Custom lift install problems

[WindyOne]

Ok so I got my lift kit today and after mowing the lawn I start in on the install. Now I only have 2 jack stands and a jack. My jack stands at 9 1/2" tall. Reading the instructions I have to lift the trike high enough to put the jack stands under the support beams on either side of the trike? If that is correct that is pretty high up. I am jacking back where the plate connects both beams and can almost lift the front tire off the ground before I can slip the stand under it.

I don't feel comfortable with the trike this high. Am I doing this correctly? I am going to put the tires back on and wait for some posts on this before I proceed. I have the nuts and bolts on the right shock mount broken loose. I understand the need to take the weight off the axle to remove and install the kit. Maybe my stands are too high? I thought they were standard size.

 

[WindyOne]

Are you saying you used the center bracket to lift the trike without jack stands? Doing the work with the jack holding the trike up?

 

[rhino 2]

I raised one side high enough to just remove one tire, then I put a jack stand under it and took the jack out.. Then reversed it to do the other side..

 

[WindyOne]

There has to be miscommunication here, or maybe I should not be attempting this task.

What I read from the 2 posts is that a jack stand was placed under the axle and the lift kit was install that way?
I read in the instructions to let the axle "fall" before removing the shock mount, and to raise the undercarriage of the trike to let the axle be free. This is where I am having trouble. The trike under carriage is so low that to raise it high enough to place a jack stand under it the trike(to me) is too high.

 

[WindyOne]

Ok Problem solved. I got a call from DK Customs support about my concerns. I was trying to lift the trike too far forward. I was trying to jack it in front of the rear tires and the cross bracket like HD tells you to do. Instead I need to get further back in the trunk area where the 2 cross members are.
I hate being dumb about these matters and I thank DK for coming to the rescue so quickly. Tomorrow I will give it another go and feel confident now that I can get the job done

 

[WindyOne]

Following the HD instructions is just what I was doing wrong. I only had one block to use or I would have had it up on the blocks. DK says to use the cross members in the trunk area to jack up the trike. Putting the stands under the forward most cross member. I didn't realize that until Devin Called me.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Following the HD instructions is just what I was doing wrong. I only had one block to use or I would have had it up on the blocks. DK says to use the cross members in the trunk area to jack up the trike. Putting the stands under the forward most cross member. I didn't realize that until Devin Called me.

Jacking it up by the swingarm or under the trunk (using crossmember), either way will work. But following the HD manual instructions of jacking it up under the transmission (on the frame), while this can be done, it is not nearly as stable unless you have the front wheel anchored...even then, I would not prefer it. They key is to get the back tires off the ground enough to remove them (2"-3") and then support it with jacks or blocks under the trunk on the crossmember.

Glad Devin caught up with you on the phone.

Kevin

 

[msocko3]

Jacking it up by the swingarm or under the trunk (using crossmember), either way will work. But following the HD manual instructions of jacking it up under the transmission (on the frame), while this can be done, it is not nearly as stable unless you have the front wheel anchored...even then, I would not prefer it. They key is to get the back tires off the ground enough to remove them (2"-3") and then support it with jacks or blocks under the trunk on the crossmember.

Glad Devin caught up with you on the phone.

Kevin

I've lifted them exclusively according to Harley's recommendations, never an issue when done properly. Once in the air you can use jack stands under the swing arm if the task being performed warrants it.

 

[WindyOne]

Jacking it up by the swingarm or under the trunk (using crossmember), either way will work. But following the HD manual instructions of jacking it up under the transmission (on the frame), while this can be done, it is not nearly as stable unless you have the front wheel anchored...even then, I would not prefer it. They key is to get the back tires off the ground enough to remove them (2"-3") and then support it with jacks or blocks under the trunk on the crossmember.

Glad Devin caught up with you on the phone.

Kevin

I was surprised I actually got a phone call instead of a e mail reply. Very nice touch and well appreciated. Devin got me straight on my problem. Thanks!

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I've lifted them exclusively according to Harley's recommendations, never an issue when done properly. Once in the air you can use jack stands under the swing arm if the task being performed warrants it.

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You have the advantage of tying down the front tire. I don't have that option. Mine started rocking and with the tires off, that was for me a bit scary.

 

[WindyOne]

About 4 hours all total for me to get these installed. To those that can do it in an hour I say God Bless you I wish I had your skills. First thing this morning I went out and jacked the trike up using the trunk cross members and placed the jack stands under the front cross member. I placed the jack under the pulley guard to prepare for the drop.
HD must have installed these bolts with an air wrench, they were a bear to break loose.

The biggest problem I had was the 2 holes not lining up after I got the center bolt in. Working one bolt in each side at a time finally worked but it was touch and go for me for a while. I was afraid I got in over my head and the trike wouldn't see asphalt again.

I can say this, you couldn't pay me $300 bucks to do this again. Maybe if I had a lift and proper bike jack but not to crawl around on cold concrete. One time I went to recheck the instructions and couldn't find them. The 35 MPH winds we are having today blew them 2 acres away. The fun of working in a carport and not a garage.

I couldn't torque the lug nuts down to 100 because my wrench only went to 80 ft lbs. I guess it will have to be tight enough.

Next on the list is 2+2 bars and those the dealer is going to do. I am pretty much done with trying to do stuff to my trike. Now where did I put that hot tub?

 

[rhino 2]

Glad you prevailed , And don't worry about the 4 hours, As far as I know there aren't any awards for doing it in record time.. That's an ego contest that some enter into..:Shrug:

 

[WindyOne]

Glad you prevailed , And don't worry about the 4 hours, As far as I know there aren't any awards for doing it in record time.. That's an ego contest that some enter into..:Shrug:

I am just glad it is done. I hurt in places I didn't know I had. Too old to be laying on the concrete.

 

[rap47]

On those lug nuts at 80ft lbs, I think you should get those to 95-100 as soon as possible for your safety!!

 

[DK Custom Products]

On those lug nuts at 80ft lbs, I think you should get those to 95-100 as soon as possible for your safety!!

ThumbUp Agreed!

And then double check them after 50-100 miles per the instructions and the HD manual.

Glad you got the lift kit installed. I can relate...a few years ago I got too old to be scooting around on the cold cement also.

Kevin

 

[msocko3]

You have the advantage of tying down the front tire. I don't have that option. Mine started rocking and with the tires off, that was for me a bit scary.

Yep, you have to tie the front down. If I'm working on the floor, we have a couple anchor's in the concrete I can screw some eye bolts into. On the lift I tighten the chock and put a strap through the front rim which hooks to eye bolts on the lift. When we first read the manual and it told us how to jack the Triglide up, my dad installed the anchors in the garage floor., been doing it that way from day one.

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On those lug nuts at 80ft lbs, I think you should get those to 95-100 as soon as possible for your safety!!

ThumbUpTheres been more than one Triglide where the wheel has come off because the lug nuts have come loose.

 

[sandrooney]

You can stop by auto zone and use a torque wrench for free.

 

[WindyOne]

You can stop by auto zone and use a torque wrench for free.

Didn't know you could do that. I'll stop by there today and torque those bolts down.

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ThumbUp Agreed!

And then double check them after 50-100 miles per the instructions and the HD manual.

Glad you got the lift kit installed. I can relate...a few years ago I got too old to be scooting around on the cold cement also.

Kevin

I just measured the distance from the floor to the bottom of the mufflers. I have just over 6". Which surprised me as I saw the 5.5" measurement in your picture on the web site. Going to Advance auto today to retorque those lug nuts.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Didn't know you could do that. I'll stop by there today and torque those bolts down.

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I just measured the distance from the floor to the bottom of the mufflers. I have just over 6". Which surprised me as I saw the 5.5" measurement in your picture on the web site. Going to Advance auto today to retorque those lug nuts.

Could be a difference in the diameter of the slip-ons, or could be a difference in the amount of air in the shocks, or a combination.

That's good to hear on the lug nuts. After they are torqued, ride 50-100 and do them again.

Kevin

 

[WindyOne]

Could be a difference in the diameter of the slip-ons, or could be a difference in the amount of air in the shocks, or a combination.

That's good to hear on the lug nuts. After they are torqued, ride 50-100 and do them again.

Kevin

Mufflers are stock and shocks have 20 lbs. in them. I tried to find a Auto Zone close to me but the nearest one was about an hour each way. I ended up at O'Reilly's and bought a 10-150 torque wrench there. Going to take it with me tomorrow and check bolts at my destination.