Tricycle conversiont the

[dcman27]

Hi there all. My neighbor down the street who happens to own a 1500 Goldwing recently had it converted with to a trike. The kit he had installed was Lonestar. He was saying he has to get a front end modification done to solve a problem with the steering. He went on to say that any bumps make the steering shake. Well I just had to take it for a ride to see what he was talking about.
Well I took it down my street going real slow (not faster than 25mph) and darn I cant remember the last time I was scarred that bad. The handlebars jerk arround so bad its scarry.
The reason I post this is that from what I can gather it appears that a trike conversion requires a bit more to be done to a bike than just the rear part.
Hopefully by he can get the bike working saftely.

[8-Ball]

I've heard that the forks need to be raked 3º to 6º depending on the bike. Everyone who owns a trike that I have talked to has done this modification and report that they now have "power steering". Check out Lehman.com. They show a rake kit on their site.

[McClendons]

Note that the head shake problem only exists at slow speed if the trike is done right---i.e. below 25 or so. Also, he might want to check the head bearings to make sure they are tight---Goldwings are none for them being off and causing shake (I had a Goldwing that would do it at 60 plus until adjsted). there is also a steering damper than can help.

Once you ride for a while, you do not notice/fight the little shake there is a good setup. The raked trees will be easier to steer however, and are normally recommended on Goldwings. On big Harleys,they are normaly left to the rider

[EGUC3]

I bought my Trike in December 03. Its a 03' Ultra with a Motor Trike conversion. Nothing was done to the "front end". Have never had a problem with shaking or any other issues. I have talked with folks that have taken "trail" out of the front end - never added rake. Moving the front wheel back is supposed to give you "power steering" but have not had the $$$'s to get it done. I don't have any real life experience with this, just what folks have said (have talked with serveral H-D Trike owners who have had the trail adjustment done). They all say be very careful in messing with front end geometry, and only let folks who have done it before to Trikes mess with your scoot.

Ride Safe.
Walt

[dcman27]

Resopnse. Ill mention to him about the steering head bearning adjustment. Dan