Recommended trike conversion

[johnbb]

I have a 1999 heritage softail classic and due to a recent surgery my balance is way off (non malignant tumor on my right hearing and balance nerve removed both). Looks like my only option to ride again is do a trike kit. Looking for recommendations on a reasonable priced stable trike conversion. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Boss (wife) said don't even think about trying to ride 2 wheels.

 

[rhino 2]

I have a 1999 heritage softail classic and due to a recent surgery my balance is way off (non malignant tumor on my right hearing and balance nerve removed both). Looks like my only option to ride again is do a trike kit. Looking for recommendations on a reasonable priced stable trike conversion. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Boss (wife) said don't even think about trying to ride 2 wheels.

John…Welcome to Trike Talk…...

 

[Notgrownup]

Welcome John. I truly believe the installation and service is key on trikes. Look for someone in your area. Motortrike, California Sidecar, Roadsmith are some brands but the local dealer will be key.

Have you looked at getting a used Freewheeler and selling your current ride. The advantage is you can get it worked on in a pinch just about at any HD dealer Beach customs in Little River is one that will add a trike kit to yours

 

[johnbb]

Welcome John. I truly believe the installation and service is key on trikes. Look for someone in your area. Motortrike, California Sidecare, roadsmith are some brands but the local dealer will be key.

Have you looked at getting a used Freewheeler and selling your current ride. The advantage is you can get it worked on in a pinch just about at anyHD dealer Beach customs in Little River is one that will add a trike kit to yours

I am pretty mechanical so I was thinking of getting a kit and installing it myself and saving some money. I would hate to sell the softail I really love it and she's been good to me. Little River is not far from me I'll give them a call and see what they carry as far as do it yourself kits. Was considering maybe a sidecar but from reading trike seems to be more stable. Thanks

 

[Jack Klarich]

Hi John, :welcome: to Trike Talk

If you have a trike shop near you you should stop by to ask questions about the kits they sell/ install

Ask to test ride if possible to get a feel for them, Good Luck in your search

 

[ROAD DOG]

If you can do it yourself Frankenstein Is a good kit, They dont have a full body just rear fenders, easy to install, I have done a half dozen of them, There a short wheelbase so there a blast to ride. The price is decent, Not much paint work. If you buy one get the upgrade on the brakes, The brakes that come with it standard are single caliper they dont last if you ride it hard.

I did a 2014 Dyna that had some motor work done to it & Vance & Hince short shots on it, it was so loud & crazy fast. I take every one I do for a 150 mile ride when done for a shake down. That one got me New Hampshire speeding ticket & a lecture on loud Pipes I told the trooper Its not my bike, He says I understand But You Are Riding It. :xzqxz:

 

[johnbb]

If you can do it yourself Frankenstein Is a good kit, They dont have a full body just rear fenders, easy to install, I have done a half dozen of them, There a short wheelbase so there a blast to ride. The price is decent, Not much paint work. If you buy one get the upgrade on the brakes, The brakes that come with it standard are single caliper they dont last if you ride it hard I did a 2014 Dyna that had some motor work done to it & Vance & Hince short shots on it, it was so loud & crazy fast. I take every one I do for a 150 mile ride when done for a shake down. That one got me New Hampshire speeding ticket & a lecture on loud Pipes I told the trooper Its not my bike, He says I understand But You Are Riding It. :xzqxz:

I've been doing some online searches and the Frankenstein trike kit I'm seriously looking at. We have a dealer here in Charleston SC I'm going to checkout other than upgrade on brakes any other suggestions

 

[ROAD DOG]

I've been doing some online searches and the Frankenstein trike kit I'm seriously looking at. We have a dealer here in Charleston SC I'm going to checkout other than upgrade on brakes any other suggestions

You definitely want the raked tripple trees, They use to have 10" wheels with big tires if thats the style your lookin for, they show the fenders mounted on the top of the tires, I always mounted them towards the back of the tire, the fenders looked really good like that with the 10" wheels. Did a 2012 ultra with the big wheels & tires for this guy he was 75 I made my own custom 2into1 exhaust it was so fuckin loud, he picked up one saturday mornin like at 7 am he never road a trike he road it around the block 3 times every time faster and faster his wife was so mad she say look what you have done now.

he was a mean old biker he gets back I say so what do you think, Its ok. They are a lot of fun to ride there short & handle great. I did a 1200 sportster I did not like that 50 - 60 mph it was ok 70- 80 it was scary to me. I did one heritage it was 98 evo bone ass stock it was good but slow a stock evo at most was maybe 48 HP looked good & road & handled good . They are a easy install . Get a good torque wrench & lock tight take your time. I think biggest pain in the ass is BLEEDING the brakes .

 

[ROAD DOG]

Another good kit Im not sure there still doing them was FAT BAGGERS They have a full body, really a great kit big brakes, nice wheels, really good lookin body easy install. I did a 03 100th anniversary black & silver straight axle, did that one for a friend I still take it for a ride when he stops by. That one at the time they did not have a kit, they put a kit together for me, it was about the same price as a Frankenstein. look those up .

 

[Strelnikov]

Converting right now

My '98 RK is in the shop for a Frankenstein kit right now, should be done next month. Also bought a Freewheeler which I really enjoy. Quick, powerful. Like you I developed balance issues after riding for 60 years. Totaling my '04 RK in '21 sent me to the trike world.

I'll post the results of the transformation.

 

[Strelnikov]

Ongoing conversion

I am pretty mechanical so I was thinking of getting a kit and installing it myself and saving some money. I would hate to sell the softail I really love it and she's been good to me. Little River is not far from me I'll give them a call and see what they carry as far as do it yourself kits. Was considering maybe a sidecar but from reading trike seems to be more stable. Thanks

See my posts just above yours. Am currently converting a '98 RK with a Frankenstein kit. Going well so far., and the kit seems tobe of good quality at a reasonable price (About $9k, including install.) Like you, balance issues recently ended my 60+ year bike riding, so I did buy a used Freewheeler also. Really like the stability on the three wheelers but it will take a while for you to get used to the ride and, particularly, the steering. Good luck.