Maintenance time

[Bucco33!]

I bought a set of Rhino ramps to help with my maintenance as my Pit Bull lift is limited now that Pearl is triked. I used 1 on the front wheel to drive up on and changed my oil & filter. Once up on the chock I kicked the chock to the side (lesson learned from forum member)!

Made for easy removal of the front of the belly pan and removing drain bolt and filter! I use Rotella T-5 15W40 and a Pure one PL16410 filter. Milage at 92,574. I put both chocks behind rear wheels and backed the trike up on them. I figure with me at 260 and the wife at 15^ish and all the backing 2 up and with a trailer we've done it ain't hurting the starter motor! Went up and on no problem with me off of the trike. I installed a chrome bumper and Roadsmith mud flaps and adjusted shocks 2 up from bottom. Experimenting with shock settings and tire pressures. 30psi in rear for 2 up seems to work best and 40psi in front Cobra. I have Traxxion cartridges and springs in the front and a Kuryaken fork brace.

So far I'm liking this kit but am thinking of either lowering my footpegs or removing them all together and putting my 13EE's on the running boards as my knees are to far up in the air for long rides! I also need to invest in some highway pegs.

Anyway I've picked up some valuable "how to" tip's on this forum that have made owning and maintaining my trike much easier and I want to say THANKS to all that contribute!

 

[trikeman]

We live TO learn. And Love. And laugh. :wave4:

 

[Lucky]

Have always ran 22-24 lbs in rear tires .have had success with this.08wing/roadsmith kit 98000 miles

 

[Bucco33!]

Have always ran 22-24 lbs in rear tires .have had success with this.08wing/roadsmith kit 98000 miles

Interesting I might try lowering the rear pressures and see if it smooths the ride.

 

[Papa Zook]

Interesting �� I might try lowering the rear pressures and see if it smooths the ride.

Jamie,

It will big time. Start at 22lbs, that is what myself and the vast majority of members here have run for years.

 

[Bucco33!]

Jamie,

It will big time. Start at 22lbs, that is what myself and the vast majority of members here have run for years.

BIG difference in ride quality so far on our flat hot roads! Thanks for the info!! I'm set at 23psi by my digital gauges and my TPMS registers one pound lighter at 22psi. I was going by the manufacturers recommendation. Do you raise the pressures when in the twisty's or if 2 up and towing a trailer? As a two wheeler and as a darksider I ran my ROF tires at 28 to 34 psi depending on my situation. Just wondering how much that applies to a trike!?

Thanks again for helping out a trike "newbie"

 

[Papa Zook]

BIG difference in ride quality so far on our flat hot roads! Thanks for the info!! I'm set at 23psi by my digital gauges and my TPMS registers one pound lighter at 22psi. I was going by the manufacturers recommendation. Do you raise the pressures when in the twisty's or if 2 up and towing a trailer? As a two wheeler and as a darksider I ran my ROF tires at 28 to 34 psi depending on my situation. Just wondering how much that applies to a trike!?

Thanks again for helping out a trike "newbie"

Told ya! It makes a HUGE difference. Just leave at what you have it at, it will handle the twisties, two up and trailering with no problem.

 

[Wind Therapy]

Bucco beat me to the punch . . .

BIG difference in ride quality so far on our flat hot roads! Thanks for the info!! I'm set at 23psi by my digital gauges and my TPMS registers one pound lighter at 22psi. I was going by the manufacturers recommendation. Do you raise the pressures when in the twisty's or if 2 up and towing a trailer? As a two wheeler and as a darksider I ran my ROF tires at 28 to 34 psi depending on my situation. Just wondering how much that applies to a trike!?

Thanks again for helping out a trike "newbie"

Bucco,

You must be psychotic! You posted almost verbatim what I was about to do. I too was a Dark Sider, and ran my ROF Dunlop Wintersport @ 28PSI. I got 30k miles+ out of each of 3 such tires on my '04 GL1800.

I was going to ask the same tire pressure and shock setting questions. My SO and I are pretty near 500lbs. when two-up. I was hoping that I didn't have to play with TP's and shock settings each time I needed to go two-up. I ride 120 miles round trip on I-95 between Fredericksburg, VA and Washington, DC almost daily, solo. But we go two-up on the weekends and some evenings. I'm looking for suggestions for a "Happy Medium" to avoid all the extra work.

All recommendations will be considered. Thanx in advance . . .

Dave Calahan

Fredericksburg, VA

 

[Bucco33!]

Bucco,

You must be psychotic! You posted almost verbatim what I was about to do. I too was a Dark Sider, and ran my ROF Dunlop Wintersport @ 28PSI. I got 30k miles+ out of each of 3 such tires on my '04 GL1800.

I was going to ask the same tire pressure and shock setting questions. My SO and I are pretty near 500lbs. when two-up. I was hoping that I didn't have to play with TP's and shock settings each time I needed to go two-up. I ride 120 miles round trip on I-95 between Fredericksburg, VA and Washington, DC almost daily, solo. But we go two-up on the weekends and some evenings. I'm looking for suggestions for a "Happy Medium" to avoid all the extra work.

All recommendations will be considered. Thanx in advance . . .

Dave Calahan

Fredericksburg, VA

My wife loved the “psychotic” description!

Dave I would listen to Lucky and Papa Zook and their recommendations. They’ve been at this trike thing a heck of a lot longer then me!

I would check your shock settings also. I’ve settled on 2 up from the bottom for now (it is a pain in the rear to do for full sized folk without a lift) . I don’t envy your commute at all . Good luck and be safe!

 

[Burnerboy]

I'm also going to try 22-24 lbs in rear(s) thanks for the info here..

Not sure what I now have in there NOW but going out this morning for a test ride (hope rain stays away)

Ronnie

 

[mhgoldwing]

I know many like the 22 -24 psi in the rears. However, for me, I have found that with two-up I can feel my Michelin rear tires feeling "loosey goosey" when riding the twisties aggressively which I do on a regular basis.

As I said in another post every rider needs to find their personal "happy space" on some of these settings as long as they don't create a dangerous situation. I've found mine.

 

[bikerbillone]

AT Brother Zook's recommendation, I'm now running 23 psi in the rears, he was right, better ride. However, I've not tested that in the twisties, so not sure what I'll find when Maggie Valley rolls around. No matter, it's all good.

 

[mhgoldwing]

AT Brother Zook's recommendation, I'm now running 23 psi in the rears, he was right, better ride. However, I've not tested that in the twisties, so not sure what I'll find when Maggie Valley rolls around. No matter, it's all good.

Love Maggie Valley and have used it as base camp several times. So many neat roads to ride other than The Dragon which I have several t-shirts from.

If you get a chance go up around Little Switzerland too. Oh heck, just throw a dart and go riding! :clapping:

 

[bikerbillone]

Thanks Mike, appreciate the kind words. Plan to do 3 days at the TT ride in at Maggie, then spend some time with an old Post Office buddy now living in the Sevierville TN area, rides a Harley and we have a great time exploring. I'm definitely looking fwd to this ride, but checking the weather at that time is not looking good, but perhaps it will improve. Looks like we will have a good crowd, but if the threat of rain is bad, many will drop out, hope the Weather Gods will be kind. Living in the flat lads of Florida, I don't get much opportunity to ride those majestic mountain roads, having lived near the Skyline Drive area for a number of years, I miss it.

 

[mhgoldwing]

Living in the flat lads of Florida, I don't get much opportunity to ride those majestic mountain roads, having lived near the Skyline Drive area for a number of years, I miss it.

You know your trike has wheels, right? You're close enough to make a long weekend trip to MV! Some of those north Georgia roads ain't bad either. Just sayin...…..

 

[Bucco33!]

You know your trike has wheels, right? You're close enough to make a long weekend trip to MV! Some of those north Georgia roads ain't bad either. Just sayin...…..

Looking forward to getting back up there and seeing how our trike handles on all the roads we’ve ridden over the years! Going to be different not “peg scraping “ for sure .

Maybe I’ll find a single rail trailer and tow the DUC up behind the trike lol

 

[bikerbillone]

You know your trike has wheels, right? You're close enough to make a long weekend trip to MV! Some of those north Georgia roads ain't bad either. Just sayin...…..

Oh yes, Roger That.....Catching up with some of my 'stuff' so we can do that. Millie loves to ride 'back set', so we are compatible.

 

[mhgoldwing]

Looking forward to getting back up there and seeing how our trike handles on all the roads we’ve ridden over the years! Going to be different not “peg scraping “ for sure .

Maybe I’ll find a single rail trailer and tow the DUC up behind the trike lol

Duc! Now you're talking some serious fun! I don't heal fast enough any longer to ride one of those and I would surely get myself into trouble. My ST1300 will have to suffice at a gentlemanly pace.

 

[Burnerboy]

Ok today (8/22/18) I just lowered my air to 22lbs (rear tires)... I managed to ride it maybe a mile or so.. (only time I had to spear, after adjusting air)... I have to admit that it did indeed seem to ride much better... Tomorrow I'm going on a 350ish mile trip and towing a trailer... I will totally see how much smother this trike is now.. I'll let you all know after I return Sunday evening........:xzqxz::xzqxz:

Ronnie

 

[Burnerboy]

Ok today (8/22/18) I just lowered my air to 22lbs (rear tires)... I managed to ride it maybe a mile or so.. (only time I had to spear, after adjusting air)... I have to admit that it did indeed seem to ride much better... Tomorrow I'm going on a 350ish mile trip and towing a trailer... I will totally see how much smother this trike is now.. I'll let you all know after I return Sunday evening........:xzqxz::xzqxz:

Ronnie

Ok as promised! Just got home from the Trike rally in the catskills, (had a ball /by the way) anyways WOW what a difference lowering my rears down to 22 lbs per tire.......The trike is now smoother (ride) then ever.....Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Before lowering tire pressure, I could really actually feel every tiny pebble i ran over over, it was like driving a tractor with wheels, now it's smooth, :clapping::clapping::clapping:

Ronnie

 

[bikerbillone]

Sounds good Ronnie, I'll be giving that a try as well on my way to Maggie Valley for the trike ride in by way of Sevierlle TN two up and rack load. Sevierville is about 690 miles give or take. Guess the only concern that nags at me is 22 might cause the rears to over heat with the load, so I'll be giving it the 'feel test'. If it worked for you pulling a trailer, and Randy says 22 is a good number, so I rely on his and your recommendation.

Bill[h=1][/h]

 

[mhgoldwing]

Sounds good Ronnie, I'll be giving that a try as well on my way to Maggie Valley for the trike ride in by way of Sevierlle TN two up and rack load. Sevierville is about 690 miles give or take. Guess the only concern that nags at me is 22 might cause the rears to over heat with the load, so I'll be giving it the 'feel test'. If it worked for you pulling a trailer, and Randy says 22 is a good number, so I rely on his and your recommendation.

Bill

Be sure and let us know how it went during your trip. Anxious to hear. Be safe!!!

 

[bikerbillone]

Will do Mike, and thanks.

 

[Burnerboy]

Sounds good Ronnie, I'll be giving that a try as well on my way to Maggie Valley for the trike ride in by way of Sevierlle TN two up and rack load. Sevierville is about 690 miles give or take. Guess the only concern that nags at me is 22 might cause the rears to over heat with the load, so I'll be giving it the 'feel test'. If it worked for you pulling a trailer, and Randy says 22 is a good number, so I rely on his and your recommendation.

Bill

Bill,

Towing a trailer/riding speed limit only/I found my bike to be the smoothest ever.................no tire problems/ only one main problem that I actually had was to keep my smile, to myself, cause everybody else would be wondering why this strange man is smiling all the time.. very smooth ride, instead of feeling every pebble, and roughness of the road...

22LBS for me for now on!

Ronnie

 

[bikerbillone]

Hope I'm excited as you are when I get back, I have that extra weight in the 5 gal aux fuel tank, the wife and I are about 270 lbs, not heavy weights, but what if I gain 5 lbs? Oh well :>)

Bill

 

[Burnerboy]

Hope I'm excited as you are when I get back, I have that extra weight in the 5 gal aux fuel tank, the wife and I are about 270 lbs, not heavy weights, but what if I gain 5 lbs? Oh well :>)

Bill

I see your point now!

I'm 175 lbs, and 99% of time ride solo, (change that percentage to 99.9%) without an extra gas tank, in rear, so elimitant that extra weight, also , but 22lbs was perfect for me..Now's the time to play with your air pressure B4 the trip..(I could tell the difference, before I got to end of my street (1/2 mile) With my original air pressure I could actually feel every pebble, every bump, every tar snake, etc, etc, in the road, now it's just a nice smooth comfy ride...

B4, (lowering pressure) non riders used to say to me, wow that bike look so comfortable, and i have to say no, it actually ride harder, NOW I CAN SAY yep, it does indeed ride smoother!!

 

[frankj]

Tire Pressure



Hi, more than any other vehicles and tires, motorcycle tires have more theories on what pressure to use. I stay with what the manufacturer recommends, I mean they should know what's best, right?

In the attached Lehman tike article, they originally were saying 20-22psi for years, but later changed that thought. I mean just because the ride feels so much better, does the thought that it may not be safe ever enter in to the thought process,

I may not have a valid point here, the tire people have years of testing data so why do they give the recommended tire pressure, is it for tire wear and is safety another reason?

I think the last line in the article sums it up best.

Frank

 

[John Luciano]

Ok as promised! Just got home from the Trike rally in the catskills, (had a ball /by the way) anyways WOW what a difference lowering my rears down to 22 lbs per tire.......The trike is now smoother (ride) then ever.....Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Before lowering tire pressure, I could really actually feel every tiny pebble i ran over over, it was like driving a tractor with wheels, now it's smooth, :clapping::clapping::clapping:

Ronnie

I'm fooling with my rear shocks now . I never in 19 years ever thought about playing with it. I checked the pressure it was at 3 lb. I am now at 26. The new girlfriend is 5 inches taller than my wife was and maybe a few lbs more. Also came back from that same TT NE trike rally. If your in the Newengland area , Watch for future posting on the Forum .

 

[Burnerboy]

I'm fooling with my rear shocks now . I never in 19 years ever thought about playing with it. I checked the pressure it was at 3 lb. I am now at 26. The new girlfriend is 5 inches taller than my wife was and maybe a few lbs more. Also came back from that same TT NE trike rally. If your in the Newengland area , Watch for future posting on the Forum .

Hey John, (I think I may have seen you at that same rally once or twice) LOL It sure was a "Hole in one" .....If any other [ideas/rides] comes up , please let me know Ok?? I had a ball with you four, (karen,Paula, and Doug) and hope to do some more riding be 4 the seasons over.. Thank you for everything, and for making that rally a wonderful experience!

Ronnie

 

[bikerbillone]

Be sure and let us know how it went during your trip. Anxious to hear. Be safe!!!

Just back from approx 1500 miles to TN and back, two up, loaded, 38 psi in the front, 22 psi in the rears, a good ride, psi good, no tire over heat which was my concern. My only problem, the FI light was driving me to distraction, going off at the key off stop, only to come back on in about five minutes into the ride. Was that way the entire trip home, but there was no change in the sound of the engine, no hesitation, just a 'feel good' ride, so I just rode the thing like nothing was wrong. I get my GW pro a week from Monday.