Leading Link or Raked Trees for GL1100 Sidecar?

Texas Bulldogger

Texas Bulldogger

Nov 6, 2024
12
18
Phoenixville, PA
Name
Rick
Morning, any one out there know where I can find a leading link or raked triple tree set for my ‘83 Wing?

Not new! Those are more $$$ than my whole rig.

Where do old trikes go out to pasture?

Maybe a set laying around?

Would consider whole project bike collecting dust with a set.

IMG_1558.jpeg

IMG_1651.jpeg
 
Try "PM" ing Papa Zook. Even if you found a junk yard that had that old a bike they may not know if it had a racked tree on it or not. Though search on a 40+ old bike.

She sure is pretty though I see why you want to fix it.
 
Why do you need to rake it?
Rode many outfits in the past all with standard forks and never had a problem, loved getting the wheel in the air.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Rig drives true, but is a work out to steer.

With a leading link would probably have dark side tire.

Raked tree would keep all the Honda parts and looks.

Both will have easier steering.

Raked trees are obvious on close inspection. OEM trees are typically cast and painted. Raked sets are CNC produced.

I can drive one handed at 60 mph, so it’s not urgent. But I’m not getting younger. Will keep up the search.

Will be getting some expert advice up in Maine at USCA national rally in couple of weeks.
 
IMHO, for a GL1000, you would probably have to go brand new on a leading link setup if that's what you want because I don't think they were very common so wouldnt be very plentiful in used market. And the leading link setups on newer bikes are very pricey, more than what a GL1000 would be worth. And I don't know for sure but I imagine that because they use a car type tire, it will have a bigger footprint on the ground which could make slow turns a bit difficult.

I personally think a rake kit is the way to go. A rake kit will make turns much easier over the stock triple trees and I think give you what you are looking for. The link that @Papa Zook gave you is probably the way you will want to go. I think you will be limited on finding any other place for a rake kit.
 
The only place you are going to find a pre-built leading link front end for an older Goldwing is in Europe or England. I don't remember the name but there was a company that built sidecar/leading link front end conversions out of Holland and another in England. I looked into them for my 1980 Goldwing Trike, but ended up going to a Spyder instead. Good luck. Please post what you find here as there are probably others who are wandering the same thing. You might try Doug Bingham at Side Strider here in the US, maybe he can steer you to a leading link front end.
 
That's a very fine rig you have there, Rick and in amazing condition! Yes, adding raked trees to it will drastically improve the handling. I used to sell and install sidecars, Champion, Hannigan and Velorex, but over the years, as the popularity and demand of trike conversions grew, I quit doing them.
 
What loads do you normally run with? Empty, luggage, person?

The Terraplane is a fairly light rig. If you're using one hand at 60 and have a steering problem, I suspect the alignment is off slightly. In your picture, the rig wheel caster looks off. What is the suspension for the rig? How much adjustment is there?

We have an 83 GL1100. We "had" a California Sidecar Friendship III for 10 years. It is a two-seater with a large trunk. It was at the limit of bike to rig weight ratio. 3 to 1. When I ran the rig empty, I would use #100 lbs ballast to keep from the rig from lifting. Two barbells clipped under the seat belt.

I did have the triple tree modified by a company in Kamloops, CAN. The Friendship III is a lot wider and heavier than the Terraplane and we had a car rim/tire on it.

Go to "florida-sidecar-products.com" for an owner's manual for your rig.

Before you go spending money you don't need to try putting some ballast in the rig.
At the USCA rally, get some alignment tips.

Hope that this helps.

20150917_141711.jpg
 
Thanks for the info. This is my second GL1100 Terraplane rig. Identical setup. First one was new from dealer in ‘83. I’m pretty well versed on this rig’s set up. This one was two wheel when I bought it from original owner. Rode for about 8 years before adding sidecar 4 years ago. Both rigs were/are a dream to ride. My issue is slow speed steering. Even taking the VW stabilizer off it still is a workout to turn. With my 70th birthday next weekend I’m not as strong as my 30 year old self. Power steering is all I’m looking for.

As for riding style. That’s another story. I currently have 138 lbs of ballast in car. Just took out the two five gallon water jugs and replaced with weights all in out board side. I was able to keep same weight but improved counterbalance efficiency. It takes a lot to fly. I actually add another 30 lbs in the car seat when my not-wife rides. She prefers bike saddle over the low car seat. Her left side view is my hip and to the right truck tires are within arms reach.

It’s just a rake tree or leading link. You even mentioned your rig had a modified tree set.

Rick J
 
The bike is still set up for a sidecar. Without one, it rides like a dirt bike. Quick steering and a taller suspension. Metallic brake pads were added to handle the extra weight.

The triple tree was modified. They cut and added material to get the rake. This was back around 1995. Steerite in Kamloops,BC,CAN.
The company was taken over by the son and has branched into other meatal work.

My other two bikes, the tree was purchased new. 2000 Valkyrie Interstate and 2009 Suzuki Burgman 650. The Valkyrie had a slow speed handling problem. It would pitch during parking lot maneuvers. The rake solved that.
The Burgman is my wife's, and it was for the Tow-Pac trike kit.
I'm 71 and wife is 76.

We've transitioned to a 2001 GL1800 w/ Roadsmith trike kit. It was purchased as a project bike. but we've since made it our main ride. After a long day (8-11 hours) of riding the Valkyrie, my legs were wobbly at lights with her on it.
And she was not keeping up with me when we rode separately. She kept "at" the speed limit. Mildly irritating.

Have you checked the steering bearings. I've used AllBalls bearings.
They have fork conversion kits.
"| All Balls Racing".

I hope that all of this helps.

Good Riding, Safe Journey.

DSCF3333.JPG

2009 Lights On The Lake.JPG
 
Used to ride 100’s mile days. If I didn’t drain a tank of gas felt like a light weight. Now I can spend a couple of hours on local back roads in SE PA and happy with 30 miles. Of course my younger days were in Texas. 210 miles between Houston and San Antonio has one small curve half way between!

Haven’t had the steering head apart but routinely check movement left to right with wheel off ground and check push pull front to back. No clicks or play.
 
This where the Craig Vetter design differs from abnormal hacks. It has a three point mount. Top arm is a turnbuckle. Can dial lean on the fly. Cross winds or road crown can be adjusted to drive straight.
 
Hi,
The CSC Friendship III came with an elec "screw jack" style lean adj. It was great to adjust "on the fly.
Keep us posted on what you find at the rally. Wish it was in my schedule.


.
 
Thanks. Read that post a while ago and dozen others. I’ve been looking for ANY style front end for couple years. Had my hands on a ‘82 GL with a leading link. Guy had bought the whole rig for the car to mount on his tug. I would have swapped front ends and sold the solo. I couldn’t pull the trigger at the time. Had just closed on buying my house and was a bit cash short.

Don’t get me started on GoldwingDocs. Probably first bike forum I joined. Only one I pay for because ads are ridiculous. I logged out of my computer over a month ago. Usually surfing on my phone and never log out. Login wouldn’t accept my password. Reset seems to work with confirmation but still can’t login. Have tried to communicate with admin there. Only email (found in my spam) told me to reset password! I’ve messaged them from their Facebook page and 3-4 messages thru admin on their website. Crickets.
 
Thanks for the input. I played with pressures years ago when I put on car. I know it can be, but don’t think my PSI is the issue.

40F / 38R / 36C.

It’s the heavy steering force and nothing else. Rig drives straight and true. No major wear on tires. Just made 1,000 mile round trip to Maine last weekend. No issues.
 
Hi,
Your air press. concerns me. It seems high for such a small sidecar. I'd be running 36 psi. Maybe 38 in the rear depending on load. This was with my CSC Friendship III.
Just my humble opinion.
What is the condition of the steering shock?
What are your suspension pressures?

Screenshot 2025-06-21 at 10-18-19 Honda GoldWing GL1100 Service Manual (Page 24 of 357) Manual...png
 
Please don’t worry about the rig. Five years on the road. Another 10 years with the same setup back in the 80’s. Just finished 1000 mile weekend. It’s not as light as you think. Weight is listed at 190 lbs. The Friendship III is 225. I carry 138 lbs of dead weight. All on the outer half.

It’s well within quarter to third of the weight of the GL1100 tug.

As for the tire pressures. I am running what you’re suggesting.
40 Front 38 Rear 36 Car

Steering shock? VW damper. Bought new 5 years ago.

Replaced OEM rear shocks same time with spring shocks. Set to highest setting. Not-wife rides behind me.

Front forks have new progressive springs. Again at the same time as car. Set at 21 psi with wheel off ground.

One more time to this group. Thanks for letting me jump in the Trike world. Was just looking for an old GL trike with a raked tree set or a leading link to lighten the steering on my perfectly setup sidecar rig.

Rick
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Leading Links
Replies
11
Views
23,366
turner
T
Duck
How do I link the front and back brakes
Replies
4
Views
12,226
cjmitch
cjmitch
Trikerbri
Raked Forks
Replies
17
Views
757
Trikerbri
Trikerbri
F
Raked Trees
Replies
2
Views
6,223
Burnerboy
B
G
Raked or not raked
Replies
26
Views
48,081
cjmitch
cjmitch
Dockem
How to tell if a GW trike has been raked?
Replies
4
Views
15,510
nucseal
nucseal

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

Register Log in

Forum statistics

Threads
55,469
Messages
805,890
Members
24,017
Latest member
shawn.s.prescher
Register Log in

Share this page

155 wide Papa Zook’s Harley Rake Kits

photo 260e2760-d89e-45b2-8675-2bc26fb3d465.jpg

photo Trike-Talk-150-x-200.gif

photo DK Trike Talk Right side banner 19.jpg

photo 9796095c-0d4b-4a9b-88ed-efe4c498d084.png
photo f9866e4e-75c5-471a-86f5-5e72a446ecc3.png
Back
Top Bottom