Would you trike a 2000 ultra?

[Lone Rider]

I have a 2000 Ultra "Special Edition Shriner" (only 3000 made that year) all purple in color. The bike has 18,470 easy miles and a well chromed candidate for triking. We love the bike and purple is my wife's favorite color.

Here's the hitch. Three different H-D dealers have said the fuel injection system is marginal by todays standards. It was OK in 2000 but it is 3 model changes ago. I have not had ONE GLITCH with this bike in all of its miles, but the H-D service manager said I'm a lucky fella cuz most that have that injection system are pullin' their hair out. He also said they are very temperamental.

I don't want to trike a sleeping monster and I'm not gonna spend 4 grand upgrading the injection system. Am I over-reacting? Should we sell the bike?

Or is it a good candidate for a trike?

Appreciate any and all opinions.

Some of you guys have built trikes and upgraded to Stage one kits so I''m lookin' for some solid mechanical viewpoints.

Thanks and glad to be here among y'all.

Long Rider

[Papa Zook]

LR- Just my opinion, but I wouldn't hesitate to trike it. You know the bike and the color is great. I just finished a 2000 purple Road Glide and it turned out real nice (can PM pictures to you if you want)...Looks great and runs and drives great too. I personally have seen no major issues with the 2000 FI bikes.

[Trikerjim]

I say Trike It...You can have problems with ANY of them and you just deal with them. Sounds like you'd have a "One of a Kind Trike" and that makes it all the more better...Go for it...

[John Luciano]

The Trike is not going to change how the bike runs. You said yourself U have no problems. What Motor is in the bike? My friend has the EVO 2002 with FI in a Duce. Only problem is there is something in the gas tank that keeps screwing up.

[FBTRIKE]

If your happy with the scoot you have, trike it. Like others have said, sounds like someone wants to sell you a new one. TRIKE IT!

[Nana]

Sounds to me like it will be a gorgeous trike! Can't wait to see pictures when it's done!

[Gorilla]

Long Rider

I to agree with Kodiak and Zook. TRIKE IT. You will not regret it. Here is another option if you have trouble with the F.I. Change it to a carburetor. It is not that big of a deal to due that. You pull the computer and install an electronic ignition, add a carb and change the F.I. tank fitting to a petcock. Warm up becomes an issue but if it is well setup you will have no problems. I did this with a 1999 Police Road King which had F.I. and it was acting up.

Bought used parts on E-Bay and was good to go.

Merry Christmas

Ted

[dwiht]

I had an 2002 Ultra with a stage 1 setup and geardrive cams. I didn't trike it because when I put a Voyager Kit on it, it felt a little light on the power side. I have an 08 Ultra triked with a Lehman kit. It has a 96 cubic inch motor and the stage one setup, the power is ok but sixth gear is pretty much useless one is riding over 75 mph. When you trike yours, I would suggest putting in geardrive cams (gets rid of the cam chain tension problem and setup for better low end torque) and adding a stage one upgrade to help the heat issue. My 08 was running pretty hot and the stage one helped the engine to run cooler. I am sure you will love your trike whatever you decide to do. Purple is a great color.

[John Luciano]

I have heard that the HD trike are no Powerhouse. U r the first HD owner I have heard say that. My Wing pulls the front wheel off the ground in 2nd and I pass cars from 60MPH in 5th. Even pulling a trailer

[Gorilla]

My 2007 HD Road Glide with Champion Conversion has a stock HD 103 motor with Rinehart pipes, S&S 510g cams, K&N filter. Power Commander. I drive in 6th gear at 50 MPH and have plenty of torque to pull, (Even down to 45 before it starts to lug). The motor was Dyno'ed before I triked the bike and it has max 100 HP and 105 ft lbs of torque at each peak. The torque curve is pretty flat on the top from 2300 rpm's through 4800 rpm's between 95 and 105 ft,lbs. If I really want to get on it I too can pull the front off the ground. The HD TRI-GLIDE in stock form is weak, but it has the 103 motor so the potential is there for the tapping just like mine was. HD builds them to pass EPA standards not as power houses. My daughters GW 1500 also drives real nice, but it is a different power curve, but still goes just fine. Ted

[dwiht]

One can build any bike to be a powerhouse, I am just saying that a stock 88 maybe more noticeably underpowered as a trike. I would love to have a 103 in my bike too, but I don't mind the 96, I get the same gas mileage as the two wheel GoldWings and have no problem riding with them. I will regear my Harley which will make 6th gear more useable at our altitude and mountains. The GoldWings I ride with all try to stay under 3000 rpm in order to get decent gas mileage. I am just trying to explain the options so one can make the best decisions.

[Lone Rider]

Thank you all,

Keep those comments coming. Your input has been VERY enlightening and we appreciate your time to write back to us.

Merry Christmas to all you great folks on the trike forum.

Long Rider

[Gorilla]

kodiak, you are 100% correct. For most people a builder is what they need. Most people should spend the few extra bucks and have it done correctly so they can enjoy the creation. When things do not fit together then all you hear is the complaining. An 88 motor and in fact an EVO 80 motor is fine if the final drive is geared correctly. So all out there unless you know what you are doing, see the PRO's you will not regret it Merry Christmas and Happy new Year to all Ted

[Lone Rider]

The fog is starting to lift..

Kodiak, you say the gearing can be changed? ie. the rear sproket to gain torque and a better power curve?

Where in the PNW do I find such a technican?

Long Rider

[Nana]

We just commissioned one today to trike as a fully automatic 2000 HD Trike so I guess this helps you to know there are other people that are still doing it. There is no friction clutch to overcome in an Automatic so the 96 will work fine and even if it was a manual. There is a difference between an installer and a trike builder. A builder will put a Trike where it needs to be geared for optimum performance and a installer of kits just installs what is available to them from some factory...
kodiak
PS I guess I'll get alot of flack for this comment but sometimes the truth hurts when you get knocked off the high horse.

Kodiak,

If I am understanding you correctly, you are saying that the ideal trike builder doesn't just install the pre-manufactured kit, but optimizes the performance of the entire machine to adjust for the changes the three wheels (and all involved with that) will cause. I agree with that, and it certainly is bad when this is not the case!

However, I don't agree with your inference that only a an occasional installer/builder takes care of doing this quality of work, in fact it think it is the other way around. A huge majority of us have opted to trike our bikes using a pre-manufactured kit rather than building the trike from scratch. Those kits have been installed by individuals all over this country, and even all over the world -- mine done here in Ohio. Some were built by the owner, some by independent shops, and some by motorcycle dealers.

I am sure your statement quoted here was not intended to put down these many serious, highly capable builders, nor the beautiful trikes they have built! I would venture to say that most of us would strongly recommend our installer/builder just because they did the build so well, INCLUDING optimizing the performance to accommodate the changes the kit made and also to enhance the engine performance in any way we have requested. I certainly have found that to be my experience.

Nana

[Papa Zook]

We just commissioned one today to trike as a fully automatic 2000 HD Trike so I guess this helps you to know there are other people that are still doing it. There is no friction clutch to overcome in an Automatic so the 96 will work fine and even if it was a manual. There is a difference between an installer and a trike builder. A builder will put a Trike where it needs to be geared for optimum performance and a installer of kits just installs what is available to them from some factory...
kodiak
PS I guess I'll get alot of flack for this comment but sometimes the truth hurts when you get knocked off the high horse.

My take on it is this. Motor Trike, Champion, Lehman, California Sidecar, Hannigan and The Trike Shop all build TOP QUALITY conversions...known and trusted throughout the world. I don't sell all of them but I wouldn't hesitate to if I could and you will never hear me say a bad word about any one of them. NEWS FLASH: These companies DO know how to gear the rear-ends for the maximum performance of each application. In some cases that means using the stock pully (Harleys & Yamahas) or not. Sometimes the stock pully is replaced with a different size pully to achieve the optimum gearing for that particular machine. Yes there are times when a custome gearing is called for and its very simple to address by the "builder/installer".

In the drive shaft models (Gold Wings, Valkryies) they offer the customer a choice of two different gear ratios one being a taller gear for improved gas mileage and the other being a slightly lower gear ratio for those riding two-up, mountainous terrain or heavy trailering. This does not mean that either gear ratio wont handle either application, they will, but one ratio may be better suited for the MAJORITY of the type or riding a person does.

As for builders/installers they are one in the same except the ones utilizing any of the above mentioned conversions are absolutely the ones to go to. Some may be more experienced than others, but you also wont hear me say a bad word about these guys either. I know more than a few of them and most are hard-working and take a lot of pride in every trike they build.

[Buzzard]

Buzzard:
So you are saying that these kits even though they are real good ones can be NO better than they are right now?????
You did not mention "Triwing" and Several others. Is your knowledge of these other companies limited?
Are you saying that if they do not purchase from these companies that they are making a mistake by choosing someone different than your suggestions...
Just to be sure there is no misunderstanding to all the audiance here, YOU are saying that a builder and installer are the same...LoL!!!:eek:
Please answer without a temper tantrum. Are you a store selling Honey?
This is an arcade game to me and I enjoy this. The difference is you put Quarters in the game to play and I dont... Lets dance with the Almighty Buzzard. Your move!
kodiak

Morning All. Buzzard here and I niether have a Horse in this Race nor do I Dance to this tune. Both of you are saying the same thing and attacking the other for not including every possible aspect of the subject.

Forth Grade School Yard Sh*t.

There is no reason for this diatribe that I can see. Both of you should back out and leave it the F*** Alone .............


BROTHERS FOREVER

BUZZARD
870-257-3556
870-847-1900
bwhittle@centurytel.net

A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have. -Thomas Jefferson

[Buzzard]

Buzzard:
I am sorry for putting your name on there. It was a total mistake...
I simply answered with my opinion to someone. Then the almighty's just want to blast my opinion instead of putting their opinion to the original question. Its the same pay to play people all the time... Again, I am sorry for putting your name on there by mistake.
kodiak

No Problem Kodiak. I just hate to see these things get started no matter what or who starts it.

This site is too nice and there are too many great folks here to let it degenerate into angst.

All is Cool.

Buzzard

[Buzzard]

Buzzard:
I like this site because of the variety of folks and backgrounds that all have a common interest all over the world....
I have almost 50 years of experience in this field and try to answer questions or give my opinion on what is asked but I also like to try to make them Think a little for themselves.
I do not try to sell products or services on this board as other pay to play members do.
I simply think trikes are the safest and most fun sport there is and want to try to help it to be as safe as possible.
Their are loads of options out there people do not know about and unless you are a pay to play member you are not suppose to say them so I dont.
You have always been even tempered and I appreciate that. I hope you have a great life ahead of you...
kodiak
PS. This is sent to you but prepare for the flack attack from others now.

Let me be succinct, Kodiac. And this is directed to and for Everyone.

By just reading a post, it is damn difficult to know if the sender is pissed or laughing. Is jerking you around or is in the Attack mode. Everyone should remember that when they post here and write accordingly.

We all have egos. When they flare up, We have to take it off line and back channel. Life is too short for all the Angst and nothing can be resolved by bitching at each other about who is most knowledgeable or who has the longest wang.

There are too many Civilians and Women here and I don't want them upset. To use the Vernacular, "when the Women get Pissed, It Ain't fun no more."

The real problem is that the Man still doesn’t know if he should Trike his Harley or not. Now that is flippin' SAD.............

It’s time to let it die. Nothing solved here.

LET'S START A NEW POST!


With Respect

LL&R

Buzzard

[Papa Zook]

Morning All. Buzzard here and I niether have a Horse in this Race nor do I Dance to this tune. Both of you are saying the same thing and attacking the other for not including every possible aspect of the subject.

Forth Grade School Yard Sh*t.

There is no reason for this diatribe that I can see. Both of you should back out and leave it the F*** Alone ............


BROTHERS FOREVER

BUZZARD
870-257-3556
870-847-1900
bwhittle@centurytel.net

A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have. -Thomas Jefferson

Woaaa Buzzard-
I'm a big boy and can speak for myself....Not any 'flack attack' either, just a response. I like and respect you buddy but just because Kodiak mistakenly quoted you and not me is no reason to jump in with both feet. Take a re-read of my two posts above. My first post was to advise long rider to trike his perfectly good Harley and my second post was to inform him that he doesn't have to search high and low hoping to find some obscure trike builder guru in a back alley somewhere. Its obvious..the competent ones are easily found and no their conversions don't say "Made in China" on them.

You recently voiced an opinion that the site was becoming too boring and politically correct didn't you? Well let this thread be and it will runs its course. There might be some entertainment value to it. If Kodiak wants to act like a 4th grader and try and provoke a fight....let him. I will continue to offer the best honest advice I can...and if jabbed I will try not to jab back.

And to the other awesome members here...dont be afraid to post your thoughts on this or any thread. Join in on the discussion and way in. We can agree to disagree but not be disagreeable. Everyone's opinion is appreciated here!