Lehman trike rides very low in rear

[Lee H. Mann]

Well, I sure can't help any more without seeing the trike in person.

[Hank]

Thanks again for all the suggestions- Hank

[TTNW]

Good Day Lee:

I have this same issue. But mine is a solid axle. I've seen a couple of Lehman kits and they sit fairly high. Mine doesn't really. I've installed the new overload spring on the Aux Shock and yes, that helped but I'm still dragging the pipes and the hitch. I've worked with a Navy Welder and we've designed a new receiver hitch and will have to wait and see on Thursday how that will go. But I saw a 2008 GW just this past weekend and her kit was highter than mine. So, I wonder, is there a way to install airbags on this kit? Or, is there a way to convert over to an AirShock on the Aux Shock. I would like to use the airbags if possible. Makes changing easy depending on what we're doing and such. TIA

Chuck

Hank, Welcome to Trike Talk Forum from West Virginia. Do you have the straight axle or the LLS ?

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/thre...-Bottoming-out

[paws]

We had a 2008 GW which was triked new at the dealer with the Lehman Monarch II solid axle kit. It never sagged, dragged, bottomed-out. It was a really nice trike - handled well in the twisties and comfortable to ride. In fact, I had a hard time deciding whether to keep it or the 2008 GW Motor Trike Adventure kit when it came time to let one of them go. I chose to keep the MotorTrike simply because it was already custom set up for my comfort and I would be the driver going forth.

I’m sorry to hear these trikes are having a saggy condition. Just wanted you to know that not all of this trike make had problems. Sure hope you get it resolved to your satisfaction.

[Lee H. Mann]

Good Day Lee:

I have this same issue. But mine is a solid axle. I've seen a couple of Lehman kits and they sit fairly high. Mine doesn't really. I've installed the new overload spring on the Aux Shock and yes, that helped but I'm still dragging the pipes and the hitch. I've worked with a Navy Welder and we've designed a new receiver hitch and will have to wait and see on Thursday how that will go. But I saw a 2008 GW just this past weekend and her kit was highter than mine. So, I wonder, is there a way to install airbags on this kit? Or, is there a way to convert over to an AirShock on the Aux Shock. I would like to use the airbags if possible. Makes changing easy depending on what we're doing and such. TIA

Chuck

Chuck, I built kits early 2004 - 2005 that also seemed to sit lower. After 2006, all of (my) kits seemed to sit higher than any others that even the Lehman Factory had on their Show Truck. At first I thought it may have been a redesign of the swingarm but I now think that the OEM Honda spring that I was replacing with an 1100# spring was not being done by many dealers or the factory. I think that your OEM spring may be needing replacement.

If you examine the suspension of the Monarch II you can see that all of the suspension is attached to the front of the swingarm and the rear axle is isolated so that road impact is not transmitted into the rider seat or rear frame section. There is a lot of stress on the front of the swingarm and rider and passenger weight exceeding 450#, and any modification to the swingarm support will eventually have an adverse effect on the swingarm. Putting airbags to help support the ride height will diminish the ride but could save a fatigue in the swingarm construction.

[toutlnone1]

Hi- I'm new to forum and requesting any help or info on my problem- I have a 2013 Goldwing with a Lehmans Monarch II conversion-With 2 up at 340 lbs. the mufflers have 3 and 3/8 inch road clearance- the mufflers have met the road to many times- the trailer hitch when installed has 2 and 7/8 inch road clearance ,without a trailer and it to has done the same thing- I have compared the measurements with other trikes company's and the measurements on mine are 2 and 1/2 to 3 inches lower- I have turned the shock adjustment out I more turn to 5 turns out- any more adjustment and the ride is too stiff- I contact lehmans (Bill) and he said he would look into the issue and no reply after a week- Is there a shock extender that would take care of the problem or any other solution ---Thanks for any info---Hank

I put 1 inch pvc rigid cap underneath air bags made a big difference

[rodekyll]

I think Lee H. is on the right track with his spring comment. Increasing preload on an out-of-range spring will give a harsh ride without improving sag. BTDT, got the t-shirt greasy.

I have a homebuilt, loosely based on the Motortrike IRS. I was unable to get the azz end up to a neutral A-arm angle with my preload wound up tight and 45# of airbag assist. And of course it rode like a dried cob.

I found my spring specs and discovered that on their lowest setting they sagged one inch at a load of 120#. At the highest setting they compressed an inch with 170#. But the weight on a rear corner is about 370#. So even though the springs were spec'd for me by an "expert", they were wildly out of range.

The other thing I noticed via the spec sheets is that on a conventional, spring-over Progressive shock, one adjustment click is about 10# of preload.

So I went back to school and found springs of the right length that did better - 270/315. They're still not perfect, but with an eye to overall length and total suspension travel they were the best off the shelf option.

Note to self - heavy springs are a medieval adventure in installation. Do not attempt in the prescence of wimmins, childs, and preacher folk.

The difference in deck height was very noticeable as soon as it was off the jacks -- almost 2" on a yardstick. The a-arms are slightly positive. I can get to my 1/3 of travel sag with 15# of airbags where 45# didn't do it before. I can see sidewall behind the fenders now. Best of all, the ride feels "solid" without being as harsh as before, and it corners better.

[Lee H. Mann]

This is how a Lehman should sit without rider or passenger.

This is a 2008 straight axle Monarch II

[TTNW]

This is how a Lehman should sit without rider or passenger.

This is a 2008 straight axle Monarch II

Lee:

I checked the distance on my trike and it sits 23.5 inches. I've installed the Overload Spring on the Aux Shock per our discussion and now I'm of the belief that the folks who installed the kit did NOT install the OEM Overload Spring as directed. Oh, and it should be noted that the preload is at 25 but it didn't start to lift until 11. I'll be working on that this winter. I believe that I will look into ordering the overload spring and see what happens. Remember, mine is the solid axle Monarch II. Once again, looking for your valued input...

Chuck

[2Trikez]

Lee:

I checked the distance on my trike and it sits 23.5 inches. I've installed the Overload Spring on the Aux Shock per our discussion and now I'm of the belief that the folks who installed the kit did NOT install the OEM Overload Spring as directed. Oh, and it should be noted that the preload is at 25 but it didn't start to lift until 11. I'll be working on that this winter. I believe that I will look into ordering the overload spring and see what happens. Remember, mine is the solid axle Monarch II. Once again, looking for your valued input...

Chuck

Chuck, I have a friend with this same issue on MonarchII (sagging body)on his 2006 GL1800 and he asked for my help to get it fixed. Your install of the "overload spring" more than likely is what my friend needs as well. I was hoping this might be the best item to look at 1st and go from there. And now I know that we were in the ball park. I also found some swing arm welds "cracked" from stress as well. So at this point we are taking it apart to confirm everything at this point. I also would like to ask: Is the stock shock re-build-able? Kinda reminds me of the "Pro-Link" style (shock) set-up on my 2 1985 V-4 Sabre's, but they also had air in them. I also was looking at Progressive Suspension for a "spring" with the right "rate". Seems they have them for 1100#/1200#. These will probably be just right for my friend & wife. They are "big" people. He's has this set-up since 2006 so I figger that shock spring was already "sagging" years ago. Just took a good PA pothole to help make it fail & tire rub (thru the body) on the one side. Hope to hear back quickly just to know we are in the ball park. And yes, I've (we) have built a few trikes (from scratch) with solid axles. Was just not sure about GL1800's at this time...as never had experience will those swingarm set-ups.

2Trikez

Barry

[Lee H. Mann]

Cracks in the swingarm are usually caused by the overloading of the suspension, whether it is the shock pre-load, combined rider and passenger weight or pulling an overloaded trailer or too much tongue weight.

Basically, it has reached it's limits of abuse !!

The cracks should be addressed first and repaired depending on the location and then re-enforced.

Look at another thing that affects the ride height, rear swingarm isolator bushings.

These bushings are used to attach the swingarm to the rear axle and they are made of polyurethane.

Polyurethane has a definite shelf life and I suspect that the original bunch of bushings were all made at the same time, about 14 years ago.

When they fail, the rear end will drop down an inch or so and the driveshaft will start rubbing inside the swingarm (making noise).

Check all of those items before you get the Progressive 1100-1200 Spring.

Measure your OEM spring first (with a micrometer) to see if it had not already been replaced.

Stock OEM spring is .500" and the 1000 - 1200 is .535"

I also have a Heavy-Duty auxiliary shock and spring to replace the standard lateral auxiliary shock.

Hope this helps.

[TTNW]

Chuck, I have a friend with this same issue on MonarchII (sagging body)on his 2006 GL1800 and he asked for my help to get it fixed. Your install of the "overload spring" more than likely is what my friend needs as well. I was hoping this might be the best item to look at 1st and go from there. And now I know that we were in the ball park. I also found some swing arm welds "cracked" from stress as well. So at this point we are taking it apart to confirm everything at this point. I also would like to ask: Is the stock shock re-build-able? Kinda reminds me of the "Pro-Link" style (shock) set-up on my 2 1985 V-4 Sabre's, but they also had air in them. I also was looking at Progressive Suspension for a "spring" with the right "rate". Seems they have them for 1100#/1200#. These will probably be just right for my friend & wife. They are "big" people. He's has this set-up since 2006 so I figger that shock spring was already "sagging" years ago. Just took a good PA pothole to help make it fail & tire rub (thru the body) on the one side. Hope to hear back quickly just to know we are in the ball park. And yes, I've (we) have built a few trikes (from scratch) with solid axles. Was just not sure about GL1800's at this time...as never had experience will those swingarm set-ups.

2Trikez

Barry

2Trikez:

I'm thinking you're on the right path. I'm almost positive that my OEM Shock spring is the wrong size. I too am looking at a Progressive spring for it. Also, the Aux shock spring is almost a must. But, be advised that it is one strong mother. Finally had to take it to a place here in Spokane that worked on Harleys. One other shop just about broke his system trying to compress the spring to put the retainer on. Beware of that.

Chuck

[Lee H. Mann]

2Trikez:

I'm thinking you're on the right path. I'm almost positive that my OEM Shock spring is the wrong size. I too am looking at a Progressive spring for it. Also, the Aux shock spring is almost a must. But, be advised that it is one strong mother. Finally had to take it to a place here in Spokane that worked on Harleys. One other shop just about broke his system trying to compress the spring to put the retainer on. Beware of that.

Chuck

Send me the old shock and spring, and I will install the new spring onto your old shock for only the price of the spring and send it back to yaahs....

[Tiny0452]

I have a 2014 Goldwing F6B with Lehman monarch II LLS independant suspension. when my wife and I ride every small turn or bump the fender rubs the tires. I have called Lehman and all they say is there is nothing that can be done. Does anyone know of a shock that can fit to upgrade? or any other ideas. currently my ride is 4 inches from the ground with us on it. due to this we cannot change tire size or we will hit bottom. current tire 205/70/R15.

Please help......

[rhino 2]

I have a 2014 Goldwing F6B with Lehman monarch II LLS independant suspension. when my wife and I ride every small turn or bump the fender rubs the tires. I have called Lehman and all they say is there is nothing that can be done. Does anyone know of a shock that can fit to upgrade? or any other ideas. currently my ride is 4 inches from the ground with us on it. due to this we cannot change tire size or we will hit bottom. current tire 205/70/R15.

Please help......

Kristopher, Welcome to Trike-Talk..........I can't help but i'm sure someone will chime in soon with the help you need.....

[radismukes]

To the Trike Talk Family! FROM SOUTH

[Lee H. Mann]

Kristopher, Welcome to Trike Talk Forum from West Virginia.

I will respond to your concerns through email.