98 fltcui front end mod/w sidecar

Don,
Adding the raked trees to the Ultra is like adding power steering to an old Dodge truck. A lot less shoulder and arm strength is required to turn the rig. Especially at low speeds. The steering will be light and a bit quicker after adding raked triple trees to reduce the trail.

I don't know who's raked trees you will be using but I recommend the Liberty trees. That is what I use on my Harley rigs and I'm still able to put in a 10 hour road day on tour with my Road Glide/Liberty rig.

Lonnie
(80 year old geezer with a bad back, shoulders and left arm).

Don
I have a 05 FLHTC so it handles about the same as your 98. As a recent convert to the sidecar I can say that it is totally different and that it takes a lot of physical effort to steer in town. On the interstate it's easy but in town it takes an extra effort to take right and left hand turns. I am about to change the trees on mine so I can't talk to the reduced effort but I'm sure there are those here that can.

Don, after finally changing the trees on my smaller/lighter Sportster rig, my only question was: Why did I wait so long?? For me, it was worth every nickel -- made the rig way much more enjoyable to ride. So much better, that I just really don't want another rig without proper steering modification.

Hi, Don, welcome to the forum! Hope your project works out well for you. Mind if I ask what state or part of the country you're in?

Thanks Lonnie, I'll be moving forward with the set-up and hope our paths may cross ..

Hello XLerate,Im living in Washington State for the past 20 yrs and am originally from Austin Texas.

Don,
I ditto everything Lonnie said except for 80 year old part. Best $ I have spent on the rig.

Last week, I changed the front tire -- I installed a rear MT-90 Dunlop Elite 3 tire on the front end and run it backwards. I now have more rubber on the road and the light wobble at low speed has stopped. You should have seen the eyes of the service people at our local H-D dealer when I told them what I wanted.

Thanks markh00, Sounds like the way to go!!

Thanks swampfox, this is exactly the point my mech was trying to get accross !!

I'll be checking tire compatability when I get her out on the road and will definatly be leaning on you to get right combo. I never thought I'd be hearing the words !! We need to put automotive tires on your H-D hack!! Thanks TXart!!

Don; I'm having my '08 Goldwing attached to a Hannigan Sidecar in 2 weeks. I too thought about that EZsteer idea. I spoke about this with the manufactuer about having it installed. They Hannigan suggested since I had never operated a sidecar before to do a wait and see approach. Reason not only because of the additional cost factor but also because once done one can't safely operate the motorcycle alone without the sidecar attached. If you intend to only do occasional sidecaring then leave your bike stock. I'm taking the manufactuer's advice do the wait and see approach.

Steering mods and automobile tires are best left for use with those who are looking to have a dedicated sidecar rig.
Both of these modifications can be potentially dangerous when applied to a "Sometime sidecar rig" where the owner wishes to ride without the sidecar at times.
The lack of trail with a solo bike will tend to negate the self centering tendencies of the stock OEM trail. Hands off steering will no longer be possible and front wheel wobble can occur at times (even a tank slapper).
The flat tread of automobile tires are a plus with a rigid mount sidecar as the bike will no longer lean into the turns, however the lack of a rounded motorcycle tire can cause severe handling problems with a solo bike as there is no longer a transitional curve from the flat tread to the sidewall. This can result in a loss of lateral traction during a turn.

Lonnie

As some one in a wheel chair, you may have more upper body strength then most and as such may not have an issue with how hard it is to steer other then of course you need to make sure that when you move the handle bars you are not sliding your self off of the bike at the same time. You however will find that the bike is a lot more fun to ride when you do not have to work so hard. I would add the tree's. The tree's we use run $895
You can also add reverse to the bike $1395 as I suspect being in a wheel chair you will not be able to push the bike backwards.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
866-638-1793

Thank you all who responded and led me to go ahead with the installation of the triple tree set-up..I have no other plans other than the bike and sidecar set-up at this time and can always re-fit the trees if needed to its original set..I hope to ride solo in the future but this set-up should make any rider a happy camper under any circumstance.. Thanks my friends!! That is under any circumstances with a sidecar attached..