rear end wobble

[clo]

i've got a vtx1300 with the motor trike conversion. has anyone had a rear end wobble before and how do you fix it. i had 20psi in the air suspension just what is recommended and it started to wobble, took out the air n took it to 30psi suspension and it went away. is that common? never had that happen before.

 

[3W-lonerider]

check all the bolts going threw your heim joints for looseness. if they are loose tighten them up.
you don't say how many miles are on the kit but if there is alot i'd be pulling the bolts out that hold the rear to the ladder bars and check for wear.
i've also had the jamb nuts come loose on the heims to.
also 5 minutes of search function woulda brought this up.
http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/18693-fishtailing-with-motor-trike

 

[87Trike1200]

i've got a vtx1300 with the motor trike conversion. has anyone had a rear end wobble before and how do you fix it. i had 20psi in the air suspension just what is recommended and it started to wobble, took out the air n took it to 30psi suspension and it went away. is that common? never had that happen before.

I realize the bikes are different, but my GL1500 has a MT kit and the installer told me to start at 35 lbs and experiment up & down from there. Your's may be different. Call the MT folks and ask.

 

[keepinon]

Also, if it's a straight axle, check that your driveshaft slides smoothly into/out of the front yoke.

I bought my trike used, two upper heim joints were frozen. Some silicon spray lube and light taps with a hammer smoothed 'em all up.

And I ride with 20 psi suspension when single, 35 psi 2up. Add 10 psi for the trailer.

 

[driver10]

I had this problem with my wife's 750 trike that we bought used. Over 60 mph it would fishtail. so I checked the bolts on rear end and found them all loose , So I called motor trike to see how tight the bolts were supposed to be, and tighten them. Took it for a run and it was better but still fishtailed on 2 lane roads. Lonerider posted for me to check the bolts to see if they were worn, so I pulled the bolts and found they were bent. I replaced the bolts with grade 8 bolts. We went for a 49 mile ride Friday on 4 and 2 lane roads and wife said she had on fishtailing.

 

[barnabus]

had the same problem on my motor trike as it would wobble at 65mph-scared me to death so I took it to my installer and found out there was no wheel weights on either rear tire.didnt notice them because they were on the inside of the rim-rebalanced and problem solved.

 

[Grandpa1]

I don't have the problem with my trike and I hope you figure it out.

However, I just got back from Walmart and there was a lady walking down the aisle there who really had a problem with rear end wobble.

Just an observation on my part. Followed her for several aisles. Didn't need too but did.

 

[Chumbly]

Ya, I had a similar problem... the heim joint bolts came loose on my trike....replaced them and all was well. As you may know, the kit for the 1300 and the 1800 are the same, so this may be the problem. While you are under there, check your suspension geometry...make sure it's right, (mine and other's weren't). Another problem I've heard about that might also be your problem is check the steering head bearings... the vtx 1300 is famous for having crappy steering head bearings. And if you replace them, put in tapered bearings instead of the ball bearings that are stock. Hope this helps.