Mystery Trike

[Zaven]

HI, I'm a new member and seen some questions about front tire wobble. I'm just getting up and running and am having a terrible time with slow speed steering. I have a +5" trail with a 21" front tire and 18" rears. Does anyone have any helpful suggestions? I have a Mystery Design trike kit with independent suspension.

 

[Gorilla]

Sorry not very knowledgeable on the mystery trike but, most trikes have a little wobble at low speed. With that being said, most conversions tell you to tighten the front fork bearings a tad tighter then what is called for as a 2 wheeler. For instance a HD touring conversion goes from the ability of the front wheel to swing 1.5 sweeps to .5 sweeps. Might try tightening at being some.

 

[Zaven]

Sorry not very knowledgeable on the mystery trike but, most trikes have a little wobble at low speed. With that being said, most conversions tell you to tighten the front fork bearings a tad tighter then what is called for as a 2 wheeler. For instance a HD touring conversion goes from the ability of the front wheel to swing 1.5 sweeps to .5 sweeps. Might try tightening at being some.

Not really a wobble more of very difficult to turn, more to right than left

 

[pcombe]

Not really a wobble more of very difficult to turn, more to right than left

What do you think Gorilla. To tight? my original manual called for 40 psi.torque
I cant remember exactly but I believe I set mine up to about 55-60.
Seems like my instructions called for about 15 lbs. over stock.
If you crank it up to much I wouldn't think it would lock up a conical bearing but you could put a bind on it and possibly make it tough to turn.

have you got a steering damper on it?
If so take it loose and see what you think?


Just curious, with your rake and 21 inch wheel does your trike sit level?

 

[Gorilla]

What do you think Gorilla. To tight? my original manual called for 40 psi.torque
I cant remember exactly but I believe I set mine up to about 55-60.
Seems like my instructions called for about 15 lbs. over stock.
If you crank it up to much I wouldn't think it would lock up a conical bearing but you could put a bind on it and possibly make it tough to turn.

have you got a steering damper on it?
If so take it loose and see what you think?


Just curious, with your rake and 21 inch wheel does your trike sit level?

Yep that could be an issue if you over tighten. What you did with yours sounds about right on. You should be able to have your front wheel off the ground. Pull the bars to either side and let go. The wheel should on its own rotate back to center and maybe slightly more. If it were a 2 wheel bike adjustment it should go all the way past center then come back past again then stop. If it hardly moves at all when let go you are to tight.

- - - Updated - - -

another thought. If the bearing are shot and rusted up it could be doing all sorts of strange things. bars not straight, tire a slight lean to the side hard steering, sloppy steering.

 

[Zaven]

What do you think Gorilla. To tight? my original manual called for 40 psi.torque
I cant remember exactly but I believe I set mine up to about 55-60.
Seems like my instructions called for about 15 lbs. over stock.
If you crank it up to much I wouldn't think it would lock up a conical bearing but you could put a bind on it and possibly make it tough to turn.

have you got a steering damper on it?
If so take it loose and see what you think?


Just curious, with your rake and 21 inch wheel does your trike sit level?

Yes it sits level because the original bike had the same diameter tires as trike.

 

[hogcowboy]

Possible bearings need to be repacked???

 

[pcombe]

Yes it sits level because the original bike had the same diameter tires as trike.

Who built it is the next question?
Was it a certified mechanic or a home conversion?

You would be surprised at how many otherwise good mechanics know nothing about a trike.
one way or another I would check the torque on the stem nut, my tree also preloads from the bottom.
As gorilla suggested get the front end off the ground and see what it feels like.
It is possible to ruin a conical bearing.

The fall through on the original motor manual should be ignored but it will tell you the original torque on the head nut.

 

[Zaven]

Who built it is the next question?
Was it a certified mechanic or a home conversion?

You would be surprised at how many otherwise good mechanics know nothing about a trike.
one way or another I would check the torque on the stem nut, my tree also preloads from the bottom.
As gorilla suggested get the front end off the ground and see what it feels like.
It is possible to ruin a conical bearing.

The fall through on the original motor manual should be ignored but it will tell you the original torque on the head nut.

It started at a supposed mechanic but when I got it back I have had to a ton of work to feel safe while riding. Tightening the stem nut sure helped a lot. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated as there doesn't seem to be a lot of help here in Tucson area.

 

[Illini_Triker]

My 2006 GL had some slow speed wobble when I got it had stock rake put the 6 deg rake now its gone

 

[skuuter]

I have a +5" trail

First of all, WELCOME to TRIKE TALK.....ThumbUp....now the above quote from You.....I "hope" You mean't +5 degrees of Rake, not Trail...:xzqxz:....if it actually has this much "Trail", then this may be Your "culprit"........

 

[Zaven]

First of all, WELCOME to TRIKE TALK.....ThumbUp....now the above quote from You.....I "hope" You mean't +5 degrees of Rake, not Trail...:xzqxz:....if it actually has this much "Trail", then this may be Your "culprit"........

No, I meant 5" in trail. Plumb down from front axle and use a laser level to get where the frame neck extension his the ground and that is 5" in front of axle spot.*

 

[stacebg]

No, I meant 5" in trail. Plumb down from front axle and use a laser level to get where the frame neck extension his the ground and that is 5" in front of axle spot.*

This is your problem...
5" is too much...
get a hold of bazooka on here an get a set of raked trees.... your hard steering will be gone....
if you have the stem nut at 55 ft lbs i am pretty sure u need to loosen that some
checked the manuals for a couple of my bikes
both tighten to 37 ft lbs loosen completely then tighten to 2.2 ft lbs..
thes are both tapered bearings..