How to install a performance sway bar on your HT 1800 Roadsmith trike

[SMSgt]

How to install a performance sway bar on your HT 1800 Roadsmith trike

I put a performance sway bar on my 06 GL and 2012 HT1800 Roadsmith.
The complete job took about 45 minutes start to finish. Here are some pictures of the job. You will need to jack it up and take off both rear tires and wheels. There are only 6 nuts and bolts to take off it only takes 2 - 9/16 and 2 - 1/2 inch wrenches and it slides right out through either the left or right side fender.
I can only submit 10 photos so hope you can all get the idea if you decide to do this yourself.

 

[mhgoldwing]

Good job!

 

[bikerbillone]

Thanks for sharing, glad I got my sway bar on the initial install, don't think I could get that done.

 

[Gold Rush]

GREAT POST KENT !!!! Thanks for taking the time to lay it out.... :xszpv::xszpv:

 

[mgwtrike]

Thanks for sharing, glad I got my sway bar on the initial install, don't think I could get that done.

That was one of the "must have" accessories my RS converter added when I ordered the kit last November.
He and his wife ride a '12 Goldwing trike and knows how important those sway bars are.
Again, it pays to sign up to do the conversion with experience people.

GREAT POST KENT !!!! Thanks for taking the time to lay it out.... :xszpv::xszpv:

Great step by step process with pictures.
I get more from that then reading a manual.

 

[Lucky]

Thanks for the great info. Is the difference worth the effort?

 

[SMSgt]

Thanks for the great info. Is the difference worth the effort?

Yes. It's a small job, relatively speaking, for hundreds of hours of riding enjoyment.

 

[Condor Spirit]

Thank you for taking the time to detail this for us. My only question is, the original and final look the same. What am I missing?

 

[SMSgt]

Thank you for taking the time to detail this for us. My only question is, the original and final look the same. What am I missing?

The new sway bar is a "performance" sway bar. It will help flatten out the corners as you travel.

The original sway bar is about 5/8" and the performance bar is 3/4" but they look exactly the same. The sway bar closest to the top of the pic is the new 3/4" bar and the 5/8" bar is toward the bottom.

 

[Condor Spirit]

Phew...I'm not crazy then. :xzqxz: Thanks again for the pics and explanation. I wonder why Roadsmith just doesn't go with the beefier bar to start with?

 

[SMSgt]

Phew...I'm not crazy then. :xzqxz: Thanks again for the pics and explanation. I wonder why Roadsmith just doesn't go with the beefier bar to start with?

I guess it's a way to make a few more bucks for them. If I were an installer I would just put it on all new installs. You know go just a tad above and beyond so to speak. It cost $49 on a new install but $100 after market.

 

[bikerbillone]

I guess it's a way to make a few more bucks for them. If I were an installer I would just put it on all new installs. You know go just a tad above and beyond so to speak. It cost $49 on a new install but $100 after market.

I would have been glad to pay up for the better sway bar if it was offered by RS, too bad it wasn't..

 

[Marc H]

Phew...I'm not crazy then. :xzqxz: Thanks again for the pics and explanation. I wonder why Roadsmith just doesn't go with the beefier bar to start with?

My guess would be that the smaller bar gives a bit better ride quality.I know its been said the passenger sees the most good out of the IRS and the bigger bar would negate some of that.I'm sure more noticeable to some than others.Like most things they went with a bar that gives a good ride and handling and if you would rather sacrafice some ride for better handling here is your option.If you weren't offered it when new that was your salesman/installers fault.

 

[bikerbillone]

Not grumbling about it, I really like my RS, and probably as well off with OEM RS sway bar they installed.

 

[SMSgt]

It does give a bit of a choppier ride, not a great deal though but it really flattens out the curves. What I have driven mine; I like the flatter, tighter turning ability. I wish my installer would have offered the option at the time of my conversion but the trike was already built and he wasn't all that happy that I insisted on the aux tank. Oh well I was happy before now I'm really happy.

 

[bikerbillone]

My guess would be that the smaller bar gives a bit better ride quality.I know its been said the passenger sees the most good out of the IRS and the bigger bar would negate some of that.I'm sure more noticeable to some than others.Like most things they went with a bar that gives a good ride and handling and if you would rather sacrafice some ride for better handling here is your option.If you weren't offered it when new that was your salesman/installers fault.

I have no idea what sway bar is on my 2012 RS install, there was only one offered on my RS install "wish list", and I got it.

 

[mgwtrike]

My guess would be that the smaller bar gives a bit better ride quality..

:Agree: I'm surprised RS offers a heavier bar, there must be some benefit........:Shrug:

Not grumbling about it, I really like my RS, and probably as well off with OEM RS sway bar they installed.

Like I wrote so offend before, my Roadsmith as is perfect and I couldn't see anyway to improve it.

 

[bikerbillone]

Yes, RS is a cool machine whatever the sway bar, 5/8, 3/4, whatever....Hell, I'm not getting up under there to change it anyway.

 

[Marc H]

The sway bar reduces body roll in the corners which is great but the job it does the more it causes the trike to react harshly when 1 wheel hits a rough spot or pot hole.They is why the rougher ride which I personally feel would be more noticed by the passenger.

 

[SMSgt]

Yes, RS is a cool machine whatever the sway bar, 5/8, 3/4, whatever....Hell, I'm not getting up under there to change it anyway.

Just bring it to my house and we'll change it together, I don't need to get under anything to change it anyway.. You're welcome whenever you show up.

 

[bikerbillone]

Sarge, or SMjr, a most kind offer, but a bit far me thinks. Here to SLC 'bout 2370 miles, and while I enjoy those long rides, well you know. Again, a fine offer. If there is any truth to the previous post, I'd rather not make the ride more harsh for my passenger, she would not like that.

 

[mgwtrike]

Just bring it to my house and we'll change it together, I don't need to get under anything to change it anyway.. You're welcome whenever you show up.

Yea, you furnish the beer, he'll drink it while you do the work.........isn't life grand.......epper:

 

[bikerbillone]

Chuckle, I throw some beer in the trunk, ice it down, ride a few days and get r done. Now there's a deal. :Coffee:

 

[SMSgt]

The offer is good for anyone anytime it is that easy.

I just got back from a 100 mile lunch ride and the back seat commander said she didn't notice any increase in ride harshness.

 

[mhgoldwing]

I realize this is old post but it just became relevant to me. Bottom line is I changed shocks and ride was really harsh. So I softened them to position #2 instead of position #5, the maximum. Ride is now better than ever but the body roll in the Arkansas twisties where I live and ride is unacceptable. Let the investigation begin....

Found that indeed, contrary to what I was told by installer, I have the standard sway bar. Called RS last week and ordered the HD sway bar. Life will be great again shortly!

Again, thanks for posting this very explicit and well done documentation on how to change the sway bar. One never knows when we'll need this info. :clapping:

 

[SMSgt]

I realize this is old post but it just became relevant to me. Bottom line is I changed shocks and ride was really harsh. So I softened them to position #2 instead of position #5, the maximum. Ride is now better than ever but the body roll in the Arkansas twisties where I live and ride is unacceptable. Let the investigation begin.... Found that indeed, contrary to what I was told by installer, I have the standard sway bar. Called RS last week and ordered the HD sway bar. Life will be great again shortly! Again, thanks for posting this very explicit and well done documentation on how to change the sway bar. One never knows when we'll need this info. :clapping:

You are more than welcome. It will make your scoot stick to the turns and IMHO won't cause any rougher ride than you are used to.