bought a 2003 motor trike solid axle. did I get a good deal ???

[abefroman]

Two weeks ago I bought this 2003 Motor Trike Solid Axle with 21,000 miles on it. I've put about 600 miles on it so far. My butt started hurting quite a lot, so I got an Airhawk R and that helped a good bit, but riding my bike to work this morning (85 miles) my butt still kinda hurts.I changed out the oem air shocks with ones from Airbagit and that improved the ride somewhat - especially handling. however, I might have a small leak somewhere, so I gotta spray them with some soapy water and check for leaks. I'm guessing it's in the oem fittings, so I'll change those out.I really wanted an IRS trike, but this one was in my price range, and I do like the simplicity, reliability, and handling of the Solid Axle.I paid $14,000 for it. Did I get a good deal ? It sure is pretty. I have NOT ridden an IRS trike, so I dont really know how much better the ride would be, but is it $11,000 better than a solid axle ??? i'm guessing it would cost me that to convert it to IRSAnyway - all comments are very welcome !!! Cheers

[1dn5up]

Sounds good to me I thought wings had good oem seats Maybe the coushining needs replacing . After 16 yrs the foam brakes down. Good luck .

[rhino 2]

Mike....Don't worry if you made a good deal or not.....Its yours now, So Forgetaboutit. Ride it and enjoy it, Just concentrate on finding a seat that you can live with.....

[radismukes]

Checkout the Wingsoft seat mod.

http://www.bikesolutionsllc.com/wingsoft-1800.html

[trikeman]

Never had a stock wing seat that was comfortable after bout 100 miles. Always liked Diamond Custom Seats. Built for each riders size. Check air pressure in rear tires. Should be 22-24 psi. Play with air bags psi till you get the best ride. Beautiful Trike!!

[Papa Zook]

Spray both the left and right ladder bar front heim joints liberally with silicone spay and have someone bounce up and down on the seat and see that the suspension is moving freely on both sides and are not binding. These joints have been know to strip out where they thread into the ladder bars, so inspect them well and lubricate them a couple of times a year.

[abefroman]

Spray both the left and right ladder bar front heim joints liberally with silicone spay and have someone bounce up and down on the seat and see that they suspension is moving freely on both sides and are not binding. These joints have been know to strip out where they thread into the ladder bars, so inspect them well and lubricate them a couple of times a year.

thanks for the reply. . I plan to jack it up and tighten and lube everything, however, a picture of what and where the ladder bars are would surely help !

[Papa Zook]

Read my MT post with links and MT service manual written by one of our members:

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/thre...l=1#post378018

[msrvpeig]

I got 147,000 miles on my 2005 solid axle MotorTrike. Tried all kinds of seat cushions when I first got it. My favorite was a cheap seat cushion from Walmart, which they no longer make. I've used the wooden beads on the seat for the last 3-4 yrs. I had a Corbin on a previous Goldwing and didn't like it.

I just had the front end "raked" over the Winter. 4.5degrees. What a difference it makes. Should have done it years ago. Bought mine from Zook via ebay.

[RUMRUNR]

Two weeks ago I bought this 2003 Motor Trike Solid Axle with 21,000 miles on it. I've put about 600 miles on it so far. My butt started hurting quite a lot, so I got an Airhawk R and that helped a good bit, but riding my bike to work this morning (85 miles) my butt still kinda hurts.I changed out the oem air shocks with ones from Airbagit and that improved the ride somewhat - especially handling. however, I might have a small leak somewhere, so I gotta spray them with some soapy water and check for leaks. I'm guessing it's in the oem fittings, so I'll change those out.I really wanted an IRS trike, but this one was in my price range, and I do like the simplicity, reliability, and handling of the Solid Axle.I paid $14,000 for it. Did I get a good deal ? It sure is pretty. I have NOT ridden an IRS trike, so I dont really know how much better the ride would be, but is it $11,000 better than a solid axle ??? i'm guessing it would cost me that to convert it to IRSAnyway - all comments are very welcome !!! Cheers

I think you made a good buy, good looking trike.

Mine is a Champion solid axle, for me personally I like the feel of it in the twisty stuff better than the IRS.

Then again I like the IRS better running in a straight line.

[3W-lonerider]

Two weeks ago I bought this 2003 Motor Trike Solid Axle with 21,000 miles on it. I've put about 600 miles on it so far. My butt started hurting quite a lot, so I got an Airhawk R and that helped a good bit, but riding my bike to work this morning (85 miles) my butt still kinda hurts.I changed out the oem air shocks with ones from Airbagit and that improved the ride somewhat - especially handling. however, I might have a small leak somewhere, so I gotta spray them with some soapy water and check for leaks. I'm guessing it's in the oem fittings, so I'll change those out.I really wanted an IRS trike, but this one was in my price range, and I do like the simplicity, reliability, and handling of the Solid Axle.I paid $14,000 for it. Did I get a good deal ? It sure is pretty. I have NOT ridden an IRS trike, so I dont really know how much better the ride would be, but is it $11,000 better than a solid axle ??? i'm guessing it would cost me that to convert it to IRSAnyway - all comments are very welcome !!! Cheers

if you switched out to the bigger air bags like the rest of us, then you should also set your shocks at the lowest setting.

that way the air bags do what they are suppoed to do and the shocks just dampen the ride.

if your shocks are set to mid or high you will get a rougher ride just like before you replaced the airbags.

if your shocks can be set down to the lowest setting you will also find you may have to run a pound or 2 more air in the bags also.

play with the air pressure in the bags and i'm positive you will eventually get a smooth ride.

iv'e got mine to the point that unless i hit a pothole or something mine rides nice and smooth, and just floats down the road.

[abefroman]

stock shocks are set to the lowest setting. just for fun, I lowered the pressure in the tires to 15psi. that made a hell of a difference in ride, but lost handling in the corners. pumped them back up to 20. i'm running the air bags at 18psi - seems that if I try to go lower than that, the air compressor kicks in and pumps them back up to 18 or so. also I have a slow leak somewhere because in the morning, the air bags are at zero, but turning the key on - the air compressor pumps them back to 18 automatically and they pretty much stay there, so it's gotta be a really slow leak. I want to change out the NPT air bag connectors but I'm trying to figure out if the connectors are "push on" type or "compression" type. anyone ?

[FRR]

Two weeks ago I bought this 2003 Motor Trike Solid Axle with 21,000 miles on it. I've put about 600 miles on it so far. My butt started hurting quite a lot, so I got an Airhawk R and that helped a good bit, but riding my bike to work this morning (85 miles) my butt still kinda hurts.I changed out the oem air shocks with ones from Airbagit and that improved the ride somewhat - especially handling. however, I might have a small leak somewhere, so I gotta spray them with some soapy water and check for leaks. I'm guessing it's in the oem fittings, so I'll change those out.I really wanted an IRS trike, but this one was in my price range, and I do like the simplicity, reliability, and handling of the Solid Axle.I paid $14,000 for it. Did I get a good deal ? It sure is pretty. I have NOT ridden an IRS trike, so I dont really know how much better the ride would be, but is it $11,000 better than a solid axle ??? i'm guessing it would cost me that to convert it to IRSAnyway - all comments are very welcome !!! Cheers

I kind of assume you are riding alone. Passengers usually aren't too big on solid axles. They are kind of hard on them. Also, watch hitting big holes and curbs. You might end up off in space somewhere. Nice looking machine. I have owned 9 Wings and have never had an issue with the stock seat. Much more comfortable that the Harley bikes I've owned. Really needed after market seats for those. Enjoy your ride. Last Saturday I was cruising down a back road at 35 and a dog ran out and hit my bike. Hard. Several hundred dollars worth. If I had been on 2 wheels instead of 3 it could have been a worse day than it was.

[3W-lonerider]

The original connecters are push in type. But you can swap them out for compression if you want to. I did. Mine leak down to but it takes a week to lose 5 psi.

[abefroman]

Ok, one more question... the air lines are kind of tight.. not much slack in them at the bags. is there a way to release the air line at the oem push-on connector and pull the line out, or will I have to cut the line at the oem connector. there's not much slack, so I'm kinda worried that i wont have enough line to insert into a new compression npt fitting.

cheers

[3W-lonerider]

Ok, one more question... the air lines are kind of tight.. not much slack in them at the bags. is there a way to release the air line at the oem push-on connector and pull the line out, or will I have to cut the line at the oem connector. there's not much slack, so I'm kinda worried that i wont have enough line to insert into a new compression npt fitting.

cheers

the top of that fitting swivels. so you could unscrew the fitting out of the airbag then pull the line out.

also you really don't need much slack to get them out. push the ring around where the line goes in and they will come right out.

if it were me and that line has very little slack. i'd go to any auto supply place and get 1/8th inch air line or oil pressure line would be the same.

i converted mine to 1/4 inch air line but to do that you'd also have to convert the tee fitting that feeds them.

you could take a piece of that line with you to the auto place and have them look at it.

but i'm almost positive the first time i replaced mine i had to buy oil pressure line. it was the perfect size.

if your going to use those push fittings over keep in mind.

use a razor blade to cut the line. it also has to be cut squarely.

also sand the outside edge before sliding it in.

those push fitting have an oring inside and if your line is not smooth it will nick that oring when sliding in.