GW and Motor Trike raked neck or not??

[JaysGone]

Im a newbie here and have not even had delivery of my bike.
Im expecting delivery next week.
Its a 2010 GW with a Motor trike kit.
When speaking with the sales person.
Im in Florida the bike was in Texas.
Plenty of pictures were available to me.
But
I asked if the bike had been raked.
He couldnt answer that question.
All he could tell me was its an Adventuer kit.
Told me it had this addon and that, as in chrome bolt on or tape as the case may be parts.
Having read Motor Trikes site and the standard equipment of the trike.
The Adventurer doesn NOT have a raked tree installed as standard equipment.
But a 4.5 degree tree is optional.
Motor Trike claims its not needed as the bike has the OEM wheel base.

Basically my question here to anyone is this.
How do you determine if it has a raked neck??
Let alone its degree.

I know I might be getting ahead of myself here.
But its something Id like to know how to determine when the bike gets here.

Thanks to all replies in advance.

 

[Veritas44]

Congrats & welcome to "Trikedom" <img src="images/smilies/thumbup.gif" border="0" alt="" title="ThumbUp" class="inlineimg" /><br />
First, the PowerTrack/EZ-Steer/SteerLite/etc... Whatever the different Manufacturers deem it, is always just changing the OEM stock Triple Tree assembly out for a unit that has increased "Steering Angle" NOT increased "Rake". The only way to increase Rake is to modify the actual frame neck. <br />
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Doing the Triple Tree Mod is not REQUIRED however is Necessary and Desired if one truly wishes to bring the geometry & Trail of the Trike into proper proportional configuration. That is true regardless of Manufacturer as each changes/alters that by definition when converting a Bike to a Trike. Some designs are more tolerable than others when out of whack but still "off" none the less. The only difference is to what degree increase is required to bring the Steering Angle/Trail of the modified unit back in-line with proper geometry given its new modified stance and overall dynamic state. Thus, some need 3*, some 4.5*, and some 6* and so on. What's "right" for a CSC may or may not be correct for the MT or the RS, HMS, DFT, Champ, etc (as well as for different Makes/Models that the individual Trike companies offer). However, for ANY Trike modified Bike it is NOT "right" or at its "Best" until that Triple Tree/Steering Angle/Trail correction is implemented.

To argue this is to debate age-old and time-proven basic Laws of Geometry, Physics, Statics, and Engineering. But, as this mod will run from around $700-$1300 (depending on Manufacturer of the new Triple and who installs it) there are some that choose financially not to do it and then deal with the lack thereof accordingly. <br />
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Hope this helps. The good news is if it hasn't already been done you can do so or get it done at tons of places easily in less than a day. <br />
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Secondly, To determine simply and easily if your new trike has had that mod done, measure the distance between the rear edge of the front fender and the front lower cowl of the trike. That will tell the tale as the mod normally increases that distance by 1.5"-2" from the non-modded OEM. Post what you find and I'm sure another MT Owner can quickly answer or call MT direct.

 

[Gorilla]

JaysGone, congrats on your new purchase. From what I read in your post I would say it probably it has not had the trees changed. Most companies do not install it as standard for price reasons. Even though it is almost a must have item they list it as an option to keep the MSRP down. I would suggest that you have it done or do it yourself because it makes the steering so much easier. Also many conversion will have a low speed steering wobble if it has not been modified. You will feel it mostly on slowing down around 20 MPH. You should be able to tell if you have it, if when you start up the steering feels heavy, hard to move, then more than likely it has not been done. Changing the trees is like adding power steering.<br />
<br />
If you need to get new trees, then I would strongly suggest that you PM "BAZOOKA" AKA "Zook" on this forum and take advantage of his triple trees. He also has an ad on the side banner of your forum screen.

Great price and he will give you all the help you need to get them installed. Zook is the owner of this forum and we should support him.<br />
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Congrats again.

 

[JaysGone]

Im not new to bikes and changing Tripple Trees and I thank you for letting me and others know exactly what is involved.
My question more or less did get answered though and again thanks for the how to know part.

As soon as the bike arrives I have to get Motor Trike the numbers so that I can get the existing warrenty whats left extended.
Possibly they will have the records once I supply the VIN and kit numbers.

I have some physical limitations with both arms.
Too many surgeries and torn ligaments, including both rotator cuffs over the years with some permanet nerve dammages so.
If it isnt or hasnt been done.
It will be done.
But this too.
I prommised myself.
Id loose almost all my tools and try to forget everything I know of 30+ some odd years of rebuilding motorcycles,
And leave this beast be as it is.

The only thing I can see myself doing on day one.
Is adjusting the handle bars as best as I can to make Me comfortable.
I find with every bike I own.
I need to be no more then 30-33 inches across and as much pull back <4-8inches>as I can get. My RoadStar I was able to adjst to me pretty well.
My Valk with 36 inch wide bars has always been a bit fatiging for me to ride for hours.
If could put the handle bar ends 6 inches from my waist line. Life would be good. Plus I need to put them at a slight left to right angle to take stress off my right arm.
I find tilting them in left being closer to me then the right is needed to relieve my left arm and shoulder weaknesses.
I had one bike with 14 inch Z-Bars almost horizontal worked fine.
Looked stupid but was very comfortable.

It looks like to me with the GW the handle bars are 2 seperate units. Im hopefull that they can be adjusted individualy.
If they arent Ill find some after market set that will allow me more adjustability or I may just end up with issues.

Im not handicapped but legally I am.
If not.
Ill have to learn to deal with it.
So with out a tree kit, being weak to begin with.
I may <will> have stearing issues.

I guess Ill see when it gets here.
Ill know just getting on it at the 1st monent to pull it into the garage.