2006 Motortrike VTX1800 is my next ride....

[Volkemon]

howdy!

Had 2 bikes with sidecars, 79 CB750 with a 1974 sidestrider car, and a 1997 Goldwing with a daytona 2+2. Now looking at a 2006 VTX1800 Motortrike. Gonna try having the back wheels lined up. :clapping:

Went for a first look today. Pretty good for the age, minor paint issues, shiny bits shiny. When I put the rear brake on, via the foot pedal, it stuck on. Pedal travel normal, like the master was good, but was not wanting to move. Had to help push it back in. After fixing it, Seller told me it was a mis adjusted shoe and 'drum brakes are tricky' :xzqxz: Yeah... as an air cooled VW restorer, I know drum brakes WELL!

I had a bit of 'Parking Brake?!?' hope in the first moments... Nope. But being that Mrs V was with, cut the visit short and let the seller 'fix' things. 1:30 PM

He called back at 3pm. Told him i was still in, and see him tomorrow.

So, going to do a 'due diligence' inspection tomorrow. Have gloves, light and back wheels off. Give her the complete underbelly look.

Todays peek under it looked like the rear end cover had been pulled. Might have been oily, or fresh black paint. Is this a narrowed car rear end? Solid axle.

The VTX1800 has 18K miles, don't know when the conversion happened. Will get DOT date off tires tomorrow FWIW.

The original VTX owners manual is with it epper: and a bible. Do the rear drums use the stock VTX master cylinder? Going to consult the OM for all fluid check points.

Any tips on checking radiator fluid? Heck...cooling system?

Any other items should look at with extra attention??

A bit of web snooping I found a coil shock/air shock suspension is likely, OR a combination. There was a 'thing that looked like a switch with the toggle broken off' that the seller thought turned on the 'custom' led lights. It bled pressurized air... will know more tomorrow.

More snooping told me of a proportional braking system that applied front and rear brakes together... not sure if it applies to this model. I would bet the brake fluid was last flushed at the trike conversion, if ever... see what it looks like tomorrow.

My test drive today was around the warehouse complex in first. Bike seemed to idle a bit high, but very smooth. Fuel Injected, so good possibility it was not warmed up. Not much of a drive.

Guy probably has open title on the bike, and uptight about any road test. Gonna work that through. Need to have it 'at speed'. What top speed should I expect? My morning commute is normally 75-85 mph, and 90 is a fine top end with me. NOT going to do a top speed test tomorrow, just curious.

Well, thats about all the questions that come to mind... for now. Excited about this, and hoping to get some advice from those more experienced.

Oh yeah... $$... Seller asking $8500. That's in our budget. Again, web searches led to comparable results.. usually higher. THANKS!

Will be checking back early AM my time.

 

[rhino 2]

Randy.......Welcome to Trike-Talk......

 

[trike lady]

Hello and :welcome: to Trike Talk, glad to have U with us.

I hope everything works out and you can get the trike.

 

[Volkemon]

Thanks for the welcome!

Up early for work, will be looking at the trike in ~10 hrs!

:clapping:

 

[Burnerboy]

I'm also lQQking forward to your report(s)...

Ronnie

 

[Volkemon]

Snooping around the forum, beats working...

Seems that Motortrike is not a 'do it yourself' friendly company? Am I getting the wrong impression? They have yet to answer my request about an owners forum on Facebook.

Looking here, they are also absent from the ""Trike Conversion Forums - Owner Reviews & Pics - Factory Support"" section.

I have dealt with other OEM's like that - if you didnt purchase it from them or authorized dealer....they have NO interest in you. Didnt know if I should assume 'factory support' from them will not be readily available.

Try bringing an ONLINE snap-on purchase to the truck for warranty, you will find out what I mean. Did that ONCE. Was not pleasant.

~4 hrs to go! tick......tick......tick....

 

[Volkemon]

Chatted with Josephina at Motortrike, and she sent me the list of parts for the rear axle. Regular ford 7.5 inch stuff. Available most anywhere.

Not to mention adding a parking brake shouldnt be rocket science. SWEEEET!!

Kinda funny that Joseph (male version of Josephina...) at the 'authorised dealer' did not know IF HE COULD GET PARTS. Then called back 2 hrs later, saying he could, but would need EXACT year of conversion, etc. Which I dont know, neither does the seller.

So... Motortrike is pretty friendly to the 'Do it yourselfer' in my book now! BIG relief.

Worked through lunch, outa here soon! Wish i brought my camera. Will try using the phone.

 

[Volkemon]

Alrighty!

The seller is a registered dealer, and went for a $8K offer. So 88 Benjamins with TTT.

Paying and picking up friday.

Apparently the trike conversion was done soon after purchase, the rear tires are dated week 24 of 2006. Excellent condition, however. Front tire a 2009 Avon, also looking good.

The spline by the front Ujoint has more play than I like. Called Motortrike again, got a different VERY polite and helpful lass, (ok...didnt get name.. ) and asked about another. I had read that the updated drive shaft was green, this was not. $380 for a new green one. Not too bad, I couldnt make one for less.



STILL no highway ride, evidently todays insurance nightmares make even a dealer skip those. Oh well. Gotta have faith sometimes.

VERY pleasantly surprised by the help from Motortrikes. Gonna 'sing a song of praise' to everyone. Will update.

Rear suspension is coil over shocks and tiny airbags. All look good. There is an air compressor (for the airbags) mounted somewhere in back, found the button to use it.

There is an air bleed for the bags near the keyswitch.

Look forward to changing the post title from 'might be my next ride' to 'is my new ride' :clapping:

Then I am taking off the leather trunk and cuttingboard (!) tray bolted to the luggage rack. :gah:

 

[rhino 2]

Alrighty!

The seller is a registered dealer, and went for a $8K offer. So 88 Benjamins with TTT.

Paying and picking up friday.

Apparently the trike conversion was done soon after purchase, the rear tires are dated week 24 of 2006. Excellent condition, however. Front tire a 2009 Avon, also looking good.

The spline by the front Ujoint has more play than I like. Called Motortrike again, got a different VERY polite and helpful lass, (ok...didnt get name.. ) and asked about another. I had read that the updated drive shaft was green, this was not. $380 for a new green one. Not too bad, I couldnt make one for less.

View attachment 79658

STILL no highway ride, evidently todays insurance nightmares make even a dealer skip those. Oh well. Gotta have faith sometimes.

VERY pleasantly surprised by the help from Motortrikes. Gonna 'sing a song of praise' to everyone. Will update.

Rear suspension is coil over shocks and tiny airbags. All look good. There is an air compressor (for the airbags) mounted somewhere in back, found the button to use it.

There is an air bleed for the bags near the keyswitch.

Look forward to changing the post title from 'might be my next ride' to 'is my new ride' :clapping:

Then I am taking off the leather trunk and cuttingboard (!) tray bolted to the luggage rack. :gah:

ThumbUp--ThumbUp............:clapping:....

 

[Motorcycle Mike]

Welcome to Trike Talk.

I would get rid of those 13 year old tires no mater what they look like.

 

[BillR]

Welcome, and enjoy the ride.

 

[radismukes]

:welcome: To the Trike Talk Family! FROM SOUTH

Angleton, TX

Howdy Randy! :wave4:

 

[Volkemon]

Welcome to Trike Talk.

I would get rid of those 13 year old tires no mater what they look like.

Oh HELL yes gonna get ride. Then replace...... But they have a couple miles left... Driveshaft first. That would possibly render the drivetrain FUBAR.

I will be driving like a grandfather. Plenty of time for the first crash.

Mrs V will be on back. (Inlove) NOTHING more precious to me. Safety first.

Then probably regret flushing the brakes and clutch. Seems to be there devils behind that task in my experience. :laugh:

 

[Sully]

Welcome from North Ga. .:wave4:

 

[Diablo]

Alrighty!

The spline by the front Ujoint has more play than I like. Called Motortrike again, got a different VERY polite and helpful lass, (ok...didnt get name.. ) and asked about another. I had read that the updated drive shaft was green, this was not. $380 for a new green one. Not too bad, I couldnt make one for less.

View attachment 79658

STILL no highway ride, evidently todays insurance nightmares make even a dealer skip those. Oh well. Gotta have faith sometimes. VERY pleasantly surprised by the help from Motortrikes. Gonna 'sing a song of praise' to everyone. Will update. Rear suspension is coil over shocks and tiny airbags. All look good. There is an air compressor (for the airbags) mounted somewhere in back, found the button to use it. There is an air bleed for the bags near the keyswitch.

Look forward to changing the post title from 'might be my next ride' to 'is my new ride' :clapping:

Then I am taking off the leather trunk and cuttingboard (!) tray bolted to the luggage rack. :gah:

Glad to hear your experience with MT was a good, as I just acquired my first trike (2003 Shadow 1100 Sabre conversion)...Of course I have the luxury of showing up at the factory which is about 75 miles from the house...:Congrats:

 

[CrystalPistol]

Welcome to Trike Talk.I would get ride of those 13 year old tires no mater what they look like.

Likely it's been stored inside & out of sun when not ridden. Our trike has probably 13 year old rear tires on it, they look new aside from wear on tread. They are car size tires running maybe 22-25 psi with maybe 250-300 pounds resting on them.

View attachment 79658

Nice looking trike there, the idea of test rides got me to thinking of times I sold or bought bikes from owners, not dealers. I never asked a private seller for a test ride, and I never offered test rides of one's I sold. I did "start" my last Triumph and rode it a very short ways when I arrived in Vermont to take possession after money changed hands so it was mine by then, and I was close friends with seller of the trike so I bought it with no ride but I knew the trike from when it was a new bike anyway. My Norton Commando was the same way, I bought it from a cousin and I learned on it. The 1200 I bought in '95 sight unseen from a distant co worker on the other side of the state, just drug a trailer to go get it. Others I just looked close and made sound decisions.

About 25 or 30 years ago I worked a wreck, a nearly new, maybe 2 year old HD, in a uphill right handed curve, wrong side of road (bike had drifted left), head on into a Volvo which was near stopped and partially off the far side of the roadway as driver had seen the fast moving bike drift, bike's rider was deader'an 4 o:clock. No tags, ID of rider via license, not MC licensed. Ran vin # of bike and found owner wasn't rider so after the road was cleared, I drove to owner's home, he was wanting to know where his new bike was. I told him about the wreck, he cried some (for the HD I think), I found out he had no insurance either. I told him rider's name and unlicensed status, he said he figured the guy could ride because he was wearing a HD tee shirt. Yep,he had let a total stranger test ride his unlicensed and uninsured still near new HD bike. He (the deceased rider) did have a tee on, and jeans as I recall, and sneakers, and he did have a brain bucket 1/2 helmet on. Man & daughter in Volvo were OK, but the not new Volvo was likely totaled. Wreck was less than a mile from my home, not that it matters.

 

[Volkemon]

For many tires, the last 4 digits of the DOT number is the date code - 2406 means 24th week of 2006, 1218 is 12th week of 2018 etc. SOME tires have it coded, easily found on the internet.

Handy thing to know when buying, as you can use the replacement cost as a bargaining chip.

Of course I have the luxury of showing up at the factory which is about 75 miles from the house...:Congrats:

Have you tried to purchase factory direct? They told me all sales are through authorized dealers, no factory direct sales. Lucky I have 3 in the state, first one didnt do so well. Gonna try #2.

 

[trike tech]

Alrighty!

The seller is a registered dealer, and went for a $8K offer. So 88 Benjamins with TTT.

Paying and picking up friday.

Apparently the trike conversion was done soon after purchase, the rear tires are dated week 24 of 2006. Excellent condition, however. Front tire a 2009 Avon, also looking good.

The spline by the front Ujoint has more play than I like. Called Motortrike again, got a different VERY polite and helpful lass, (ok...didnt get name.. ) and asked about another. I had read that the updated drive shaft was green, this was not. $380 for a new green one. Not too bad, I couldnt make one for less.

View attachment 79658

STILL no highway ride, evidently todays insurance nightmares make even a dealer skip those. Oh well. Gotta have faith sometimes.

VERY pleasantly surprised by the help from Motortrikes. Gonna 'sing a song of praise' to everyone. Will update.

Rear suspension is coil over shocks and tiny airbags. All look good. There is an air compressor (for the airbags) mounted somewhere in back, found the button to use it.

There is an air bleed for the bags near the keyswitch.

Look forward to changing the post title from 'might be my next ride' to 'is my new ride' :clapping:

Then I am taking off the leather trunk and cuttingboard (!) tray bolted to the luggage rack. :gah:

I think she may have misunderstood when you talked to her & I do hate to have to be the bearer of bad news, but the "green" driveshaft assembly will NOT work on a VTX. The driveshaft design with the green front knuckle assy that came out in 2013 was designed for the GL1800 & GL1500. The output spline on the back of your transmission is a completely different size; because of the size difference it won't work.

On the smaller bikes (750,1100,VTX 1300 (old style VTX) & VTX 1800) we still use the OEM front u-joint from Honda on these bikes. I will add that the limited amount of splines inside the front yoke does cause the shaft to "wiggle" when you grab it by hand & move it. Easiest way I've found to determine if the u-joint or splines are an issue is to remove the left side cover & ride the bike on a road with no traffic. At 40ish mph you can move your left leg out a bit & look down and actually see the front joint/driveshaft engagement point to see if it's spinning true or has an out of round rotation to it.

 

[CrystalPistol]

For many tires, the last 4 digits of the DOT number is the date code - 2406 means 24th week of 2006, 1218 is 12th week of 2018 etc. SOME tires have it coded, easily found on the internet.

Handy thing to know when buying, as you can use the replacement cost as a bargaining chip.

When I had my '85 GL1200A up for sale, it was a really nice bike with some great extras at a low price to move as I was having some serious balance issues turning or looking to left (still do). One guy showed up with trailer and soon started "bargaining". Hell, I knew it needed new tires & told him so (told him my next were to be Avons if I had to keep the bike) before he bent down to look at dates, then I politely hinted for him to leave (I really just gave him directions back to main road so he didn't have to turn around with his trailer as I walked back into my house) after parking my 1200 back on the center stand in my carport and putting my keys in my pocket. And to think, I had even offered him and his buddy a cold soda when they first got here (it was a hot day). He called me one evening a couple weeks after the bike was gone, I guess he "slept" on it after all, just too late.

 

[Volkemon]

THANKS Richard!

I had talked with Cathy, and indeed we had miscommunication. I was in a noisy environment, and missed something.

Tried one of my Authorized dealers, will have to see if another works better. #1 try has a somewhat convoluted policy of needing a signed document, copy of my drivers licence and copy of my credit card. Not sure why they didnt ask for the last 4 of my SS number and my mothers maiden name, would have made it the PERFECT id theft package..

edit to remove attachment

 

[Volkemon]

2006 Motortrike vtx1800 N .... IS my next ride.... YES

Its OURS.

Couldnt find how to edit first post to change subject line. But i did figure out how to manage attachments..

Had not done anything at time of pictures but take the trunk/luggage rack off. Rolled it into the morning sun.

Spent all day yesterday fixing, cleaning and polishing chrome. Still have to get aluminum polish for the wheels, but they look like they were cared for before.

The trunk support WAS a used cutting board, and had MOLD where it sandwiched on luggage rack. :skull: Looks SO nice with the large black trunk off.

Have to clean the double sided tape and stick on LED strip off the rack, but will put it back on. It looks like the chrome is OK.

Carrier (2005 Chariot 13' tandem) and Camper (2006 Phoenix Cruiser 2350) in the background. Fit right in with the 2006 VTX! :clapping:











Pretty sure it needs a new front tire, gets a shake to it at speed. The left exhaust was not put on well, got it on for now. Going to have to do some work to get the tips to be symmetrical, but it is close for now. Hoping these get the sound down to 'stealth' level. They should fit behind the end caps on my tailpipes, and easily removable.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JNDYW81/ref=psdc_404749011_t2_B07PD17D4S?th=1



To respect the 'but loud pipes save lives!!' statements that will follow, I would like to add this for alerting my fellow motorists. (Not to mention maybe a relay..maybe add an aux battery. 18 amp draw! ) This horn is 139dB . Straight pipes are ~125dB, and the horn has a perception of being 'twice as loud' :xzqxz:.. (source - https://www.gcaudio.com/tips-tricks/decibel-loudness-comparison-chart/)

https://www.amazon.com/Stebel-11690...tebel+Nautilus+Car+Horn&qid=1575812100&sr=8-5



5 x 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 deep, have to scout out a good mounting spot. But WOW would that work, and not piss off my neighbors when I take the trike to work at 3:30 AM.

Want to get more of the front floorboards to make Mrs V an entrance step, and to replace the pegs. It is quite the time getting on the back with the tiny 'bird perches'. :laugh: And i could use the entrance step also to help the hip out.

TONS of wasted room under the stock rear fender, and behind the trunk. Aux battery mounting could be easy. Likewise extra storage.

Not happy with the rear brake action. The rear master applies part of the front brakes, and the drums in back. The cylinders are working, and look like new inside. I took off the drums and observed the shoes move when I pushed the pedal. But still, I dont feel they are working to capacity, at least to the degree I want them to. More testing needed.

Thats all so far, headed out with Mrs V for a short Sunday ride. (Ride #2!)

 

[Diablo]

For many tires, the last 4 digits of the DOT number is the date code - 2406 means 24th week of 2006, 1218 is 12th week of 2018 etc. SOME tires have it coded, easily found on the internet.

Handy thing to know when buying, as you can use the replacement cost as a bargaining chip.

Have you tried to purchase factory direct? They told me all sales are through authorized dealers, no factory direct sales. Lucky I have 3 in the state, first one didnt do so well. Gonna try #2.

No...So far I haven't had enough ride time to know what if anything is wrong...I was thinking about Fender Bras and that may be my first query to them. If it's dealer only I can respect that but there are lots of ways around that I'm sure.

 

[Volkemon]

Well, not for me i am thinking. On to the dealer network!

The driveshaft, not the front tire is the suspected cause of vibration now.

To high a frequency for the tire, and it is definitely speed and power related. As you go faster, it gets worse. WAY worse.

At 65 it was blurring my vision, so 50 was the top speed home. DON'T need the honda tranny case FUBAR.

If you go to 60 and pull the clutch, it smooths out nicely. As soon as you apply power, it comes back. Also reduces slightly at neutral throttle and deceleration.

I will pull the cover and look at speed like Richard said. Maybe get the GoPro on it.

The front piece containing half the spline, and the front U joint, is a honda dealer part. The rear spline half rearward is Motortrike. Be nice if it came with rear U joint and coupler for the pinion... But if not I have a press. Might be a good thing, using known molybdenum grease in them also instead of the Vaseline that they seem to come with..

Its OK, probably why the bike wasnt listed for 10K. I got tools and time. If it is the rearend, thats cool too. I can redo a ford 7.5" The cover has been pulled before, and there is black 'gookus' everywhere down there. Not drippy, but a film. Might have to put her up on the RV leveling blocks and roll under again for a look-see.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Leveling-Interlocking-Stacking-44515/dp/B00T36J7ZQ used 5 on each side to drive up on in the garage. VERY stable and room for me on a creeper underneath. These are '4x2' or double wide compared to the normal. Work great under rear duallies! Trikes too. :clapping:

Mrs V and I had a great burger on the beach. https://sandonthebeach.com/ She LOVES the trike. :yahoo:

 

[Volkemon]

When I had my '85 GL1200A up for sale, it was a really nice bike with some great extras at a low price to move as I was having some serious balance issues turning or looking to left (still do). One guy showed up with trailer and soon started "bargaining". Hell, I knew it needed new tires & told him so (told him my next were to be Avons if I had to keep the bike) before he bent down to look at dates, then I politely hinted for him to leave (I really just gave him directions back to main road so he didn't have to turn around with his trailer as I walked back into my house) after parking my 1200 back on the center stand in my carport and putting my keys in my pocket. And to think, I had even offered him and his buddy a cold soda when they first got here (it was a hot day). :xzqxz: He called me one evening a couple weeks after the bike was gone, I guess he "slept" on it after all, just too late.

:rofl::rofl::rofl: LOVE the annotations in red. Missed this post before.

Aint that the truth. But yeah, if it is a private sale the rules are different. ESPECIALLY of the price is nice.

In this case, as buyer, I brought a six pack of Yuengling 16oz cans cause it was a dealer. (Asked him his fav flavor via text beforehand :good: ) He said i was the first customer to bring beer. Prolly why he put up with all my questions and crawling under and through the trike.

 

[3W-lonerider]

sweet looking ride.. love the color, looks amazing.

 

[Volkemon]

Thanks! We plan on painting the trailer and camper the same color. We both like it. Been waffling on a color for a month or three, so good to have SOMETHING to finalize it.

Got a couple helmets that match the color VERY closely.

UPDATE on Motortrikes.

Spoke with Josephina via phone, then got home to a message on facebook from MT. They are serious about service!

the part numbers for the vtx1800 shaft are: DRSH-750/V1800/V1300 retail cost is $320.00 plus about $15 to ship it. Any dealer or shop can get this ordered for you.

Parts are able to be ordered by *ANY* licensed repair shop. Just not direct to end users. VERY cool. :clap: Gonna check out my local Honda dealer, as I am probably going to need the front u joint too.

I still want to verify that is whats the problem. Best guess from the frequency... Not too comfortable trying to look down there at 40+ mph. (Thinking)

Not sure I am comfortable putting it on jack stands and spinning it up that fast. :cxtv: So...guess I order the part.

 

[Warlock]

Nice looking trike. I have the same kit on my 97 Valkyrie. If you don't have a rake kit I highly recommend it. Makes it so much easier to steer.

David

 

[Volkemon]

Got a PM to Papa Zook now for details on purchasing one of his kits. After reading the entire thread -

https://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/5625-Rake-Kit-Discussion-655-shipped-from-Papa-Zook

while on Jury Duty yesterday. I was told that the stock parts are black, and mine are polished/chromed all over. Bought the bike used, so learning what has been added. I might have a rake kit. Pretty sure I dont, as the front fender looks to be as close to the radiator as a stock one. I would think with a rake the fender moves away...

ANY help determining this welcome. :wave4: Never had a bike/trike with raked forks. Wonder if they would have helped with the sidecars, as the Daytona 2+2 on the Goldwing was a handful to steer also.

Someone spent a lot in 2006 to build this trike! Finding out all the parts that went into it. Found the makers of the seat, exhaust, and finally the floorboard covers. I want to get more covers to make an assist step and passenger floorboards for Mrs V. They are evidently out of production, but a shop in Sweden has some, and will combine shipping. :clapping: I really like them, and I could not find similar replacements.

 

[Warlock]

You might be able to look at the top triple tree. My oem one had a Honda emblem just right of the center nut. Also look under the triple tree and they are a cast tree where the others are machined. I have a 5 degree on mine and it does well. The VTX is like my Valkyrie and I would recommend at least a 6 degree rake. You will not be sorry.

David