howdy!
Had 2 bikes with sidecars, 79 CB750 with a 1974 sidestrider car, and a 1997 Goldwing with a daytona 2+2. Now looking at a 2006 VTX1800 Motortrike. Gonna try having the back wheels lined up. :clapping:
Went for a first look today. Pretty good for the age, minor paint issues, shiny bits shiny. When I put the rear brake on, via the foot pedal, it stuck on. Pedal travel normal, like the master was good, but was not wanting to move. Had to help push it back in. After fixing it, Seller told me it was a mis adjusted shoe and 'drum brakes are tricky' :xzqxz: Yeah... as an air cooled VW restorer, I know drum brakes WELL!
I had a bit of 'Parking Brake?!?' hope in the first moments... Nope. But being that Mrs V was with, cut the visit short and let the seller 'fix' things. 1:30 PM
He called back at 3pm. Told him i was still in, and see him tomorrow.
So, going to do a 'due diligence' inspection tomorrow. Have gloves, light and back wheels off. Give her the complete underbelly look.
Todays peek under it looked like the rear end cover had been pulled. Might have been oily, or fresh black paint. Is this a narrowed car rear end? Solid axle.
The VTX1800 has 18K miles, don't know when the conversion happened. Will get DOT date off tires tomorrow FWIW.
The original VTX owners manual is with it epper: and a bible. Do the rear drums use the stock VTX master cylinder? Going to consult the OM for all fluid check points.
Any tips on checking radiator fluid? Heck...cooling system?
Any other items should look at with extra attention??
A bit of web snooping I found a coil shock/air shock suspension is likely, OR a combination. There was a 'thing that looked like a switch with the toggle broken off' that the seller thought turned on the 'custom' led lights. It bled pressurized air... will know more tomorrow.
More snooping told me of a proportional braking system that applied front and rear brakes together... not sure if it applies to this model. I would bet the brake fluid was last flushed at the trike conversion, if ever... see what it looks like tomorrow.
My test drive today was around the warehouse complex in first. Bike seemed to idle a bit high, but very smooth. Fuel Injected, so good possibility it was not warmed up. Not much of a drive.
Guy probably has open title on the bike, and uptight about any road test. Gonna work that through. Need to have it 'at speed'. What top speed should I expect? My morning commute is normally 75-85 mph, and 90 is a fine top end with me. NOT going to do a top speed test tomorrow, just curious.
Well, thats about all the questions that come to mind... for now. Excited about this, and hoping to get some advice from those more experienced.
Oh yeah... $$... Seller asking $8500. That's in our budget. Again, web searches led to comparable results.. usually higher. THANKS!
Will be checking back early AM my time.
Had 2 bikes with sidecars, 79 CB750 with a 1974 sidestrider car, and a 1997 Goldwing with a daytona 2+2. Now looking at a 2006 VTX1800 Motortrike. Gonna try having the back wheels lined up. :clapping:
Went for a first look today. Pretty good for the age, minor paint issues, shiny bits shiny. When I put the rear brake on, via the foot pedal, it stuck on. Pedal travel normal, like the master was good, but was not wanting to move. Had to help push it back in. After fixing it, Seller told me it was a mis adjusted shoe and 'drum brakes are tricky' :xzqxz: Yeah... as an air cooled VW restorer, I know drum brakes WELL!
I had a bit of 'Parking Brake?!?' hope in the first moments... Nope. But being that Mrs V was with, cut the visit short and let the seller 'fix' things. 1:30 PM
He called back at 3pm. Told him i was still in, and see him tomorrow.
So, going to do a 'due diligence' inspection tomorrow. Have gloves, light and back wheels off. Give her the complete underbelly look.
Todays peek under it looked like the rear end cover had been pulled. Might have been oily, or fresh black paint. Is this a narrowed car rear end? Solid axle.
The VTX1800 has 18K miles, don't know when the conversion happened. Will get DOT date off tires tomorrow FWIW.
The original VTX owners manual is with it epper: and a bible. Do the rear drums use the stock VTX master cylinder? Going to consult the OM for all fluid check points.
Any tips on checking radiator fluid? Heck...cooling system?
Any other items should look at with extra attention??
A bit of web snooping I found a coil shock/air shock suspension is likely, OR a combination. There was a 'thing that looked like a switch with the toggle broken off' that the seller thought turned on the 'custom' led lights. It bled pressurized air... will know more tomorrow.
More snooping told me of a proportional braking system that applied front and rear brakes together... not sure if it applies to this model. I would bet the brake fluid was last flushed at the trike conversion, if ever... see what it looks like tomorrow.
My test drive today was around the warehouse complex in first. Bike seemed to idle a bit high, but very smooth. Fuel Injected, so good possibility it was not warmed up. Not much of a drive.
Guy probably has open title on the bike, and uptight about any road test. Gonna work that through. Need to have it 'at speed'. What top speed should I expect? My morning commute is normally 75-85 mph, and 90 is a fine top end with me. NOT going to do a top speed test tomorrow, just curious.
Well, thats about all the questions that come to mind... for now. Excited about this, and hoping to get some advice from those more experienced.
Oh yeah... $$... Seller asking $8500. That's in our budget. Again, web searches led to comparable results.. usually higher. THANKS!
Will be checking back early AM my time.