Reverse Change

Strohkr

100+ Posts
Sep 16, 2010
114
40
NORTH DAKOTA
This summer just about every time I used my Tri-Glide reverse the breaker would "pop". We were riding in the southwest (hot) and in the mountains (hilly). Then I'd have to take off my Tri-glide saddlebag, remove the cover, reset the breaker, put everything back together and wait for it to happen again - which, unfortunately, it did on a regular basis.:mad:

Well - I got really sick and tired of constantly going through the reset process:gah:

so I'm thinking of changing it out for a mechanical reverse to (hopefully) avoid all of the above. I know they are spendy but to avoid all the time and frustration of constantly resetting the stock reverse it might be worth it?

Anyone have any experience with a mechanical reverse?

Is it worth the money (I'm not a wrench so I'd have to have it installed).

And - are they all about the same or does one stand out above the others?

Help and advice appreciated!!

Thanks much!
 
Can't help u with that, but I back up my drive way with the wife on the trike

and not popping the breaker. When I first got the trike it popped just backing

up on level ground, now I back up about a 15 degree angle for twenty feet or

so and no problem with two on the trike. Guess we r just lucky.
 
This summer just about every time I used my Tri-Glide reverse the breaker would "pop". We were riding in the southwest (hot) and in the mountains (hilly). Then I'd have to take off my Tri-glide saddlebag, remove the cover, reset the breaker, put everything back together and wait for it to happen again - which, unfortunately, it did on a regular basis.:mad:

Well - I got really sick and tired of constantly going through the reset process:gah:

so I'm thinking of changing it out for a mechanical reverse to (hopefully) avoid all of the above. I know they are spendy but to avoid all the time and frustration of constantly resetting the stock reverse it might be worth it?

Anyone have any experience with a mechanical reverse?

Is it worth the money (I'm not a wrench so I'd have to have it installed).

And - are they all about the same or does one stand out above the others?

Help and advice appreciated!!

Thanks much!

I had a Mechanical reverse put in my 11 Tri- Glide, The MOTOTRIKE reverse With the lock out wire harness.... No drawbacks..I would park anywhere i wanted.. Up hill down hill gravel grass Just like you were backing up with a car...And i might add at any speed not a crawl like the electric one..Used it for two years, I have a 17 M8 now and i dearly miss the reverse...And when they make one for the M8 i'm going to have it put in...

Just to add, With the mechanical you will never have to pass up a parking space for fears of not being able to back out ..
 
I have the Baker Reverse and love it.

It is a expensive solution, but worth the money, because it delivers smoother switching, easy to find neutral and the reverse operation is via the normal switch lever.

The only disadvance is that you can't enter neutral from second gear, thats the price for easy finding it from first gear.

The most important thing for me was the operation via the nomal shifter. If you are in first gear with pulled clutch, press a button on the Handlebar to unlock the reverse and swith down in gear "0", thats the reverse. Wanna go forward, pull clutch, kick the heel and there you are.

Unfortunately I need it often here in the European Alps if you meet stupid can driver on rampant sreets.
 
Wow,thats not good. My breaker has only popped once. I forgot to take emerg brake off. Have a pretty good driveway grade & back up with no problem. 16 k on it & use reverse every ride.
 
My first thought would be bad breaker - popping too soon. Easy to test with a clamp type ammeter. A lot cheaper to replace than going mechanical.

Unless, of course, you WANT a mechanical reverse. In that case you don't want the wife to know there might be a cheap fix...;)
 
Champion Reverse

Hi when I converted my FLHT to a trike back in 2010 I installed a champion reverse gear it worked great, now I up graded to a baker 6 sp od

& my reverse gear won't work on the baker, it only fit HD 5 speed, I still have it & it's in perfect condition if someone needs it! I loved it, never had to worry about backing up hill!
 
My first thought would be bad breaker - popping too soon. Easy to test with a clamp type ammeter. A lot cheaper to replace than going mechanical.

Unless, of course, you WANT a mechanical reverse. In that case you don't want the wife to know there might be a cheap fix...;)

The brushes go bad not the breaker. Once the brushes corrode...From Water/Moisture, The motor then draws too much current and trips the breaker...I had mine out and took the motor apart a few times....Always the brushes...
 
Thanks!

Hey - thanks for all the replies - appreciated.

Too bad that Champion won't fit my '13 Tri-Glide!

You're right it's probably the brushes since it pops so much - we all thought it may have been the 110 degree heat that we were riding in.

On flat ground I usually just push it around without much of a problem but when you park on a hill it becomes darn near impossible - then when you try and use the electric reverse and it "pops" - you're stuck - unless your buddies come over to help after they stop laughing!:laugh: And - if you're solo then you DO have a problem.

So - with all of that said I think I'm going to bite the bullet and have the mechanical reverse put in over the winter - either that or trade for a 2018 - decisions, decisions, decisions!!
 
My TG is in the shop right now for a new motor. I had a '12 and now a '14 TG. Neither one had a problem with the reverse and I have abused the hell out of them over and over again and have done things to them that should never be done. Never "popped" once.

This one has worked flawlessly for 4 years.

Thankfully I have the extended warranty.

Other then the noise, I like my stock reverse.
 
I went with MotorTrike mechanical reverse with auto shut off to prevent damage to the tranny if you are in reverse gear and a forward gear at the same time.
 
If you're looking to get a reverse, get with Papa Zook. He gave me a good deal on a reverse kit, I think he will give anybody on here the same deal.

It's been on my bench for a few weeks, I wanted to get in the last few rides before the monsoons come.

We were at a local rally a couple weeks ago, I had to back into a corner parking spot. That stupid reverse motor doesn't let you ease into a spot. You know, push the button and it seems like the trike jumps back about a foot. Makes us look like we don't know what we're doing...

I can't wait to start on this project.
 
Hi when I converted my FLHT to a trike back in 2010 I installed a champion reverse gear it worked great, now I up graded to a baker 6 sp od

& my reverse gear won't work on the baker, it only fit HD 5 speed, I still have it & it's in perfect condition if someone needs it! I loved it, never had to worry about backing up hill!

send me a pm, i mite be interested
 
Mine took a dump back in March. Lived with out it till last week even with ext. warr.

Thats when you learn the right way to park. Think it died from lack of use :Shrug: Got 4 more yrs to go b4 I consider the macanicle upgrade, providing I still have it.
 
So far I've not had any trouble with my 2012 reverse. But before you go to all the expense have you checked the electrical connections? Especially the ground? Cleaning up those connections and adding a little di-electric grease might save you a nice piece of change.

PC
 

Welcome to the Trike Talk Community

Join our vibrant online community dedicated to all things Trikes! Whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out, this is the place to share experiences, tips, and stories about your three-wheeled adventures. Explore modifications, maintenance advice, and rides, all while connecting with fellow trike enthusiasts from around the globe

Forum statistics

Threads
55,551
Messages
807,138
Members
24,102
Latest member
dhinzman1
Back
Top Bottom