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As too many years add up, handling a 900 pound motorcycle is getting to be more of a challenge. Problems with my left knee make it hard at stop lights sometimes.
The only factory trikes made are the Can Am reverse trike and the Harley TriGlide. Harley reintroduced the trike in '08 with the first year made by Lehman and them built them in house sincethe '09 model. Either one new will start at about $32,000.
I have been looking at the various kits available to convert my '02 Electraglide to a trike. Straight axle kits started about $6,500 and independent suspension kits average another $1,000 from each manufacturer. Kits that come complete down to the wheels and tires start closer to $7,500.
From what I read on various forums is that the IS systems give a smoother ride but, obviously, are more complicated with more required matenance and a higher potential for repair problems. The advantage to the straight axle, other than simplicity of design, is that they are more stable in cornering with less tendency to 'driift'.
I had decided to go with a solid axle kit because of the cost and maintenance. I had about decided to go with a Champion solid axle and talked to my credit union. I could borrow enough against cxmy bike for the kit but would need to come up with the extra for the paint work.
Watching CL I was seeing Electraglide conversions going for $19,000 to $26,000. Then I got lucky. A Motor Trike dealer near Dallas listed a used Trog kit for $2,000 complete except for the wheels and tires for an '04 - '06 Glide. The new kit comes with chrome Torque Thrust wheels that I don't really like anyway. The story behind it is the owner brushed a guard rail and cracked the fiberglass in 2 places on the left wheel well and decided to have the kit removed and go with an IS set up. The damange isn't bad from the pics and will be a fairly eazy fix. The kit was also upgraded to LED tail lights ($190 option) and includes the trailer hitch kit ($140). Other than color, the main difference to the one I am buying and the one pictured is that the running boards are not included.
I called Motor Trike in Troup, Texas and found the difference in the kits between this one and one for my '02 is the rear pulley that I can buy from them for $150. Richard also told me the wheels are a 15" x 7" with a 5 on 4 1/2" (5 on 4.114.3mm) lug pattern. This is about the most common lug pattern used and includes the Ford Ranger/Explorer and Mazda B series trucks. I found 2 wheels I liked that should be easy to find in a junk yard for ~$50 each.
In either case, I will modify the center cap to display either the Harley logo or maybe a Marine Corps seal. Une of my neighbors makes custom knives and has a metal lathe if I need to fabricate a new center cap. This will probably be needed if I go with the Mazda rim.
One more CL find to sweeten the pot. A guy bought a Motor Trike reveerse gear kit to install on a buddy's bike. His buddy hit some financial problems and didn't have the money. Rather than returning the kit and paying the 20% restok fee, Richard decided to do someone else a favor and put it on CL at 29% off for $1,000. When it didn't sell he called the company and found out he was outside the return time window. He has lowered the price to $900. I will call him today to arrange payment and shipping.
Went to the CU yesterday and have $5,000 sitting in my account. I am going up Tuesday to pick up the kit. After paying for the kit, reverse, new pulley, taxes and some shipping, I will have about $1900 to cover whels, tires and paint. One of the bodyshops on my route said he could paint the trike body and my fairing (It's faded) for about $500. As I said, I plan to junk yard the rims and will go with the same or better tires that come with a new kit.
After the trike is on the road, I already have orders to build a trailer to pull the Boss' wheel chair! The plans are bouncing around in the brain housing group to use light weight torsion axles and put the platform below the wheel centers with about 5-6" ground clearance with onboard storage for a pair of light aluminum ramps.
The only factory trikes made are the Can Am reverse trike and the Harley TriGlide. Harley reintroduced the trike in '08 with the first year made by Lehman and them built them in house sincethe '09 model. Either one new will start at about $32,000.
I have been looking at the various kits available to convert my '02 Electraglide to a trike. Straight axle kits started about $6,500 and independent suspension kits average another $1,000 from each manufacturer. Kits that come complete down to the wheels and tires start closer to $7,500.
From what I read on various forums is that the IS systems give a smoother ride but, obviously, are more complicated with more required matenance and a higher potential for repair problems. The advantage to the straight axle, other than simplicity of design, is that they are more stable in cornering with less tendency to 'driift'.
I had decided to go with a solid axle kit because of the cost and maintenance. I had about decided to go with a Champion solid axle and talked to my credit union. I could borrow enough against cxmy bike for the kit but would need to come up with the extra for the paint work.
Watching CL I was seeing Electraglide conversions going for $19,000 to $26,000. Then I got lucky. A Motor Trike dealer near Dallas listed a used Trog kit for $2,000 complete except for the wheels and tires for an '04 - '06 Glide. The new kit comes with chrome Torque Thrust wheels that I don't really like anyway. The story behind it is the owner brushed a guard rail and cracked the fiberglass in 2 places on the left wheel well and decided to have the kit removed and go with an IS set up. The damange isn't bad from the pics and will be a fairly eazy fix. The kit was also upgraded to LED tail lights ($190 option) and includes the trailer hitch kit ($140). Other than color, the main difference to the one I am buying and the one pictured is that the running boards are not included.
I called Motor Trike in Troup, Texas and found the difference in the kits between this one and one for my '02 is the rear pulley that I can buy from them for $150. Richard also told me the wheels are a 15" x 7" with a 5 on 4 1/2" (5 on 4.114.3mm) lug pattern. This is about the most common lug pattern used and includes the Ford Ranger/Explorer and Mazda B series trucks. I found 2 wheels I liked that should be easy to find in a junk yard for ~$50 each.
In either case, I will modify the center cap to display either the Harley logo or maybe a Marine Corps seal. Une of my neighbors makes custom knives and has a metal lathe if I need to fabricate a new center cap. This will probably be needed if I go with the Mazda rim.
One more CL find to sweeten the pot. A guy bought a Motor Trike reveerse gear kit to install on a buddy's bike. His buddy hit some financial problems and didn't have the money. Rather than returning the kit and paying the 20% restok fee, Richard decided to do someone else a favor and put it on CL at 29% off for $1,000. When it didn't sell he called the company and found out he was outside the return time window. He has lowered the price to $900. I will call him today to arrange payment and shipping.
Went to the CU yesterday and have $5,000 sitting in my account. I am going up Tuesday to pick up the kit. After paying for the kit, reverse, new pulley, taxes and some shipping, I will have about $1900 to cover whels, tires and paint. One of the bodyshops on my route said he could paint the trike body and my fairing (It's faded) for about $500. As I said, I plan to junk yard the rims and will go with the same or better tires that come with a new kit.
After the trike is on the road, I already have orders to build a trailer to pull the Boss' wheel chair! The plans are bouncing around in the brain housing group to use light weight torsion axles and put the platform below the wheel centers with about 5-6" ground clearance with onboard storage for a pair of light aluminum ramps.
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