Time To Get Serious About A Trike

[Bama Red]

My knee replacement surgery (fifth surgery on this knee) just is not going well. Surgery was eleven weeks ago and I seem to have reached maximum range of motion and it is not where I wanted to be at this stage and the therapists and doc agree. In addition, the knee is very weak and I'm not sure I trust it, or ever will. Almost dropped the Valk last night in a parking garage and would have dropped it had not a GW rider been passing by and grabbed it until I could get it back upright.

So, I am seriously looking for a reliable dealer who can trike my Valk, and do a great job on it. I'd like to stay close to home - Tennessee, north Georgia, north Alabama, etc. You folks in Knoxville - is there anyone there thats any good? I could stay with our daughter and son-in-law while the work is done and get to visit with the grandkids! I'd appreciate any feedback from anyone who has been through the process.

I'm also looking for recommendations on whose conversion seems to work best for our Valks (mine is a Tourer). Since I don't have an Interstate, I'm assuming that I will need to provide a fairing (most kits do not come with a fairing, do they?).

As you can see, I have a lot more questions than answers and very little experience in the wide, wide world of trikes. I'm also gonna make some inquiries on triketalk.com and see if I can get some answers there.

[old2soon]

Sorry to hear the healing is not doing what you wanted it to do. Wish i could help you out on the trike ? but i can't. While i've seen some Valkyries triked here i never thought to ask the obvious ?s. Keep us updated on what you come up with. . You realize you have to be just as careful or more careful parking 3 wheels as opposed to 2 wheels?? Right!! Good news is the sumbitch won't fall over. RIDE SAFE.

[solo1]

Lady Draco (Tracy) has two Valk trikes and works on them herself.  You can find her mostly on the VRCC backup board.  She knows trikes and her and Highbinder (Don) live in  Virginia. 

[Hoser]

You can keep your tourer cofiguration when converting to a trike, the hard bags are replaced by a trunk in the trike body.  You can make a good piece of change by selling the bags, mounts, guard rails, back wheel, rear drive, etc. should bring up to a couple grand.  I will be looking to that also in the not too distant future.  Hoser 
 http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1998-HONDA-VALKYRIE-99911749

[Pete]

Southern Honda in Chattanooga has done at least 1 Valkyrie and several Goldwing Trikes.

I cannot speak to the quality of their work (just do no know other than visual, they look good), but the trike kit they use looks very well done.  (Independant rear suspension)

As I remember they are expensive.

[MP]

Try Hannigan in Murray, KY.
 Get it done right at the factory!

MP

[Chiefy]

This guy is a moderator on the Triketalk.com discussion board: http://www.adventuremotorsports.com/  He's in Dothan.

In this economy, you might be able to buy a used trike for about what it's going to cost to have your current bike triked.  Valkyrie trikes are not as popular as GW trikes, so you might come out okay selling your bike and buying a trike.

You didn't mention Voyager kits.  They work, but I met so many folks who sold the kits after 6 months and just got a trike proper.  They didn't care much for them.

[shortleg]

 I helped a member install a califonia sidecar kit.
Think alot of our members have the same kit.
  If you are not going to  install it youself, how much are you going to pay.
  Then ask and look at the kits
     I liked the CSC kit and like was said you can sell all the take offs.
  Also look at the pics from the past Inzanes there are a few trikes there.
                 Shortleg[Dave]

[solo1]

Another way to get three wheels is a rig.  I tried the sidecar route with my Valk. It's three wheels too but a longer learning curve.  Advantages are you keep all your present stuff as the Valk stays the same.  You have more luggage space and your co-rider can ride in enclosed comfort.  You'll attract attention.  Cheaper than a trike and lots of variations available.

Disadavantages are, asymmetrical,  all inputs,turning, stopping, steering are harder to get the hang of it.  The handlebars have some weird gyrations, and the rig doesn't lean (neither does a trike though)

Setting up a rig properly, is a story in itself. 

I'm back on two wheels but on a lighter bike, didn't like the rig. It was like harnessing a wagon to a race horse.

Here's a pic of my rig

http://i796.photobucket.com/albums/yy243/solo9899/motorcyclemedpics038.jpg[/img]]

[John Schmidt]

You need to check out the Roadsmith kit. One of our Fla. riders just did his himself, told me it's mostly plug 'n play. If you ever did any of the work on your bike such as pulling the rear wheel and final drive for maintenance, then you can do this yourself. Check out their website, you can even download the instructions and look them over. One thing I've found in looking at kits myself and the people that ride them....it appears the Roadsmith independent suspension is about as nice as it gets. My friend here in Fla. tells me it corners great and you don't get the sensation the inside wheel wants to lift on a hard turn. And, it will come painted to match if you let them know your bike color.

[Chiefy]

You need to check out the Roadsmith kit. One of our Fla. riders just did his himself, told me it's mostly plug 'n play. If you ever did any of the work on your bike such as pulling the rear wheel and final drive for maintenance, then you can do this yourself. Check out their website, you can even download the instructions and look them over. One thing I've found in looking at kits myself and the people that ride them....it appears the Roadsmith independent suspension is about as nice as it gets. My friend here in Fla. tells me it corners great and you don't get the sensation the inside wheel wants to lift on a hard turn. And, it will come painted to match if you let them know your bike color.

The first few times one wheel came off the ground on my trike was starting hard with the bars turned.  I adjusted the clutch a few times before it dawned on me what was going on.   

[bstahl5012]

I know your pain, I'm up to six knee surgery's and a hip replacement.

When looking for a trike kit ensure you get independent suspension and avoid solid axles. Just about all of the conversion kits have body options, just choose what you like. Don't forget you will need to rake for front end due to the handling of trikes. My rake is from VTXtreme, Dayrl the owner knows Trikes, Valkyrie's and Trike geometry. Don't extend the front end to far, Trikes need to be dead level fore and aft or you get low speed bump steer and high speed drifting.

I've seen the California Sidecar kit and it looks good. Mine is a Mystery Designs which I think is the best engineered but the manufacture has the worst support imaginable.

Good luck with the conversion, I was not happy when I had to go to training wheels but after I got used to the Trike I would never go back to two wheels even with perfect knees and a perfect hip. You can see my Trike at https://stahl-home.homeserver.com/StahlPhotoAlbums/Trike/trike/index.html

[eric in md]

the guys at red amber cycles in daytona beach does them.. look them up at  there good guys . tell them the big guy  sent ya

[santa]

Just south of you on 231 south of fayetteville, Tn. and north of Huntsville Al. on the west side of the road is a guy who does trikes. He has a iventory of used Goldwings too.
Santa

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Dixie Cycle in Clinton, Tennessee

www.dixiecycle.com

[boppa]

Try complete cycle in rome, GA.   Good Guy has done a ton of trikes valks & gw's.

[highcountry]

Here's a shop in Dothan, Alabama.  Not sure where it is, but one of the owners is very active on the Trike Talk forum and seems very knowledgeable about trikes.

http://www.adventuremotorsports.com/

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/

There will definitely be a trike in my future.

[Bama Red]

Santa, the place you're talking about is Tony's Trikes and he has moved from the Parkway to Ready Section Road in Hazel Green. I'm not too sure how knowledgeable he is about Valks - I went in and asked him about installing a Hitch Doc - he'd never heard of one, couldn't find one in his catalogs, and had to be shown how to search for it on the internet. Then he says that it won't fit a Valk - only Wings. Not a real confidence building chat....

Joe, I knew there was one near Clinton, figured you or one of the other Wild Bunch members would chime in! I'll have to take a look at their website. Thanks.

Chiefy, thanks for the info on the Roadsmith.

Eric in Md, I think Daytona is farther than I want to go for my conversion, but thanks anyway.

Highcountry, I already have a PM on the way to Bazooka at the Dothan shop - thanks.

[razor]

You might want to think about a GW trike, for one reason, reverse.  I know its not a valk but the reverse might be what ya need for your knee.  East Tennessee Goldwings in knoxville do a lot of GW trikes.

[R J]

Lady Draco had CSC do both of her Trikes.    She lives in Virginia and CSC has moved some place not too far from her and Don.

I also think the kit Murdoc (Ohio) put on his wifes bike was a CSC.

IF, I was to get rid of my Chevy Trike and trike out MGM, I'd go to Mpls or Daytona to the Trike Shop and get one of their independent suspension rigs.   It is a little wider and handles better in my opinion, but my opinion is just likes everyone Else's.    Just an opinion.

Trike Shop in Mpls:

http://www.trikeshop.com/

Trike Shop in Daytona:

http://www.trikeshopofdaytona.com/

They build a good unit and stands behind their equipment and work.

A long time ago, I had a Trike Shop VW Trike.    Good unit......

[Hoser]

Nicest sidecar Valk I have seen and ridden in.  Hoser

[fon1961]

Nicest sidecar Valk I have seen and ridden in.  Hoser

Wow!  it even comes with a cat. 

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

I know your pain, I'm up to six knee surgery's and a hip replacement.

When looking for a trike kit ensure you get independent suspension and avoid solid axles. Just about all of the conversion kits have body options, just choose what you like. Don't forget you will need to rake for front end due to the handling of trikes. My rake is from VTXtreme, Dayrl the owner knows Trikes, Valkyrie's and Trike geometry. Don't extend the front end to far, Trikes need to be dead level fore and aft or you get low speed bump steer and high speed drifting.

I've seen the California Sidecar kit and it looks good. Mine is a Mystery Designs which I think is the best engineered but the manufacture has the worst support imaginable.

Good luck with the conversion, I was not happy when I had to go to training wheels but after I got used to the Trike I would never go back to two wheels even with perfect knees and a perfect hip. You can see my Trike at https://stahl-home.homeserver.com/StahlPhotoAlbums/Trike/trike/index.html

That is a really cool looking trike. I love the rear suspension.  How much did that conversion cost you if you dont mind?  Did you install it yourself?

[bstahl5012]

I know your pain, I'm up to six knee surgery's and a hip replacement.

When looking for a trike kit ensure you get independent suspension and avoid solid axles. Just about all of the conversion kits have body options, just choose what you like. Don't forget you will need to rake for front end due to the handling of trikes. My rake is from VTXtreme, Dayrl the owner knows Trikes, Valkyrie's and Trike geometry. Don't extend the front end to far, Trikes need to be dead level fore and aft or you get low speed bump steer and high speed drifting.

I've seen the California Sidecar kit and it looks good. Mine is a Mystery Designs which I think is the best engineered but the manufacture has the worst support imaginable.

Good luck with the conversion, I was not happy when I had to go to training wheels but after I got used to the Trike I would never go back to two wheels even with perfect knees and a perfect hip. You can see my Trike at https://stahl-home.homeserver.com/StahlPhotoAlbums/Trike/trike/index.html

That is a really cool looking trike. I love the rear suspension.  How much did that conversion cost you if you dont mind?  Did you install it yourself?

The manufactures web site is http://www.mysterydesigns.com/ and they have a retail price list. Check out the information on there site, you will see they build a bolt on kit for the Valkyrie.

[HickoryNCInterstate]

Bama Had my Interstate triked at UMB Customs here in Denver NC, mine is the yellow one and the green/silver interstate on my website. Good people!! Trike shop is my kit, he also sells and installs Hannigan. After doing a couple I agree with the other post You can buy cheaper than you can build. Around 11K to trike out. Rake kit is neccessary for comfort and comfort, I had a 4.5 (not enough), have a 6 degree on now, would love to try a 8 degree at some point.  Having the same problem with my knee, 3 scopes next time new parts, understand where you are at.  If you would like to chat with other questions, send me a PM and I'll give me my number.

[Rams]

You might want to think about a GW trike, for one reason, reverse.  I know its not a valk but the reverse might be what ya need for your knee.  East Tennessee Goldwings in knoxville do a lot of GW trikes.

This makes a lot of sense to me.  The docs want to put some steel in my right knee, I love my Lady and really don't want to cut her up.  I'd do a Wing with reverse first. 

Reference that steel knee joint, I keep asking but no one will tell me, do they put a grease zerk in it or not. 

[Charlie McCready]

See Randy Latham at Volunteer Cycles in Sevierville, TN near Knoxville.  They do a lot of conversions using different company's kits.