My Tow-Pac 14" InstaTrike Install on Ultra Classic Harley

[dadztoy]

Yep, it's a purty bike to be sure... I too usually get a lot of remarks and questions, usually from the older guys about how much it cost, how does it handle, etc., etc...

In terms of your installing a kit, if it were me, I would think twice about it unless it was for a friend, and chances are all it would cost him would be a dinner out or the like... IMO, I think like you, too much liability involved in case something would happen... We live in a very litigious society and people sue at the drop of a hat and even if the accident or failure were not your fault, their attorney would be naming you in law suit along with Tow Pac and any others they could...

I help out a lot of buddies with repairs and maintenance and in most all cases, I make sure that they do the actual work rather than me - I just supervise... In the case of my really good friends, I actually do the wrenching if they want me too, but most of the time they want to actually do it, with just some guidance from a knowledgeable person watching to make sure they do it correctly, and that's fine with me...

I have one friend in particular from Chicago who usually saves his projects until he comes down to ride our TN roads once or twice a year, and then we spend a day or two in the man cave doing a little wrenching and popping a few cold ones, and then a few days riding... A nice way to spend a few days with a good friend...

 

[HarleyBob]

The people that ask me are strangers! If this is an indication of people interested, I could see a Tow-Pac dealer may do good here. But you may get only 1% of the people interested to get one if you are luck! I would think the insurance would be about $2000.00 a year, not counting the LLC you would need and the 20 year old secretary, and then the divorce! LOL!

Knowing the backup you get from Tow-Pac a dealer would be on their own!

I have a 40'X100' commercial warehouse on a main hwy. not doing anything but holding my junk. I plan on renting it out in a year. The wife would kill me if I got into another business! LOL!

 

[dadztoy]

With the aging baby boomer population, I would think there will be a lot of trike interest for a few more years anyway... Then who knows, with bike sales in general falling off in most areas...

Like your way of thinking though on the business and the 20 year old secretary, but at my age, can't afford a divorce, and probably more than I could handle anyway !!!

On the bright side, supposed to be up in the 50's here by next Wednesday and Thursday - looks like I might get out for a little spin if the forecast holds true - Yippie!!!

 

[HarleyBob]

I put it to a better test ride today. I was packing double with the wife and found it handles better. We Road only about 75 miles, on back roads. Stopped for lunch and headed home. a little cool or we would have road more! I'm enjoying the way it's handles!

*** Les, I took your advise and lean into the turns. Works and feels good! Steering never was hard for me, but leaning into the turns makes it feel better! ***

 

[Gorilla]

Sounds good Bob ride safe

 

[HarleyBob]

I plan on more testing when the weather gets better. I will do a summery so folks don't have to read the entire post I have here to get an idea.

As I wait for the weather here is me in a club in the big easy!

This is me doing a little old country in New Orleans a year ago.

 

[dadztoy]

Great video and singing Bob - I am impressed!! VERY COLD here this morning - DANG!!! 6 degrees!!! No riding today but supposed to be 60+ by the weekend so chances are we'll get out for a little ride assuming that all the brine and salt is off the streets by then...

Just finished installing H&C water in the "man cave" along with new slop sink... Cleanups will be a lot easier now... Just have to make the connection now at the source - that will happen when it warms up some...

Have some new EC LED headlight bulbs to install when it gets a bit warmer - Santa brought those for me this year...

Come on Spring!!!

 

[HarleyBob]

Awesome Les.

I got everything run to my man cave but just run to the outside wall. Will have to hook up the inside. I'm going to build a music studio, restroom, office etc. Yet to start on that ambitious project!

I'm finally getting a few music Gigs as people see and hear me perform! Thanks for watching! I'm yet to hit the street hustling work! I do have one steady gig I booked for once a month @ $75.00 an hour, should be $100.00 but need to get started! If I can establish a following on my gigs then I can get more money. Clubs have to make their money also!

Tow-Pac sent me a refund of $363.00 should have been $540.00 not including the $150.00 for shipping I can forget about! They said they must have screwed up!

I requested a dealer packet just to see how it works. They said I need to purchase two more kits at retail and then I can go wholesale. But not sure if I have to get three, depending if they count the kit I bought! I love the kit I got, but lets see how they handle my refund and the kits I have to buy!

 

[dadztoy]

Sounds like you'll have a true man cave Bob - I am envious... Kind of wish I had bathroom facilities out in mine but couldn't justify the cost for the plumbing and such as we have a septic field here and not city sewers...

When I was having mine built, first builder walked off the job and that cost me a bunch as I had to act as the General then and sub out concrete, framing, roofing, etc, etc so I ran out of money before I could insulate and add heat and A/C but I still love my man cave...

If I know of anyone looking for a Tow Pac, I'll send them your way - good luck with that venture should you decide to go that way...

I have been playing guitar since my early teen years but don't play much anymore... Arthritis in my hands make it a bit painful to play like I did before... Have 2 guitars right now - a Fender acoustic my wife bought me some years ago and my Father's which I inherited when he passed... It is my pride and joy and is a 1938 Martin 00-18 still in pretty good condition... It could benefit from a little work like a neck reset and a bit of tailpiece repair, but it still sounds oh so sweet when played... Maybe some day I'll get it worked on if I can find a decent Luthier in the area...

Les

 

[HarleyBob]

Those pre-war Martins are Awesome. Sound like nothing else and each has it's own sound. Does it have a truss rod? If so I can tell you how to set the relief!

My man cave has it's own sewage tank. I had installed for a camper site my Niece used when she was here in a camper! I have some out of town friends that use it from time to time with their camper!

 

[dadztoy]

Honestly Bob, I don't know if it has a truss rod or not... Don't believe I would tackle the job myself even if I had your guidance... The guitar just has too much sentimental value to take a chance on me goofing it up... It sounds so sweet, like an orchestra all by itself - it's really something else... My Dad owned it for years and I learned to play on it... Had a Fender Jaguar for many years but finally sold it and the amp about 10 years ago... The Martin is worth a few dollars but I would never sell it - it's a family heirloom and just means too much to me to sell it...

Nice touch with the holding tank in the garage - that has given me some ideas... Have to think about that for a while... Just came in from the man cave - tinkering with the Tow Pac and cleaning up a bit after the sink job... Trying to come up with a more efficient way of loading the trike into the truck... It's a long story but if my latest idea works, I'll post some pics or video but won't be working on it for a while - not until the weather warms significantly here...

Les

 

[BillR]

I have been playing guitar since my early teen years but don't play much anymore... Arthritis in my hands make it a bit painful to play like I did before... Have 2 guitars right now - a Fender acoustic my wife bought me some years ago and my Father's which I inherited when he passed... It is my pride and joy and is a 1938 Martin 00-18 still in pretty good condition... It could benefit from a little work like a neck reset and a bit of tailpiece repair, but it still sounds oh so sweet when played... Maybe some day I'll get it worked on if I can find a decent Luthier in the area...

Les

Les. Can I suggest that you contact Steve Kaufman in the Alcoa-Maryville area. He is a three time National Flatpicking champion. If there are any good luthiers nearby, he would know. take care of that baby, they're not making pre-war Martins anymore. Steves website has his phone and email at the bottom of the page.

http://www.flatpik.com

Sorry for the hi-jack.

 

[dadztoy]

Thanks Bill - appreciate the thought and recommendation... I'll give him a call on Monday and see what he has to say... Toured the Martin factory about 2 years ago and then had the opportunity to play some of their high end guitars in the Premier showroom - awesome experience... Would love to order a custom made Martin but the price and my arthritic hands are too much of a deterrent these days... Think the customs start at $3500 and go up from there with a minimum of a year wait... Was a great factory tour though - many operations still done by hand...

Les

 

[HarleyBob]

Les

How is the action on your guitar, the strings above the neck? Should be a 25 cent piece thickness at the 12th fret on the low E string . If not then First the relief must be set. To check the relief just put a Capo at the first fret and fret the low E string, largest string, at the 14th fret. Now tap the E string at the 6th or 7th fret. The string should be just a hair off the frets. You should hear a tinging sound as you tap the string, showing you it's just off the frets. Relief is the strings to the fret board and NOT the strings to the body.

Some just crank the truss rod to get this adjustment and that can warp the neck. Now the relief is set right no matter how high the strings are off the neck with the capo removed. If the strings are still off the neck too much at the 12th fret, then the nut and saddle must be shaved down. On most Martins the saddle is glued in and must be steamed off. You got to know what you are doing to do this. I have done a few and know how.

After the saddle is removed it must be sanded down at a 90 degree angle, using a gig, on a piece of glass using light gauge sandpaper. Same with the nut. They are both made out of bone and not plastic. If you sand too mush then the guitar will bang and you will have to start over with a new saddle and or nut. It can take 8 hours to do this.

It's no big deal to me but you many want to have it done at a good shop. Well this will help you knowing what needs to be done and how it is done! Bob

 

[HarleyBob]

What takes the time is steaming and sanding.

1. Steaming is done with a hot air gun and water. The body around the bridge must be covered to protect the finish I use felt. Then Cardboard covered with aluminum foil around the bridge. Drops of water are put in the crack between bridge and saddle not bridge and body. This takes time not to damage the guitar.

2. Sanding is slow as you sand a little and then put everything back together and tune all stings to 440 and check it, each time you do a little sanding. Making sure you don't over sand. On a vintage instrument like yours. You sure don't want a new saddle or nut put on it if you can avoid it!

It actually can be more to it than I'm saying here.

This is assuming you neck is straight and you have a truss rod.

The neck is correctly attached to the body etc.

Intonation on an acoustic takes a lot more time.

To check intonation the strings at the 12th fret should be EADGBE just like played open!

 

[dadztoy]

Thanks for all the info Bob but I would never attempt that repair... I'll take it to a good Luthier and let him have at it...

I'll have to drag it out of the closet and have a look at it... Was pretty nice here today but no ride for me as there is still brine and salt on the roads... Rain coming in tomorrow so if we get a decent day after that, I'll jump on the bike and ride a bit... Was about 62 here today with a promise of more of that to come next week...

Les

 

[HarleyBob]

Weather was cloudy and windy but not cold. We road to some friends house a few miles away for my monthly hair cut and then road to three Casinos to hustle music work. One may be interested. Hard to get in the door with these guys. They have their music all lined up. Hope n to get in when someone can't do the Gig! Plus managers not there on Sunday's. The pay is Good if you can get in the door.

 

[dadztoy]

Good luck with the gig search Bob - hope you land a few to pay for that Tow Pac

Rainy here today and colder tomorrow but supposed to be in the low 60's by Friday... With the rain today, all the brine and salt should be washed away so a ride Friday looks possible...

Les

 

[HarleyBob]

New member of the CVMA.

 

[dadztoy]

Awesome looking biker - love the blue boots!!! I assume this is the grandson???

 

[HarleyBob]

Yes my grandson! His little sister has the pink boots! They keep them at Maw Maw and Paw Paw's house as we have a horse and a big yard! He spent the night and after pancakes and feeding the cats, dogs and horse we had to go for a ride around the yard!

Tow-Pac has still not sent me a full refund! I have called four times on this matter!

I can forget about getting the $150.00 I have in shipping! I can't even get back what is due me!

I give them one more week after I call them tomorrow.

It's like pulling teeth!

 

[dadztoy]

I'll bet they love the horse!!! Went to my 7 year old nephews birthday party yesterday... I'm the cool uncle that gives him rides on my motorcycle!!

I talked to Jeremy at Tow Pac the other day as I had to order new rubber grommets for my fenders... Also spoke with him regarding my fender vibration at over 70MPH... I have to say he was pretty helpful and I just received the new grommets so I have no negative comments about my experiences with them except they did a less that ideal job of installing my kit as I had to reroute quite a few wiring harnesses so I could remove my saddle bags and avoid chafing of the main jarness...

Hope you get your money back Bob - remember - "it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease"!!!

Les

 

[HarleyBob]

Jeremy is the guy I have been dealing with from day one! He told me if I return the kit I would Not be charged a restocking charge. Now it looks like not only did they charge me a restocking charge on the reverse but also on the parts I ordered from them to replace the reverse!

 

[dadztoy]

Bummer!!! Sorry for your bad experience...

 

[HarleyBob]

I just got off the phone with Jeremy.

He admitted there was something wrong with the reverse design for the14" wheels.

It's for 10" wheels and not 14".

He will talk to front office!

 

[dadztoy]

That's what I thought when I saw the design... Would probably work well with units like mine with 12" wheels... Still, seems to be quite under powered if you cannot sit on the bike and back up eh??? Sounds like a redesign is on order - at least use a motor with a bit more "smash" instead of a car window motor!!! A small car starter motor would do nicely or even a commercial gear motor...

I'm switching gears here Bob and doing a bit of work on my truck for a while... Just purchased new steering stabilizer shock and will be buying new suspension shocks as well and installing them in the near future... Need to keep the old gal (2000 F-250SD) running as I certainly can't afford a new one at today's ridiculous prices...

Gonna be down by you in a few days... Spending a few days in "The Big Easy" courtesy of my bride of 37 years to celebrate my upcoming birthday... Love "Nu Awlins" and all that goes with it... Hope it's a bit warmer than it is here...

Les

 

[HarleyBob]

I never buy new and pay cash when I can.

Will you make the Mardi Gras?

The Jeep I will be driving with my wife and one of the Pin Up Girls, in the Titan Mardi Gras parade this Sunday, in Houma, La. Thanks to the museum. They got it running yesterday and topped off with gas. I can drive it around town before the parade. They are paying me back for a Free music Gig I did for them!

https://www.regionalmilitarymuseum.com/

Les, Let me know if you make it to Houma ( 50 miles from New Orleans) and we can go eat some Good Cajun food!

 

[dadztoy]

Hey Bob,

Well, the New Orleans trip was cancelled this morning as I woke up sick... Not the flu I think as I am not running a fever but the "mother of all chest colds" so we didn't go... Heck of a way to celebrate my 72nd birthday!!!

Hoping to get down there some time this year again... I'll let you know if we do and maybe we can get together. for some good New Orleans nosh..

Nice looking Jeep - how about a few more pics when you have the time...

 

[HarleyBob]

Sorry to hear that.

New Orleans is Crazy this time of year more than ever!

We stay out of New Orleans, only every now and then for a Gig.

We don't like it much! When we were young we would go there a lot.

Most People here do Not Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Houma has a much better Mardi Gras!

Food in New Orleans is expensive and Not as good as here, because we know where to go in Houma!

Well off to get my Jeep for the day!

 

[HarleyBob]