frankenstein trike kit

[Torchman]

thinking about putting a frankie kit on my wifes sportster does any one have any bad run ins with these kits or advice.

 

[buster]

I just installed one on my 1991 FLT. I have put about 500 miles on it so far. I have good things to say about the people at Frankenstein. They give good telephone support and ship fast. I had several minor problems with mine, I believe due to being a 1991 model. When riding two up, the rear shocks are scraping on the middle tube of the rear fender mount and I have had minor problem with belt alignment on rear pulley. I am going to take apart and correct these two problems this winter. I also changed out the front triple trees for easier steering. I would recommend the kit, it is very well made and would buy one again. If you have a late model Sportster, you will probably have no problems.

 

[Torchman]

i have 2008 i am building for my wife. it only has 117 miles on it so everything is still real tight. ya i was thinkin about raked out triple trees. sounds like that is the way to go.your the third person i have heard about belt alignment problems. but i have heard alot with no problems. so i think i will go with a frankie. thx for your imput.

 

[Nana]

Torchman, this link will take you to a series of pictures of a sportster / frankenstein trike. Stormy doesn't post much here, but she sure does love her trike. She added the rake kit after getting the trike home and it made a world of difference for her! I would encourage you to install one on your wife's new trike for sure.
2003 HD 883 Sportster - Frankenstein Trike - SBStormy’s Photo Gallery - Trike Talk Forum

 

[Torchman]

thx nana. im checkin all options and this sounds like the best bang for the buck so far. havn't heard anything bad about the kit so far. and i think it looks super cool. thx again

 

[Torchman]

ya i just checked out her frankie and yes it does look cool. i just think the whole axle looks coool. does she like the way it handles to.

 

[Nana]

She does like it! The Frankenstein kit has a great reputation; I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[Torchman]

i wont be. and i pray the wife wont be either. lol. she is sick of bein back seat drive. she wants her own ride. and i think i can pull this kit off myself so im pretty excited about it.

 

[buster]

You said I was third person you had heard of belt alignment problems. Do you know how the other's solved the problem. Frankenstein people gave me a solution, which I really don't think is a good solution. Any help appreciated. Thanks

 

[Torchman]

well from what i heard was one guy was thinkin his earlier model sporty had shifted the motor over some how and he was takin it apart to try that. the other guy was takin a spacer to a machine shop and have it cut down. i didnt quite get which spacer but i think it was on the rear axle next to pully. i know his was riding on the inside of his rear pulley but then yet another guy was sayin to him that his belt was ridin to close to his frame. what year bike do you have. i wonder if i should rethink my choice for the wifes sportster 08. other than your belt prob. was it fairly simple?

 

[Torchman]

with the rack kit, i can still use the stock tube? or do i have to get new ones?

 

[Torchman]

i meant rake kit.triple trees.

 

[buster]

I have a 1991 Tour Glide FLHT. My belt runs to the outside of the rear pulley. Frankenstein told me to loosen rear end with bike on ground and turn rear wheels in opposite directions to align belt in direction I need to move belt. I did this and belt is close to outer flange of rear pulley, however not contacting it. I just think there should be some type of mechnical aligning method (like the original rear axle adjusters). I am hoping the alignment will hold and plan on taking rear end out again this winter to make some arangement for better alignment method. I highly recommend the Frankenstein kit. It is all aluminum (except axles), the bearings or common Ford parts and the kit is very high quality of construction. One manufacturing I talked to would not tell me were I could buy bearings, he told me I would have to buy from him. Seems like most people have no problem with conversion, however anything I ever do usually is not typical and there are problems. When you consider the overall cost of the kit (some charge less for rear end and rob you on the swingarm) the Frankenstein kit is a good buy for the quality you get.

Even though I have had this problem, I would buy one again.

 

[buster]

I forgot, you said one person is having a spacer made. I have tried this and it does not work since a spacer will make belt track to far to outside of trans pulley and rub on trans pulley out flange. It has to be done with out spacers.

 

[Torchman]

i will pass on the spacer info. did u use the triple tree kit they offer or another kind. and did you use the same stock tubes. havn"t bought the kit yet but i think i will go ahead and order it. even with your problems i can tell your pretty happy with the frankie kit. oh ya did you have to use the short shot pipes they have as well.

 

[buster]

I used a triple tree kit I bought on Ebay which is a copy of the EZ Steer. The kit has 1.5" lug tub extensions included (I believe many kits include lugs). The kit I bought, however is no longer for sale on Ebay. I had to lengthen the front brake lines, I bought individual components and made my own line. I bought the exhaust pipe extensions and mufflers that Frankenstein sells for touring models, about $400. I am not famililar with a late model Sportster, but I believe you will have to use a press to change out the bushings or bearings on the exchange rear swingarm. The rear end goes in easy, the front end triple tree change on my dresser was the majority of the work.

 

[Papa Zook]

PM sent tourchman

 

[Torchman]

thx for the info buster. after talkin to you i have made up my mind and this is the kit for me.bazooka is goin to sell me a kit. so thanks again.

 

[Torchman]

bazooka . do you need an exchange swing arm for the 2008 sportster model. and change the bushings like buster had to.

 

[curley03]

I love my Frankenstein trike conversion. NO problems I think installer has a lot to do with outcome. Philip Ware At Texas trike conversion company does excellent work. Conroe, Texas. curley

 

[Torchman]

man thats a baaad lookin ride. looks cool.hope the one im doin for my wife turns out close to yours. what rake do you have on yours. and do you think its easy to handle cause my wife will be a first timer.thanks curley

 

[curley03]

I have the 8 1/2 degree rake kit. Its the only way to go. Handling is great no problems at all, glad I went with frankenstein. Your wife should be happy also. curley

 

[Torchman]

just finished frankie kit on wifes sportster. i see what you mean about belt alignment. started to get frustrated. i just loosened bolts on one side and turned tires that way and gave er a boot to that side and it moved right into place. tightin er up and she been ridin right in middle ever since. Love the look of it. rode it before i put on rake kit and thought no way is a kit gonna make this thing stable and i will never be able to put my wife on this thing. man was i wrong. the kit maDE ALL the difference in the world. i`ve been out beatin it up ever since (just to make sure it`s safe for my wife you understand). it`s alot of fun get all kind of crazy looks to. nothin like that around here. thanks frankenstein bike looks great. put it together in 5 hrs with rake kit and short shot pipes. very impressed.

 

[Shocker]

I have a friend that has one on her Sporty she rides all over the place and loves it.

 

[Nana]

Torchman, you KNOW we need pictures now!

 

[Whozure]

I have a Cass County kit on my 2000 Sportster, but I bought my raked Triple Tree from Frankenstein and they were very helpful even though I don't have a Frankenstein kit. Shipping was also super fast, I ordered it Tuesday and it arrived today (Friday). That was from Kansas to California via FedEx.

BTW...The two major reasons I went with the Cass County Kit was the almost $2000.00 price difference and the fact the CCK is made with machined billet aluminum. Not a weld spot on it anywhere. It bolted together perfectly and everything was in alignment to perfection. The only thing I have to change is the Screamin' Eagle exhaust pipes because they hit the rear axle housing and of course the Triple Tree. Both of which I was informed that I may or may not have to change prior to ordering the kit.

Now that I have said all that, Frankenstein was my first choice if I had the funds to buy it and the additional parts to complete the conversion. In my opinion a person won't go wrong with either kit if money is no object.

 

[Torchman]

how much was a cass county kit? i am going to build another trike with a softtail standard and not sure how much i am going to dump in this next one. do they have the entire kits with pipes and trees or you gotta buy it all by pieces. bought the whole kit through frankie and it ran about 5985.00 for all of it,got upgraded wheels for nothin cause they give ya 50 bucks if ya wire transfer the cash. its a great kit and i love the looks and install was so easy. but if cass is cheaper they too look good.

 

[Torchman]

i will figure out how to post pics by the time i get fenders back from paint. can`t wait i feel like a little kid again waitin for christmas.

 

[curley03]

I'm glad that it all turned out great for you and your wife. Looking forward to pictures. curley

 

[Whozure]

how much was a cass county kit? i am going to build another trike with a softtail standard and not sure how much i am going to dump in this next one. do they have the entire kits with pipes and trees or you gotta buy it all by pieces. bought the whole kit through frankie and it ran about 5985.00 for all of it,got upgraded wheels for nothin cause they give ya 50 bucks if ya wire transfer the cash. its a great kit and i love the looks and install was so easy. but if cass is cheaper they too look good.

$3158.00 with steel fenders and shipping. I opted to buy my own wheels which I bought a set of Crager chrome wheels from Summit Racing for $58.00 for both and a set of same as new tires from a local dealer for $60.00. As I said I bought my Tree from Frankenstein for $345.00 including shipping. A set of 2 inch diameter drag pipes for $49.00 so that makes the total $3670.00. I am going to change a few things on the trike also such as a new seat, handle bars and grips, etc. which has no bearing on the trike kits cost. Below is a couple of pics as it sits today.