I have been thinking about getting a raked triple tree for the rig. How many options are there out there as I see that Champion as well as Libetry offers them? Does HD?
Also if I go that route do I need to get new fork tubes? Can I retain my stock braklines etc?
Thanks,
John
haven't used the Liberty but have installed Champion. just swap the trees.
fly
Originally written by jjr on 6/27/2009 5:42 AM
I have been thinking about getting a raked triple tree for the rig. How many options are there out there as I see that Champion as well as Libetry offers them? Does HD?
Also if I go that route do I need to get new fork tubes? Can I retain my stock braklines etc?
Thanks,
John
Champion and Liberty would be good sources for sidecar triple trees. They use the same fork tubes but change the trail to make handling easier. Your brake lines will work since the aftermarket triple trees move the forks vey slightly.
Harley-Davidson doesn't recommend changing triple trees if there would be a possiblilty that the bike would be used solo at any point. They have a warning in the sidecar manual.
I think HD may now have part numbers for trees for trike use since they brought out their trike with Lehman but I'm not sure.
Thank you, I did call the local dealer who installed the car back in 06 and they really did not know anything about a triple tree especially if it was aftermarket. I was told that they would install one for around $550 and said that they had to remove the car because they did not have a lift.
Which seems pretty bogus, I think a few Pit Bull lifts could easily handle the job.
Does anyone know of a shop that actually knows rigs in the local Chicago area?
Originally written by jjr on 6/29/2009 11:44 AM
Thank you, I did call the local dealer who installed the car back in 06 and they really did not know anything about a triple tree especially if it was aftermarket. I was told that they would install one for around $550 and said that they had to remove the car because they did not have a lift.
Which seems pretty bogus, I think a few Pit Bull lifts could easily handle the job.
Does anyone know of a shop that actually knows rigs in the local Chicago area?
They mean they dont have a lift that will take the whole rig up in the air. A Pitbull lift is not going to lift a sidecar. A second Pitbull lift is not going to fit under the sidecar frame in any case. It doesn't sound bogus to me. They don't want to damage anythng. If they damage your sidecar, you will be uspet.
I've run into this issue before. Harley dealers seldom do any work on sidecar rigs so they generally have no way to lift the entire rig.
I have a Handy Air Lift and if I want to work on my bike, the sidecar would have to be removed.
$550 at the local dealer here would be close to six hours of labor. That's a reasonable estimate of the time that it would take to change a set of triple trees.
Thanks,
The price did not sound bad either but they were not to hep on the idea to start with as to replace the triple tree, even though they were the ones who originally installed the car.
I asked since that they had to disconnect the car would they have to readjust everything ? I was told no. Does that sound correct?
Anyone have any preferances between the Champion and Liberty triple tree's?
Many thanks,
John
Originally written by jjr on 6/29/2009 12:41 PM
Thanks,
The price did not sound bad either but they were not to hep on the idea to start with as to replace the triple tree, even though they were the ones who originally installed the car.
I asked since that they had to disconnect the car would they have to readjust everything ? I was told no. Does that sound correct?
Anyone have any preferances between the Champion and Liberty triple tree's?
Many thanks,
John
It's possible to remove and relace a Harley sidecar without changing the settings if you are careful to leave the front crossbar and the rear stanchion in place without loosening them. Unfortunately, on some bikes, it may be necessary to loosen the front crossbar to get the sidecar clear of the bike without damaging paint, etc. If that occurs, then it would be necessary to chack the angle and toe-in, IMHO.
One reason that the HD dealers aren't too interested in handling a conversion to modified triple trees is that typically, they don't sell the parts. As I mentioned above, it's possible that they may now sell them with the advent of their new trike vehicle. I really can't tell you about that.
The other reason is that HD cautions against modified triple trees when used for solo use. They are aware that there could be liability if they do the modifications and someone were to later ride solo and have a wreck. I'm told that a solo bike won't handle properly with modified triple trees. If someone has done this and it works OK for them, then it's OK with me. I wouldn't do it, however. That's why I stick with my stock HD steering damper. I ride solo from time to time and I don't want to affect my handling.
All JMO, YMMV.
I'm new here and I hope this isn't considered a hijack.
gnm109, Are you satisfied with the stock front end and a steering dampener?
How hard is the steering effort without raked trees? Thanks!
Murf2
Originally written by Murf2 on 6/29/2009 4:43 PM
I'm new here and I hope this isn't considered a hijack.
gnm109, Are you satisfied with the stock front end and a steering dampener?
How hard is the steering effort without raked trees? Thanks!
Murf2
The steering does take some noticeable effort with the stock forks and a steering damper. This is mainly noticeable at extreme low speeds. On the other hand, there's no wobble at any speed and at freeway speeds, it's really not noticeable.
I'm sure that others here will tell you that modified trees are the best. Some folks go all the way to a leading link fork and a car tire on the front.
To answer your question, I'm perfectly satisfied with my stock setup. If you are going to keep the sidecar on all of the time and never take it off and ride solo, then by all means you would want to consider a modified set of trees.
This is my third Harley sidecar with stock forks and a steering damper in the past 20 years so I'm used to it.
I might chime in regarding steering on the RK with a TLE. My wife and I took our first long trip on the outfit last year - 4600 miles in 12 days. I was worried that my arms and shoulders wouldn't last (I'm 69).
The trip was great and I had no problems with 400+ mile days. It erased my thoughts of converting to a triple tree even though I'll probably never ride the bike solo.
jjr, Kurt Liebhaber is the man to talk to in the Chicago area. 815-734-7001 1046 Mud Creek rd. Oregan, Ill.61061-9315
fly USCA Mid-West Region Director
Thank you,
JOhn
