doing the conversion myself, suggestions welcome

[pcombe]

The fall away test will not work with a raked tree. You have to torque the center bolt to the triple tree manufacturers spec. My triple tree had a torque amount in instructions. The torque will be greater than stock and the tree will have noticable drag when turning.

I'll be darn my instructions only refered me to Harley specs.
Not much help in that regard!
I don't have a noticible drag.
It turns freely left or right. I took the noticable slack out of it by pulling back and forth on the front wheel.
All this is such a pain to get to i would like to be sure before i reinstall the wiring etc.
I will try to press for a torque value from manufacturer.
Thanks for your help.
I wont get a chance to work on it for a week as i am leaving for Canada tommorrow if the roads open.
18" of snow in the last 2 days. Wish i were headed south!

 

[americanbadass]

The fall away test will not work with a raked tree. You have to torque the center bolt to the triple tree manufacturers spec. My triple tree had a torque amount in instructions. The torque will be greater than stock and the tree will have noticable drag when turning.

Buster is right....exactly what I told you last night in a pm! If I remember correctly the HD manual calls for 80 lbs tq-I ended up at about 95lbs after a test ride.

 

[pcombe]

The fall away test will not work with a raked tree. You have to torque the center bolt to the triple tree manufacturers spec. My triple tree had a torque amount in instructions. The torque will be greater than stock and the tree will have noticable drag when turning.

Thank you!
My instructions dont come with a torque value on the tripple tree shaft.
They only refer me to harley specs.
I shot a message to zook, he may have an answer for me.
I have to leave for Canada tomorrow and won't get a chance to work on it for a week.
I hate that! I also wish i was headed south insted of north. 18" of snow here in the past two days. Above zero today though,

 

[willom]

Just had mine installed, my mech. did the tranny first followed by the rear minus the box itself, this will allow a better platform to raise the front to do the trees as you will have the two wheels on the rear by then. Depending on your mufflers they may not mount as on the bike, but he turned them side ways due to the mounts on the champion kit. Make sure your belt is new or in great condition, changing the belt later requires some disassembly on the swing arm if done later.

 

[pcombe]

Thanks willow.
Thats something to consider?
I had planned on buttoning the front end completly back together before i start on the rear.
I don"t want to loose track of details you know?
(i'm old and my head is a dangerous neighborhood, I don't care to go in there to far by myself?)
This feburary i took down the primary clutches and compensator. inner primary and installed a new front drive pully and belt.
I decided not to put in a reverse gear. I planned to ride it this year and see if i want to keep my 80" engine (it's a 1989 model) or take the engine down and pump some snort into it by making it into an 88 inch?
I havent done any major engine work on this bike in the 24 years since i bought it.
Its gettimg to the point where it could use rebuilding but dosen't need it.
Dollars are a factor or would have done the motor when i had it apart in feb.
A few more bolts and i could have yanked the engine.
Oh well it's good practice and i don't have anything else to do in the winter in Wyoming!

 

[buster]

Paul, I just looked up instructions from my fork kit and it said to torque to 30 lbs, rotate trees to seat bearings, and than torque to 50 lbs. Yours meybe different. It also says to torque tube slugs to 25-30 lbs. Use blue Locktite on all. Nobody actually realizes how much work is involved on changing trees on Harley dresser unless they have done it. Sounds like you are doing good!!

 

[eagle1]

i own a triglide. guys at a local bike shop say the champion kit sucks.
best bet is the frankenstein kit. lots of options. soild trike kit.& now someone makes a trunk for it too.

 

[pcombe]

Paul, I just looked up instructions from my fork kit and it said to torque to 30 lbs, rotate trees to seat bearings, and than torque to 50 lbs. Yours meybe different. It also says to torque tube slugs to 25-30 lbs. Use blue Locktite on all. Nobody actually realizes how much work is involved on changing trees on Harley dresser unless they have done it. Sounds like you are doing good!!

All right this is the best answer i have had so far. Mine trees are made by HHI.
I got em from zook i expect an answer from him too.
If they look at my photo bucket they will see how much work it is.

 

[pcombe]

i own a triglide. guys at a local bike shop say the champion kit sucks.
best bet is the frankenstein kit. lots of options. soild trike kit.& now someone makes a trunk for it too.

All right this is the best answer i have had so far. Mine trees are made by HHI.
I got em from zook i expect an answer from him too.
If they look at my photo bucket they will see how much work it is.

 

[pcombe]

i own a triglide. guys at a local bike shop say the champion kit sucks.
best bet is the frankenstein kit. lots of options. soild trike kit.& now someone makes a trunk for it too.

OUCH!
Too late!
The guys at the bike shop are maybe selling frankinstien?

 

[pcombe]

OUCH!
Too late!
The guys at the bike shop are maybe selling frankinstien?

 

[willom]

My 88 runs very strong with the champion kit on, you should not have a problem with you 80, the most important thing is not the hp but the torque and the older harleys have a great gear ratio for that. My trees are torqued to harley specks as is called for by champion. When I first rode it I was not a happy camper, had a lot of low speed head shake, then it dawned on me to try adjusting the tire pressure and finally got it right with 24 lbs rear and 36 lbs in the front. My kit was shipped with 51 lbs. from the factory and that was some severe head shake lol.

 

[willom]

Checked out several kits before buying Champion. Frankenstien kits only have brakes on one rear wheel and due to the mounting system it makes it a bit more difficult to change the oil. I am very happy with the Champ after getting the wobble issue solved.

 

[pcombe]

My 88 runs very strong with the champion kit on, you should not have a problem with you 80, the most important thing is not the hp but the torque and the older harleys have a great gear ratio for that. My trees are torqued to harley specks as is called for by champion. When I first rode it I was not a happy camper, had a lot of low speed head shake, then it dawned on me to try adjusting the tire pressure and finally got it right with 24 lbs rear and 36 lbs in the front. My kit was shipped with 51 lbs. from the factory and that was some severe head shake lol.

thanks,for tire press. advice. Did you rake front end? I cant remember

 

[willom]

Yes raked with ez-steer kit, steering is very easy and handling is good. Champion recommends 20=25 lbs in rear tires but I found that to be too soft in the corners. All my friends with tri-glides run a little more pressure as am I. But, it is all personal preference. Also your trike will sit level with the rake the tri-glides without a rake have a 2" longer fork so they do not sit level and actually need the rake to make them sit level.

 

[pcombe]

Yes raked with ez-steer kit, steering is very easy and handling is good. Champion recommends 20=25 lbs in rear tires but I found that to be too soft in the corners. All my friends with tri-glides run a little more pressure as am I. But, it is all personal preference. Also your trike will sit level with the rake the tri-glides without a rake have a 2" longer fork so they do not sit level and actually need the rake to make them sit level.

Tahnks:
I will keep these messages to guide me when i get back from Canada.
I beleive my champion kit will be delivered while im gone.
I will have to finish the front end on my return.
It's a good thing no one is paying me to do their trike, I can take all the time i need!
Keep the info coming when you can think of something helpful.
I have learned good stuff.

 

[pcombe]

Tahnks:
I will keep these messages to guide me when i get back from Canada.
I beleive my champion kit will be delivered while im gone.
I will have to finish the front end on my return.
It's a good thing no one is paying me to do their trike, I can take all the time i need!
Keep the info coming when you can think of something helpful.
I have learned good stuff.

I'm back from canada!
The roads all closed behind me and all schools etc. are closed for a snow day today!
I wouldn't be supprised if the truck my trike kit is on is snowed in somewhere.
I seen a note from bazzooka that it was shipped.
I don't know what i might get done on the front end today.
To much of this white stuff to deal with!

 

[John Luciano]

Still snowing in Canada eh. Don't they know it is Spring... Champion is a great looking and riding trike. 2 rear Disks. You are gona love it.

 

[pcombe]

Still snowing in Canada eh. Don't they know it is Spring... Champion is a great looking and riding trike. 2 rear Disks. You are gona love it.

Canada had snow but the worst roads i seen in two countries was 40 miles from Casper where i live!
I had to take a break and get some oxygen.
I wish it would rain.
I don't have to shovel that. The shop roof don't leak and i could work on my trike.
As it is i'm going to have to chain up my pickup to get to it!

I am so over winter!

 

[pcombe]

Uh Oh!
The front fork air adapter fittings Hawg Halter sent me are worthless.
They say its the only kit they make for their tripple trees and dont stock any others and i am going to have to figure out how to adapt it myself.
They said it's easy but don't tell you how!

I have an air crossover manifold ( an alumininum tube) that used to attach to the top of the forks.
It has ground wires attached and also holds and operates the anti dive solinoid.
It is imparative these parts remain.

I don't know how people are adapting this with the phoney fittings hawg halter sent. It sure won't work on my bike!

(I would like to know how you folks went about adapting the air system?)

Perhaps i may have an idea to adapt my system with a bushing screwed down on top of the fork tubes, their are a few threads left) and using the original drilled bolt and washer to go throuh the manifold and screw into the bushing, but i need to know what is the diameter of the fork extension tube threads that screw into the upper tripple trees?
( And what TYPE of THREADS they are? )

I anyone knows it would save me some hassle
The dumb fittings they sent me are for a 1998-2001. Mine is a 1989

 

[pcombe]

:Wrong:

I figured out a way to connect the air to my front forks but i had to eliminate the crossover bar and i could not use the anti-dive solinoid.

That really chaps my backside as much money as the raked tripple trees cost me!

:Shrug:
They said the conversion would work on my 1989 tour glide.
I say if you offer the conversion for the machine, do it all the way!
The only air adapter kit they provide is a really poor substitute and i couldn't even use it at all on my bike.
(two thumbs down on that issue)

Other than that the Hog Halter Inc. (HHI) tripple trees are fine and the fit up has been good They are really well built.

 

[pcombe]

:Wrong:

I figured out a way to connect the air to my front forks but i had to eliminate the crossover bar and i could not use the anti-dive solinoid.

That really chaps my backside as much money as the raked tripple trees cost me!

:Shrug:
They said the conversion would work on my 1989 tour glide.
I say if you offer the conversion for the machine, do it all the way!
The only air adapter kit they provide is a really poor substitute and i couldn't even use it at all on my bike.
(two thumbs down on that issue)

Other than that the Hog Halter Inc. (HHI) tripple trees are fine and the fit up has been good They are really well built.

4/19/2013
I built a way to use the air system in the front forks to incorporate air over hydraulics.
It has been a bugger but im gaining on haveing the front end back together.
I'm stuffing the wiring back into place now.
I will be ready for the trike kit. I do know they shipped it and i keep expecting it show up at at an awkward time. ( thats how things work in the real world) .

 

[pcombe]

4/19/2013
I built a way to use the air system in the front forks to incorporate air over hydraulics.
It has been a bugger but im gaining on haveing the front end back together.
I'm stuffing the wiring back into place now.
I will be ready for the trike kit. I do know they shipped it and i keep expecting it show up at at an awkward time. ( thats how things work in the real world) .

The system is still holding air after sitting all night so i think it will work just fine.
with a guage on it i can bounce the front end end and the pressure remains the same so the anti-dive is working right. It makes a click when i first turn on the ignition so thats a good sign.

I have the front end back together and am ready for the rear kit.
I probably need a break for my health, but once it get my teeth into something it's hard to quit.

I expected the kit to arrive while i was in canada.
I wonder if they had to build a truck to haul it?

If you wish to see photos of the conversion google pcombe/photobucket

 

[willom]

Glad to hear you have the front end working. You are right about the shipment arriving at the worst time. Mine was scheduled to ship on the 29th, I got a call the morning of the 29th from the transport co. asking me for a delivery time and that they had the kit. Called champion and asked about the ship date and they said it was completed early so they shipped it on the 25th lol. Good luck with the continued build.

 

[pcombe]

You can follow my bike to trike conversion at.

pcombe's Library | Photobucket

 

[willom]

Looking good.

 

[pcombe]

I think i have a lighting issue that i have traced to the ignition swith.
Does any one have one that would fit my 89 tour glide?

 

[buster]

On my 1991, I had to cut the hard air lines for anti dive and reroute/reconnect with fuel line hoses and clamps. Had to do some grinding on the fittings, I believe. I worry about the same ignition switch going out on my 1991 tourglide, the switch is not reproduced and unobtainable. I have seen them sell used on ebay in the $200 range. Hope someone will start making them. Have you figured out how to make your front brake lines work yet ( I am assuming your triple tree kit had extended slugs to go in tubes). Does your fork lock still line up with hole in frame and work?

 

[pcombe]

On my 1991, I had to cut the hard air lines for anti dive and reroute/reconnect with fuel line hoses and clamps. Had to do some grinding on the fittings, I believe. I worry about the same ignition switch going out on my 1991 tourglide, the switch is not reproduced and unobtainable. I have seen them sell used on ebay in the $200 range. Hope someone will start making them. Have you figured out how to make your front brake lines work yet ( I am assuming your triple tree kit had extended slugs to go in tubes). Does your fork lock still line up with hole in frame and work?

with the Hawg Halter Inc. (HHI) tripple trees i was able to adapt without cutting my hard air lines but did a little garage magic with a drill press etc.
I can't post a picture but if any one sends me an email # I could shoot them them a crude diagram,
Thats scarry news about that ignition switch, I looked a little on e-bay and jp cycles,dennis kirk etc. and didn't see anything.
I dont know how many years Harley made anything compatable.
My HHI tripple trees were drilled and tapped so that my front brakes manifold bolted right up.

The fork lock is a lost cause as far as i can see.

If you see a switch out there somewhere please let me know?

I was tired and disscusted yesterday and thought i should just walk away and leave pulling that swith back out for another day!
So i dont know if it's a pinched wire or the switch its self.
That wiring got some pretty rough handling even when trying to be careful with it.

 

[pcombe]

with the Hawg Halter Inc. (HHI) tripple trees i was able to adapt without cutting my hard air lines but did a little garage magic with a drill press etc.
I can't post a picture but if any one sends me an email # I could shoot them them a crude diagram,
Thats scarry news about that ignition switch, I looked a little on e-bay and jp cycles,dennis kirk etc. and didn't see anything.
I dont know how many years Harley made anything compatable.
My HHI tripple trees were drilled and tapped so that my front brakes manifold bolted right up.

The fork lock is a lost cause as far as i can see.

If you see a switch out there somewhere please let me know?

I was tired and disscusted yesterday and thought i should just walk away and leave pulling that swith back out for another day!
So i dont know if it's a pinched wire or the switch its self.
That wiring got some pretty rough handling even when trying to be careful with it.

Great day!
I finally got the raked triple trees on my my bike, every thing works to my satisfaction.
You don't want to hire me to do yours because I'm slow as hell.
It took me two weeks.
I'm just waiting on the back end kit which should ship next week.

You can see the mess i made at

pcombe's Library | Photobucket.

You can't see all the blood from bleeding knuckles etc. unless you look real hard.