2006 Motortrike vtx1800 is my next ride....

[Volkemon]

THANK YOU!

We put on another 100 miles and one more rain storm.



and Mrs V broke one of the rear footrests... so her floorboards are on the' Top-o-the-list' now.

The quiet exhaust is So sweet... but...it lets you hear EVERY other noise... I swear I can hear the cam chain slapping the case sometimes. And I am pretty sure this motor does not have a cam chain. Time to re-calibrate ears.

After it warms up, I can hear the front exhaust valve clearance open up a bit. I'd rather 'hear them clatter than feel them splatter', so I am OK with that. I set all of them and checked them TWICE.

30 MPG - The flow fuel light turned on before, and I added 3 gal. 90 miles later and the low fuel light turned on again. Good to see that working.

The exhaust wrap works really well. It never got hot enough to smoke after the collector area, and the part under the seat stays cool. I love how 'clean' it looks underneath from a distance. Mission accomplished there.

I wish it was as smooth as a flat 6 or even an inline 4... but that big chrome V Twin look is worth it for a recreational driver.

[Volkemon]

Well, maybe I should wait until the *8* MONTH OLD gas works its way out before I go changing ring gears. Bike is running smoother and smoother.

Lack of storage was another issue... when I got the trike, there was a leather bag on the back. Nice size, but OMG what a butcher install. Pic back on page one, post #8, or click this - https://www.triketalk.com/forum/atta...8&d=1575500060

Well... of course it is still sitting around. It needed to be dropped 5 inches, and mounted forward 3-4 more.

I recycle sheet metal, this is some 16ga aluminum. Its dirty, but gonna all be hidden.

First I formed the main bracket to drop the bag, and mount to the rack. Same size as the bottom of the bag. Yes, I used a piece of the cutting board. Cleaned it this time.



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Made a bottom piece with a relief for the fender, two sides and a back plate. All fit inside the leather perfectly.



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Fitting in the bottom plate. This will form a storage pocket that is reachable by going behind the passenger seat. Good for carrying emergency stuff in ziplocks. In a small bag. Hated to waste the space.

NOT shown is another piece of cutting board that fits underneath the rack. Indexes on the two stock poles that come out the bottom of the rack(seen below), and has (3) 1/4-20 threaded inserts. Bolts are tightened from inside the bag.



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Mounted sides and back pieces. They are solid enough to push the trike with.



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Bag mounted. It fits PERFECTLY. The little chrome 'nugs' you see below are the ends of the fender mounts. The bag sits clear of the paint by ~2 inches, and will not sag. It is riveted to the frame.



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Why I couldnt make a simple box - the back of the bag had to bend to fit. The armrests push it in a little, but look fine at rest.



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Little more finish work to do, but usable 'as-is' for now. We head out with the RV Tuesday for 5 days, trike will be in the trailer behind.



Not bad for using stuff laying around the shop on a Saturday night!

[Volkemon]

OK, now we have cargo capability, but there is still the issue of Mrs V's rear floorboards. Lets GO!

Started by making a couple flat mounting plates for the floorboards out of 3/16 steel. Cut the top off the original rear footpegs to get a clean spot to spot weld the plate on. Right one is still on the trike, left one on the floor.



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YEEEEEHAW! On to the saturday night shenanigans. Needing more 3/16 plate, I ended up using (2) lower control arms off a Club Car Carryall.

On the toolbox workbench, working out a gusset design.



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All pieces ready to weld. The studs that are on the two big gussets were the lower shock mount on the golf cart. I left them on for now, not sure for what. Easily cut off later, so I will let them live.



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No welding pictures. It was ugly. After 8pm on saturday night, go to the MIG welder....and my shielding gas tank is EMPTY. New tank, and closed up tight. Should have had plenty. I will be returning it, but for now I am on plan B...........

Run to Home Depot, they have flux core wire in .035. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYY!!!! I am the last customer out.

I forgot how MESSY that stuff is. Oh My. Even on a stainless welding bench, sh*t is stuck everywhere.

Oh well, why I have air disc sanders. <sigh> For now its cleaned enough to test fit.

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OH HELL yes!







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I can stand on one floorboard, and it is sturdy. 235# (115 Kg) is about the biggest load I would want on them.

Mrs V is gonna love them. Should really make her riding experience much more comfortable. Also makes the entry/exit of her seat MUCH different. A lot more graceful.

For now, I am going to continue designing a center left step mount. I might be really happy I left the studs on.



Now I have to get them finish painted. Or at least black !!

[trikeman]

[Volkemon]

300 miles dodging rain showers tue PM- thu PM Salt Springs FL. Fun time. Early morning fog. Chrome needs TLC, AGAIN....





Thats a 24 foot coach and a 13 foot trailer. The 60 inch door of the trailer made THIS trike the choice.



GLEE ON THREEEEEEEEEEEE!

[paws]

Good looking setup you have there. Questions:

What engine does the motorhome have

What is brand of trailer

What kind of mpg are you getting fully loaded at interstate speeds

Thanks..

[Jack Klarich]

Nice set up you have there. Salt Springs is a great place to visit I assume you have been to Cactus Jacks saloon already?

[Volkemon]

Good looking setup you have there. Questions:

What engine does the motorhome have Its a V10 6.8l 2006 E350 chassis reprogrammed ECM

What is brand of trailer http://chariotmanufacturing.com/ Model - Cycle Shuttle 16 (~14' box) Year - 2005

What kind of mpg are you getting fully loaded at interstate speeds 70-85 MPH, mostly cruise at 75MPH 8 mpg fully loaded with trailer, 11 mpg coach only

Thanks..

Welcome!

The trailer was a hard item to find. I really wanted tandem axle, but the motorhome has a 5000# hitch rating. The tandems I was finding had 7-10K GVW, but weighed too much empty. This one has a GVWR of 5000#, weighs 1550# empty with my additions. Has 3500# torsion axles, 14" tires. Gives me over 3K# for cargo.

I got the trailer used needing a lot of TLC. Just a box inside. PO had added a 15K (!) rooftop unit, and collapsed the roof in. With the aluminum box tube struts every 2 feet, I can walk on the roof easily now. 2" poly insulation, hardboard walls covered in in/out carpet make it a comfy cabin too. A folding queen size bed fits perfectly. Future plans are to have the bed fold down from the wall. We hauled a golf cart before in there, but now its the trike's full time house.

[Volkemon]

Nice set up you have there. Salt Springs is a great place to visit I assume you have been to Cactus Jacks saloon already?

We did drive by it twice. But both of us prefer to ride around in the drizzle than hang in a bar. We found Square Meal restaurant and Bass Champions BOTH had great food. The BBQ... Not so much.

When we get up into the Jax area I will be sure to message you! For now, I have a LOT of cleaning to do. Smiling the whole time.

[Volkemon]

Got my front driving lights wired up and working, with a twist.

I had separate right and left wires for the lights, so I added a couple relays.

I put the power feed through to the lights on the normally closed terminal.

I tapped into the rear turn signals and used the signal to trigger the relays, so when the turn signal flashes, the driving light goes off on that side. If the picture below is not animated, click on it.



REALLY helps signal visibility. Similar to how the new cars turn off the daytime running lights for the turn signal.

Also got the air compressor wiring done, the low pressure guard keeps it at 15 psi minimum.

Also have a aux power feed, and 3 wires to the lower compartment from behind the left cover for future use.

Got a cool idea for a turn signal indicator on the side of the radiator. Should blend in unless its on...and its BRIGHT!! And it will take care of the turn signal 'blind spot' on the sides.

[Volkemon]

Well, I didnt get a ticket for my signals. WHEW.

I REALLY have to get the loud 'click click' style relay, as I forget to turn them off. And I dont notice the tiny light. And evidently one of the people that I made to 'Pull Over' thinking I was a LEO called it in. oOps. No ticket, but a FIRM warning to not forget again. The officer really liked the idea, and complimented for the visibility. The operator needs some work however...

Finally searched out a Honda mechanic to see if I can get a smoother low end/RPM's. Their guy who 'knows' VTX's pulled off the front valve adjusting cover, and he says I definitely have aftermarket cams(s) in there. Explains the rougher low end, and the wheelies. I have had a couple people tell me I was full of sh*t telling them the front wheel can come up. Not a foot in the air, HELL NO, but I swore it was lifting and touching back down.

I cannot accelerate hard making a turn from a stop, the front wheel will push, even on dry pavement. Almost hit a curb a couple times making left turns before learning to take it easy. And I can pull the front end off the ground taking off hard in first. I am getting MUCH better at not hitting the rev-limiter also. Hardly happening at all now.

I imagine the smaller sticky tires are helping too. All in all, we are LOVING this trike now.

[Tynker]

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[Volkemon]

What a beautiful morning. ~65* and overcast. Florida winter.

Riding up US1 at 4AM with the intercoastal waterway visible on my right for most of the trip. Beachside Christmas lights reflecting in the calm waters, the occasional boat lit up moored out on the water. Like a water based Christmas Tree.

Put the air bags up to 60 PSI just to see. I like the ride! Previous owner had put a sticker saying 40#, and I was following that.

Got to the point where I had to get off of US1 and back into 'suburbia' and work...... I so wanted to keep going. I am now used to the pulsating power of a V Twin, and it is somewhat soothing. Took a while to get used to it. Now I like it.

Going to install that 6* rake someday, probably during summer/rainy season next year. Other than that, not too many projects left on the trike!

Except for next year... I would LOVE to set the trike up as a Santa sled... that would be a WOW on the toy run.. Hope all the best for everyone this holiday season.

[Gorilla]

Sounds good randy ride safe and enjoy

[Volkemon]

Sounds good randy ride safe and enjoy

Getting tough with all the new safety laws...

""Driving Change: New Florida hands-free law begins""

[paws]

Getting tough with all the new safety laws...

""Driving Change: New Florida hands-free law begins""

Looks like me when I occasionally test the Ride-On in my tires..they are so nicely balanced.

[Volkemon]

LOVE the winter riding here in Florida.

We must really be getting used to the trike. Each time we go out now, it seems we travel ~100 miles. I have eliminated all but two rattles, one under the speedo trim, upper left side. Soon to be addressed. The other is a 'cold motor only' on the lower left somewhere. Makes a racket when I am leaving the house, and nearby. After it warms up I never hear it again. A sneaky one...

Pinion seal is leaking on the rear end, making a mess. Probably get it done under warranty, but the rear end really has to be removed to have it done. (I brought the rear axle in to the shop after I welded it back up, wasnt installed in the trike yet) The shop (that set up the rear) lifts wont work with a trike.

But I want to be the ONLY wrench under there, and soooooooo......

Anyone replace the pinion seal on a 7.5" ford rear without getting a new crush sleeve? I never have gone ahead and set up a crush sleeve rear, always farmed it out. Might be time to learn, any hints welcome.

And I STILL need the loud turn signal relay. Had the signals on for MILES until another rider pointed it out beachside. I am gonna see how these work, and order them NOW while I am thinking about it.

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Fl...dp/B07MXT36ZH/

[Volkemon]

Wimped out and brought the axle to the mechanic that did it last time. Turns out the seal body had not set into the housing correctly, and was allowing the oil between the metal body of the seal and the rear end housing. There were two ridges from someone using a chisel to remove the seal and he had not seen that when assembling. So all good now!

GREAT time at Bike Week in Daytona, we put about 500 miles on in 6 days just cruising with friends and seeing the sights. The loop was beautiful. They are pushing hard to save it from development, hope they succeed.

Saw a bunch of CSC trike kits, several I could not ID, one motortrike kit on a goldwing, and about 10,000 Harley triglides. Popular model!

Thanks to all the help I have gotten here, the entire trip was without a trike problem. Happy Happy Mrs V. Thanks folks!

[Volkemon]

Last night was the best ride we have ever had on the trike.

Here in the sunny south, September is not the favorite month to ride. Hot as hades. But about 10Pm last night, we were out on the porch and remarked just how NICE it was out! Low humidity and low 70's?!?!

Suddenly... we needed to RIDE. Felt like a November evening... cooler weather is coming!

Got home at 1AM after ~150 miles of beachside riding. Roads were just about deserted. On a holiday weekend Saturday night. I dont think we saw 3 cars in the last ~30 miles south on A1A to Wabasso. We went over a few of the causeways just to then turn around landside, and go back over to enjoy the view again. 'Florida Mountains'

Stopped once or twice at beach accesses to check out the ocean, enjoy a beverage, and stretch our legs. The stars up above were magnificent.

THIS is why we got the trike - what a fine night.



THANKS to many, many things learned on the forum, the trike runs and handles beautifully. Hope everyone is enjoying theirs.

[trikeman]