New trike owner needs advice

[tubaman4]

Hey Guys (and girls) My brother and I have just built a custom trike out of a 99 softail frame. It has a springer front end because I have one on my Dyna and I like the look and ride. On my trike I am having difficulty steering. It seems to have a shake to it while riding straight down the road. I might just be expecting the same ride as my dyna. Is this rough steering just a part of what I need to get used to like I've been reading about? Would a steering dampner help? Any advise you can give me would help. Like I said, I just have my 2 wheeler to compare it to. Thanks

 

[John Luciano]

Don't understand Rough steering ???<br />
1) Do you mean when you corner is it had to turn ( yes )<br />
2) When you drive down the road in a straight line on a smooth road at 35 <br />
+ MPH does it shake ( Should not )<br />
3 ) When you are riding and it hits a bump or hole with either rear wheel will <br />
it shake ( yes )<br />
4) I have seen Damper on some trikes ( Lehman, Harley Sporster and the <br />
800 Bandit ) so I guess it can be added. i don't have one on my Goldwing.<br />
5) The steering head bearing can be torqued a few lb's tighter as you <br />
don't need it as loose on a trike

 

[Trikerjim]

Hi Tubaman and welcome to our group! you said you built the trike yourself, so I'm sure you've gone back and checked everything on the front-end and front wheel. Like John says, a trike steers "harder" or stiffer than a bike does. I normally tell people that haven't ridden trikes that it's more like riding an ATV as far as steering. Is that what it feels like? If so, a rake kit, (EZ Steer) ect. will make it easier to turn. As far as the shake or vibration, there should be none. Check the tires/wheels (bent? balanced?) My Goldwing has a SuperBrace on the front forks, but I'm not sure if it really helps..<br />
Let us know what you find and I'm sure others on here will have some ideas for you too.

Welcome aboard!

 

[Nana]

My trike is the champion kit on a 2000 Fat Boy, so should have a similar frame to yours. I have NO shake or wobble going straight, or at any time on the road once I am moving along. I do find it "bounces" and shakes at very low speeds on rough surfaces, but I expected that. I do have the EZ steer rake, and think it was well worth the investment for the ease of steering it has given me. <br />
<br />
You will love the trike once you get used to it and get the bugs worked out! Welcome to the forum.

 

[dwiht]

I have an Ultra Classic with a Lehman Kit. It has a slight wobble at very low speeds (under 20 mph) which is no problem to hang onto and control and stop. I was told this was normal and to expect it. At speed, it is very smooth.

 

[John Luciano]

I only get that at speeds below 5 MPH after 15 or 20 I can pretty much let go. If the road is not dead smooth ( lots of pot holes or bumps) then you will wobble back and forth as each rear wheel his bumps at slow speeds. This is normal. Not like a 2 wheeler that just bounces up and down . <img src="images/smilies/grin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="big grin" class="inlineimg" />

 

[rocketman]

rocketman

Hey Tubaman4, Don't expect the same ride as your dyna. Its a whole new ball game. You can get most of the shake (if not all of it) out of your trike by adjusting your head bearings tighter and you can also put a little more torque on the head nut. Also your tire pressure will affect it alot. Front tire should should be inflated to maximum presure and rear tires low. 20 to 25 in rear. Hope this helps.

 

[Seatec]

My Danson has no shake when I hit pot holes, I think I could hit pot holes at any speed with hands off and it would not upset the steering, just dont feel it in the handel bars, I think it may be the 3 wheels on back. Im starting to think the design has a big advantage over regular trikes, hear a lot about GW trikes getting this shake at low speed and bumps, would love to put mine up against one in a test , I think it would surprise a lot of trikers. <img src="images/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Wink" class="inlineimg" /> Wayne