Almost new to Trikes

[pddgm]

I am getting ready (next week) to buy an 2002 Road Hawk trike. It has the 2235 cc engine and automatic tranny. Is there anything I should be looking hard at when doing my final inspection before purchase. It only has 19,000 miles on it and from the pics looks to be in excellent shape. I got it for considerably less than what the Trike Shop is asking for the same year. I am wondering if anyone knows what brand of disc brakes they used on the front and rear. I am hoping for a trouble free trike, I have suffered some shoulder damage and can't handle my Ultra Classic 2 up any longer. thanks and look forward to reading the responses..




smitty

 

[Bikerbozo]

Don't know the trike model, but welcome to Trike Talk and good luck with it. At least it looks to have power to spare.

 

[stinger608]

One thing to check is crank shaft end play. On VW engines just grab the main crank shaft pulley that runs the alternator and push and pull it. If it doesn't move then the end play is good. If it bangs back and forth, walk away. That indicates that the rear main bearing which is the thrust bearing is shot. It will require a complete rebuild if it is loose.

Even though it only has 19,000 miles on it, it could still have been miss treated.

I am not sure what brand of disk brakes they use. Sorry I can't help you there.

 

[pddgm]

Well, guess I am not almost any more. Bought the Road Hawk today and will be picking it up Memorial Day. Here is a pic..

 

[Leathel]

Looks good, Not long before hitting the road now

 

[Lucky]

Welcome glad you joined us. Sorry not familiar with that trike. RIDE SAFE

 

[vw driver]

Nice looking trike although I'm not sure "trouble free trike" and "VW trike" belong in the same sentence.:laugh: Just kidding, all of the vehicles I own are air cooled VW power. Keep the maintenance up and don't beat the crap out of 'em and they can last a long time.ThumbUp

 

[stinger608]

sweet looking trike man!!! Congrats on the new purchase.

 

[skuuter]

GREAT Looking VW Trike....CONGRATS.....ThumbUp...will be looking for a Ride Report soon.....ThumbUp

 

[pddgm]

I picked the trike up on Monday and rode it 150 miles to my sister's without any real problems. Never rode a trike before so each mile was a learning experience. Spent Tuesday getting it inspected and licensed and did a few more miles including a little interstate. Got up this morning and departed for our RV in Hot Springs, Ark. Was about 400 miles with 125 m/l of that being 2 lane scenic route. Didn't have any problems and the trike handled the curves surprisingly well. Still learning the ins and outs of trike riding, so didn't really push it to much in the curves. Rode most of the day in and out of showers and just beat a hard downpour when we got home by just a few minutes. Only part of me that got wet was my face and tops of my shoulders, the fairing on the front really cause the rain to blow around me. So other than a few minor issues that I will get fixed, carbs out of sync or just need adjusted, causing a throttle lag when accelerating and a gas gauge way out of calibration, show 1/4 when over 1/2 full. It was a good day and am looking forward to riding many miles on the trike.. epper:

 

[vw driver]

Congratulations, looks like you bought a good one. What carb setup does it have? That gas gauge malfunction may just turn out to be a blessing in disguise.:laugh:

 

[slick rick]

ThumbUp,,,I like it ,,,go and have fun !!!ThumbUp

 

[skuuter]

BIG CONGRATS...glad the First Ride went well....Yep, that Gas Gauge being in "Your Favor" might be a good thing.....ThumbUp

 

[Doug D.]

Well, guess I am not almost any more. Bought the Road Hawk today and will be picking it up Memorial Day. Here is a pic..

That's a fine looking ride! Maybe I'll see you on the road! ThumbUp

 

[pddgm]

That's a fine looking ride! Maybe I'll see you on the road! ThumbUp

I was born and raised in Dixon. Small world...

 

[Doug D.]

I was born and raised in Dixon. Small world...

I was actually born and raised in St. Louis. I relocated here in '88. I've had family around here all my life and did a lot of growing up on my grandparent's farm near Vichy.

I'll be looking for you out there in the wind! ThumbUp

 

[Frozenshrimp]

Congratz on the new trike and welcome to the group!!

 

[pddgm]

Well the adventure continues: Took the trike to the local import shop to get the lag in throttle diagnosed, and after finding the left side valves way out of adjustment and getting them and the right side adjusted. The mechanic can't really figure out why below 15-1800 rpm the front cylinder on the right side is not getting fuel, but as soon as the rpm's go up then it gets fuel. Thinks it is a vacuum leak or a leak around the throttle arm (weber 2 brls). Hope he gets it figured out, not a happy trike owner right now...LOL.. Any body had this problem, and if so what was the fix..



Joe

 

[vw driver]

How was it determined that the cylinder was not getting fuel?

 

[pddgm]

How was it determined that the cylinder was not getting fuel?

The way he explained it to me was, adjusting the carb at idle had no effect, removed one of the adjustment screws (can't remember which one) and there was no change in engine rpm's. Sprayed carb cleaner in the screw hole and the rpm's increased and engine smoothed out. Called me today and they found the intake gasket was bad and leaking, replaced it, adjusted the screws and the motor runs like a top. No lag in throttle on take off, and idles down at stops like it should. Hoping they got it fixed. Am going for a 300 mile ride on Sunday to see if it is truly fixed...

Joe

 

[Doug D.]

Any body had this problem, and if so what was the fix..

I replaced the stock Solex style carb (Bocar 34 PICT/3) with a Weber 2 bbl. Haven't had a problem since.

 

[John Luciano]

I love it. Orange is my favorite color. If I had the room I would own one just like it 3 are taking up most of the garage now.
Glad you found the problem. Sounds like it even ran good broken. Must run really good now. :clapping:

 

[pddgm]

Man, have owned the trike for a couple of months and am really starting to enjoy it. Was giving it a real good going over the other day, checking tire pressure, etc and noticed the rotation arrow on the front tire was pointing the wrong direction. Don't know how long it has been on there, but am going up to the local bike shop today and check on getting a new one put on. Can't believe some dumbass put it on backwards, and it's a Harley brand tire.



Joe

 

[vw driver]

It seems that some people intentionally reverse the rotation of the front tire on a trike for one reason or another. Do some searching on this site for the details.ThumbUp

 

[pddgm]

It seems that some people intentionally reverse the rotation of the front tire on a trike for one reason or another. Do some searching on this site for the details.ThumbUp

Did some searching, but didn't really find anything except about putting a rear tire on the front of Goldwing trikes, no real info as to why. Called the local shop and they said if the tire has always been run that way, then most likely wouldn't hurt it. He said something about it gives better water shedding and on a trike helps with the front braking. Not sure, but will run it for a while and see what happens. Checked on a replacement and it 104 + tax and mounting..


Joe

 

[vw driver]

I just recently bought a new Dunlop tire and mounted it with the correct rotation. I figure the engineers at Dunlop know more about tires than I do. I wonder if mounting a tire with reverse rotation voids the warranty? I wonder if a motorcycle shop is even allowed to legally mount a tire with reverse rotation.:Shrug:

 

[peteg59]

I wonder if a motorcycle shop is even allowed to legally mount a tire with reverse rotation.:Shrug:

Up round my way they won't.
Doesn't mean one can't buy what one wants & mount it on their own, but any warranty/safety assurances are obviously null & void.
Are the perceived benefits worth the cost?
Only you can make that call...

 

[KaySea]

Hello,
I am brand new to Trike Talk, so I thought I would respond to your "Post". And mainly because I just purchased the same Roadhawk, (different color), just a couple of months ago. Unfortunately, mine was not taken very good care of, and consequently, I have had it in the shop twice now. This last time for a complete engine rebuild. But I still don't have that much invested in it. So I'm not disappointed just yet. Cosmetically its in great shape, and it handles better then expected. So we'll see... I'm still doing research to learn the components. So I would welcome any information anyone might have on an '02 V-Cycle Roadhawk. Good luck, and B Safe....

Kc

 

[pddgm]

Hello,I am brand new to Trike Talk, so I thought I would respond to your "Post". And mainly because I just purchased the same Roadhawk, (different color), just a couple of months ago. Unfortunately, mine was not taken very good care of, and consequently, I have had it in the shop twice now. This last time for a complete engine rebuild. But I still don't have that much invested in it. So I'm not disappointed just yet. Cosmetically its in great shape, and it handles better then expected. So we'll see... I'm still doing research to learn the components. So I would welcome any information anyone might have on an '02 V-Cycle Roadhawk. Good luck, and B Safe....Kc

Glad to hear from a fellow Road Hawk owner. I have put maybe 2000 miles on mine since I got it. Still getting used to trike riding myself. The only tips I have, is have the valves checked and change the oil regularly. Mine has the dual webers and they are a pain to get tuned but once they are synced it's a riot to ride. Tried calling the factory a couple of times and sent numerous emails to them with no response to my questions. Am looking for a different windshield. Good luck with your trike..

 

[KaySea]

Glad to hear from a fellow Road Hawk owner. I have put maybe 2000 miles on mine since I got it. Still getting used to trike riding myself. The only tips I have, is have the valves checked and change the oil regularly. Mine has the dual webers and they are a pain to get tuned but once they are synced it's a riot to ride. Tried calling the factory a couple of times and sent numerous emails to them with no response to my questions. Am looking for a different windshield. Good luck with your trike..

I pick up the Roadhawk from the shop today. Looking forward to it, and hopefully this will be the last time I have to have anything major done to it for a while. I found, online, where one can buy a syncing tool for the carburetors. (If someone wants to try doing it themselves.) Also, I was told by the Trike Shop, in Daytona, that the breaks are "Harley - Sportster". I found this to be true, as I had to replace the Break Light Switch, and it was from a Sportster.
Good luck, and B Safe.... Kc