Help DK Custom Products Build a Trike

[DK Custom Products]

In 2015, Devin and I are planning on building a Trike.

When we start, we will begin a build thread and post pictures and comments as it is being built.

But for right now, we would like to hear your ideas on what you think would make a good looking, good riding, and fun Trike.

The donor bike has not even been decided on yet, (other than it will be a Harley) so the doors are wide open for any, and all, ideas!

Please share any ideas, thoughts, pictures on what you think would make a great trike!

TIA

Kevin

 

[PIGGI]

Must have a large motor. 103 don't cut it anymore, maybe a turbo and aux fuel tank.

 

[Papa Zook]

Or you could do something minimalistic, like a a custom Sporty or Dyna since you like the Sportys and you make so many accessories for those. Make it light and quick and raked out. I have some ideas in mind I will share with you via PM.

 

[Rick Kay]

I agree with 'Zook, a minimalist trike would be great. Maybe start with a Dyna or Softail? Either platform would be a great trike. I've been kicking around the idea of a Sportster trike for about a year, now. That would be a fun, relatively inexpensive build for us to follow, also.

Great idea, and thanks for including us!

 

[Mrmri]

Definetly a minilist build. Softail with DNA components. That is what a guy would do in his garage. That is the low cost way to go. The more expensive one are just done at a shop anyway so who cares.

 

[RcSuD]

Gotta have cool fenders, something like this:



Or something totally cool like this one:

 

[DK Custom Products]

Thanks for the input so far, please keep it coming...pics too!

I'm torn between doing a Sporty for reasons listed, but also would like to use the softail as a donor because I think it would be a smoother ride, plus have the larger power plant...then there is the fact that we have a Dyna with a good engine that's been sitting at the shop for 6 months now, just waiting for us to do something with it.

Cool pics RcSuD, both are going into the file for ideas!

Kevin

 

[icebite1]

I would choose a Dyna over the SoftTail only if the new rear suspension used the SoftTail shock set up. In other words its easy to adjust shocks on a Dyna vs the SoftTail.
If a RK or similar bike were available I would choose that.
At any rate keep it lean and clean.

 

[DK Custom Products]

I would choose a Dyna over the SoftTail only if the new rear suspension used the SoftTail shock set up. In other words its easy to adjust shocks on a Dyna vs the SoftTail.
If a RK or similar bike were available I would choose that.
At any rate keep it lean and clean.

Hey icebite1,

Thanks for chiming in...can I pick your brain a bit?

What would you think about a Softail with a shotgun shock type set up that allows for on the fly adjustment with the onboard compressor?

Why a touring (RK) instead of the others?

TIA

Kevin

 

[icebite1]

Hi Kevin.
I think you saw my Dyna trike setup when you were here, its comfortable and handles great.
I mentioned a RoadKing because I think it would be a more comfortable setup than the Dyna BUT if you go with air adj shocks like you mention then a SoftTail with floorboards gets my vote.
Im actually starting a RK trike conversion in January and pretty sure im going to Frankenstein it. Have you picked a rearend yet?

 

[RickDeVon]

New Road Glide and the new Hannigan FLH kit...

 

[DK Custom Products]

Thanks guys...keep the ideas, thoughts, pics coming.

More info we have, the better.

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[Rdkng07]

Yup, a Road Glide. IRS and make it look like it came off the Ultra line instead of the Street Glide / old Road King Custom line. Trimmed fenders and good looking paint / pinstripes. Maybe a metal tank badge, crate 124 or similar, and a Baker reverse. Painted inner faring with a vented windshield.

Sounds boring I know, but it gives me a chub-rock...

 

[Sloufoot]

Kevin, you might try something like this For something different.
:

:http://www.mysterydesigns.com/tiltster.php

 

[GARYD]

I would like to see a sporty with smaller wheels, not the huge ones you see on all other trikes. Almost like the ones on the Tow-Pac bolt on kit. I never liked the huge rear wheels. Keep the rear end a little high. I(we) TG owners are installing lift kits to keep the mufflers from scraping in dips and backing against concrete stops. I'm guilty of that last one.

Handle bars just a little higher and pulled back - - a little - maybe 1" in both directions - 2"max.

Floor boards a little farther away from engine.

Keep rear fenders closer to the wheels and not sticking way out back past the trunk. Looks nice but oh the body work required when backing up while not paying attention.


Definitely spinner hub caps. ThumbUp

 

[DTR 11TG]

...

What would you think about a Softail with a shotgun shock type set up that allows for on the fly adjustment with the onboard compressor?
...

I don't know if you have ever used the SAS system by Custom Cycle Control Systems, similar to the Shotgun Shock, but I have it on my FXSTS & it rides & works great. I think it would be great on a triked softail, great price & all in one unit.

 

[rwhgme]

I would want to see a Big Daddy Rat Fink trike!

 

[slick rick]

Gotta have cool fenders, something like this:

View attachment 22330

Or something totally cool like this one:

Either one gets my vote,,,,not dull and boring to look at !!!!!

 

[woodmnctry]

I would want to see a Big Daddy Rat Fink trike!

Perfect!

 

[DK Custom Products]

I would want to see a Big Daddy Rat Fink trike!

Perfect!

Like this???

A trike the leans...that would be interesting!


Thank you for the ideas and pics...keep em coming.

Kevin

 

[Tanker06]

Probably not what you are after if you are going with the minimalist look, but if you plan on having a passenger for any length of time, I'd recommend these:

http://www.amazon.com/Rivco-Products-Adjustable-Passenger-Floorboard/dp/B0067EXXMA

Not cheap, but my wife loves them. They allow her to adjust easily at any stop, with no tools.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Thank you for all the ideas. Keep them coming. We will not be starting/making any decisions until sometime in the first quarter of 2015, so we have lots of time to digest and entertain all options.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

It's getting close to 2015, Devin and I are going to be sitting down in a few weeks to decide what to build.

Any other ideas???

Kevin

- - - Updated - - -

Hi Kevin.
I think you saw my Dyna trike setup when you were here, its comfortable and handles great.
I mentioned a RoadKing because I think it would be a more comfortable setup than the Dyna BUT if you go with air adj shocks like you mention then a SoftTail with floorboards gets my vote.
Im actually starting a RK trike conversion in January and pretty sure im going to Frankenstein it. Have you picked a rearend yet?

A few months late....but, no, we have not chosen a rearend yet.

You still on schedule to do the RK conversion next month?

Kevin

 

[dirtdobber]

Kevin, with the products you are involved in you must work out of the box. That is what you should think of doing, I think you might be doing that.
The purpose of the trike will have a big influence on what you might need or want.
I like bare bones trikes as I call em.
Here is one I am working on. Actually finished it but painting and a few other odds and ends.
I wanted something light, different looking.
A small removable body is available for this kit.




body

 

[DK Custom Products]

I like what you've done. What kit is that?

Right now Devin and I are vacillating between a stripped down Sporty or Dyna conversion and a Softail conversion. Truth is, we probably do both...but not both of them in 2015.

Kevin

Kevin, with the products you are involved in you must work out of the box. That is what you should think of doing, I think you might be doing that.
The purpose of the trike will have a big influence on what you might need or want.
I like bare bones trikes as I call em.
Here is one I am working on. Actually finished it but painting and a few other odds and ends.
I wanted something light, different looking.
A small removable body is available for this kit.




body

 

[pcombe]

try this on for size?




Be the first to trike one of the electric models and put it's own hidden power generation unit on it so you don't have plug it in?

Solar power generation in the daylight and emergency gas generator at night?
By the time you get done with it it could look something like this in a miniature form?

 

[pcombe]

Good simple clean lines!