What did you do to your Trike this week?

[ea81slush]

EA81 rebuild back on the road in Oz

It's been a long 6 years. Its taken that time to get my Australian Panther trike reliable. Went from VW power to Subaru ea81 Brat/Brumby engine then supercharged it and found that it drank fuel (gas) like an elephant does to a puddle. So tried fuel injection but only north America got that system and it was too old and finicky to endure. Finally I retained the larger SPFI manifold and placed a new weber 38/38 on top. Reliable, economical and powerful. I'm happy. Tows our camper easily. Sometimes my wife, me and our mini fox terrier just go for a picnic with our fridge at the back.

 

[Rosy]

Great pictures, thank you very much for the update on your project. Very informative for us non mechanical folks!
That flat four will run forever, just like the Goldwing four & six. What did they call them, pancake engines! LOL
Did you mill the manifold, or did you have it done. Great looking valve covers, just like the old days on my 57 Chevy's valve covers. Wish I still had that car!

Rosy

 

[Gorilla]

Now there is a happy crew in the back seat.

 

[ea81slush]

Mill the manifold?

The mating of the weber 38 to the manifold was done with a custom adapter.



Modifying the EA81 to get more power isnt easy and is limited. The primary reason for opting for this engine was simpicity to maintain along with 250,000 miles of trouble free reliability especially when hauling only 660kgms and a 300 kgms camper, use good oil and regular oil changes.

Mated to an auto trans means losing 14 hp. That causes issues. This engine would be better as a manual with that extra power. But I might have clawed back a few hp with the mods I've done, enough it seems for my satisfaction. I'm happy. Otherwise, a later model Subaru engine would be more ideal.

 

[Rosy]

You Aussies are awesome! Great job! So, with the setup as you have, there would be no problem traveling at 80mph! LOL
The tent you have is so huge, we can take all the relatives camping. How much does the trailer weigh in at? Remember you are speaking to a Yank, so in pounds! LOL or I'll have to convert!
Thank you very much for your project description, it was very knowledgable.

Rosy

 

[The Captain]

I put on a new tinted F4 windshield on my Goldwing/Roadsmith trike and a set of foam grip covers...I've heard them called grip puppies.

 

[ea81slush]

Rosy, the camper's total weight is 660lbs. Tows great. Will cruise at 80mph but 70mph is the maximum here in Oz unless you go way up north where its 80 mph in some parts of the desert.

 

[Rosy]

I figured with the Subaru engine, there should not be a problem pulling the weight.
What do you think the HP is on your machine? I believe the GL-1800 has about 118 HP, which is plenty for towing 300#s.

Rosy

 

[Rosy]

Avon Front Tire

I know it is early in the year, but does anyone have a report on the new Avon front tire?
Wear, confort, mileage, or anything else on the tire?
Thanks

Rosy

 

[Rosy]

Trailer Mover

Janice and I moved our trailer with this trailer mover. It was hard because of the dual axels, but we got it done. Next time, I will remove one set of tires to make it easier to move. You could see on the pavement where the tire rubbed, as we turned the trailer 90 degrees. Wanted the tongue close to the shed so it would give us more room to park and a drive-in garage to park the trike.
Hope everybody is having a great day!

Rosy

 

[dbruce56]

Did a couple of things this weekend (other than ride). The PO put a steering damper on the trike. he said that he got a low speed steering wobble. So just for giggles, I removed it and rode a bit yesterday. No steering wobble at all at any speed. Also, I'd been looking for a place to mount the horn I bought to replace the drowned Steibel that the original owner had mounted with the outlet pointed up becoming a funnel. So with the damper no longer needed, I used the mount that the PO used for the bike end of the damper. This places the horn dead center of the forks above the fender. A little bit of wire to extend the current horn wiring and install the new relay and now I have a noisemake that the 4 wheelers can hear. epper:

 

[Rosy]

Horn

Great to hear you coming! At times you need a loud horn.
Rosy

 

[roadking2]

This week I put new bars, grips, and new cables on her. One of my driving lights burned out so I replaced both of them. I figured if I just changed the one, the other would go pretty soon so now I have 2 new driving lights.

 

[dbruce56]

In the last couple of weeks I replaced the stock headlight bulb with a Sylvania Silver Star Ultra. Lot better light on the back roads which I ride a lot. Today, I got and installed a Grasshopper back rest. Very easy install and feels great on the back. And easy on the wallet.

 

[DTR 11TG]

Janice and I moved our trailer with this trailer mover. It was hard because of the dual axels, but we got it done. Next time, I will remove one set of tires to make it easier to move. You could see on the pavement where the tire rubbed, as we turned the trailer 90 degrees. Wanted the tongue close to the shed so it would give us more room to park and a drive-in garage to park the trike.
Hope everybody is having a great day!

Rosy

the next time you move your trailer try airing the tires WAY up and see if that helps, it would be a lot less work than pulling wheels. I have done this in the past, it really helped on asphalt. :wave4:

 

[DblTrbl]

Purchased more bling (chrome)....

I have boxes stacked on the kitchen counter full of chrome, helmets and wool seat covers......all I need now is my Trike!!!!

Once again, looks like it won't be ready for this weekend.......totally frustrated!!!!:xzqxz:

 

[Texan]

Slipped in a new S&S 557H Easy Start bumper stick.

8~\o

 

[Sully]

Installed this just in time for this Memorial Day weekend ride. Flying the colors. ThumbUp



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[Texan]

Slipped in a new S&S 557H Easy Start bumper stick.

8~\o

 

[dbruce56]

This weekend I installed my Shark Audio stereo. Couldn't beat the price and was highly recommended by a good friend. Not the fastest install but, I did have to fabricate some mounts for the amp and speakers. Pretty impressed with the sound. Unfortunately couldn't get to test it on the road. Started raining just as I finished and doesn't look good till about Friday. Also, bypassed the AIS on the engine.

 

[Rosy]

Boy, you guys are going to town with your projects. Mine are still in my back pocket, but they will be coming out soon.
Did get the enclosed trailer turned around for the summer months. Now to block the frame so the tires are off the pavement. Waiting for my tire covers to arrive so they can be put on.
Need to make pernement ramps on my trailer door so the trike will roll in and out easily. Right now I have to take the 2X6 planks out, to drive the trike in. Anybody else done this with their trailer? If you have, please post pictures.
Haven't even thought about opening the pool, when at night it gets to 50F, BBRRR! LOL But, good sleeping weather!
Need the shop to scope my air filter to see if it needs changing, air up in New England is not dirty, but with all this pollen maybe it should be changed!
Rosy

 

[Rosy]

UV Protection

Got my tire covers put on today. UV protection to extend the life of the trailer tires.
Still need to raise the tires off the pavement to prevent dry rot, as my trailer dealer told me to do.
Hope your projects are going great!
Rosy

 

[03VolusiaTrike]

Replaced all my running lights. Had 3 diode led's, replaced them with 4 diode and a little different style. *What a difference at night!

 

[Rosy]

LED Lights

You can never have enough LED lights on the rear of a trike. The cage behind you may see your lights, but don't count on it! He/she may be texting, looking out the window, not paying attention, or just day dreaming!
Great job, and they look bright!

Rosy

 

[DblTrbl]

Friday I spent several hours adding some bling......

Chrome rear brake reservoir
Yamaha Chrome air filter covers
Yamaha Chrome passenger floorboards
Yamaha Chrome driver floorboards
Diamond R Chrome passenger foot pegs

PLUS filled both gas tanks....and Saturday trip to Whitehorse Gear in Conway NH for some gloves, rain gear and other stuff

 

[Zammy]

Productive week getting our first extras on the trike:

Lift Kit
Tank Lift
Floorboard extensions

 

[Tonto]

Changed the front pads today after 37K miles. The left ones still had some life left in them but the rights were due. (Obviously, I use the rear brake more than the front)

 

[dbruce56]

Over the past week I changed engine and transfer oils, cleaned the air filter and ordered a fairing kit and led lighting. Looks like i know next weekends projects,,,,

 

[Pegasus1300]

I had it pin striped at the Rat Fink Reunion in Manti on Saturday

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oops wrong picture