Just purchased my first rig, 99 GW1500SE w/Champion Daytona 2+. Are the front ends on these rigs susposed to be so heavy? Not bad once you get going but real sluggish at slow speeds. Kind of used to the solo bikes.
Heavy steering compared to a solo bike is pretty typical although there are things that can be done to lighten it up some. The most common is to reduce the trail of the front forks by using raked triple trees or other fork modifications such as Earles type forks or leading legs. These mods run between $600 to slightly over $1000. There are easy answers but no inexpensive answers. Unit sells complete leading link front end assemblies (Earles type forks) but they cost over $1000.
Side Effects in Canada does triple tree mods (Steerite) of your triple trees and Seegar Cycles in Ohio sells raked triple trees outright in 3, 5 and 7 degree increments. The 5 degree tree will shorten the trail satisfactorily if used without longer front tubes in addition. Doing this will also lower the front of the bike a little bit. This is of no major concern on a highway cruiser but may not be suitable for off road use.
Hi;I have the same rig as you!One question is have the front springs been changed as the original are to lite and sag,Bought the progressive springs for mine made big difference no longer bottom out so bad on front.Cost little over $200.to help the hard steering on highway have it scheduled to go into shop for steerite triple tree mod!Another $1400 but every thing I hear is like going to power steering!Good luck!
Moodierr, thanks, I will try replacing the springs first, then think about mods to the triple tree.
Replace the springs and fight it for awhile then do the triple tree and wonder why you waited so long, it really makes a difference.
Yes that is where I am at decided to bite the bullet.Hard decision it is good arm excersie but then do I really want that excersie!Broke down and made the appt!!!
I have the GL1500/Champion Escort with Progressive springs in front as well as the rear and the 6 degree rake kit. I happened to find the rake kit used for $500 and jumped on it. It is very easy steering, maybe a little too sensitive in a side wind as you can over-react and I probably would go a little less like a 4 and a half if I were buying a new one. I'm really not complaining though.
I noticed that Champion offers thier own rake kit, adds 4.5 degrees to stock rake, sells for $995.00. Anyone heard pros or cons
I had mine done here http://www.sidecars.ca/steerite.htm beatifull work and quick,$700, when you talk to Pete you know your talking to someone that knows sidecars, been working on them for over 30 years.
Steerite also builds in about 0.25 degrees "positive camber" allegedly, in addition to the rake.
I'm thinking of machining a triple tree to 4.5 degrees rake for my BMW R100 with Motorvation Spyder.
Does anyone know which direction this positive camber goes?
Caster being forward and reverse to a vertical plane and camber being lateral, I guess this could use some explaining as to where the benefit is and exactly what is being described.
Is it .25 degees of front wheel leanout? Why?
Lonnie
Is it .25 degrees of front wheel lean out? Why?
Lonnie the person to ask is Pete, he tried to explain it to me but I was very new to sidecaring and really didn't get it, he's a real congenial person and will gladly; take the time to explain it if you ask.
Hi;Well just picked up my 1500 had the steerite`triple `tree` installed.Really made a difference as they told me like installing power steering!Sure makes it a lot nicer to drive have to be a little careful though as now easier to go around corners faster!Expensive but I feel it was well worth the cost
by moving the front wheel just a tad to the side makes a little pull to offset the drag of the chair
stace
