Ball is rolling on my replacement trike!!!

[Notgrownup]

Painting vehicles like this is an acquired talent for sure. That is talent. Glad your plan is coming together.

 

[PosseRider]

One nice thing is that I've been a Goldwing guy now since 1999. I had a GL1500 for many years before upgrading to my 07 1800. I learned quite a bit over the years. Then a couple years later after getting my 07, I had the conversion done to it. It was my first experience with trikes and I knew nothing. The installer I chose did a decent job but I didn't know what was normal and what wasn't. I had that 07 CSC conversion for over 8 years until I didn't anymore . I was able to hang out in the shop during the first conversion and see quite a bit of it done which was pretty cool. I now have a really good feel and picked up a lot more knowledge over the years. If I hadn't chose Papa Zook, I think the only other choice I would have considered would have probably been the CSC factory. I am very comfortable both with the bike I found and the installer I am using. A big bonus though is that Papa Zook's shop is the closest to the bike now.

every cloud has a silver lining...... glad it is all coming together,. maybe maggie next year ??

 

[pwhoever]

every cloud has a silver lining...... glad it is all coming together,. maybe maggie next year ??

That is the plan. But I think I need to be a bit more selective on planning the route down, LOL!

 

[BrokenBackJack]

Your painter has some real talent.
Papa will do a great job building your trike, and especially when there isn't any rush.
Just continue to heal up, so you can enjoy your new to you Trike!

 

[Zammy]

Congrats Mike, looks like you have gotten things in order to get back in the saddle, very nice looking ride.

 

[Gorilla]

Mike you made a GREAT choice. I've known Randy since 2009 and have seen his work. You will not be disappointed.

 

[trike lady]

Is that gold leaf on the green bike?

 

[cycle7447]

I have to agree - wow, great work - absolutely beautiful.

 

[geol]

Curious as to why CSC is your preferred brand? I have owned several Roadsmith and one Champion and have had pretty good luck with these conversions. I never considered these brands somehow "must haves" and would consider any brand with an independent rear suspension. The Champion was beautiful but my wife didn't appreciate the ride. Bringing that trike home on IH20 through Louisiana kind of was the kiss of death.

Plus the guy I bought it from weighed... well he was a super big guy and the rear suspension was aired up to the MAX (over 20 as I recall) and it took me a few expansion joints to figure this out. IH20 in Louisiana is HORRIBLE. We also had a 2010 Spyder RT and the suspension on that was not good. I ended up changing the shocks and anti-sway bar and that helped but before that the trike leaned into sharp corners in a disconcerting manner.

Coming off a GL1500 Roadsmith, the missus declared the Spyder a non-starter. Once sorted, I didn't think it was terrible but the 900cc engine felt like driving a dirt bike as you had to keep the revs up to make decent power. The 1800cc GW engine is just a big hunk of torque in comparison...

 

[pwhoever]

Curious as to why CSC is your preferred brand? I have owned several Roadsmith and one Champion and have had pretty good luck with these conversions. I never considered these brands somehow "must haves" and would consider any brand with an independent rear suspension. The Champion was beautiful but my wife didn't appreciate the ride. Bringing that trike home on IH20 through Louisiana kind of was the kiss of death. Plus the guy I bought it from weighed... well he was a super big guy and the rear suspension was aired up to the MAX (over 20 as I recall) and it took me a few expansion joints to figure this out. IH20 in Louisiana is HORRIBLE. We also had a 2010 Spyder RT and the suspension on that was not good. I ended up changing the shocks and anti-sway bar and that helped but before that the trike leaned into sharp corners in a disconcerting manner. Coming off a GL1500 Roadsmith, the missus declared the Spyder a non-starter. Once sorted, I didn't think it was terrible but the 900cc engine felt like driving a dirt bike as you had to keep the revs up to make decent power. The 1800cc GW engine is just a big hunk of torque in comparison...

That's a good question. Champion and Lehman weren't even a consideration because they both closed their doors. So even if I went used, replacement parts would be hard to find. For some reason, I just wasn't a fan of Hannigans so they got crossed off the list. And just wasn't thrilled for some reason with Motortrike. I can't give a sold answer why, so they got eliminated as well.

Roadsmith was a contender when I was doing my conversion back in 2016 on my 07 but when I contacted them, they were way behind on the kits and was going to take months before kit could be delivered to an installer. And no installers close by. I guess I could have gone right to their factory as it's only about 350 miles away.

But after comparing the Roadsmith to the California Sidecar Viper, the RS just seemed a bit boxy and lacked style to me. I did like the longer wheelbase and wide stance but it just wasn't right on looks.

So then I focused on California Sidecar. It had the long wheelbase and nice wide stance but it just had a more flowy design to it. It also had the largest trike trunk capacity of all I think and I was impressed. I also found an installer about 650 miles away that kept several kits in stock all the time so he was going to be able to do the conversion fairly quickly. I was actually a bit pressed for time and had a road trip coming up soon and wanted to be on a trike for it. California Sidecar also has the 5 year unlimited miles warranty which beats all the others.

During the 8 years I owned my CSC, I really only had to use the warranty once. And even after 5 years was up, only issues I had was a bad right side rear wheel bearing. I fixed that myself with a replacement wheel hub for a 97 Cavalier as that's what they use. It turned out to be an easy repair. And I had a pinion seal on rear differential go bad. That was a bit aggravating but I still got it done.

When I originally began my recent search, I was just looking for a used CSC with lower miles and the CSC Viper kit. I was doing a nationwide search on Cycle Trader. I was actually doing a generic search of all GL1800 trikes. I didn't come across too many CSC trikes that were low mileage, reasonably priced, and had the options I wanted. So after several days of searching, (why not? Not much else I could do right now anyway, LOL!) I switched gears and began searching Goldwing bikes.

Again I knew I wanted low miles and fully optioned except no air bag, and at a reasonable price. And I found the one I liked. It also was fairly stock but all the options I wanted at a great price along with a few tasteful accessories I would have chosen to put on it myself. And then knowing that it wasn't too far from Papa Zooks shop, I figured I could work with him on getting the conversion done. Nice thing is that since I'm in no hurry as I'm recovering, it allows him to get it done at his own pace because I know his shop has been a bit swamped with business lately.

So to summarize why the CSC, really like the design over all the others I've seen, the decent reliability that I had with mine, and getting the generous warranty since I am going to be starting with a brand new conversion.

 

[pwhoever]

I guess I should add that I'm a diehard Goldwing guy too. I've owned them for more than the last 25 years and have gotten very comfortable working on them. And several different Hondas before that. I guess I'm kind of a creature of habit.

I do have a soft spot for American V-twins and know that many of them can also get aftermarket conversions, they just aren't for me. So definitely not saying anything against them as I know especially the Tri-glide and Freewheeler have a very loyal following, I just have different preferences.

I know a couple guys that own Spyders and have heard some horror stories about trying to do just basic maintainable. I guess the Goldwings also have their moments such as trying to get to the air filter... But after doing it several times, I've grown accostomed to it.

Finally, reverse aftermarket trikes never appealed to me either. They also are a bit scarce so they weren't even in the running.

 

[Notgrownup]

You get what you’re comfortable with. I went with HD for my own reasons, I was really considering a GL1800 with CSC. Test drove one. I’ve rode Harleys for the last 20 years and just like the feel and sound and am comfortable working on them. Nothing against a Honda, I’ve owned metrics in the past, the dealer network was another reason I chose Hd but Goldwing was a very close 2nd. They are smooth that’s for sure and after visiting CSC 2 years ago I know they are a class act.

 

[ol' school]

Congratulations Mike! 'Wing looks like it will make a nice trike! And you made a good selection for your builder. Randy will do you a nice trike! Get well in the meantime.

 

[pwhoever]

Not much of an update but my bike is now in the capable hands of @Papa Zook He gave it the once over after his transport guy dropped it off and said it is good. Bike is paid for and initial deposit was made and rest of deposit will be sent sometime in the next couple weeks. Now Randy has to place the order with CSC for the conversion. He cautioned me that CSC has been a bit backlogged lately so he wasn't quite sure when it could get delivered. Luckily, that really doesn't matter too much right now anyway. Fingers crossed though that it arrives sometime in next couple months so it can be completed by early spring. And it looks like the settlement I received from Insurance on my 07 is going to cover a big chunk of all this. I'm glad I kept the full coverage on it.

 

[Notgrownup]

Not much of an update but my bike is now in the capable hands of @Papa Zook He gave it the once over after his transport guy dropped it off and said it is good. Bike is paid for and initial deposit was made and rest of deposit will be sent sometime in the next couple weeks. Now Randy has to place the order with CAC for the conversion. He cautioned me that CSC has been a bit backlogged lately so he wasn't quite sure when it could get delivered. Luckily, that really doesn't matter too much right now anyway. Fingers crossed though that it arrives sometime in next couple months so it can be completed by early spring. And it looks like the settlement I received from Insurance on my 07 is going to cover a big chunk of all this. I'm glad I kept the full coverage on it.

View attachment 129332

Sweet, I know you’re looking forward to you’re first ride.. She’s in good hands.

 

[trike lady]

It's going to be a very attractive trike.

 

[pwhoever]

It's going to be a very attractive trike.

 

[BrokenBackJack]

And it is the best color!

 

[pwhoever]

Well at least the bike part is officially mine. Not quite sure what was happening but the Texas title took quite a long time to get to me. It finally arrived about a week ago. I immediately did online Wisconsin title and plate transfer application, paid the sales tax, and sent in the Texas title to Wisconsin DOT. I just checked the status and new WI title is in my name and plate info updated. I cant wait for Spring to get here now...

 

[Zammy]

It's the little things sometimes, one step at a time Mike.

 

[pwhoever]

Looks like it's time for a long overdue update. A week from this Tuesday, I will be on a flight from Chicago's Midway airport heading to Houston Hobby airport and final destination of Conroe Texas. My daughter will be dropping me off. I already have the rental car and hotel lined up for an almost weeks stay. With my fingers crossed and hopes that everything goes smoothly, by the next Sat or Sun I will be headed back to Wisconsin on 3 wheels. The 1100 mile journey back should be interesting but pretty sure I'm ready. I promise to post photos of the progress and final results as soon as I can.

I can't thank @Papa Zook enough for everything he has done to help me out with this project. Especially the long term storage of the bike while all this was being finalized and I was healing. It was a big sacrifice on his end as he has limited space in his shop already.

 

[geol]

Looks like it's time for a long overdue update. A week from this Tuesday, I will be on a flight from Chicago's Midway airport heading to Houston Hobby airport and final destination of Conroe Texas. My daughter will be dropping me off. I already have the rental car and hotel lined up for an almost weeks stay. With my fingers crossed and hopes that everything goes smoothly, by the next Sat or Sun I will be headed back to Wisconsin on 3 wheels. The 1100 mile journey back should be interesting but pretty sure I'm ready. I promise to post photos of the progress and final results as soon as I can.

I can't thank @Papa Zook enough for everything he has done to help me out with this project. Especially the long term storage of the bike while all this was being finalized and I was healing. It was a big sacrifice on his end as he has limited space in his shop already.

If you take IH45 back toward DFW take care as there are now driverless semis along that road If you got the aux fuel tank installed, make sure its function is explained. When I bought my last trike w/aux tank, I "assumed" the switch worked the same as my previous aux tank. It didn't. Anyway, hope the weather holds for you! Getting hot in this part of Texas (triple digits all this past week).

 

[trike lady]

Have a safe journey and a peaceful ride home on your new trike.

 

[PosseRider]

If you take IH45 back toward DFW take care as there are now driverless semis along that road If you got the aux fuel tank installed, make sure its function is explained. When I bought my last trike w/aux tank, I "assumed" the switch worked the same as my previous aux tank. It didn't. Anyway, hope the weather holds for you! Getting hot in this part of Texas (triple digits all this past week).

Great to hear.. Zook does a lot for members here. I rode down from Ohio & he installed the rake kit & we only had to spend one extra nite there on our ride to the Grand Canyon. Maybe talk him into a mini vaca to MV.

 

[pwhoever]

If you take IH45 back toward DFW take care as there are now driverless semis along that road If you got the aux fuel tank installed, make sure its function is explained. When I bought my last trike w/aux tank, I "assumed" the switch worked the same as my previous aux tank. It didn't. Anyway, hope the weather holds for you! Getting hot in this part of Texas (triple digits all this past week).

Thanks for the heads up. I think my plan though is to avoid heading towards Dallas and instead head NE towards Arkansas for the start.

I also skipped the aux tank. I skipped it on last one because I was being cheap. I found that I didn't really miss it and ended up working out just fine with only the main tank. When I'm on a road trip and especially going tank to tank, I'm usually ready for a pit stop before the tank runs dry anyway. It only takes a couple minutes to refuel and then I'm heading back out again.

 

[pwhoever]

Have a safe journey and a peaceful ride home on your new trike.

I'm looking forward to it. That following week is this year's NASR in Mountain Home AR.

 

[pwhoever]

Great to hear.. Zook does a lot for members here. I rode down from Ohio & he installed the rake kit & we only had to spend one extra nite there on our ride to the Grand Canyon. Maybe talk him into a mini vaca to MV.

Yes he does. And this was a big reason for letting him take care of the conversion.

 

[Zammy]

Hope things go smooth for you Mike, I know it'll feel good to be back in the saddle.

 

[14TG]

We will certainly look forward to see pics of it when it’s done.
Again, glad to hear you are healing well & get back to enjoying some wind therapy!