Hi,
Just finished a 6,000 mile trip to Sturgis, had a great time. Was speaking with the folks at Lehman Trike n' they recommended the Harley Tri-Glide Trees to ease the steering effort. Any thoughts? Pros/Cons? Spousal unit dosen't think it'll be that big of a job n' a friend can get the part for under $300.00. Inquiring minds want to know...
I think the shop labor on installation is around $300. If your numbers line up they are much cheaper than purchasing most after market trees and installation.
Lonnie
Has anyone tried this? What are the draw backs if any? Is it worth it???
If you don't have a trike the main drawback is the steering is too fast for safe solo driving as you lose some of the self centering ability that the stock trail triple trees have. Great for sidehacks but may be unsafe for riding solo with the reduced trail trees.
Lonnie
I'd be interested in this myself. I'd hate to buy tri-glide trees and find they won't work on a 2004 Ultra. Then have to go spend the money on a set of trees from an aftermarket manufacturer.
I'm kinda waiting for someone else to try this.
Originally written by bluehdmc on 8/15/2009 1:43 PM
I'd be interested in this myself. I'd hate to buy tri-glide trees and find they won't work on a 2004 Ultra. Then have to go spend the money on a set of trees from an aftermarket manufacturer.
I'm kinda waiting for someone else to try this.
I also have a 2004 Ultra with a sidecar. I've been looking at one of the Trike sites where folks have been considering using the new HD trike triple trees for their older Harley-Davidson Trikes to improve the steering.
I understand that the trees themselves are less expensive than the comparable ones available in the aftermarket.
The only negative issue that I've read are that the trees are used on the new HD trike in conjunction with 2" longer fork legs. The reason for this is to maintain the new modified (lesser) trail setting with the new trees as well as to maintian a normal ground clearance.
So, apparently, in order to obtain the full benefit from the new trees, the fork tubes should be changed. This could be rather expensive. Changing fork tubes is a lot of work, too.
Another issue that surfaced was that the fork stops will not line up correctly with a solo FL frame when used with the new trees. That could be something that could be worked around. The trike frame will of course have this area changed to match.
So, it will probably be necessary to change both the trees and the fork tubes.
Interestingly, I have heard that the new HD trike also uses a steering damper. This would be a "belt and suspenders" approach to steering. LOL.
It seems there are several differences to the TriGlide including the frame which is made of thicker walled tubing than the solos.
The 2" longer fork tubes make me wonder what the rake and trail is since a 1" adjustment is used with the 5 degree raked trees to level them.
And why a steering damper? No damper is needed with the 5 degree trees.
You know the Motor Company isn't going to make it easy or cheap to use their stuff, that's a given.
Lonnie
Originally written by Hack'n on 8/16/2009 8:46 AM
It seems there are several differences to the TriGlide including the frame which is made of thicker walled tubing than the solos.
The 2" longer fork tubes make me wonder what the rake and trail is since a 1" adjustment is used with the 5 degree raked trees to level them.
And why a steering damper? No damper is needed with the 5 degree trees.
You know the Motor Company isn't going to make it easy or cheap to use their stuff, that's a given.Lonnie
I certainly agree that a steering damper wouldn't be necessary with the modified trees. That said, I would suspect that the reason for fitting steering dampers to the new trikes might have less to do with stability that it would with liability. Whether it's needed or not, the HD MoCo is well aware that there will be accidents just based on the law of averages. While they do have vast experienge with the earlier Model G three wheelers and before, the joint venture with Lehman is something new for this point in time. They don't want to take any chances.
I can just imagine some lawyer making his opening statement in Court..... "Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, if only the Harley-Davidson Motor Company had seen fit to install steering dampers on their trikes this terrible accident might never have happened. After all, they did it on the sidecar units......etc."
I was told by the Lehman guy the Harley trees were 3 degree. The aftermarket folks use an extension at the top tree to the fork tube, nifty little contraption. Appearently I will be the guinepig / pioneer for this project. My optomistic other half dosen't forsee any unsurmountable issues...so on we forage...
Originally written by Jane1450 on 8/16/2009 10:25 AM
I was told by the Lehman guy the Harley trees were 3 degree. The aftermarket folks use an extension at the top tree to the fork tube, nifty little contraption. Appearently I will be the guinepig / pioneer for this project. My optomistic other half dosen't forsee any unsurmountable issues...so on we forage...
Are you planning on installing the 2" over fork tubes? I don't like the tube extenders. There's entirely too much strain on that area of a motorycle to use other than an uninterrupted tube, IMHO, of course.
I am now to the point where I need a modification to the steering on my Yamaha Royal Star Venture 2008. I have a damper on it and it great for getting rid of the front end vibration. But I have developed shoulder problems and I want to continue riding my rig. I can't find and EZ Steer or a triple tree to give my bike power steering.
Any ideas????
Have you tried calling Peter Smith of Side Effects (250)573-2364 to see if your trees can be modified?
Lonnie
Hack'n - 9/19/2009 10:03 AM
Have you tried calling Peter Smith of Side Effects (250)573-2364 to see if your trees can be modified?
Lonnie
I haven't called him but I have just sent him an email stating my problem and I am really looking forward to his reply. I love my rig but has become a real pain in the neck literally and shoulders.
You might do better with a phone call, he doesn't spend much time on the net and some have complained about the delay in answering their requests.
Lonnie
Hack'n - 9/20/2009 1:29 PM
You might do better with a phone call, he doesn't spend much time on the net and some have complained about the delay in answering their requests.
Lonnie
Ok, I'll give him a call tomorrow around noon'ish. Thanks for the tip.
Rick Ashley
