A Harley owner run these trees?

A couple of folks in our area have been satisified with triple trees sourced from Frankenstein Trikes. Being in Georgia, you might also want to check with Hawg Halters in Dahlonega: http://hawghalters.com/

After a local guy just died on a frankenstien trike here I would question all engineering from Frank. To keep profits up Frank does not put dual out board brakes on his trike kits, and tells customers it is safe, and well engineered. Fact is Frank knows with a open rear end when braking, and only a center brake disc one tire will continue to turn, and the other will lock up. Results is either the bike takes a sharp turn into on coming traffic or straight for the ditch. Note these two actions over ride riders input. For the local guys case it was head on into a semi.
Nice Job Frank.

Nate - 8/30/2012 1:16 PM

After a local guy just died on a frankenstien trike here I would question all engineering from Frank. To keep profits up Frank does not put dual out board brakes on his trike kits, and tells customers it is safe, and well engineered. Fact is Frank knows with a open rear end when braking, and only a center brake disc one tire will continue to turn, and the other will lock up. Results is either the bike takes a sharp turn into on coming traffic or straight for the ditch. Note these two actions over ride riders input. For the local guys case it was head on into a semi.
Nice Job Frank.

I will keep that in mind. I would have to know the circumstances of the wreck was. Right now I am going to set it up with the stock trees before I do anything but thanks for the heads up

The two sets of triple trees of which I am familiar ordered thru Frankenstein Trikes were outsourced from Hawg Halters in Georgia.

I don't know anything about the company but I can assure you that I will never buy anything from a company that's named after a monster.

either use a liberty tree or a harley trike tree - why mess around?

remember - you can often get exactly what you pay for - and 90% of the time folks think they want "cheap" & pay no attention whatever to the rest of the equasion.

also remember that even on a trike - 75% of braking is from the front wheel - if you never use the front brake - you WILL crash

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timo482 - 9/2/2012 6:33 PM

either use a liberty tree or a harley trike tree - why mess around?

remember - you can often get exactly what you pay for - and 90% of the time folks think they want "cheap" & pay no attention whatever to the rest of the equasion.

also remember that even on a trike - 75% of braking is from the front wheel - if you never use the front brake - you WILL crash

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How many degrees do the trike have in them? You all so have to get longer tubes which I am no sure if they will fit with my 02 lower legs. If I get anything other then stock it will be Tri Glide trees where I am still able to put a steering dampener on them.

I have been riding and working on HDs not counting the few years before I got my first HD rode other bikes for over 40 years. I have always used front and rear brakes at the same time as well as you brake pads do not wear as quick. Another thing all what to know how I get my clutch plates to last so lone. I do not sit at red lights or any where holding my clutch where it is disengaged. When the clutch is disengaged they are noting but putting more wear on them. 90K and the are FAR from wearing out.

liberty are 5 - dont know what the hd tree is

the liberty tree comes with 1" extensions - i did not install them, left the bike a inch low - the hd trike front uses longer lowers for the same reason - if you use the stock lower the bike will be 1" lower

take your pick and pay the appropreate fee........

i do know that the hd tree was cheaper last year, but again the liberty comes with ALL the bits

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Not crazy about using the slugs as years ago many did it to extend the front end and they were not safe. Coarse the slugs we use back them where much longer. This was back in the 70 if you did not have a chopper you where not cool and if you had a electric starter you where called a pXXXy. My 02 ultra I bought brand new was the first Harley I ever had with a eclectic starter.

On my year bike not sure the Tri Glide trees will work. For now I am going to run it like it is. There is all so a company that me 3 degree tress buy I want a set that I can run a dampener with and all after market I have seen you cannot do this.

what year is your bike?

im pretty sure the 84 or 85 and later is the same bearing set up on the electra glide group

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If I am not mistake all the bearings are the same since 1949 when they came out with the Hydraglide front end. On the springers they used loose ball bearings. My parts book has a -60 number so maybe since 1960 but any how the bearings are not my worry. I do not want to make my bike any lower and I do not what to change front wheel or brakes to get the length I want if the lower legs is what makes up for the length. If it is 1 inch that is needed I cannot ever find 1 inch over fork tubes. Mine is a 2002 I bought new. She has plenty of life only has just under 90K.

well you pay your money and you make your choice

stock trees will work find - as long as you have enough upper body strength and enough hand and wrist strength you are just fine

but if you need to reduce the rake you have a very few choices - 1" plugs in aftermarket trees OR stock tri glide trees and longer tubes OR have the front 1" lower.

if you do rake the trees then you probably would "like" to find a pre 84 hd mfg headlight ring rake wedge - its a ring that goes between the headlight bracket and the headlight mount on the fairing that tilts the headlight down 5 degrees. that is not needed with the tri glide trees since the fairing mounts are moved to tilt the whole assy down 5 degrees.

either way you can do what you want and when you actually drive it awhile you will know if you need to change the tree.

i was stubborn for almost two years then finally caved and got the tree - BOY WAS I DUMB all that work for all that time and a raked tree got rid of it all.

the plain truth is that i can only ride a two wheel bike for a half hour or less and KNOW i can put my foot down and it will work, if i ride a hour its a crap shoot if ill fall over or not.

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timo482 - 9/2/2012 9:42 PM

if you do rake the trees then you probably would "like" to find a pre 84 hd mfg headlight ring rake wedge - its a ring that goes between the headlight bracket and the headlight mount on the fairing that tilts the headlight down 5 degrees. that is not needed with the tri glide trees since the fairing mounts are moved to tilt the whole assy down 5 degrees.

The wedge was made for the what most call the elephant head use from 1960 to 85 as they did make a few shovel heads in 85. I was told by Liberty that there is enough adjustment in the light mounted in the fairings mounted headlight. I am extremely knowledgeable about Harley s just not sidecars. Yes for now I am going to run the stock trees.
Thanks
Jeff

yup you can adjust it with the tree on and not use the wedge - but the trim ring is obviously crooked to the light - so i installed the wedge when i found one for 25 bux

to use a wedge i only had to drill 2 holes in the thing out larger to clear the modern screws and tap one hole that was not tapped - it bolted right on to the plastic fairing.

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