Road Smith Suspension

[bikerbillone]

2005 GW w/2012 RS conversion, regular coil over suspension.....
Question, Interstate riding, smooth as silk, some mountain twisties w/some rough roads, or even straight and true roads w/some rough pavement, rides like a logging truck as it rolls over even the slightest of irregular road. The installer said he had set the suspension for two up riding. I have not been up under there to examine where the spanner nut is set, but anyone have some input on this setting. I have the psi on the rear tires at 26 as recommended by the installer, and front at 41 psi. Maybe this tightly sprung ride this is the way it is supposed to be, and if so, I'm good with that, I'm not officially grumbling about it. By the way, does not have the adjustable pre-load.

 

[rmrc51]

I have the exact same trike as you regarding bike and conversion year and I'd also be interested in hearing about how to adjust the suspension just for information sake.

As I can never get under my trike as well, my installer and friend/mechanic at the dealer also verified that my suspension is set at the softest setting. I rarely ride two-up but have always had my rear tires set at 20 psi and just recently brought my front tire down to 38 psi from 41. I can honestly say that I haven't experienced any rough ride conditions regardless of the road surfaces.

 

[bikerbillone]

Thanks Rich, I think there must be something in the suspension setting, but I'm getting a bit long in tooth to get up under there, so I suppose I'll have to go back to Daytona have the installer check it, not something I want to do, it's almost a two hour trip. If I could only get him on the phone, but I know it's difficult to pull him off the job, and I'm not so sure he'd remember anyway. I'm hoping that RS will see the post a post a response.

 

[rmrc51]

Hiya Bill,

From what I remember my installer telling me, there's just a simple type of ratchet on the suspension that you place a special spanner wrench (which Roadsmith provides) to adjust the setting. Now I know that mine has never been changed (softest setting) and the very few times I had a passenger on board, my present settings seemed perfect including the 20 psi in the rear tires. And in all honesty, I really could never tell the difference in the ride with, or without a passenger. I hope this helps.

 

[bikerbillone]

Thanks again Rich. I'm two up in Sevierville TN now, heading to the Smoky Mtn Ride In on Wednesday. I have the spanner wrench, so I need to get up under there when I get home plus review the setting procedure, if it's the softest setting, then do nothing. Somehow I think it is not softest, I'll also be trying the 20 lbs psi.

 

[3 4 the road]

Hiya Bill,

From what I remember my installer telling me, there's just a simple type of ratchet on the suspension that you place a special spanner wrench (which Roadsmith provides) to adjust the setting. Now I know that mine has never been changed (softest setting) and the very few times I had a passenger on board, my present settings seemed perfect including the 20 psi in the rear tires. And in all honesty, I really could never tell the difference in the ride with, or without a passenger. I hope this helps.

Hi, Rich and Bill,

I have basically the same setup, an '08 GL 1800 with a '13 RS Trike kit. I have about 3800 miles on it since I got it in January.

I don't know what the settings are on my trike, but I have always commented that it rides like a buckboard, when I am riding solo. It seems like I can feel every pebble and bump in the road. When my wife gets on the back (maybe 150 lbs., but don't tell her I said that!), I notice a huge improvement in the ride. I also noticed it even more when a friend of mine who weighs in at 200 lbs. rides with me.

I have my rear tires set at 28 psi (the RS manual recommends 26-30 psi) and the front tire at 41 psi.

I have pretty much gotten used to the hardness of the ride, including a recent 1000 mile trip, where it never even crossed my mind that the ride was stiff. I have read - don't know if it is true or not - that a stiffer setting gives more control and stability in the corners. And I do feel very secure in the corners. I figure I will sacrifice that for the soft ride.

Of course, if I find out a soft ride is just as secure as a stiff setting, I may be climbing underneath the trike and making some adjustments myself!!

Tim

 

[Smilam]

My 2009 Roadsmith does reasonably well with 41 lbs of air in the front, 25 lbs in the rears, and with the preloads set at 12 lbs for a single rider and 23 lbs for two. It is definitely a harsher ride if I get on it for a solo ride without setting it back to memo 1 for a solo rider. I did have an issue two weeks ago when I left on vacation. As I was going around a long right hand sweeping curve we could smell burning rubber. I told my wife that it must be the car ahead of us. A few hundred miles later we were going around another long right hand curve and we smelled it again so I pulled over and checked my tires and found that my left rear tire had rubbed against the spring. When I got to my daughters house in Appleton Wisconsin I called Freedom Bike To Trike and asked if I could bring it over for him to check out. He said he could look at it at 5:00 and I headed that way. He looked it all over and determined that the shocks were set at the softest setting and that was letting the body roll enough for the tire to rub the spring at times. He adjusted them to the middle setting and I haven't smelled it rubbing since. When I asked what I owed him he said nothing. He didn't want my money he just wanted me to be able to enjoy the rest of my vacation. I insisted that he at least take some money which he finally did and we enjoyed another 1500 miles of riding without the smell of burning rubber. Kudo's to Freedom Bike To Trike.

 

[rmrc51]

Very interesting regarding the softest setting causing the tire to rub on the shock in a hard turn! I guess that's 'food for thought' for those who are looking for a soft ride.

As I mentioned, I seldom ride with a passenger and find my soft setting along with 20 psi in the rear tires quite comfortable. These are the settings I've used since I first bought the trike and also haven't noticed any difficulty in handling curves nor any evidence of tires rubbing riding solo. With that said, the few times I did ride two-up, the trike felt the same as if I was alone, which in all honesty surprised me. That in itself made me quite impressed with the trike! Maybe I wasn't taking curves hard enough to cause the tire rubbing, which is a possibility as I tend to be a bit conservative in my riding habits. Yeah,,, I know,,, boring,,,. :laugh:

 

[bikerbillone]

Re post # 7, as I recall the preload was disconnected at time of install. Guess this call for another e-mail to RS.

 

[Lucky]

Great to hear of another dealer wiling to just HELP. Good to hear about the GOOD GUYS now and then. RIDE SAFE

 

[Fabricater]

Re post # 7, as I recall the preload was disconnected at time of install. Guess this call for another e-mail to RS.

I was talking to a dealer today,and if I understand correctly,the preload adjustment,is a $300.00 add on to the trike package.So that leads me to think that without the add on.it would be disabled.I don't know as I have not done a conversion yet,if the adjustable preload is not used,then maybe they use a manual adjustable link in its place.If so it could be adjusted with a wrench under the trike.Again I don't know,I am just thinking how I would fabricate it ,if was making it.Does anyone know for sure?

 

[bikerbillone]

The adjustable pre-load system is a $300 option, maybe that makes the oem adjustment operable, but I don't know for sure. I didn't get that option, perhaps I should have, but I was just priced out of options at the bottom line. I'm guessing now that it comes down to the spanner wrench, but I have no clue. Makes me wonder how the Hannigan suspension works as I read how smooth the ride is.

 

[Fabricater]

The adjustable pre-load system is a $300 option, maybe that makes the oem adjustment operable, but I don't know for sure. I didn't get that option, perhaps I should have, but I was just priced out of options at the bottom line. I'm guessing now that it comes down to the spanner wrench, but I have no clue. Makes me wonder how the Hannigan suspension works as I read how smooth the ride is.

There is a video clip on YouTube that shows the Roadsmith suspension and the adjustable pre load option .That may help some with how it all works
Here it is I hope

 

[bikerbillone]

Thanks Fab, of the three options, I have the standard, that would be the old manual spanner wrench set. the pre-load was a $300 option, which I didn't get, financial limitations you know. Having reviewed all the paperwork information from Roadsmith, I see nothing on "how to" for manual suspension adjustment, I have an e-mail out to Roadsmith on how this should be accomplished, so far no response. So, wishing now I had somehow found an extra $300 for the pre-load. I didn't realize at the time it would be so important, nor was it explained to me at time of purchase. Or, let me put it this way, if it was explained, I don't recall. I do recall the Accuride, but I sure couldn't afford that luxury.

 

[rmrc51]

YA know, for what it's worth,, I also have the standard (manual) suspension. I have mine set to the softest settting. Now the majority of the time I ride solo. But the few times I've had a passenger on board, for the life of me I couldn't tell the difference regarding the ride, how the trike sits or power. :Shrug: Now I didn't have the trunk loaded with extra weight nor was I pulling a trailer. Just thought I'd share my observation as per my Roadsmith.

 

[bikerbillone]

YA know, for what it's worth,, I also have the standard (manual) suspension. I have mine set to the softest settting. Now the majority of the time I ride solo. But the few times I've had a passenger on board, for the life of me I couldn't tell the difference regarding the ride, how the trike sits or power. :Shrug: Now I didn't have the trunk loaded with extra weight nor was I pulling a trailer. Just thought I'd share my observation as per my Roadsmith.

Right Rich, I've seen your posts on the the suspension, and know that we have the same set up. My question is specifically, when I get up under there and look, it's a tight area, and looking at what "I think" is the spanner adjustment, how do I know what is the softest adjustment. I don't want to be screwing around under there adjusting something and not know exactly what I'm doing.

 

[rmrc51]

Right Rich, I've seen your posts on the the suspension, and know that we have the same set up. My question is specifically, when I get up under there and look, it's a tight area, and looking at what "I think" is the spanner adjustment, how do I know what is the softest adjustment. I don't want to be screwing around under there adjusting something and not know exactly what I'm doing.

I understand your concern. As I can't get under my trike either, I had originally requested the installer (KD Cycle) to set the suspension at it's softest setting and then later asked my friend/mechanic at the Honda dealership I use to verify it was at that setting. Wish I had a lift at home to tinker with the trike and cars,,,. :Shrug: My days of laying on the ground under vehicles up on jacks are over!

 

[bikerbillone]

Rich, I understand your concern and feel your pain. I ain't young anymore, I'll never see 75 again, getting under that beast is not a good feeling, getting up is another problem. Absent any information from Roadsmith, I might just trip over to Fun Bike Center, Lakeland, a 30 min trip and ask those guys to look at the setting. Those folks are not cheap, and at $80 per hour, my pocket will suffer just for them to look. That does not make me a happy camper either. Maybe I will run my rear tires at a lower pressure as you are doing. I think it was 20 psi or something in that range. My only concern, is on hot days, on the long rides, will that cause the tires to overheat? I always think about Murphy's Law.

 

[rmrc51]

That's a damn shame that they'd charge you just to look at it. My dealer never charged me just to look at something or verify a setting. I guess that's why I'll never use another dealership.

The 20 psi in the rear tires hasn't seemed to effect the longevity of my tires at this point. Maybe some others here might have more knowledge regarding the effects of an increased load riding two-up and factoring in the heat buildup at 20 psi.

 

[bikerbillone]

Ya know, my next short trip I'm reducing to 20 psi see how it goes. This keeps bugging me, so I need to reach some resolution. Thanks.

 

[Fabricater]

I don't know if could help, but if I lived closer,I would take a look at it for you.

 

[bikerbillone]

Thanks Fab, Ohio a bit of a stretch.....Appreciate the offer.

 

[bikerbillone]

That's a damn shame that they'd charge you just to look at it. My dealer never charged me just to look at something or verify a setting. I guess that's why I'll never use another dealership.

The 20 psi in the rear tires hasn't seemed to effect the longevity of my tires at this point. Maybe some others here might have more knowledge regarding the effects of an increased load riding two-up and factoring in the heat buildup at 20 psi.

Rich, ran my psi down to 20 lbs, I couldn't tell any diff in the ride, so back up to 26 per RS recommendation. I have an e-mail out to Taylor with RS, he's been way busy with open house at Bear Lake and Wing Ding as well. I asked him if he could down load some pics for a manual adjustment for the suspension, what's up, what's down so I can determine if it's doable for me and I don't screw up. I might just get desperate and give Niles, the installer at Daytona, a call if I can get him on the phone, and if he can remember. I suspect he has a normal setting he does for two up riding when no pre load or accuride is installed.

 

[geol]

Re post # 7, as I recall the preload was disconnected at time of install. Guess this call for another e-mail to RS.

I have an HT kit on my 1500. There are twin shocks made by Progressive Suspension with 5 preload settings (normal for Progressive shocks). When I picked the bike up, the preload was set on lightest setting. I have since cranked it up to stiffest and it handles and ride much better. In addition, there is an optional torsion bar of larger diameter that improves the ride a lot according to some folks who are in the know. Last, I think Roadsmith offers a system called "AccuRide" which is essentially a shock upgrade that offers Progressive Air Shocks instead of the coil spring shocks. Cranking up air pressure will essentially add preload. I have never been a fan of air shocks as air doesn't compress and can make a bike ride harshly unless you stay on top of the amount of air in the shocks... I prefer coil springs. Preload on coil spring shocks is best done with a tool that looks like a half C with a handle... You just reach around the section with notches where the tool fits into a notch and turn the shock body over the preload setting you want. Adding preload helped the ride of my trike a whole bunch and it rides a zillion times better than on the softest setting. A shock preload adjustment tool was part of almost all 70s vintage bike tool kits. You can find preload tools on eBay... some cost $60 and some $6 and all work pretty much the same and will work on the Progressive shocks under a Roadsmith trike.

 

[bikerbillone]

Thanks George, good reply. I have the manual that requires the spanner, and I have the spanner. I can see up under where the spanner would work, not under or over the coil, but a separate shock unit. So it appears that shock is on the last setting, is that soft of stiff?

 

[rmrc51]

Thanks George, good reply. I have the manual that requires the spanner, and I have the spanner. I can see up under where the spanner would work, not under or over the coil, but a separate shock unit. So it appears that shock is on the last setting, is that soft of stiff?

Being that you find the ride so harsh, I'd guess it's on the hardest setting. Try reversing the disk to the last setting in the opposite direction and try a ride then.

 

[geol]

You don't have to guess where the preload is set. There are notches on the preload part of the shock. The lowest notch (toward ground) is the softest preload. As you turn the shock body with the preload tool, it goes to one notch step which essentially compresses the spring a bit. This adds preload and stiffens the shock. Once you get to the stiffest setting where the spring is compressed as much as the adjustment allows, the next step is back to softest. Since all it takes is a crank, move it to the middle position and see what affect this has on the ride for you and your passenger. Make sure you do both sides. If set on the softest preload, I am pretty sure the "harsh" ride will mitigate. If ride improves, it is time to experiment by adjusting further.

 

[bikerbillone]

Thanks George, that's helpful.

 

[mhgoldwing]

It will be much easier to change shock setting if you lift the trike weight off of it by jacking up the trike.

 

[jayhawkokie]

The adjustable pre-load system is a $300 option, maybe that makes the oem adjustment operable, but I don't know for sure. I didn't get that option, perhaps I should have, but I was just priced out of options at the bottom line. I'm guessing now that it comes down to the spanner wrench, but I have no clue. Makes me wonder how the Hannigan suspension works as I read how smooth the ride is.

I just ordered my RS HTS conversion kit for my 2010 Goldwing a couple weeks ago, should be in in a couple weeks. I was trying to keep the conversion under $15,000 and opted not to get the wind wings, but did order the adjustable suspension that uses the OEM suspension controls and ram, I also ordered the Performance Sway Bar. I'm anxious to get the conversion done so I can put the trike through it's paces, I'll report back my experience and opinion for what it's worth, I know I have a learning curve to go through.