Does a narrow tire affect stability or handling in any negative manner?
If a Trike rides better and handles better with a narrow tire, why doesn't the Manufactures put them on as Standard?
Inquiring minds need to know.
Motor Trike Air Suspension Air Bag Replacement
- Thread starter bassfisher
- Start date
Does a narrow tire affect stability or handling in any negative manner?
If a Trike rides better and handles better with a narrow tire, why doesn't the Manufactures put them on as Standard?
Inquiring minds need to know.
Does a narrow tire affect stability or handling in any negative manner?
If a Trike rides better and handles better with a narrow tire, why doesn't the Manufactures put them on as Standard?
Inquiring minds need to know.
To be honest Dan I did not notice any difference in handling between the OEM and 215/65R15 tires.
My '06 Motor Trike Adventure was fantastic in the twisties and on the interstate with both tires. The two reasons I did not go with Motor Trike with the 2015 was I wanted to have a little smoother ride and the design of Roadsmith's HTS 1800 kit is PERFECT for the GL1800 40th Anniversary two-tone paint scheme.
they have.....
MOST manufacturers HAVE switched to 215, or 205 tires.
they did it quietly about a year ago.
I walked around wing ding and quietly measured tires, and most I saw on Gl1800 conversions had switched
I asked one of the manufacturers, and the reason he gave (without actually saying) was that the narrower tires stay on the ground better in water. Less hydroplaning, and better gas mileage.
That makes sense.:Agree:
- Thread starter
- #35
Update to my problem - I put new rubber on the Big Blue girl - 215/60-R15s So far, so good. Plenty of clearance. Ride is about the same. Being the cheap guy I am, i went to Wally World and got Douglas' for $58 each. Brought the tires and wheels in and got an oil change for my car at the same time. AS for gas milage, cant tell you yet. I figure two-three tanks of gas will tell me. My last set of tires had over 40K miles on them and still had lots of rubber - Im hoping that these wil lgo as far or farther. Now to play with the air pressure in them, currently they are running at 32 psi.
Did you really put 60 series tires back on or was that a typo? The 215/60-R15 has considerable smaller diameter then the OEM tire. The 215/65-R15 is very close to the original diameter. Will make a big difference in indicated speed and actual RPM at true speed..
235/60 (OEM) is 26.1" 215/60 is 25.16" 215/65 is 26" :xszpv: :xszpv:
- Thread starter
- #37
Yes, I put on 215/60-R15s. So far no bad points at all to see or feel on the ride. As far as a change in the indicated sped, I see no difference. My speedo and GPS are in synch. RPM is staying the same as before at speed. If anything, MPG is improving a little.
Interesting.... Hey, if it is working for you and you are happy - all is good. Please let us know how things are in a couple months. I have a friend needing new air bags so that will be a winter project I'm sure..
Ride Safe.... :xszpv::xszpv:
3W-lonerider
One of the Originals
progress report on new air bags after over 10,000 miles on them. when i installed these new air bags i left the shock settings the way they were, on the middle setting. figuring they had to be there for support. a couple of weeks ago i got the idea why not let the bags do what they are supposed to do and let the shocks do what they were meant to do. which couldn’t happen with the old bags because i don't think the old bags were big enough to handle the varying road conditions.
so a couple of weeks ago i set my shocks on the lowest setting.with the shocks at mid setting i was running 18 psi 2-up and 13 psi 1-up. now with the shocks on the lowest setting I’m running 22 psi 2-up and 15 psi 1 up. what a huge difference in ride. the bags are handling the road conditions while the shocks are only there to dampen the bumps and ridges.
i'm very happy with the new set up.
one thing i did find though and i think another member found it before me. is the new bags slightly rub the rear end housing. what i done to cure this was take a die grinder with a metal cutting bit and egg the mounting hole out 1/4 inch towards the rear of the trike. when i remounted the bag it no longer makes contact with the rear housing.
i'm very satisfied with this set-up. and I’ll defiantly be keeping it this way. plus a couple of days ago i installed the new style drive shaft. heres my opinion on it. motortrike deffinatly nailed it on this one. for the last year everytime iv'e hit a hump in the road. especially on the interstate my back end would wiggle. i could never find anything loose as far as heim joints or locknuts.
i did however find some play in the drive shaft where the shaft splines go into the front u-joint. replaced the drive shaft. no play whatsoever. everything feels tight in the rear end again and no more wiggle.
i would've never thought the drive shaft woulda made it wiggle like it was. even shifting threw the gears seems so much smoother and different now since there is no more play in the drive shaft.
so a couple of weeks ago i set my shocks on the lowest setting.with the shocks at mid setting i was running 18 psi 2-up and 13 psi 1-up. now with the shocks on the lowest setting I’m running 22 psi 2-up and 15 psi 1 up. what a huge difference in ride. the bags are handling the road conditions while the shocks are only there to dampen the bumps and ridges.
i'm very happy with the new set up.
one thing i did find though and i think another member found it before me. is the new bags slightly rub the rear end housing. what i done to cure this was take a die grinder with a metal cutting bit and egg the mounting hole out 1/4 inch towards the rear of the trike. when i remounted the bag it no longer makes contact with the rear housing.
i'm very satisfied with this set-up. and I’ll defiantly be keeping it this way. plus a couple of days ago i installed the new style drive shaft. heres my opinion on it. motortrike deffinatly nailed it on this one. for the last year everytime iv'e hit a hump in the road. especially on the interstate my back end would wiggle. i could never find anything loose as far as heim joints or locknuts.
i did however find some play in the drive shaft where the shaft splines go into the front u-joint. replaced the drive shaft. no play whatsoever. everything feels tight in the rear end again and no more wiggle.
i would've never thought the drive shaft woulda made it wiggle like it was. even shifting threw the gears seems so much smoother and different now since there is no more play in the drive shaft.
- Thread starter
- #40
Finally a little more update on the new tires. I have run two tanks thru the bike (finally) Riding two up, I am now averaging 33 mpg. I know doesnt sound like a lot, but previously with the larger tires, I was getting 30 mpg riding two up.
The reason it has taken me so long to finally run two tanks of fuel thru the trike is that I tend to ride my VTX1300 most of my riding days (little more nimble for city riding).
So far very happy - keeping fingers crossed
The reason it has taken me so long to finally run two tanks of fuel thru the trike is that I tend to ride my VTX1300 most of my riding days (little more nimble for city riding).
So far very happy - keeping fingers crossed
Getting ready to order a set, They sound like a winner.
Just put on the airbags all went well, put 60 lbs and checked with soap and water no leaks put 20 lbs and took a ride a little rough so will have to play with that but all went OK. :clapping:
Trike Suspension
I have a 2003 Honda VTX1800C with a Motor Trike kit. The progressive shocks are shot and the air bags leak. I see recommendations for the #800 Air Bags. Is this to be used with progressive shocks or will the suspension be sufficent with just the air bags. As you can tell, I know nothing about suspensions.
I have a 2003 Honda VTX1800C with a Motor Trike kit. The progressive shocks are shot and the air bags leak. I see recommendations for the #800 Air Bags. Is this to be used with progressive shocks or will the suspension be sufficent with just the air bags. As you can tell, I know nothing about suspensions.
Dave the new air bags will only cure the leaking OEM air bag issue. You will still have to deal with the shocks.
A word of caution. I just replaced the air bags on an '03 MT solid axle conversion. Trike now rides better than new! The new air bags are much larger diameter so several guys have had tire rubbing on bags issues. One person destroyed the bags.
The trike I worked on recently had the rear tires replaced with a narrower size or I think there would have been a rubbing issue here. Something for you to ponder... :xszpv::xszpv:
Here is a photo of the two different air bags and one of the new bag installed showing space to tire.
paid4c4
300+ Posts
Just changed out air bags on Motor Trike
I know this is an older thread but still relevant to those looking for information about air bags on Motor Trikes. Thanks to this tread and some of those posting on it I now have new improved air bags on my trike. Total cost 90 dollars. I picked up the new air bags from a forum member who had a new spare seat. In changing the air bags out I soon discovered the air line fittings on the OEM bags are cheaply made and not very well made.
I decided to replace the fittings with new NPT 1/8 brass fittings. As you can see in the photograph the new air bags are substantially larger with metal tops and bottoms. The new air bags are industrial grade with greatly improved quality over the OEM bags. Even though the new bags are larger I haven't had a problem with the tire rubbing the air bags. While it took me some time to swap the bags I could do the next set in an hour or less. My Motor Trike is a Spyder body made 4/2007.
Handing and ride seems much improved, i'll add a ride report once I get a good ride in hopefully tomorrow.
Bill:clapping:
I know this is an older thread but still relevant to those looking for information about air bags on Motor Trikes. Thanks to this tread and some of those posting on it I now have new improved air bags on my trike. Total cost 90 dollars. I picked up the new air bags from a forum member who had a new spare seat. In changing the air bags out I soon discovered the air line fittings on the OEM bags are cheaply made and not very well made.
I decided to replace the fittings with new NPT 1/8 brass fittings. As you can see in the photograph the new air bags are substantially larger with metal tops and bottoms. The new air bags are industrial grade with greatly improved quality over the OEM bags. Even though the new bags are larger I haven't had a problem with the tire rubbing the air bags. While it took me some time to swap the bags I could do the next set in an hour or less. My Motor Trike is a Spyder body made 4/2007.
Handing and ride seems much improved, i'll add a ride report once I get a good ride in hopefully tomorrow.
Bill:clapping:
Air Bags
I have a 2007 Honda 1300vtx with a motor trike kit on it. Will these air bag work on it. Thanks
I have a 2007 Honda 1300vtx with a motor trike kit on it. Will these air bag work on it. Thanks
Seeing as this thread has been revitalized a bit.
Does anyone know how many feet of air line would be needed if replacing the OEM lines on both sides??
2010 Motor Trike Adventurer kit.
Thanks
Does anyone know how many feet of air line would be needed if replacing the OEM lines on both sides??
2010 Motor Trike Adventurer kit.
Thanks
Jay, I don't believe these air bags will work on the Adventure kit. The entire suspension is different than a solid axle conversion. I may be mistaken but don't get your hopes up my friend.. :xszpv: :xszpv:
Jay,
I'm afraid GoldRush is correct. The fitment of the airbags on an IRS kit doesn't leave any room for a larger diameter bag with the mounting design. These bags would get torn up pretty quickly on your Adventure kit.
I'm afraid GoldRush is correct. The fitment of the airbags on an IRS kit doesn't leave any room for a larger diameter bag with the mounting design. These bags would get torn up pretty quickly on your Adventure kit.
Just to let every one know that this air bags did work on my Honda 1300c vtx motortrike kit. I found them on ebay for 35.00ea. to my front door.
paid4c4
300+ Posts
The air line needed to replace all lines would be 4 foot should be plenty. I'm going to change my current air schrader valve to a more convenient location. It currently is in the bottom box of my MotorTrike Spyder. I'm planning on moving it to the upper luggage box or elsewhere where it will be easy to get to.
Bill
Bill
paid4c4
300+ Posts
I meant to add; I know this is an older post but it is still a useful thread and provides a lot of information. Because of this tread I found my new air bags from a forum member and felt comfortable enough to do the work myself. This is a prime example of forum members helping each other.
Bill
Bill
Schrader valve... I got rid of that sucker when I went to the digital readout for their compressor. you may want to look at a retrofit kit
PKLGW
20+ Posts
I found them on ebay for 35.00 ea. to my front door. They were 39.00 ea and 45.00 for shipping same people http://stores.ebay.com/Chassis-Tech-Suspension?_trksid=p2047675.l2563
paid4c4
300+ Posts
I am interested in doing what you did. Where did you get the retrofit kit?
Thank You;
Bill
I got it from Motortrike...
It is standard equipment now, but there was a time where it was an add-on option
It adapts the up and down switches on the left console that used to be the adjust shock, to now control the airbags
With a digital pounds/sq-inch readout and a volt meter
fastfreddy2015
90+ Posts
air bags
Hey 3W lonerider just ran across your post on airbags. I think I got the same problem with my airbags. Read where some of the guys messed up there tires or the new airbags because the tires were to wide. So what size tires do you have mounted on your trike ? I have P225/60/R15 on mine and have fairly decent thread on them. Don't like the idea of having to buy narrower tires just to mount new airbags. Am thinking of replacing all plastic parts with brass fittings also. I ride a 2008 gl1800 Goldwing trike. Can't tell what kit it has. Maybe spider but won't swear to it.
Hey 3W lonerider just ran across your post on airbags. I think I got the same problem with my airbags. Read where some of the guys messed up there tires or the new airbags because the tires were to wide. So what size tires do you have mounted on your trike ? I have P225/60/R15 on mine and have fairly decent thread on them. Don't like the idea of having to buy narrower tires just to mount new airbags. Am thinking of replacing all plastic parts with brass fittings also. I ride a 2008 gl1800 Goldwing trike. Can't tell what kit it has. Maybe spider but won't swear to it.
3W-lonerider
One of the Originals
I dropped my tire size down to a 215 i had 225. And they never rubbed the tire but just wanted alittle more clearance. Just keep in mind. If you have tires that have raised lettering and the letters are facing in. The tires will make contact with the bags. Also not sure how much clearance you have at the bottom of the bag and the rear end. But i had to expand that mounting hole to get the bag away from the rear. When the bag was compressing in dips the lower portion of the bag was barely making contact but just enough to rub.
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