Straight Axle or Independant Suspension ???

D

Doc Dyna

Aug 16, 2010
28
0
Danville, Ky.
I had previously decided on the Independant Suspension, but been asking around and now a little undecided. Can you guys shed some light on each of these so I can make a decision and get it ordered. Seems most use straight, but many customs using IS. My donor bike is a 2006 Dyna that is getting a frame neck workover to increase it from 28 to 42 degrees, then using 5 degree rake trees to put the trail back almost to stock. So trike will have the streatched out custom look just want to make the best choice regarding rearends. I don't mind spending the additional money, if it is worth it. So what do you guys suggest??
Thanks
 
Doc Dyna,
Are you going for the 'Hot Rod' look or the full body trike conversion?
Straight axle costs less then independent suspension. If you want a nice run-about trike you can use the simple US made Frankenstein Trike Kit, I've used them on Sportsters and they fit other models of HD. The IRS kits are nicer for the bigger touring bikes (Wings & Baggers). The ride is a little bit more plush, the trike will handle better in corners. If you want a trike kit that's a little different try a Mystery with the Tiltster set up.
 
Re: Straight Axle or Independent Suspension ???

Doc Dyna said:
I had previously decided on the Independent Suspension, but been asking around and now a little undecided. Can you guys shed some light on each of these so I can make a decision and get it ordered. Seems most use straight, but many customs using IS. My donor bike is a 2006 Dyna that is getting a frame neck work over to increase it from 28 to 42 degrees, then using 5 degree rake trees to put the trail back almost to stock. So trike will have the streatched out custom look just want to make the best choice regarding rearends. I don't mind spending the additional money, if it is worth it. So what do you guys suggest??
Thanks
Click to expand...

Doc there are strong points to either system. I have ridden both, but own a straight axle. The difference are in the eyes of the rider. IS system rides a bit smoother. Straight axles can be thrown around easier by an aggressive rider. The differences are not that great unless you are looking for one more than the other. I love my straight axle, but there are others that love their IS axles. Try to ride a couple and get what YOU like.
 
tmigala,
You are right. I was thinking that Doc might want something a little different too by suggesting the Mystery with 'Tiltster' set up. That kit is a little different and I know a couple of people who have used them for 'Hot Rod' trikes and love it.
Doc needs to give a little more information on what the trike will be used for, if it will be a show or go trike, a bar hopper, touring trike or a commuter.
 
yea its tough giving someone help when you don't know for sure what they like and are looking for. The Frankinstine and Mystery kits are very nice looking for that style of trike. Bottom line for me is like them all, but I love the one I built for myself.
 
tmigala
From what I gather from his post after rereading it again, it seems like he wants to build a chopper style trike. For that style trike you really don't need the body, just the fenders with lights. That's a straight forward easy build, you don't have to worry if the body is sitting level or not, if its centered and fitting the side covers.
 
Thanks for the responses. I am going for the stretched out, raked front end look. The Mystery Design has been my choice, and they are ready to build the IS for me. I was going with the Chromed IS unit. No body just fenders and a detachable rear seat. Then I started thinking that maybe a straight axle would be acceptable. So that is why I asked my questions here. About $3000 difference in cost. Money is not the deciding factor, having a different look and still be not a bear to ride will determine. Several companies out there making the straight axles but have only found a couple of IS makers, and only the Mystery Design making a chromed IS unit. Hope this additional info helps to answer your questions. I have a new Ultra that I tour on so really just wanting to build a scat around eye-catcher that has a different look. My 06 Dyna donor has a 98" Stage 4 build, and hit the dyno with 108hp and 112 ft lbs. So I like to play with power and something different.
Thanks Again for any addition thoughts
 
Hi Doc, I too thought long and hard about this decision and finally went with the independent suspension. One serious contributing factor was safety. A lady I know hit a curb stone on a ramp coming off of an interstate highway with a SA and fliped the trike. She was seriously injured. For this same situation, IS will allow the wheel/axle to absorbe most of the tortional force in the shocks/springs generated by the sudden lift impact and keep the trike upright. I have experienced both of these situaitons and appreciate the potential safety factor IS provides. One additional safety thought; I would recommend not buying a trike kit with independent disc brakes on the rear. I chose a package with one brake disc on the rear and a couple of months ago it proved to be the right choice. A vehicle pulled out from a stop sign on my right and I had to stop very quickly with my wife in the back. All three tires were skidding and smoking but the trike stayed in a straight line and did not skid sideways or spin (which could result in a flip). I was doing about 40 MPH and stopped the trike in about 60 feet - unbelieveable. With independent real wheel brakes the braking force could vary - that is why they invented ABS but I have not found it on any trike kit. Good luck with your decision
 
jfingalls said:
Hi Doc, I too thought long and hard about this decision and finally went with the independent suspension. One serious contributing factor was safety. A lady I know hit a curb stone on a ramp coming off of an interstate highway with a SA and fliped the trike. She was seriously injured. For this same situation, IS will allow the wheel/axle to absorbe most of the tortional force in the shocks/springs generated by the sudden lift impact and keep the trike upright. I have experienced both of these situaitons and appreciate the potential safety factor IS provides. One additional safety thought; I would recommend not buying a trike kit with independent disc brakes on the rear. I chose a package with one brake disc on the rear and a couple of months ago it proved to be the right choice. A vehicle pulled out from a stop sign on my right and I had to stop very quickly with my wife in the back. All three tires were skidding and smoking but the trike stayed in a straight line and did not skid sideways or spin (which could result in a flip). I was doing about 40 MPH and stopped the trike in about 60 feet - unbelieveable. With independent real wheel brakes the braking force could vary - that is why they invented ABS but I have not found it on any trike kit. Good luck with your decision
Click to expand...


Glad your stopping emergency ended safely. The exact reasons you quoted for IS are the same reasons I had thought about. I saw a SA trike hit a chug-hole at about 40mph and the tire and that side of trike rebounded upward about 1 foot off the ground. I think the guy needed an underwear change afterward, by the look on his face. I was 99% sure I was getting a Mystery Designs IS unit but thought I would ask on here , just in case someone had additional thoughts
Thanks
 
I would not be too concerned about the dual/single rear disc. The disc are not "independent" like the drum brakes can seem to be. They are on one hydraulic circuit and either clamp-or-don't in unison.

Nothing at all wrong with the single disc concept and you do have fewer parts. If I had a single disc on mine....I would be just as happy, but the dual disc are nothing like the dual drums. They never need adjusting. I think you can go either way on that one, just stay away from the drums.

Like most others have said here...if you want sharp/hard handling and simplicity, go with the solid axle. If you want comfort and don't mind the extra moving parts, go with the IS.
 
Hi 1550vt, I must have to not agree with your explaination of dual disc brakes. If you are familar with the automobile ABS system, they are usually all disc brakes with the front and rear on different hydraulic systems and it is imperitive to have ABS on all wheels. Disc brakes can "grab" unevenly due to dynamics such as uneven wear and/or contaninated hydraulic fluids (moisture, air etc.). I realize that this is an extreme condition but when an emergency emerges, sometimes the extreme condition is all you have betwen you and disaster.
 
jfingalls said:
Hi 1550vt, I must have to not agree with your explaination of dual disc brakes. If you are familar with the automobile ABS system, they are usually all disc brakes with the front and rear on different hydraulic systems and it is imperitive to have ABS on all wheels. Disc brakes can "grab" unevenly due to dynamics such as uneven wear and/or contaninated hydraulic fluids (moisture, air etc.). I realize that this is an extreme condition but when an emergency emerges, sometimes the extreme condition is all you have betwen you and disaster.
Click to expand...

There are a lot of pick up trucks that were built with ABS on the rear only. Just FYI.
 
 
 
Thanks, tmigala... I am proud of this one I built it for a paraplegic friend of mine in Georgia. It is one of a few trikes that I have built with a body on it and...... I am starting to like a body as long as it is small enough not to take away from the lines of the bike part of the trike.
 
i myself have a SA on my tri-glide and have no problem with it and never rode a IS but i did hear when your on a freeway and a truck passes you or you pass it from the wind alone causes the trike to sway and move around and the SA does'nt do that it handles very will in the wind
 
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