Leading link GL1100

[Texas Bulldogger]

Morning, any one out there know where I can find a leading link or raked triple tree set for my ‘83 Wing?

Not new! Those are more $$$ than my whole rig.

Where do old trikes go out to pasture?

Maybe a set laying around?

Would consider whole project bike collecting dust with a set.

 

[Gorilla]

Try "PM" ing Papa Zook. Even if you found a junk yard that had that old a bike they may not know if it had a racked tree on it or not. Though search on a 40+ old bike.

She sure is pretty though I see why you want to fix it.

 

[Panel Man]

Why do you need to rake it?
Rode many outfits in the past all with standard forks and never had a problem, loved getting the wheel in the air.

 

[Papa Zook]

This company makes GL1000 raked trees:
Custom Triple Trees - Honda

 

[Texas Bulldogger]

Thanks for all the replies. Rig drives true, but is a work out to steer.

With a leading link would probably have dark side tire.

Raked tree would keep all the Honda parts and looks.

Both will have easier steering.

Raked trees are obvious on close inspection. OEM trees are typically cast and painted. Raked sets are CNC produced.

I can drive one handed at 60 mph, so it’s not urgent. But I’m not getting younger. Will keep up the search.

Will be getting some expert advice up in Maine at USCA national rally in couple of weeks.

 

[Texas Bulldogger]

This company makes GL1000 raked trees:
Custom Triple Trees - Honda

Thanks. That’s on my list of options.

 

[pwhoever]

IMHO, for a GL1000, you would probably have to go brand new on a leading link setup if that's what you want because I don't think they were very common so wouldnt be very plentiful in used market. And the leading link setups on newer bikes are very pricey, more than what a GL1000 would be worth. And I don't know for sure but I imagine that because they use a car type tire, it will have a bigger footprint on the ground which could make slow turns a bit difficult.

I personally think a rake kit is the way to go. A rake kit will make turns much easier over the stock triple trees and I think give you what you are looking for. The link that @Papa Zook gave you is probably the way you will want to go. I think you will be limited on finding any other place for a rake kit.

 

[Pegasus1300]

The only place you are going to find a pre-built leading link front end for an older Goldwing is in Europe or England. I don't remember the name but there was a company that built sidecar/leading link front end conversions out of Holland and another in England. I looked into them for my 1980 Goldwing Trike, but ended up going to a Spyder instead. Good luck. Please post what you find here as there are probably others who are wandering the same thing. You might try Doug Bingham at Side Strider here in the US, maybe he can steer you to a leading link front end.

 

[Texas Bulldogger]

Heading to USCA national rally next weekend. Hoping to find ideas from the other gear heads.

 

[Papa Zook]

That's a very fine rig you have there, Rick and in amazing condition! Yes, adding raked trees to it will drastically improve the handling. I used to sell and install sidecars, Champion, Hannigan and Velorex, but over the years, as the popularity and demand of trike conversions grew, I quit doing them.

 

[DragonRider8013]

Hi,
What loads do you normally run with? Empty, luggage, person?

The Terraplane is a fairly light rig. If you're using one hand at 60 and have a steering problem, I suspect the alignment is off slightly. In your picture, the rig wheel caster looks off. What is the suspension for the rig? How much adjustment is there?

We have an 83 GL1100. We "had" a California Sidecar Friendship III for 10 years. It is a two-seater with a large trunk. It was at the limit of bike to rig weight ratio. 3 to 1. When I ran the rig empty, I would use #100 lbs ballast to keep from the rig from lifting. Two barbells clipped under the seat belt.
I did have the triple tree modified by a company in Kamloops, CAN. The Friendship III is a lot wider and heavier than the Terraplane and we had a car rim/tire on it.

Go to "florida-sidecar-products.com" for an owner's manual for your rig.

Before you go spending money you don't need to try putting some ballast in the rig.
At the USCA rally, get some alignment tips.

Hope that this helps.

 

[Texas Bulldogger]

Thanks for the info. This is my second GL1100 Terraplane rig. Identical setup. First one was new from dealer in ‘83. I’m pretty well versed on this rig’s set up. This one was two wheel when I bought it from original owner. Rode for about 8 years before adding sidecar 4 years ago. Both rigs were/are a dream to ride. My issue is slow speed steering. Even taking the VW stabilizer off it still is a workout to turn. With my 70th birthday next weekend I’m not as strong as my 30 year old self. Power steering is all I’m looking for.

As for riding style. That’s another story. I currently have 138 lbs of ballast in car. Just took out the two five gallon water jugs and replaced with weights all in out board side. I was able to keep same weight but improved counterbalance efficiency. It takes a lot to fly. I actually add another 30 lbs in the car seat when my not-wife rides. She prefers bike saddle over the low car seat. Her left side view is my hip and to the right truck tires are within arms reach.

It’s just a rake tree or leading link. You even mentioned your rig had a modified tree set.

Rick J

 

[DragonRider8013]

Hi,

The bike is still set up for a sidecar. Without one, it rides like a dirt bike. Quick steering and a taller suspension. Metallic brake pads were added to handle the extra weight.

The triple tree was modified. They cut and added material to get the rake. This was back around 1995. Steerite in Kamloops,BC,CAN.
The company was taken over by the son and has branched into other meatal work.

My other two bikes, the tree was purchased new. 2000 Valkyrie Interstate and 2009 Suzuki Burgman 650. The Valkyrie had a slow speed handling problem. It would pitch during parking lot maneuvers. The rake solved that.
The Burgman is my wife's, and it was for the Tow-Pac trike kit.
I'm 71 and wife is 76.

We've transitioned to a 2001 GL1800 w/ Roadsmith trike kit. It was purchased as a project bike. but we've since made it our main ride. After a long day (8-11 hours) of riding the Valkyrie, my legs were wobbly at lights with her on it.
And she was not keeping up with me when we rode separately. She kept "at" the speed limit. Mildly irritating.

Have you checked the steering bearings. I've used AllBalls bearings.
They have fork conversion kits.
"| All Balls Racing".

I hope that all of this helps.

Good Riding, Safe Journey.

 

[Texas Bulldogger]

Used to ride 100’s mile days. If I didn’t drain a tank of gas felt like a light weight. Now I can spend a couple of hours on local back roads in SE PA and happy with 30 miles. Of course my younger days were in Texas. 210 miles between Houston and San Antonio has one small curve half way between!

Haven’t had the steering head apart but routinely check movement left to right with wheel off ground and check push pull front to back. No clicks or play.

 

[DragonRider8013]

Hi,
What is the bikes "lean"? Is it set up at 90 degrees or is it leaning out to the left at 89-88 degrees?

 

[Texas Bulldogger]

This where the Craig Vetter design differs from abnormal hacks. It has a three point mount. Top arm is a turnbuckle. Can dial lean on the fly. Cross winds or road crown can be adjusted to drive straight.

 

[DragonRider8013]

Hi,
The CSC Friendship III came with an elec "screw jack" style lean adj. It was great to adjust "on the fly.
Keep us posted on what you find at the rally. Wish it was in my schedule.


.

 

[DragonRider8013]

Hi,
Just found this at Goldwing Docs.

Leading links or Triple Trees?​

"Leading links or Triple Trees? • Tech Talk • goldwingdocs.com" .

 

[Texas Bulldogger]

Thanks. Read that post a while ago and dozen others. I’ve been looking for ANY style front end for couple years. Had my hands on a ‘82 GL with a leading link. Guy had bought the whole rig for the car to mount on his tug. I would have swapped front ends and sold the solo. I couldn’t pull the trigger at the time. Had just closed on buying my house and was a bit cash short.

Don’t get me started on GoldwingDocs. Probably first bike forum I joined. Only one I pay for because ads are ridiculous. I logged out of my computer over a month ago. Usually surfing on my phone and never log out. Login wouldn’t accept my password. Reset seems to work with confirmation but still can’t login. Have tried to communicate with admin there. Only email (found in my spam) told me to reset password! I’ve messaged them from their Facebook page and 3-4 messages thru admin on their website. Crickets.