Rear Lift Brackets: Any Downside?

[joeychitwood]

While enduring the long winter, I think about potential improvements to my 2011 Tri Glide. I've already installed a Jackpot Stainless Steel head pipe, a high-flow AC and the Power Vision EFI tuner. I'm strongly considering Dennis' rear-end lift brackets, and I have a couple of questions before buying.

First, is there a reason the H-D engineers didn't used the raised chassis configuration in the first place? From comments here and elsewhere, it seems that handling is improved and the annoying muffler scrape is eliminated. Why not design the trike with a higher rear stance from the start?

Second, are there any deleterious effects on the bike long term or other problems that you have encountered due to the brackets?

 

[Bikerbozo]

Re: Rear Kift Brackets: Any Downside?

I've put over 20,000 miles on my TG since adding brackets with no problems. As far as why H-D doesn't correct that...Are you actually looking for Corporate Logic from them?

 

[Triken]

Re: Rear Kift Brackets: Any Downside?

How are you guys installing these? Put trike on jacks, lift, or just crawl under it? Thanks

 

[rhino 2]

Re: Rear Kift Brackets: Any Downside?

How are you guys installing these? Put trike on jacks, lift, or just crawl under it? Thanks

I jacked it up , then lowered it on stands.ThumbUp

 

[JohnC]

Re: Rear Kift Brackets: Any Downside?

You jack the back end of the bike up high enough in order to get jack stands under the aft end of the frame. Or you can use a scissor jack to jack the aft end of the frame. I'm referring to the frame of the bike, not the frame underneath the trunk. The object is to get the rear suspension to hang freely. Then you just unbolt the shocks, remove and replace the OEM brackets, and bolt the shocks back up. I think it took me about two hours to do the job.

 

[Triken]

Re: Rear Kift Brackets: Any Downside?

Sounds easy enough. Thanks guy's.

 

[trikermutha]

Re: Rear Kift Brackets: Any Downside?

Sounds easy enough. Thanks guy's.

some of the bolt are a pain to get out..guess it depends on what year trike..

 

[bullet 10]

No trouble here. Like the ride. Easier if you pull rear wheels, just check lug nuts after riding a while per HD manual.

 

[Trent]

No downside for me. They greatly improved handling in the curves and making turns plus made the stance of the bike look way better. My dealer put them on for me and charged me 1 1/2 hour, but that also included removing the worthless parking brake.
HD has not done a lotta things they should have,, and why? Simple..$$$$$$$$$$$$$ outta our wallets!! The after market biz for upgrades is where the profits are.

 

[rap47]

To me, best mod for the money.

 

[msocko3]

Re: Rear Kift Brackets: Any Downside?

How are you guys installing these? Put trike on jacks, lift, or just crawl under it? Thanks

I used a scissors jack to lift the back end and pulled the tires, then used a regular floor jack to raise and lower the rear axle so it was easier to line up the bolt holes and shocks.

 

[TheBobs]

Re: Rear Kift Brackets: Any Downside?

You jack the back end of the bike up high enough in order to get jack stands under the aft end of the frame. Or you can use a scissor jack to jack the aft end of the frame. I'm referring to the frame of the bike, not the frame underneath the trunk. The object is to get the rear suspension to hang freely. Then you just unbolt the shocks, remove and replace the OEM brackets, and bolt the shocks back up. I think it took me about two hours to do the job.

+1 Like JohnC did it. Just jack it up, let the axle hang, unbolt, rebolt. The instructions are pretty straight forward. I believe Dennis even tells you what kind of tools to use.

 

[Ironhorsepilot]

Mine are going on as we speak.Can't wait to try it, but now have to wait for a few days.
Hubby found my brake pads worn all the way down. So much for HD service checking them, as it was in for service a few months ago.

 

[msocko3]

Mine are going on as we speak.Can't wait to try it, but now have to wait for a few days.
Hubby found my brake pads worn all the way down. So much for HD service checking them, as it was in for service a few months ago.

Dang your hard on things.:wave4:

 

[eagle1]

put the t/g on jacks, because you will have to use a open-end wrench to remove the bolts. luckily i hope the factory used blue locktite on the bolts.i had to use leg power to get the bolts loosened. you might use a map gas propane torch on the bracket to disolve the locktite. or overnight peratrant.

 

[Triken]

I see someone is selling some brackets for less. Has anyone tried or heard anything about these? Thanks

 

[wriddle]

i would like to take this time and thank everyone for the valuable info that was giving on the lift , i was just getting ready to order the lift brackets when i seen this forum which help me decide to get them coming can't wait to get them and installed now.

 

[TheBobs]

OK :Shrug: And you read this thread? :Shrug:

 

[Helipilot]

Why did you ask? You obviously didn't care what the forum members thought.

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Installed a set last night. Brackets were quality and fit was perfect.

Had issues with my air gun so we used a box end ratchet on the shock and 1/2" drive socket on the bracket bolts. Was plenty of room to work on if you remove the back tires.

Use jack stands but had to use a portable jack to get the left side bracket bolt holes lined up.

Everything got torqued per specs.... Seemed easy enough but unless you have all the right stuff/tools have a friend over to assist. The extra set of hands come in handy.

 

[GARYD]

I ordered mine Friday along with the tour pak spacer. Both for $300 even incl shipping. Took installations and picture to dealer to get some idea of installation cost - one of the hot shot techs said it will probably take 3 hours (because we triple the time a customer says it takes) and Harley will not honor the warrenty afterwards. Hate his "tude so I guess I'll have to try installing myself. If I take my time I should not have a problem - - - I hope.

All I'm worried about is the trike tipping over trying to raise it.

The tour pak spacer I'm going to do myself since I also will be installing another Hyper Lite set up at the same time.

 

[trikermutha]

I ordered mine Friday along with the tour pak spacer. Both for $300 even incl shipping. Took installations and picture to dealer to get some idea of installation cost - one of the hot shot techs said it will probably take 3 hours (because we triple the time a customer says it takes) and Harley will not honor the warrenty afterwards. Hate his "tude so I guess I'll have to try installing myself. If I take my time I should not have a problem - - - I hope.

All I'm worried about is the trike tipping over trying to raise it.

The tour pak spacer I'm going to do myself since I also will be installing another Hyper Lite set up at the same time.

I have put a jack under the axle and raised it that way then used jack stands with no problems.. The tour pak should be a easy install also..

 

[JohnC]

When I did my lift brackets, I used two hydraulic floor jacks, one placed under each tie down loop that's welded to the bottom of the axle at each end. If you don't have two floor jacks, maybe you have a buddy or two you can borrow from.

Using the two floor jacks, I then jacked up the rear of the bike evenly until I had enough height to put short jack stands under the frame of the bike (not the frame under the trunk).

This is an easy job that anyone who is mechanically-inclined can handle. To hell with your dealer. Do it yourself and save the $90 an hour in labor charges.

 

[Trent]

My dealer installed mine and they have nothing to do with any warranty issues. They charged me 1 1/2 hours. Was worth it to me. They have since installed several more for other Triglide owners. They think they are a great add-on and recommend them in the parts dept.

 

[GARYD]

I'm beginning to think my dealer doesn't know what the outside world is. Everything I bring up to them - they've never heard of before.

If they didn't give 20% off everything to chapter members and being the most convienient location, I wouldn't walk in their doors.

I have a couple of floor jack stands with about an inch of dust on them sitting in the corner of the garage. I will either us my floor jack or my bike lift to raise it. Sure wish I could afford a (good) table lift.

 

[sprinkman]

Not that hard to install take your time and if you can get a friend to help that is a plus!! Get it jack up and the stands under it make sure you don't have them in your way take the tires off and do one side at a time. Hope you have a manual if not ask for torque.

 

[iaff84]

I ordered mine Friday along with the tour pak spacer. Both for $300 even incl shipping. Took installations and picture to dealer to get some idea of installation cost - one of the hot shot techs said it will probably take 3 hours (because we triple the time a customer says it takes) and Harley will not honor the warrenty afterwards. Hate his "tude so I guess I'll have to try installing myself. If I take my time I should not have a problem - - - I hope.

All I'm worried about is the trike tipping over trying to raise it.

The tour pak spacer I'm going to do myself since I also will be installing another Hyper Lite set up at the same time.

It is easier to remove both brackets before trying to install a new one.
If you run into a problem, give me a call. I answer till around 8 PM, a fella must get his sleep!!
Dennis Swan

 

[msocko3]

I'm beginning to think my dealer doesn't know what the outside world is. Everything I bring up to them - they've never heard of before.

If they didn't give 20% off everything to chapter members and being the most convienient location, I wouldn't walk in their doors.

I have a couple of floor jack stands with about an inch of dust on them sitting in the corner of the garage. I will either us my floor jack or my bike lift to raise it. Sure wish I could afford a (good) table lift.

I used to do business with a dealer like that, notice I said used to. I used to get I never heard of that or the famous you can't believe everything you read on the Internet. Fortunately I'm quite self sufficient so I buy my parts at other 20% off dealers plus the after market and do all my own work.

 

[Oldmsocko]

It is easier to remove both brackets before trying to install a new one.
If you run into a problem, give me a call. I answer till around 8 PM, a fella must get his sleep!!
Dennis Swan

You forgot to mention that it is not just sleep but BEAUTY SLEEP.

 

[iaff84]

You forgot to mention that it is not just sleep but BEAUTY SLEEP.

Gave up on that!!!!!!