Now I need some help! Trike conversion time

[StorminNormin]

Okay, I thought that I had picked out an installer for a Roadsmith conversion. However, I just received an email from them telling me the schedule that I might be subject to. The following is from the installer:

"We do have to order the kit, so it will take 5-6 weeks to get it in. The painter generally needs a week or two to get it worked in and painted. That being said, you might get started a couple of months before you're ready for it to be completed."

So, I thought that I would ask if this is a normal situation or should I perhaps look for a different installer. Also, they will have to have two (2) full days to complete the conversion on the bike. Since I am absolutely not knowledgeable about this I would like some input.

My bike is a 1995 Honda GL1500SE, Royal Magenta. I am located in East Central Kansas and the installer is within 100 miles.

 

[Solidbob]

Based on your Zip Code you do have some options..: http://www.trikeshop.com/dealers/?z=66040

Hub Cycle	Independence	MO	64050	816-461-2187	1 Trike	54 Miles from zip 66040
Dicks Cycle	Sedaila	MO	65301	660-826-1553	-	85 Miles
Star Light Trailers & Trikes	Joplin	MO	64801	417-781-0699	-	88 Miles
Neosho Fiberglass	Neosho	MO	64850	800-641-4647	1 Trike	104 Miles
Honda of the Ozarks	Springfield	MO	65803	417-862-4686	-	109 Miles
IceHouse Trikes	Winfield	Kansas	67156	620-221-9699	1 Trike	144 Miles

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If the zip code is incorrect (66040) go to the website above and enter the correct one.... some dealer / installers do get busy as spring comes on, riding season is here. Do you know your installer or his work record / references? Just FYI....some info....plus you can check prices!!

 

[Veritas44]

That sounds to be on the "worse case scenario" side of Normal for a Non-Stocking Dealer. Non-Stocking meaning a Dealer that does not regularly buy Kits and keep on hand and that have their own Paint Shops to be able to pull one off the Shelf immediately and Paint to match In-House.

Stocking Dealers do just that and can usually have you Three-Wheeled and rolling within 2 Weeks tops from the time you give them Order, a Deposit and the Bike.
Their are several Stocking Dealers for Roadsmith and a couple other Manufacturers not too far from you. There is Horizon Trikes in Clarksville, AR (NW part of State) which is probably the closest to you I know of that Stock and are well known and Reputable. They are the Builder for Honda of Russellville.

KD Cycle in Sweet Home Alabama are two other Top-Notch Stocking Dealers as well but are further away than Horizon. Coach Rice Trikes in Atlanta Area is another A++ Stocking Dealer but even a bit further.

Comes down to this.. Stay Local and wait 6-8 Weeks or go the distance and be Triking in 2.

Up to you.
Good Luck & Enjoy whichever you choose ThumbUp

P.s. All that being true, it is RARE for any stocking Dealer to have GL1500 Kits on the Shelf these days. The demand for them just isn't that much anymore and Kits collecting dust isn't desirable or smart business practice for any Retailer.

However, Stocking Dealers can usually garner quicker Builds from most Manufacturers than Non-Stocking ones. The Power of buying in Volume overall.

 

[StorminNormin]

Actually they are a stocking dealer, they just do not have a kit with a couple of the options that I want on it. I want the Auxiliary tank and the AccuRide leveling system. So they have to order it from the factory. They seem to be very knowledgeable over the phone and I only have one members input and it was a good reference.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

I would doubt even the manufacturer has 1500 kits in stock! Just not the demand for those!
The spring into early summer is the time most decide to trike and that increases the wait time!

 

[FRR]

I had my Wing triked in 2012. It took 4 wks to get the kit to my installer and I picked it up 3 days after he took delivery. My installer sent me pics daily of how it was coming with a clock on the wall that gave me some idea of time.

 

[StorminNormin]

Unfortunate for me I am nowhere near Ohio!! :gah::gah:

 

[Shimpy]

I might have set the record. I wanted Champion installed so I went to the installer and said I'm ready. The installer called the paint shop and said, "That kit you have that you are suppose to paint yellow, change that to pearl black." That was a Tuesday morning. Friday afternoon they called me and said your trike is ready to be picked up. This dealer only does Champion and keeps them in stock.

 

[Ozarkryder]

Another thing that may possibly be a bit of an issue for time is the relatively rare color of your donor bike. Our first GW trike was a '95 GL1500SE. It was a one year only 2 tone color in what Honda called Pearl Royal Magenta with Purple as the inset color. FWIW, Honda only used magenta on the 95 SE and Kelly Magenta Metallic on 2004. (our current trike year & color) We don't run into too many folks with the '95 or '04 versions of magenta. Had a heck of a time finding touch up paint for the '95 - took a month to get in the '95 magenta, never did get the second color.
Here's pics of the '95 GL1500SE Motor Trike

 

[Hummingbird]

If time is an issue, meaning you want one right now then I would start looking at trikes for sale. There are more for sale than you probably care to look at but it's an option.
The old story about "well, I know my bike" doesn't have much bearing anymore because of the reliability built into the GoldWing. The odds of getting an ill-fated bike with a conversion are pretty slim because of the known mechanical faults in some of the wings. Do a little research on mechanical issues and start looking for a bike alraedy done and available.
I'm sure there are many (trike) dealers that would even take your bike on trade - but remember they like to make friends but they love to make money.

 

[The Captain]

Okay, I thought that I had picked out an installer for a Roadsmith conversion. However, I just received an email from them telling me the schedule that I might be subject to. The following is from the installer:

"We do have to order the kit, so it will take 5-6 weeks to get it in. The painter generally needs a week or two to get it worked in and painted. That being said, you might get started a couple of months before you're ready for it to be completed."

So, I thought that I would ask if this is a normal situation or should I perhaps look for a different installer. Also, they will have to have two (2) full days to complete the conversion on the bike. Since I am absolutely not knowledgeable about this I would like some input.

My bike is a 1995 Honda GL1500SE, Royal Magenta. I am located in East Central Kansas and the installer is within 100 miles.

That sounds about right. Last fall, I decided on a Roadsmith HT1800 for my '06 1800. It took about 6 weeks to get the kit from Roadsmith to the installer. Once they got it, I set up an install date. It took them about 4 days to do the install. Good luck. You're gonna love the Roadsmith trike.

 

[John Luciano]

If you weather is like ours, you ain't ridding for 6 weeks anyway.

 

[geol]

I live where there are a lot of gravel and caliche roads and the "aqua shields" are a great option as they keep the trike's fenders from being stone chipped. I have the Aux gas tank but not the accu-ride. Only down note on my install was that the installer set the shocks on softest setting and it took me about 500 miles riding to figure out that the ride was horrible for the wife and myself (we drove it home from Alabama and it was my first real trike ride). I don't know what "Accu Ride" is supposed to do but the standard suspension works well on a GL1500 if you have the shock preload set correctly.

The aux gas tank is a must for me as gas mileage will be down around 30 mpg and we are a long way from a filling station on many rides. The only downside is that the filler neck doesn't allow you to see how much gas is in it when it becomes close to full and the auto-shut off on most pumps doesn't seem to work with the placement of the filler neck. You get used to this and start watching how much goes in very carefully to avoid overflows. I have a 97 GL1500A Roadsmith conversion (2012) and my wife likes it a lot as her tail isn't sitting over the axle as is the case on some conversions. Whether you get the conversion done by a local or ride a bit to have it done, none are likely to have the aux tank in stock so be prepared to wait for the tank 2 weeks or so.

 

[dmccord]

We also had our 2008 wing done at Horizon Trikes in Clarksville. They did a fantastic job, have had it two years now with no problems at all. You will love the ride of a Roadsmith.

 

[FRR]

I had my Wing triked in 2012. It took 4 wks to get the kit to my installer and I picked it up 3 days after he took delivery. My installer sent me pics daily of how it was coming with a clock on the wall that gave me some idea of time.

I certainly understand. I had mine triked in Louisville at Morton Motorsports. First rate guy that installs all the makes. Quality work who remembers his customers after they pay him.. I just bought a 2012 with a new Hannigan this weekend from him. It is 125 miles for me but that isn't anything like the 570 miles it would be for you. The key to this stuff is the installer, that is for sure.

 

[Cycleguy]

Since I am absolutely not knowledgeable about this I would like some input.

My bike is a 1995 Honda GL1500SE, Royal Magenta. I am located in East Central Kansas and the installer is within 100 miles.

Doesn't sound that outrageous, particularly for a 1500. You might call the Roadsmith factory and ask why it takes so long to get one to the installer. The painter's timeframe is the painter's timeframe.

The important thing is this. The majority of people who find their trike unsatisfactory have installer created problems. If they're taking their time to do things well, it's well worth patience.

 

[StorminNormin]

Thanks again for all of the input hat you all have given me. I am feeling much better about the timeline and all other facets of this endeavor. Since I have absolutely no experience in the triking adventure, I really had no idea of the timing. So now that I can understand all that it involves I am a bit more relaxed and confident in the choices I have made. Now it is going to be the waiting game for me to save up the down payment to get the ball or three wheels rolling.epper:epper: