pressure in the rear tires.
Shocks are same length when no rider/passenger on trike.
Tires are the same size and profile.
Rear fenders not mounted at the same height on either side of the body.
Suspension works freely up & down without air in the airshocks.
If tourpak is not mounted level even when the body is.

After the above checks and it still looks as though it is leaning:
Trike body deck is not level (where tourpak sits).
Trike body frame is not level.
The rear axle is not level or parallel ******

We are assuming that the trike has never been wrecked.

When building a trike they have to start with a level platform.

All manufacturers have tolerances to allow for variations of fitment.

If the frame where the body attaches is not level, the rear axle is not parallel to the frame and body frame, nothing that bolts on top of it will be level either. And on Harley-Davidson in particular the rear shocks mount to the body frame and rear axle. If the body frame is out of level or the rear axle is not parallel ... voila ... everything is crooked.

To check this:
Remove the seat and the rear body.
With all initial checks above and on level ground, place a level across where the seat set on the frame. There are 2 spots on the frame (where the seat was) used while jigging the frame, lay the level across both. This will be the control level whatever the reading.

If you are really anal you can place a screwdriver under the tire to get ZERO.

Now go to the body frame and lay the level across the frame that the body sits on.

Lastly find a spot on the rear axle housing tube to lay the level.

I use a digital level and except a variation of .1 degree difference.

That is 1/10th a degree. If the differences between the reading between the 3 locations exceed 1/10th a degree, I make an adjustment.

***** Someone posted that increasing the air pressure in the shocks to 50psi made it level out somewhat. This would indicate an out-of-level rear axle or body frame.

I am sure these checks are not made at the factory where they rely on the parts off the shelf to fit.

Sometimes just loosening the bolts and re-tightening them will make the changes necessary.

This is not rocket science we are dealing with.

I said 50 psi in reference to airing the shocks up fully then letting the air out a few times and repeating.

Then set the shocks pressure at the psi you like.

I did not say 50psi fixed the issue.

On my trikes both the 2015 and my new 2017 when new just doing this plus a few miles break in pretty much working the new tight suspension made my trikes by eye look pretty level on flat ground.

I am sure if measured one would find some small difference on a tape measure from side to side but on flat ground by eye all looked good from the rear with the tires aired to the same psi on each side. ( I think just new and stiff suspensions in my case).

Ride Safe All,

Bill G

 

[rhino 2]

My 11 Tri-Glide was an inch lower on the left side...I got it even by moving my wallet from my left rear pocket to my right rear pocket......
''Occams Razor''..

 

[bronxbill]

I'm so glad things like this do not bother me . Right now, I couldn't tell you if mine is level or not, I have never really paid attention. I have installed the DK lift kit and bumper myself, so I have had plenty of opportunity to notice but I really don't care. I just ride it like it is :laugh:

 

[rhino 2]

I'm so glad things like this do not bother me . Right now, I couldn't tell you if mine is level or not, I have never really paid attention. I have installed the DK lift kit and bumper myself, so I have had plenty of opportunity to notice but I really don't care. I just ride it like it is :laugh:

Come on' [Wink-Wink] Bet you took a quick look see after reading this Thread.. :laugh:

 

[HDB0B]

There are elongated bolt holes on the rear frame attach bolts for adjustment. The body does not have to be taken off to make these adjustments. The panhard rod can also be adjusted for fine tuning.

Bob

 

[azbob09]

There are elongated bolt holes on the rear frame attach bolts for adjustment. The body does not have to be taken off to make these adjustments. The panhard rod can also be adjusted for fine tuning.

Bob I asked the service manager when I picked the bike up about those two adjustments & he said they went as far as they could on the elongated bolts & did readjust the pan hard bar some. I also asked about using a small domore grinder & elongating the slots further but he didn't want to try that???

 

[HDB0B]

There are elongated bolt holes on the rear frame attach bolts for adjustment. The body does not have to be taken off to make these adjustments. The panhard rod can also be adjusted for fine tuning.

Bob I asked the service manager when I picked the bike up about those two adjustments & he said they went as far as they could on the elongated bolts & did readjust the pan hard bar some. I also asked about using a small domore grinder & elongating the slots further but he didn't want to try that???

The only other option is to loosen up the front side body bolts (1 left and 1 right under the side covers) and shim the 4 rear body mounting points as required to make it level.

Bob

 

[azbob09]

The only other option is to loosen up the front side body bolts (1 left and 1 right under the side covers) and shim the 4 rear body mounting points as required to make it level.

Bob That sounds hard for someone like myself that has trouble getting up & down due to neck & shoulder injury & I don't have an assistant to help.

- - - Updated - - -

I have noticed all the Harley trikes are a little or a hair lower on the left side. My 2017 was this way and my 2015. The one thing that helped was with the factory air shocks was I aired them to max 50psi pulled the valve stem drained completely a few times. Then aired back up to max 50psi and used the shock pump bleeder to slowly set the shocks back at 40 psi the setting we like. This really helped level the trike out from a visual standpoint. I still think all the HD Trikes are a hair lower on the left side when measured. This could have to do with a built in road angle adjustment for handling ?? from the factory most of our roads in this country lean or angle, slope to the right from center for rain water drainage, just a guess here.

Ride Safe,
Bill G

Thanks, I tried that & it didn't make a difference

 

[bronxbill]

Come on' [Wink-Wink] Bet you took a quick look see after reading this Thread..:laugh:

I haven't yet, but you are right, I'll probably take a look.:xzqxz:

 

[rhino 2]

I haven't yet, but you are right, I'll probably take a look.:xzqxz:

The power of suggestion.....:laugh:

 

[Jack Klarich]

Man made somethings we have little control on JMO

 

[azbob09]

I went to 3 different dealers in the Phoenix area today & to the best I could measure, the rear fenders of their 2017 TGs were all between 1/4" to 1/2" lower on the left side. When I was questioned or brought it up to the near by sales people I was met with a blank stare.
I'd be interested if others found this to be the case in their area also.
I know it's probably not a big deal to most.

 

[bronxbill]

The power of suggestion.....:laugh:

Well, I finally checked mine; looked level to me but I measured it anyway. I was off by about 1/8 inch on the left, not enough for me to notice or worry about. Guess I got lucky.

 

[azbob09]

Well, I finally checked mine; looked level to me but I measured it anyway. I was off by about 1/8 inch on the left, not enough for me to notice or worry about. Guess I got lucky.

That's interesting, good for you. I'm just going to quite thinking about it for a while & enjoy the bike.