Lift Kit

[Oldster]

Can someone explain to me how a simple lift kit works? As I understand it the kit simply raises the bike around 2 inches, it doesn't actually do anything to the suspension. It would make a very small change in rake which might affect steering effort. I am not disputing that it does improve the ride quality, I just don't understand how it could.

 

[ISP-FL]

I've had a "lift kit" on my wish list for over a year now. Only one of my riding buddies had it installed. When he did it on his 2018 Triglide he didn't upgrade his shocks. He said it made the overall ride better and possibly made it steer better.

I'll follow this thread and see what others think after having the kit done.

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

I have owned two trikes and had lift kits on both of them, they do improve ride quality and handling a little bit. I have always gotten my lift kits from RJS Originals.

 

[DandyDoug]

Pardon my question , but can someone explain what the lift kit is?

I went to the RJS Originals web site but all I see are heat shields ??

 

[14TG]

Can someone explain to me how a simple lift kit works? As I understand it the kit simply raises the bike around 2 inches, it doesn't actually do anything to the suspension. It would make a very small change in rake which might affect steering effort. I am not disputing that it does improve the ride quality, I just don't understand how it could.

Adding the “lift kit Brackets” will indeed help in raising the back of the trike and will help very slightly with steering (again, very slightly).

NOW… (don’t hate)….. I will say that “lift brackets” does nothing in the ride difference. (Many may disagree) But most will buy a combo (shocks & brackets) and of course one will notice a difference then… because of the new shocks, (not because of the brackets)…. Again, my opinion and my personal experience.

My opinion: buy a good set of 14” shocks of your choice (ProAction, DK Customs, Legend, SuperShox, etc….) and forget about any “brackets”.

Your 14” shocks will give you not only a better ride, but will also raise the back up. WIN-WIN.

 

[DCR2013]

Can someone explain to me how a simple lift kit works? As I understand it the kit simply raises the bike around 2 inches, it doesn't actually do anything to the suspension. It would make a very small change in rake which might affect steering effort. I am not disputing that it does improve the ride quality, I just don't understand how it could.

I installed this kit several weeks ago. What it does is change the canter of the shocks and you see this when comparing it to the bracket on your trike.

1) it raised the rear 1.25 inches, which in my instance keeps my mufflers from draggin going in and out of some driveways.

2) steering has become slightly easier.

3) in my opinion, it did not improve handling and believe me I ran it hard on some twisties to test it.

I now run 21 pounds of pressure in my tires and 35 pounds in my shocks.

 

[Rogue1]

Adding the “lift kit Brackets” will indeed help in raising the back of the trike and will help very slightly with steering (again, very slightly).

NOW… (don’t hate)….. I will say that “lift brackets” does nothing in the ride difference. (Many may disagree)
But most will buy a combo (shocks & brackets) and of course one will notice a difference then… because of the new shocks, (not because of the brackets)…. Again, my opinion and my personal experience.

My opinion: buy a good set of 14” shocks of your choice (ProAction, DK Customs, Legend, SuperShox, etc….) and forget about any “brackets”.
Your 14” shocks will give you not only a better ride, but will also raise the back up.
WIN-WIN.

I concur

 

[ISP-FL]

I installed this kit several weeks ago.
What it does is change the canter of the shocks and you see this when comparing it to the bracket on your trike.

How difficult was it to install? Any others want to jump in with install experiences feel free. The reason the kit has remained on my "wish list" for so long is that my local Harley dealer quoted me $500 to put it on.

 

[Oldster]

I guess they're trying to make a profit, but it sure seems like a lot of money for a lot of things at a Harley dealer. I'm not sure all dealers have really good techs either, some do.

 

[Jack Klarich]

I guess they're trying to make a profit, but it sure seems like a lot of money for a lot of things at a Harley dealer. I'm not sure all dealers have really good techs either, some do.

Most techs work on flat rate book time
It is hard to make living if you ain't wrenching on bikes every day

 

[Mykneesbehurtin]

I have installed several, one on my 16 trike, one on my 17 and 3 on friend's trikes. Getting it jacked up and the rear tires off is always the hardest part for an old guy, all together takes about 2-3 hours. 20 minutes of that is just getting off the floor.

 

[DCR2013]

I have installed several, one on my 16 trike, one on my 17 and 3 on friend's trikes. Getting it jacked up and the rear tires off is always the hardest part for an old guy, all together takes about 2-3 hours. 20 minutes of that is just getting off the floor.

Done that, I'm 74.

 

[Notgrownup]

How difficult was it to install? Any others want to jump in with install experiences feel free. The reason the kit has remained on my "wish list" for so long is that my local Harley dealer quoted me $500 to put it on.

I removed the trunk on mine, yes it’s more work but once you know how to it’s not that bad and makes fiddling with the shocks a lot easier. It’s possible to doit with the trunk on so to each their own.

 

[Notgrownup]

I have installed several, one on my 16 trike, one on my 17 and 3 on friend's trikes. Getting it jacked up and the rear tires off is always the hardest part for an old guy, all together takes about 2-3 hours. 20 minutes of that is just getting off the floor.

lol, I read this and laughed as I was seeing myself roll over on the garage floor to get a better stance to get back up … I’m only 59 but eat up with the arthritis…I just finished swallowing a handful of prednisone to get ready to leave on my trip Sunday for 7 days.