Trike not tracking/handling correctly…help!

[Oleschool]

Hey everyone. I’m new to the trike scene. Built a number of custom bikes but this is my first trike. Been working on this for a few years. I’m about 90% done. Took it out for a road test but it handles like shit in plain English. The front end wonders all over. It doesn’t shake, just wanders. I have a 45 degree rake, 3 inches of trail and a 30” front end. When the trike is parked I can shake it side to side. I know this is not right. The rear ended is centered. Everything is torqued to specs. HELP!!!

I want to get this on the road this spring.

Here’s a few pics.



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[Jack Klarich]

You might want to revisit the steering head bearing adjustment and think about a steering damper

Try this for a re torque of tour stem bearings-torque the steering stem to 30-35 lbs. and go for a ride

Run 36 PSI in the front tire and try 22-25 PSI in the rear tires

[stacebg]

You might want to revisit the steering head bearing adjustment and think about a steering damper

a damper for a wander??? wobble yes wander no

[TwistedKarma]

Jack would be correct on the first guess. Hold the triple to neck area, have someone else shake it.

See if you feal any movement in the bearings, something could have moved? Bearing race had a smidgen of debri behind it? Lightly jack up under frame to see if neck to triples jiggle a bit

Nice build,

[Oleschool]

Thanks guys. I’ll take a look at the neck bearings as soon as I get a chance and update you. Does the trail seek to be ok at 3”?

[Rogue1]

You might want to revisit the steering head bearing adjustment and think about a steering damper

Try this for a re torque of tour stem bearings-torque the steering stem to 30-35 lbs. and go for a ride

Run 36 PSI in the front tire and try 22-25 PSI in the rear tires

I concur

[Old Road Dog]

Hey everyone. I’m new to the trike scene. Built a number of custom bikes but this is my first trike. Been working on this for a few years. I’m about 90% done. Took it out for a road test but it handles like shit in plain English. The front end wonders all over. It doesn’t shake, just wanders. I have a 45 degree rake, 3 inches of trail and a 30” front end. When the trike is parked I can shake it side to side. I know this is not right. The rear ended is centered. Everything is torqued to specs.

I dig it! Nothing like a custom chop.

[stacebg]

Thanks guys. I’ll take a look at the neck bearings as soon as I get a chance and update you. Does the trail seek to be ok at 3”?

3" should be ok

[Oleschool]

So I just went out to the garage and checked my tire pressure. My tire pressure was about 13 psi all the way around. I don’t believe that was the actual pressure when I took it out for a test ride last time but I can’t say for sure. it’s also been sitting for a while. I put 22 in the back and 36 in the front. I’ll check it again before I take it out for the next test ride and let you guys know how I make out It’ll probably be a while because I’m up here in the Northeast and we’re up for a cold spell.

[cScjhb]

My tire pressure was about 13 psi all the way around.

That'd do it! I bought a bike (Not a trike) out of state several years ago. Flew to Texas to ride it home. Private party sale on EBAY. After completing the transaction, I moved the bike and it handled like a pregnant duck! TP was about 15 in both tires. Aired up and all was good. Good luck..... Jim

[TwistedKarma]

Thanks guys. I’ll take a look at the neck bearings as soon as I get a chance and update you. Does the trail seek to be ok at 3”?

I dumb it down, ruler under frame, turn right and left. Frame should stay same measurement, if you turn r of left, and it drops, steering back to center become difficult, because your lifting the trike.

Trail n rake for dummys

[Sidecarbill]

Funny,lookin at the tires it's obvious they're only riding on the center tread. Which would normally mean over inflation. Or the rims aren't wide enough for the tires.

[Oleschool]

Sidecar. I see what you mean about the rear tires. I’ll have to look into that.

[Oleschool]

So today was warm enough to go for a test ride. I jacked up the frame. No movement in the neck. I also turned the steering side to side and the frame stayed level. I put 36 PSI in the front twice and 22 in the red tires. The result It still handles like shit. It wonders and and shakes. Almost afraid to ride it. What am I missing? Can it be that the geometry is not ride? I’ve never built or ridden a trike before. Not sure how there supposed to handle but I’m sure not like this.

[Mykneesbehurtin]

At this point I would inspect all welded joints just to make sure there are no cracked welds. You stated that the axle was centered, just throwing this out there. But is it possible the axle is out front to back. Also do you have another set of wheels and tires you can try, never know you could have a bad belt in one tire. Just spit balling here.

[rhino 2]

Maybe you can find somebody who’s been riding trikes for a few years and take yours out for a test ride and get their input…

There’s been a few people new to Trikes, Who get on a Trike for the first time ride it, and state the same problems you’re having because they’re just not used to riding a trike ‘Trikes have their own geometry and ride nothing like a two wheeler…..

[Oleschool]

I dont have another set of wheels. I’ll look over all the welds. I know this is probably not going to handle anything like a factory built trike but it doesn’t seem right. I’m going to see if there’s anyone local trike owner that can give me some input.

thanks for all the advice guys.

[rhino 2]

I do t have another set of wheels. I’ll look over all the welds. I know this is probably not going to handle anything like a factory built trike but it doesn’t seem right. I’m going to see if there’s anyone local trike owner that can give me some input.

thanks for all the advice guys.

Mike…..Keep us informed….👍

[stacebg]

I do t have another set of wheels. I’ll look over all the welds. but it doesn’t seem right. I’m going to see if there’s anyone local trike owner that can give me some input.

thanks for all the advice guys.

what exactly is it doing?

wondering how u calculated 3" of trail.. are the trees raked?

"I know this is probably not going to handle anything like a factory built trike"

dont be too sure of that!

[Oleschool]

For the trail I measured straight down from the center of the axle and then a straight line following the angle of the center of the neck to the ground. The distance where the two points contacting the ground was 3 inches. Running a 45 degree total rake. 42 in the frame and 3 in the trees. Also running a DNA rear end. The frame is rigid but I’ve got shocks mounted on seat.

Cant keep it in a straight line.