Leaking trunk

[brianl]

I’ve had 2 Roadsmith trikes now. A 1997 and a 2017. Both Goldwings. The trunk leaked water on both of them. Any suggestions for how to fix the problem? Both bikes were separate builders. Any advice on how to fix the problem?

[tourman]

I'd give RoadSmith a call, see what they say

[Burnerboy]

my Roadsmith has a rubber stripe around the outside edge of the trunk..... (Does yours????)

Ronnie

[Papa Zook]

The leak is 100% due to the installer. I have corrected at least a dozen of these for RS owners who bought their trike or trike kit from a certain high volume discount dealer who promises a one same day installation. When Roadsmith builds the kit AND they paint it, they always correctly install the rubber trunk seal and it never leaks.

This particular dealer and probably a few others, always orders their kits unpainted, because they do their own paint jobs to save a few hundred dollars and promise a one day install. Who wants a one day install?? In their haste, very often the trunk seal is not installed properly and will always leak.

The trick is to take a rubber or plastic dead blow hammer and starting at the top center of the trunk opening, gently, but firmly tap the rubber seal to seat it to the trike body's opening edge. The seal is a commonly used automotive u-shaped rubber tube that is molded to a tough plastic, metal impregnated flexible channel that seats over the fiberglass lip of the trunk opening.

Starting at the top center and working to the left, firmly tap the seal every inch to seat it paying close attention in the top and bottom (4) radius of the opening as these are the areas that unless done exactly as I am describing, will not be fully seated and where leaks will occur. Make sure when you get to the lower radius, to hold firm pressure on the upper radius of each side as you tap in the seal at the lower radius so it does not pull away at the top.

If it was installed incorrectly, when each side is reseated properly, you will see a 3/4" to 1" gap appear in the middle of the bottom of the seal's ends, due to the seal not having been seated all the way in the corners and thus being cut too short. The resulting gap on the bottom center of the seal can not leak, as water will not climb uphill and into the trunk. You can put a dab of clear silicone in the gap if you want.

The leak occurs because water naturally enters the space between the body and trunk at the top of the body/trunk lid. This is a design element of all trike kit manufacturer's bodies. As water runs down the sides of the seal, it is wicked into the trunk due to a gap on one or both sides of the lower radius. The process of properly seating the seal will stop the leak.

[LadyonaMission]

Well, if I had a Roadsmith with a leaking trunk I would drive it to your shop to have it fixed. I can't get a visual of myself hitting a trike with anything, ever.

[Papa Zook]

Well, if I had a Roadsmith with a leaking trunk I would drive it to your shop to have it fixed. I can't get a visual of myself hitting a trike with anything, ever.

Admittedly it sounds suspect, but its the right fix Lola, been building trikes for 15 years and this is what works best and damages nothing. It is simply applying a light tap to seat the seal as pushing it in by hand can leave a gap due to the metal backing built into seal is not conducive to being bent/seated into a tight fit in hard curved radiused areas. Tapping it assures it is completely seated and will assure no leaks.

[brianl]

Admittedly it sounds suspect, but its the right fix Lola, been building trikes for 15 years and this is what works best and damages nothing. It is simply applying a light tap to seat the seal as pushing it in by hand can leave a gap due to the metal backing built into seal is not conducive to being bent/seated into a tight fit in hard curved radiused areas. Tapping it assures it is completely seated and will assure no leaks.

I’ll give it a try. Any chance you could make a video?