Triking the Dragon - Any Feedback??

[Michigamme Man]

Contemplating the Roadsmith trike kit for a 1999 Interstate with 48000 miles in very excellent condition.  Anybody that has gone the trike route - would appreciate any advise or comments.  Thanks!
Stick

[Brian]

You might want to consider changing the angle on the front end by replacing the triple trees. I believe F6X sells them here. Now if you are having this done by a shop ask if they are doing this as part of their service.

[Michigamme Man]

Hey Brian -
It would be done by a shop.  I did ask, and yes they do.
Thanks for dropping in.
Stick

[Chiefy]

Ask over at www.triketalk.com  All the commercial trike kits look good and perform fine.  But you will get some input over there on the pros and cons of all the kits.

Agreed.  A heavy bike like a dragon needs to have the front raked.  FYI...... No aftermarket kits to add a reverse.  So don't park with the front end lower then the rear   

[Poor Ol Harry]

That shop has a reputation & u need to be aware of it . A reputiable shop does not charge any more than a crook , espically if u have to pay to fix problems if any .Thanks to this board I was able to correct the problem myself.Again just be double sure u know all about ur shop of choice. GOOD LUCK !!

[Poor Ol Harry]

PS....Before u give up ur saddle bags......had I been thinking ....a luggage rack off the trailer hitch with the bags mounted on it ,is removeable & handy for longer trips

[JaysGone]

Ask over at www.triketalk.com  FYI...... No aftermarket kits to add a reverse.  So don't park with the front end lower then the rear   

Incorrect!!!!!!

http://www.americantrike.com/

I bought my 99 Valk originaly just to trike it and went with a 2010 GW/Motortrike Adventuer kit.
Due to the fact I couldnt find a builder in my area who would/could do it.

They can and will make a seperate reverse for any bike.

[Chiefy]

Ask over at www.triketalk.com  FYI...... No aftermarket kits to add a reverse.  So don't park with the front end lower then the rear   

Incorrect!!!!!!

http://www.americantrike.com/

I bought my 99 Valk originaly just to trike it and went with a 2010 GW/Motortrike Adventuer kit.
Due to the fact I couldnt find a builder in my area who would/could do it.

They can and will make a seperate reverse for any bike.

Well, there you go.  A few years back when I had a trike no one could find any.  The power of the internet.

[R J]

Ask over at www.triketalk.com  FYI...... No aftermarket kits to add a reverse.  So don't park with the front end lower then the rear   

Incorrect!!!!!!

http://www.americantrike.com/

I bought my 99 Valk originaly just to trike it and went with a 2010 GW/Motortrike Adventuer kit.
Due to the fact I couldnt find a builder in my area who would/could do it.

They can and will make a seperate reverse for any bike.

I hope they pay you to put that kit on your ride.

They are flat firkin UGLY.

I have the RoadSmith under mine.

[JaysGone]

ATI builds what their customers want.
They will make whatever you want.
Full out custom to a road hauler.
Basic kit there is a set of fenders and an axle.
I personally dont and didnt need anything else.
With me it was more the timming then the look.
I wanted it in 3 days, not 3 months.
So I went another way.
I know 2 guys with ATI kits and they are as happy as a set of clams.
The major trike builders all have basically the same look as far as Im concerned.
My MotorTrike looks just like everyone elses Hannigan, Lehman or RoadHouse.
They all offer solid or IRS suspentions.
Originally and now all I still need is a single seater and a set of fenders.
I might still go that way in the future.
The GW isnt really what I wanted, it was just there when I needed it.


Best listi of builders I know of.
http://cruiserlinks.com/motorcycle-manufacturer-directory/trike-manufacturers-conversions/

[R J]

I didn't see RoadSmith in your list.

After a ton of research, I went with this conversion from Trike Shop.

Took 4 days to get it done, that included painting.

I like the Independent suspension.    The ones you refer to, I believe they buy the rear end suspension from the Trike Shop and then put it under their name when they install it.

Before ya get your feathers all out of shape, I heard the buy others suspension from a pretty reliable source.    Don't jump on the messenger boy.

[quexpress]

I have the RoadSmith under mine.

That kit is so FREAKIN' pretty RJ! Drool ...
Would I need a second mortgage to purchase such a kit from RoadSmith?

[FloridaValkRyder]

This sweet trike belongs to Silverfox here in Florida. After seeing it in person, I cant believe how beautiful it is. The front end is raked, IRS, lots of goodies. Would definitely be my first choice. This thing is just beautiful.

[JaysGone]

My 3 cents worth on trikes.
Do your homework on the kits.
Hopefully you will find a good installer.
Lots of crappy ones out there.
Thats is the most important part .......the installer.
Then hope the installer is within a reasonable distance from you.

[R J]

My installer was the Trike Shop.     Between you and I they did one hell of a nice job.

I had one of their VW Trikes when in California.    I run it about 80K in 4 years.

3 trips to Daytona for Bike Week and 4 trips to Sturgis in that mileage.

[Brian]

RJ,
Your ride looks great. Is that carpet on your garage floor or a show room for a business? I don't see any oil drip marks anywhere.

[JaysGone]

My installer was the Trike Shop.     Between you and I they did one hell of a nice job.

I had one of their VW Trikes when in California.    I run it about 80K in 4 years.

3 trips to Daytona for Bike Week and 4 trips to Sturgis in that mileage.

Most of the majors make a pretty good kit, regardless of where the larger components come from.
What you said only makes sense from a business standpoint.
You cant make everything but you can buy it.
My MotorTrike kit comes with a Ford 7.5 inch rear end same as in over a zillion Ford cars.
As a busines owner you dont honestly believe a trike company is going to build their own pumpkins.
They all use parts available off of any Auto stores shelves.
Makes life easier for both the manufactuer and for self repairs.
What they all do make though is the fiberglass shells of the various designs...
That after all is what you do see.

[R J]

RJ,
Your ride looks great. Is that carpet on your garage floor or a show room for a business? I don't see any oil drip marks anywhere.

Brian, that was the Trike Shop show room in Mpls.

That is 2 of us that thinks it looks great.

[Hoser]

RJ,
Your ride looks great. Is that carpet on your garage floor or a show room for a business? I don't see any oil drip marks anywhere.

Brian, that was the Trike Shop show room in Mpls.

That is 2 of us that thinks it looks great.

Make it three, RJ, I like the long wheelbase and rake, I have rode a few that were shorter and choppy when ridden on the highway.  Hoser 

[R J]

We had a very nice day in mid February and I wanted a ride.

I took MGM out on some back roads to the West side, almost, of Iowa, had a burger and dicked arount too long, it started getting chilly and dark, so I super slabbed it home.

I'd forgotten my gloves, they were in the Chevy Trike, so I set the Cruise Control on 83 by the GPS, stuck one hand in my coat.    when the other one got cold I switched hands.    Then I got a pretty empty piece of land with a lot of cement on it.    I stuffed both hands in my coat and let MGM haul butt.    About 8 or 9 miles dwon the road, I had to pull the bar a little to get 100% back in my lane.

I had added a pingle, free flow, and never knew where reserve kicked in and how mych gas I had left.    20 miles from home I had to switch to reserve, and I never backed off.     As I was coming up on a Truck stop MGM started to stutter.

Pulled into the station and MGM was very thirsty.    I packed in if memory serves me correctly, 5.1 gallons.