Yee haw!

[Konrad]

Got my Smith road ready yesterday and first legal ride. Still have paint work and easy steer to install, other minor stuff.

So - how was the ride??? (You're leaving us hanging!)
I thought the Roadsmite came already painted to your choice of colors. Not so?

 

[Stephen]

So - how was the ride??? (You're leaving us hanging!)
I thought the Roadsmite came already painted to your choice of colors. Not so?

Yes you can pay an extra thousand or so and have someone paint it for you (goldwing paint is $200.00 bucks a quart). It's only costing me about $100.00 to paint it myself (not including labor) but that's OK as I never charge myself as I am to expensive. Rides fine so far but haven't ridden to far yet. I'm going to take a break tomorrow and go for a real ride.

Most recent pic.

 

[Konrad]

Right. I had not even considered painting it myself, having neither the equipment nor the know-how, and judging from that latest picture you know exactly what you're doing. Looks great - are you going to leave it two-tone? I didn't know we could buy Honda paint on the market.

Looking forward to the next installment of the test ride and wondering what adjustments might be necessary. :yes:

 

[kj5ix]

The only thing you should have to consider would be the drive shaft collar spacing, and is fairly noticeable by a klunk while just starting, and shifting into second at low speed. EZ fix just take a hex wrench with ya, and if needed you can crawl under the right side, and adjust it. A lot of folks get it a little wide in the gap the first time.......ThumbUp

 

[Stephen]

The only thing you should have to consider would be the drive shaft collar spacing, and is fairly noticeable by a klunk while just starting, and shifting into second at low speed. EZ fix just take a hex wrench with ya, and if needed you can crawl under the right side, and adjust it. A lot of folks get it a little wide in the gap the first time.......ThumbUp

I musta done it right, my ride last yesterday was mostly in first and second gear with no throttle and no clunk. The last part of the ride I took it up though 40 mph and no problems. It seems to be very quite and smooth.

 

[Stephen]

100 mile test ride today went very well. No problems. Will be glad to get the six degree triple tree installed. Steering was like wrestling a bear.

 

[Konrad]

Steering was like wrestling a bear.

That's the down-side. The upside is you burned a lot of calories while exercising the arm muscles!

Did you get it above 40?

 

[Stephen]

That's the down-side. The upside is you burned a lot of calories while exercising the arm muscles!

Did you get it above 40?

Yeap, 60 to 75 most of the time. Mileage should interesting, little more than 1/2 a tank got me about 97 miles.

 

[Konrad]

Yeap, 60 to 75 most of the time. Mileage should interesting, little more than 1/2 a tank got me about 97 miles.

I'm going to be really interested on the final readout on a full tank. Did you opt for the auxiliary tank?

Have you tried the emergency brake yet?

Do you plan on switching out the front tire? If so, to what?

Did you transplant your saddlebag lights to the Roadsmith?

I won't have mine until at least next Thursday!

 

[Stephen]

I'm going to be really interested on the final readout on a full tank. Did you opt for the auxiliary tank?

Have you tried the emergency brake yet? If so, to what?

Did you transplant your saddlebag lights to the Roadsmith?

I won't have mine until at least next Thursday!

Did you opt for the auxiliary tank?

No aux tank at this time.

Have you tried the emergency brake yet?

I tried it in the garage and it didn't move.

Did you transplant your saddlebag lights to the Roadsmith?

Yes.

Front tire is a Bridgestone G709 (brand new). Not going to change it till it's worn out.

 

[Stephen]

Rake kit installed. Short test ride done. I'm a liking it very much. Now I'm down to the gig sheet of fixing the little things and more paint work.

 

[Konrad]

Your progress is faster than mine. Visited the installer today and he had all the take-offs off and the wheels on. He said "watch" and got on the fork lift and lowered the trike wheels to the table and then backed the fork lift out, saying "now it's officially a trike". For me he recommended the 5.5 rake kit.

The installer saved all the take-offs for me and offered me $40 for the chrome after-market rideoff center stand.

 

[Stephen]

154 miles today, lotsa head wind, 31 mpg.

 

[Papa Zook]

Have you figured out that a good installer really does earn their money? :yes:

 

[Stephen]

Have you figured out that a good installer really does earn their money? :yes:

Oh yes sir, very much so. I have found a new respect for those good installers. They definitely earn their keep.

 

[Stephen]

I rode to La Grange today then down 71 to El Campo, then back to Katy. After 100 miles without the easy steer and 154 with easy steer I hope Konrad spent the extra bucks, it's very well worth it.

 

[Konrad]

I rode to La Grange today then down 71 to El Campo, then back to Katy. After 100 miles without the easy steer and 154 with easy steer I hope Konrad spent the extra bucks, it's very well worth it.

I distinctly remember what steering a 1929 Buick Master Six was like and at 80 years old I intend to avoid that on the bike. You bet I spent the extra bucks! And after seeing my bike without the back end I'm glad that's a job I stayed away from.

 

[skuuter]

Have you figured out that a good installer really does earn their money? :yes:

Having helped put my Raked Trees on at my Local Dealer, and a little more hands-on helping and watching them on Other Trikes....Boy, is this an Understatement Zook....ThumbUp

 

[Stephen]

My stretch limo is done. :yes:

 

[Gorilla]

My stretch limo is done. :yes:

"NICE" congrats

 

[Blondie Gal]

Suh-weeeeet!!!

 

[Konrad]

Suspecting a two-tone paint job I enlarged the pics for a better look. Unless these old eyes deceive me - it IS two-tone! Nice complementary colors - good job.

 

[Stephen]

Now all I gotta do is learn how to make that paint job shine.

 

[Konrad]

Now all I gotta do is learn how to make that paint job shine.

You mean the matte finish wasn't intentional??

 

[Stephen]

You mean the matte finish wasn't intentional??

From what I've been reading that matte finish is just the start of a good paint job. I got orange peel to get rid of then I can start to shine things up.

 

[Konrad]

From what I've been reading that matte finish is just the start of a good paint job. I got orange peel to get rid of then I can start to shine things up.

I'll be interested in hearing your process for doing that! ThumbUp

 

[Stephen]

Steve the next time these are on sale get one, you will need it when working on it and washing it when the time comes

Pneumatic Adjustable Roller Seat - Creepers & Seats - Automotive & Motorcycle

It's now on my HB wish list.

 

[Stephen]

New construction pics link.

http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u72/sssfjet/Goldwing Trike Conversion/

 

[Eurekaboy]

Thanks for posting those conversion pictures. My friend is wanting to trike his GL1500 with a Roadsmith kit and your pictures were nice to see.

 

[Nana]

Hi Eurekaboy. Welcome to TrikeTalk!