Freewheeler "Chopper" Project

[haute pursuit]

Here is the deal with the Cragars....

The bolt pattern on H-D trike rear wheels is 4x4.25". Stock Harley trike rear wheels are 15x5.5" with 2.85" backspacing. The Cragar I am using (15/14 SS) has a backspacing of 4.5”. My adapter is from Wheel Adapters USA and is a 4x4.25 to 5x4.5 adapter 2” thick with a 12x1.5 lug thread. So the Cragar at 4.5” backspace with a 2” adapter nets out at 2.5” backspacing and is very nearly equal to the stock Harley back space. Since I am fabricating the fenders... it all works well.

But......

Your wheel adapter MUST have a centering hub. Either built in or made for the purpose. I turned one down and made the insert for mine. The classic SS series has slotted holes and that means your (safe) installation relies on the centering hub to install the wheel. See below

View attachment 59173

View attachment 59174

You will get two sets of washers with the Cragars.... Use the offset hole washers to hold everything in place

View attachment 59175

I have them bolted onto the wheels right now. When the fenders come off and I install the tires, I will get some detail photos to share.

Good Luck with your build!

That must be an ol' school Cragar type thing. I did not have any problems with the 18X9's I used.

 

[Free Bird]

That must be an ol' school Cragar type thing. I did not have any problems with the 18X9's I used.

Yeah.... It's not a problem, you just have to do it if you want the vintage S/S wheels. + I needed the deep wheel for the tire.... Not sure they make a 18 x 15

 

[David357]

That's one great looking machine, Jeff.ThumbUpThumbUp

Nice work.

:AllGood:

 

[DK Custom Products]

Thanks Kevin,

I ordered a set of your beefed up axle retaining plates (Great Idea BTW) to assist with the outboard bending moment that will be introduced when the fat tires go on. If the sheet metal ones were bending with the stock arrangement, the big tires would have accelerated the issues that the machined plates are meant to correct. Thanks for the ingenuity.

Yeah, good idea to do that on a stock bike, with your tires, even a better idea!

Thank you!

Kevin

 

[Free Bird]

Got the tail light mounting figured out. Going to start drilling holes (after measuring 20-30 times first) and mounting/wiring them in this week. That paves the way for the fat tires to go on.

 

[trikejones]

Got the tail light mounting figured out. Going to start drilling holes (after measuring 20-30 times first) and mounting/wiring them in this week. That paves the way for the fat tires to go on.

View attachment 59753

Can't wait to see the finished product. I'm going to do early 60's corvette lights. Doing an all inclusive plate frame for now. Next week (I hope) handlebars, performance upgrades and dyno tuning. Having trouble finding the spacer/adapter with a centering hub. Did you get the direct drill wheel?

 

[Free Bird]

No not direct drilled wheel.... Cragar Series 08/61 S/S Super Sport - Multi Fit/Vari-fit utilizing Mag Lug Nuts w/ Cragar Washers. 08/61 Series wheels require traditional Cragar S/S Mag style lug nuts and off center washers for installation. Take a look at their website and you can see. The centering ring in my adapter is also part of that connection. I had the same wheels on my GTO as a teenager. Not complicated really. I just needed a certain wheel size to go along with the fat MT tires....

 

[Free Bird]

Tail Lights still coming together. Fenders off and fat tire check went ok (Thank you Lord). Waiting on the hub-centric rings to line everything up and then on to the fender building.

Sissy bar came today.... Looks AWESOME!

Unfortunately, it will have to go back. The attach points for the pad are not located correctly and the seat pan will need rework....







Frustrating.... but doesn't keep me from riding

 

[Free Bird]

The quality of the sissy bar is so superior to the old AEE pointed one I used to have "back in the day".... For those who ran them (usually on a hardatail frame)...do you remember how they used to crack right down the middle at the top of the point. Then you would grind, re-weld, paint with a little galvanized fence paint (and hope nobody noticed) and then they would crack again.... (sorry for the war story but it adds context to the next comment)

Look at the quality of the welds and polish work on this bar..... Nice



Ginz Choppers does a great job.... They just exercise your virtue of patience

 

[trikejones]

The quality of the sissy bar is so superior to the old AEE pointed one I used to have "back in the day".... For those who ran them (usually on a hardatail frame)...do you remember how they used to crack right down the middle at the top of the point. Then you would grind, re-weld, paint with a little galvanized fence paint (and hope nobody noticed) and then they would crack again.... (sorry for the war story but it adds context to the next comment)

Look at the quality of the welds and polish work on this bar..... Nice

View attachment 60608

Ginz Choppers does a great job.... They just exercise your virtue of patience

Beautiful sissy bar. Are you using the OEM quick detach still for mounting? Mine went in last week for the start of the project. Cobra slip ons, Jackpot headers, S&S mini tear-drop intake, installing the DK Customs retainer plates (which my tech was quite impressed with Kevin and was 100% behind that modification), fenders being removed and license plate frame will house all LED lights until I get my Corvette lights for the trunk. Waiting on my 10" Wild ones pullback drag bars and installing DK Customs tank lift kit. Wheels and tires being ordered today. Hoping to have pics in next couple weeks. Thanks for the continued updates. Looking great!!

 

[Free Bird]

Yes... using same mounts as the OEM backrest. I have a Corbin one with armrests for longer rides and the sissy bar for around town. But they are both plug and play. I will post pics of it on the bike when it is back together.

 

[Free Bird]

Tail lights and light up plate frame are in and wired up! All on as running lights, outer ones for turn signals, inner two for brakes. NAMZ sequencer (1-2-3) for turns not ready yet.... I will put that in when it comes out but am please with this outcome. They are bright and work great.

 

[MDO]

Very nice looking! Did you route it to the wiring/lighting plug under the seat?

 

[Jack Klarich]

Nice work Jeff

I cant wait to see the signals work

 

[Free Bird]

Very nice looking! Did you route it to the wiring/lighting plug under the seat?

Yes. No equalizer module required as the LEDs were Can Bus compatible. Essentially the harness is the same from the main connector to the devices. Just have 3 per side instead of 1.

 

[Free Bird]

Nice work Jeff

I cant wait to see the signals work

Thanks. They work now. everything functions (running, brake, turns). I just did not get to make them sequence as the module that was available was not compatible. NAMZ out of PA makes Badlands modules for all sorts of things. They are going to release a sequencing module soon and when they do I will be near the front of the line

 

[trikejones]

Got her back today. Phase 1 almost complete. 2017 Freewheeler. Installed Cobra slip-ons, Jackpot headers, S&S mini teardrop intake, Wild 1 10" pullback drag bars, fenders removed, LED brake/running/turn lights in chrome license plate frame from Custom Dynamics. She was set up to be dyno tuned but with the new chrome exhaust they want 500 miles on it before they do it otherwise the chrome will discolor. Stay tuned for phase 2. MT's and Cragars on the way. The stage 1 upgrade is so worth it. 104 degrees in Vegas and did not feel that heat on right leg at all.

 

[Free Bird]

Nice!!! Gotta love a black bike (trike)

 

[Free Bird]

.... MT's and Cragars on the way. .....

PS.....



If you have not already thought about it...You will need hubcentric rings for your wheels to line them up help to dynamically stabilize them. Harley's hub is 2.5" diameter. So the hubcentric ring ID will be 63.4mm. My Cragar wheel adapter required a 72MM OD. You will need to measure yours to see what is required. The guys at US Wheel Adapter had exactly what I needed off the shelf. They can make custom ones for you as well. Here is a link

https://www.uswheeladapters.com/hub-centric-rings/

She is a beauty. Good luck.

 

[Free Bird]

....MT's and Cragars on the way...... .

P.S.S.......

You might want to look into DK's heavy Duty Axle Bearing Retainer Plates (see below). They will help with some of the bending moment changes wide wheels/tires will place on the axle and differential loading. Just sayin...

BTW.... It has been a BEAR getting someone to press the bearings off and press new ones (mandatory) on.... I have been down for three weeks due to this issue. So plan ahead...

 

[trikejones]

PS.....

View attachment 61615

If you have not already thought about it...You will need hubcentric rings for your wheels to line them up help to dynamically stabilize them. Harley's hub is 2.5" diameter. So the hubcentric ring ID will be 63.4mm. My Cragar wheel adapter required a 72MM OD. You will need to measure yours to see what is required. The guys at US Wheel Adapter had exactly what I needed off the shelf. They can make custom ones for you as well. Here is a link

https://www.uswheeladapters.com/hub-centric-rings/

She is a beauty. Good luck.

Thanks. I am waiting to see once wheels get here. I got the direct drill 10" wheels for a 12' wide tire. Thanks for the help once again. i'm LOVING the stage 1 upgrade. The heat off the right side is virtually gone. Rode in 104 degrees and didnt feel a thing. Also nice that it sounds like a motorcycle instead of a sewing machine. Will keep you posted. How's your progress?

 

[trikejones]

P.S.S.......

You might want to look into DK's heavy Duty Axle Bearing Retainer Plates (see below). They will help with some of the bending moment changes wide wheels/tires will place on the axle and differential loading. Just sayin...

BTW.... It has been a BEAR getting someone to press the bearings off and press new ones (mandatory) on.... I have been down for three weeks due to this issue. So plan ahead...

View attachment 61617

I actually had Kevin recommend them when I first posted on here and bought them the next day. Had the dealership do the install them.

 

[Free Bird]

How's your progress?

I have been at a total standstill (without the trike) for three weeks waiting for the bearing press job from my local dealer. They do not have the ability to do it and farmed it out. But it must be a slow growing season at that farm because my trike has been torn down and sitting too long. My triple trees were supposed to be complete a month ago, but the guy doing them is behind so the front end work is delayed too. This project has had a lot of hurry up and wait. I was ok with all the waiting up to this point as it did not interfere with riding. But this phase has been a drag. It will all come together soon though I'm sure. Looking forward to Fall rides on the River Road north of St. Louis

 

[MDO]

I have been at a total standstill (without the trike) for three weeks waiting for the bearing press job from my local dealer. They do not have the ability to do it and farmed it out. But it must be a slow growing season at that farm because my trike has been torn down and sitting too long. My triple trees were supposed to be complete a month ago, but the guy doing them is behind so the front end work is delayed too. This project has had a lot of hurry up and wait. I was ok with all the waiting up to this point as it did not interfere with riding. But this phase has been a drag. It will all come together soon though I'm sure. Looking forward to Fall rides on the River Road north of St. Louis

I probably ride that way to Grafton, IL & Pier Marquette state park 8-12 times a year. It's 1 of my favorite rides under 100 miles.

Don't go down 94 to get there, they are destroying that ride putting slurry seal on a road that 1,000 bikes a week ride on. 2 weeks ago, we had to sit for 20 minutes on a weekday to get through there & there is a lot of loose gravel.:gah:

 

[Free Bird]

I probably ride that way to Grafton, IL & Pier Marquette state park ...Don't go down 94 to get there,

Yeah...94 has been getting worse for a while. I am right with you on the River Road. Beautiful ride (even with the bugs ). I like to come back from Pierre Marquette by going north on 100 crossing into Calhoun County at Hardin then down to the Golden Eagle Ferry to 370 to the superslab back home.

 

[Free Bird]

Ok Everybody.... (like it or not...that's ok)

Here is a real "fat tire" bike (trike)....









Rear fenders are next followed by a raked and polished front end with 18" apes and the tins removed.....

 

[Gone2Three]

I like it!

 

[Free Bird]

Rides real nice. Gotta get used to the roadster-like width.

I spent a lot of time on the engineering. The wheel spacers were designed to replicate the CG and offset of the stock wheel. I had the tires dynamically balanced and the hubcentric rings keep it dead nuts centered on the HD stock hub. I had it up to 75 mph and no vibration. The reverse systems does not seem to care about the extra weight. The diameter of the tire with the larger diameter front wheel get's me to stock rake/trail. The new triple trees will change that, but the net will be the same as a 1.5" lift kit in the rear with a stock front end.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Nice job Jeff, I really dig those tail lights:clapping:

Did you get them to blink in sequence yet?