Harley Trike Conversion Project.

[Ga Blue Knight]

Hey guys, newbie here been riding a Can Am Spyders for the last four years and Harley Motorcycles for the last 30 before that. Sooo I along with a local bike shop want to convert an '08 Ultra Classic into a trike. I know that I will need a 4.5 degree triple clamp for easier steering and a hydrolic clutch due to hand issues. What I need help on is the pros and cons of the various conversion kits. I am leaning toward a DFT unit as a friend has one and loves it. Does the California Side Car have the largest trunk? Is construction quality the same with the kits? Well any help will be very much appreciated

 

[Sloufoot]

Hey guys, newbie here been riding a Can Am Spyders for the last four years and Harley Motorcycles for the last 30 before that. Sooo I along with a local bike shop want to convert an '08 Ultra Classic into a trike. I know that I will need a 4.5 degree triple clamp for easier steering and a hydrolic clutch due to hand issues. What I need help on is the pros and cons of the various conversion kits. I am leaning toward a DFT unit as a friend has one and loves it. Does the California Side Car have the largest trunk? Is construction quality the same with the kits? Well any help will be very much appreciated

After you figure out which ones you like the looks of , you need to call the manufactures to find out if they will sell you a kit to do it yourself, or if you have to let an install shop do it for you.

Make sure which suspension system you want like solid axle, or IRS. Also look close at the power of your donor bike as you will be pulling quite a bit more weight.

 

[msocko3]

Maybe you can find some installers who have one they will let you take for a ride as Sloufoot said get the Clutch Wiz, I'd also install either the Screamin Eagle spring or the AIM 480 lb spring.

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

Thanks for the great comments but I still need to understand which conversion works best with the HD Ultra Classic. DFT, CSC, Champion, Moto Trike etc. Also is IRS better than a straight axle or is it just different? I noticed that Trig Glides don't have IRS.

 

[flynng]

Voice of experience here. I have a California Sidecar Daytona kit on an 08 Ultra. Love the set up. CSC is one of the best looking kits out there. They will not sell you a kit. Authorized dealer or factory installed only. Check out their website.

Next. CSC recommends an 11 degree rake kit which is 8 over stock, for the Daytona kit. Trust me, you will want it. I have an 8 degree kit now, 5 over stock and it is not enough. The CSC kit is wider and longer than most. Very stable, IRS suspension, first rate fit, finish. It is a handful in the south Texas Hill Country when we ride there. I have an 06 EG UC that almost never gets road time since we bought the trike 2 years ago.

My vote, CSC. I had the choice on any kit, any config out there. I went with California Sidecar.
One thing, and this goes for all the trikes. The electric reverse is not what it needs to be. Champion and others make a mechanical reverse. I went with Champion. There is no issue or worry with their reverse.

 

[Rick Kay]

Voice of experience here. I have a California Sidecar Daytona kit on an 08 Ultra. Love the set up. CSC is one of the best looking kits out there. They will not sell you a kit. Authorized dealer or factory installed only. Check out their website.

Next. CSC recommends an 11 degree rake kit which is 8 over stock, for the Daytona kit. Trust me, you will want it. I have an 8 degree kit now, 5 over stock and it is not enough. The CSC kit is wider and longer than most. Very stable, IRS suspension, first rate fit, finish. It is a handful in the south Texas Hill Country when we ride there. I have an 06 EG UC that almost never gets road time since we bought the trike 2 years ago.

My vote, CSC. I had the choice on any kit, any config out there. I went with California Sidecar.
One thing, and this goes for all the trikes. The electric reverse is not what it needs to be. Champion and others make a mechanical reverse. I went with Champion. There is no issue or worry with their reverse.

Solid advice here, about the CSC kit. I did the same, and am very happy with my results, and agree particularly about the rake kit and Champion reverse!

 

[trikermutha]

I love my DFT conversion..Lots of trunk space..I guess there are pro and cons on straight axcle and IRS..I love the IRS for bumps..The straight axle is great on straight open hwy rides and with the IRS..I would go and see if you can test ride both versions to get a better feel of what we are talking about..

I think the DFT site lists there dealers and maybe there is one in your area..

 

[msocko3]

I love my DFT conversion..Lots of trunk space..I guess there are pro and cons on straight axcle and IRS..I love the IRS for bumps..The straight axle is great on straight open hwy rides and with the IRS..I would go and see if you can test ride both versions to get a better feel of what we are talking about..

I think the DFT site lists there dealers and maybe there is one in your area..

I agree 100%, try and ride both an IRS and a straight axle before deciding. I know the IRS does ride smoother than straight axle, just don't know about how IRS does in the handling dept when pushed to its limits. I road a 2012 GL1800 Hannigan equipped trike and found it to ride great, I went out of my way to hit the bumps and found I couldn't really feel them where I know I would of on the Triglide I used to own. I didn't wring out the handling because I didn't want to take a chance on damaging something which wasn't mine.

 

[Ga Blue Knight]

Thank you for all of your help and advice. I have decided on the Roadsmith conversion with the Champion mechanical reverse. My reasons are as follows. Longer wheelbase, reliance on off the shelf automobile parts, it looks nice, they will paint to match the bike, will sell it as a kit to the consumer, they are located in NC not to far to ride to from where I live in Ga, and the price for all that I want is within my budget. I'll let you all know how it turns out!

 

[mrplumr1]

Great choice I have 2012 Road Glide with the Roadsmith kit great conversion. I love it rides like a dream. You will not be disappointed.

 

[Gorilla]

congrats you will love aroadsmith. great conversion

 

[Rick Kay]

Congratulations on your decision! Would love to see some photos when it's finished!

 

[ladyff1481]

You'll love the Roadsmith. Got one on my Ultra Classic and couldn't be happier with it. Loads of trunk space (so much so that I sold my trailer) and with the IRS she rides like a dream.

 

[Smitty Werben Manjensen]

Now, have a blast building it. Should be exciting.