New Trike HD FLD Switchback and Rake Kit

[Johnlyn]

Hi all, I have recently had my switchback converted to a trike. It's a 2014 model that I bought new last year. My arthritis meant that I couldn't ride it so had it triked over the winter. Its not my first trike I have had 2 BMW R1200c Cruiser trikes a Triumph Rocket 3 Trike all these were made by Grinnallcars here in the UK. Then in 2008 Bought a Ultra Classic with a Lehman back end. All the above had had the ez steer rake kit fitted. Well my new one doesn't. And I seem to be having a problem. One it's much heavier but I can live with that but the last two rides I have done have nearly ended in disaster. I was with my local HOG group last Saturday and I'm riding along in formation and (we drive on the left over here) were turning right so I shut the throttle down I'm doing about 45 mph at this point brake and the trike pulls to the left violently, I had to wrestle with it to get it back.

Then everything's ok again. Yesterday I went out with the wife I'm doing 30 mph and going down hill shut the throttle and apply the brake same result were heading for the hedge. I manage to stop it about a foot from a lamp post. I'm too horror stricken at the time to work what has gone wrong my wife thought it was the rear left hand wheel locked will the right hand wheel didn't but to be honest I can't say. I have done 82000 miles on trikes since 2002, Not had an incident like these since I got the first one. It doesn't happen all the time on Saturday after I had done 30 or so miles and the same mileage yesterday. Do you think this could be because it's the first trike I have had that hasn't had a rake kit fitted? If so are there any companies out there that sell kits that don't require cutting the frame?

 

[HDHoggly]

I was with my local HOG group last Saturday and I'm riding along in formation and (we drive on the left over here) were turning right so I shut the throttle down I'm doing about 45 mph at this point brake and the trike pulls to the left violently, I had to wrestle with it to get it back. Then everything's ok again.

I am far from an expert and many here probably know much better than I. If I remember correctly, the switchback has a single disk front break mounted on the left side of the front fork similar to my super glide. My super glide exhibited a similar condition when I got on the brakes hard. Because the front end in not designed to turn into corners but instead was meant to lean, I installed a fork brace to stiffen the front end in corners. A side benefit has been it has also help to remedy the issue I had during hard braking (which was pulling to the left). Again keep in mind we are now using a system designed for not only two wheels but also less weight. I think because of that, we use the front brake harder to stop and because it is a single brake we are seeing front end flex. Good luck ... I hope this helps.

 

[msocko3]

Hi all, I have recently had my switchback converted to a trike. It's a 2014 model that I bought new last year. My arthritis meant that I couldn't ride it so had it triked over the winter. Its not my first trike I have had 2 BMW R1200c Cruiser trikes a Triumph Rocket 3 Trike all these were made by Grinnallcars here in the UK. Then in 2008 Bought a Ultra Classic with a Lehman back end. All the above had had the ez steer rake kit fitted. Well my new one doesn't. And I seem to be having a problem. One it's much heavier but I can live with that but the last two rides I have done have nearly ended in disaster. I was with my local HOG group last Saturday and I'm riding along in formation and (we drive on the left over here) were turning right so I shut the throttle down I'm doing about 45 mph at this point brake and the trike pulls to the left violently, I had to wrestle with it to get it back.

Then everything's ok again. Yesterday I went out with the wife I'm doing 30 mph and going down hill shut the throttle and apply the brake same result were heading for the hedge. I manage to stop it about a foot from a lamp post. I'm too horror stricken at the time to work what has gone wrong my wife thought it was the rear left hand wheel locked will the right hand wheel didn't but to be honest I can't say. I have done 82000 miles on trikes since 2002, Not had an incident like these since I got the first one. It doesn't happen all the time on Saturday after I had done 30 or so miles and the same mileage yesterday. Do you think this could be because it's the first trike I have had that hasn't had a rake kit fitted? If so are there any companies out there that sell kits that don't require cutting the frame?

Rake kit isn't your problem, more information about the kit would be a big help. If your kit has brakes on both rear wheels you could have one working while the other isn't. Or as HDHoggly pointed out, maybe its the single disc front which I'm not expert at because I've only ridden dual disc equipped trikes.

 

[Johnlyn]

HDhoggly and msocko3 Thanks gents, I think the single disc front brake is a brilliantly good idea, as the problem only occurs under braking. All my other trikes had twin discs this one has a single disc on the left, I have ridden the trike as a bike before I triked. I tended to use the back brake only, going onto the bike I used the front more, so as I'm still getting used to the trike I must be unknowingly relying on the front brake too much. I'm going out later to try this theory out. If it's right I'm going to be looking for another wheel with twin discs.
HDhoggly was the super glide a trike or bike? Can you give me more details on the fork brace?
msocko3 I'm going to visit the trike builder this week for him to check the brakes.
Thank you both, was really worried.

 

[HDHoggly]

Yes, my super glide was a two wheeler converted with a Lehman Renegade kit. As far as a fork brace I am using a Drag Specialties one but I think if I were to buy one today I would use a Super Brace as they now are sponsors of this site.

 

[Johnlyn]

Thanks for the information, waiting for dusk before I go down to the local shopping centre and try the brakes. I don't really need to do it because I think you've cracked it! Did using the fork brace let you use the front brake again? And one last question did you have the rake changed on the conversion from bike to trike?

 

[pcombe]

A rake kit isn't going to hurt a darn thing and if you decide you want one contact Bazooka, He's got good deals on raked triple trees (no need to cut the frame) for forum members.
I have one of his and it's a great product at about half the cost of the other brands.

 

[Johnlyn]

pcombe, yes you right I'm going to do that anyway problem so far is that no one makes one for the FLD, and I thought it was the same as other Dyna's!
Rode the bike for ten miles or so didn't have the courage to pull the front brake hard but I did slam the back brake and the trike stayed straight. So I'm thinking that HDhoggly is right. At the moment struggling to find a fork brace for the Switchback. It's a new bike so not many aftermarket bits available.

 

[pcombe]

pcombe, yes you right I'm going to do that anyway problem so far is that no one makes one for the FLD, and I thought it was the same as other Dyna's!
Rode the bike for ten miles or so didn't have the courage to pull the front brake hard but I did slam the back brake and the trike stayed straight. So I'm thinking that HDhoggly is right. At the moment struggling to find a fork brace for the Switchback. It's a new bike so not many aftermarket bits available.

Gotta wonder what other bikes has Harley used the same front end on?

 

[HDHoggly]

I've always used the front brake It did help it allot and also helped stiffen the front end in tight corners at speed. My next step is to install a raked triple tree kit sometime this summer but I am doing that to ease steering force in the corners before I head to Sturgis and the Black Hills.

 

[Johnlyn]

Thank you all for your advice. It has genuinely been invaluable.
I have been told that I might have a problem with getting a fork brace for the Switchback because of the covers and there also a problem with the yokes. On the Switchback site others have suggested that I get the alignment check this will be done when I get it raked. In an effort to get a fork brace I'm considering leaving the covers off and checking to see if I can fit a brace from another bike with the same dimensions.
Does HD have a technical department that I could email to ask them that question?
Bazooka might know the answer as he makes the trees. I have pm'd and await his reply.
If anyone has any further info for me please post. I need all the help I can get.