2006 Goldwing Trike rear tire skids

[skfboiler]

We have a 2006 Goldwing GL1800 with a Monarch II trike kit. Whether riding solo or with a passenger, the rear tires skid just going over small bumps and road imperfections. More pronounced skidding going over larger bumps and railroad crossings. You can even smell the burnt rubber. Raising the suspension to 25 seem to help some. I normally fill the rear tires to 25 psi. Has anyone experienced this skidding and what was your solution(s)?

[rhino 2]

Mike....Welcome to Trike-Talk.............

I can't help on the problem you are having....I don't quite understand what you mean by skidding........Maybe someone will chime in with help.......

[Lee H. Mann]

We have a 2006 Goldwing GL1800 with a Monarch II trike kit. Whether riding solo or with a passenger, the rear tires skid just going over small bumps and road imperfections. More pronounced skidding going over larger bumps and railroad crossings. You can even smell the burnt rubber. Raising the suspension to 25 seem to help some. I normally fill the rear tires to 25 psi. Has anyone experienced this skidding and what was your solution(s)?

Michael, Welcome to Trike Talk from West Virginia.

If your AVATAR is your trike, it is sitting pretty low.

Measure from the ground to the top of the wheel-well opening.

You should have 24-25" on both sides. 25" is optimum.

In 2006, Lehman started including a heavier OEM monoshock spring in the kits.

You might have the standard OEM spring.

Secondly, there is also a heavy-duty auxiliary shock and spring that will also assist the OEM spring.

I wouldn't replace the auxiliary shock before checking the OEM spring first.

[Gorilla]

I'm with Jim on this one. I believe he has a tire(s) rubbing on the body when he hits a bump. Shocks and springs probably need looking at as Jim suggests.

Might also check the rear tire size, they might be to big for the conversion and didn't show until the suspension started to sag.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Welcome to the Gang from Western Colorado.

[radismukes]

To the Trike Talk Family! FROM SOUTH Angleton, TX

Howdy Michael!

[skfboiler]

Michael, Welcome to Trike Talk from West Virginia.

If your AVATAR is your trike, it is sitting pretty low.

Measure from the ground to the top of the wheel-well opening.

You should have 24-25" on both sides. 25" is optimum.

In 2006, Lehman started including a heavier OEM monoshock spring in the kits.

You might have the standard OEM spring.

Secondly, there is also a heavy-duty auxiliary shock and spring that will also assist the OEM spring.

I wouldn't replace the auxiliary shock before checking the OEM spring first.

Yes the picture in the avatar is the trike in question. I measured the wheel well opening and it is only 22.5 inches on the right side. It is just about 24 inches on the left side. So it is lop sided. What will it take to raise to the proper height? How much do the heavier OEM monoshock spring and the heavy-duty auxiliary shock and spring cost?

[Lee H. Mann]

Yes the picture in the avatar is the trike in question. I measured the wheel well opening and it is only 22.5 inches on the right side. It is just about 24 inches on the left side. So it is lop sided. What will it take to raise to the proper height? How much do the heavier OEM monoshock spring and the heavy-duty auxiliary shock and spring cost?

First, inspect the swingarm bushings where the swingarm attaches to the rear axle. 1 1/2" difference is more than a simple body alignment issue. The bushings are made of polyurethane and have a shelf life.

I have these bushings in stock LB6301.

https://mjtrikes.com/shop/index.php?...1792eb34d33e85

The OEM 1000-1100 pound spring replacement is around $90.00.

The LS0626 is $325.00 made specifically for Lehman by Progressive.

https://mjtrikes.com/shop/index.php?...roducts_id=243

www.mjtrikes.com

[skfboiler]

First, inspect the swingarm bushings where the swingarm attaches to the rear axle. 1 1/2" difference is more than a simple body alignment issue. The bushings are made of polyurethane and have a shelf life.

I have these bushings in stock LB6301.

https://mjtrikes.com/shop/index.php?...1792eb34d33e85

The OEM 1000-1100 pound spring replacement is around $90.00.

The LS0626 is $325.00 made specifically for Lehman by Progressive.

https://mjtrikes.com/shop/index.php?...roducts_id=243

www.mjtrikes.com

We appreciate you so much for the information. Thanks.

[Rainbolt]

I have basically the same problem with a 2005 Goldwing converted about 2006. Tire rubbing been a problem since I've had it. The stock shock wore out and I"ve recently replaced it with an Arnott air shock after talking to an engineer at Arnott about it. I'm satisfied with the shock and have been experimenting with the auxiliary shock setting. Improvement, but no joy. Still rubs with 2 up. A mechanic friend is helping me and is going to mic the auxiliary spring to see if it is the original or replacement. From the ground to the top of the wheel-well opening I only have 23". Does anyone know if the body itself can be spaced to raise it and how to do it? Are there any other adjustments to get the height? I believe the shocks have enough travel to do the job and while improving the ride. Appreciate any help/advice/suggestions, etc. I've been a member for some time, but don't usually comment, especially about technical things I know little or nothing about. Have enjoyed following the threads. Live in Oregon's Willamette Valley.

[Lee H. Mann]

I have basically the same problem with a 2005 Goldwing converted about 2006. Tire rubbing been a problem since I've had it. The stock shock wore out and I"ve recently replaced it with an Arnott air shock after talking to an engineer at Arnott about it. I'm satisfied with the shock and have been experimenting with the auxiliary shock setting. Improvement, but no joy. Still rubs with 2 up. A mechanic friend is helping me and is going to mic the auxiliary spring to see if it is the original or replacement. From the ground to the top of the wheel-well opening I only have 23". Does anyone know if the body itself can be spaced to raise it and how to do it? Are there any other adjustments to get the height? I believe the shocks have enough travel to do the job and while improving the ride. Appreciate any help/advice/suggestions, etc. I've been a member for some time, but don't usually comment, especially about technical things I know little or nothing about. Have enjoyed following the threads. Live in Oregon's Willamette Valley.

Lehman designed the the Monarch II conversion to be reliant on the OEM shock and spring and for the auxiliary shock assembly to be an assist for the extra weight of the conversion.

An air shock may raise the rear of the trike but should not be used as the main adjusting point.

Replacing the auxiliary shock without first addressing the OEM shock is a mistake.

It puts all of the work on the auxiliary shock and WILL cause structural failure and fatigue at the mounting points.

Spacing the body will create it's own problems like the exhaust pipes continually dragging the ground and the ability to gain access to the trunk and possibly trunk lid hitting tour trunk.

Like I said previously, Lehman realized as early as 2006 that the OEM spring was insufficient and shortly thereafter included it in their kit to the dealers.

I realized the OEM spring deficiency in the 2004-2006 models specifically of my own customers.

Don't ignore the OEM spring, it is the main support.

[Rainbolt]

Thank you Mr. Murphy. I've been gone and just found your response and I appreciate it and disappointed I didn't research it better in the beginning. Are OEM shocks still available and where? I"m kind of back to square one again.

[Lee H. Mann]

Thank you Mr. Murphy. I've been gone and just found your response and I appreciate it and disappointed I didn't research it better in the beginning. Are OEM shocks still available and where? I"m kind of back to square one again.

The OEM spring is the first thing to replace. The shock itself should be OK. The spring is a 1000-1200 pound variant from Progressive. They are around $95.00 and I have them in stock. After replacing the OEM spring, you can replace the Lehman auxiliary shock with the LB0626 heavy duty spring ans shock combination. This should put you trike back in order.

[Rainbolt]

The OEM spring is the first thing to replace. The shock itself should be OK. The spring is a 1000-1200 pound variant from Progressive. They are around $95.00 and I have them in stock. After replacing the OEM spring, you can replace the Lehman auxiliary shock with the LB0626 heavy duty spring ans shock combination. This should put you trike back in order.

Thank you very much for your gracious response. I'm obviously out of my depth and need some help. Due to something beyond my control I no longer have the original rear shock. My goal at this point is to try and replace the whole unit (which I think has the shock, spring, pump, lines and bracket) with the new spring on it and also the auxiliary shock as you described above. I find the whole unit listed on Ebay for my 2005 for $325.00 and hope the information is correct. I will happily purchase the 1000-1200 spring from you and the LB0626 shock as well if you have it. Any advice, part #'s, suppliers, etc., is appreciated. I have someone local who can do the installation. I will await any advice/direction/suggestions you may have before I proceed. Thank you again for your consideration. Should you so choose you can email me at rainbolt@centurytel.net or 541-974-1076.

[Rainbolt]

The OEM spring is the first thing to replace. The shock itself should be OK. The spring is a 1000-1200 pound variant from Progressive. They are around $95.00 and I have them in stock. After replacing the OEM spring, you can replace the Lehman auxiliary shock with the LB0626 heavy duty spring ans shock combination. This should put you trike back in order.

Thank you very much for your gracious response. I'm obviously out of my depth and need some help. Due to something beyond my control I no longer have the original rear shock. My goal at this point is to try and replace the whole unit (which I think has the shock, spring, pump, lines and bracket) with the new spring on it and also the auxiliary shock as you described above. I find the whole unit listed on Ebay for my 2005 for $325.00 and hope the information is correct. I will happily purchase the 1000-1200 spring from you and the LB0626 shock as well if you have it. Any advice, part #'s, suppliers, etc., is appreciated. I have someone local who can do the installation. I will await any advice/direction/suggestions you may have before I proceed. Thank you again for your consideration. Should you so choose you can email me at rainbolt@centurytel.net or 541-974-1076.

[alwims]

Lee H Mann, I tried to PM this to you but the site wouldn't let me so here is my message.

"The spring is a 1000-1200 pound variant from Progressive. They are around $95.00 and I have them in stock."

I'm wondering if you think this would fix my sagging suspension on our 2005 GL1800 Lehman MonarchII trike. Our wheel well measures 23 1/2" from the ground to the top of the wheel well where you measured one at 25" per your picture. A bit of background. We purchased our bike from a lady that parked it for 2 years in her back yard. It had only 15115 miles on it We bought it for a great price, $5000 and put another $1500 in it to get it back in shape. It rides down the road like a new one, but it is really low to the ground in the rear. Seems I would drag the mufflers over everything untill I put a trailer hitch on and now it drags. 2 up with a small trunk on the rear trailer hitch I can smell burning rubber if we hit a big bump in the road. If you think this would help, could you give me a link to where I could purchase the spring off your site. Thanks. Alan

[paws]

Try this link for Jim:

www.mjtrikes.com

phone: 304-262-6200

[Lee H. Mann]

Lee H Mann, I tried to PM this to you but the site wouldn't let me so here is my message.

"The spring is a 1000-1200 pound variant from Progressive. They are around $95.00 and I have them in stock."

I'm wondering if you think this would fix my sagging suspension on our 2005 GL1800 Lehman MonarchII trike. Our wheel well measures 23 1/2" from the ground to the top of the wheel well where you measured one at 25" per your picture. A bit of background. We purchased our bike from a lady that parked it for 2 years in her back yard. It had only 15115 miles on it We bought it for a great price, $5000 and put another $1500 in it to get it back in shape. It rides down the road like a new one, but it is really low to the ground in the rear. Seems I would drag the mufflers over everything untill I put a trailer hitch on and now it drags. 2 up with a small trunk on the rear trailer hitch I can smell burning rubber if we hit a big bump in the road. If you think this would help, could you give me a link to where I could purchase the spring off your site. Thanks. Alan

Alan, The short answer is that if your trike was converted in 2005 - 2007 the OEM spring was probably not replaced. You should get the heavy duty replacement and install it. That should do the trick. I will call you tomorrow afternoon.

Thanks, Jim

[Lee H. Mann]

Alan,

This is the tool I use to change out the OEM spring.

Tucker part # 325508 retail $36.00

[alwims]

Here is the EBay link to buy this tool. https://www.ebay.com/itm/233410699870