Replacing solid axle with ind?

[WindyOne]

Right now I am between bikes. I Had a chance to sell my FW last July and got what I wanted for it right off.
I took that money and put it right away into a high yield CD which matures in January about the time the new Harleys come out.

So to my question, If I were to buy a RG3 would it be worth it and/or could it be done to replace the solid axle with independent axle?

Not able to do the work myself who would I get to do the work?
I am thinking if I did this I wouldn't get a return on that work, but if the ride was so much better it might just be worth the effort.

My main dislike of my FW was the harshness of the ride. No matter what I did to it and I did both front and rear suspension changes, the bumps still rattled my back.
Just feeling the void of not having a bike to ride.

 

[cycle7447]

Sounds like you like the FWs - they are great bikes.

Still, like you, I wanted the independent suspension - so, I converted my Ultra with a CSC trike.

So, to answer your question, you could indeed convert your FW to independent. I think I have seen prices around $9K or so. With that in mind, consider this...buy a nice Street Glide or Road Glide - then have that converted to a trike.

I see you are somewhere in Virginia - well CSC is in Arrington. Take a peek - you might like it.

Whatever you do - enjoy it.

 

[HDUSA1]

Don’t know much about them, but Cooltrikes.com has a conversion kit for the Harley 3 wheel bikes to make them IRS. They advertise they will pick your bike up and return it also.

 

[pwhoever]

The solid rear axle on the factory Harley trikes was one of the big reasons I didn't even consider them as I love the IRS on the Goldwing trike conversion kits. I did see some aftermarket kits for Harleys but it never really caught my attention. I am also so used to all the controls for the Goldwings and know how to configure them the way I want. I will admit I have thought many times that it would be pretty cool to have a Harley trike. Had I known about the Cool Trike conversion, I might have looked more seriously at this option. And the cost of replacing the solid rear axle for just under $7000 is a bit appealing. The Wisconsin location is just over an hour from my place. Hmmm, one day...

 

[cycle7447]

For the $7K, you are looking at the suspension. I also wanted him to consider things like a rake, bumper w/lights, running boards - all kinds of things.

Hey, we are here to help folks spend money.

 

[Zammy]

Someone on the forums here actually did the independent suspension on their Harley, right now I can't find that thread.

 

[pwhoever]

For the $7K, you are looking at the suspension. I also wanted him to consider things like a rake, bumper w/lights, running boards - all kinds of things.

Hey, we are here to help folks spend money.

Hahaha! True but the biggest part would be the suspension. I totally agree that a rake kit is a must.

 

[HDUSA1]

I seem to remember that thread also. Didn’t it also talk about how Cooltrikes would do the conversion with the agreement they kept all your old parts? Then they later found their old parts were for sale on eBay?

 

[pwhoever]

Someone on the forums here actually did the independent suspension on their Harley, right now I can't find that thread.

I think I may have found it. The one I found was by @molokaimike He used a different vendor and did several threads. First one is this one.

Bit the bullet today

I pulled the trigger on getting the IRS rear end from IMC today. The parts are out for powder coat and assembly of the unit should start some time next week. Now I have to start the surgery on my TG and remove the stock solid axle. Not sure how long it will take to preform the axlectomy but...

triketalk.com

Here too

IRS Installation

I posted the removal of the OEM rear suspension under "Bit the Bullet". I'm starting a new thread on the installation of the new IRS rear suspension from IMC. Below is a photo of the swingarm mount that will attach where the OEM swingarm mounts and the IRS unit will attach to it in the slotted...

triketalk.com

 

[pwhoever]

I seem to remember that thread also. Didn’t it also talk about how Cooltrikes would do the conversion with the agreement they kept all your old parts? Then they later found their old parts were for sale on eBay?

I did see mention on the Cool Trikes website about keeping the old parts. But in their defense, their IRS kit comes in almost $4000 less than IMC Trikes so that looks to be the trade-off. I'm guessing that's why IMC will ship you the unstalled kit but Cool Trikes only seems to do the installation.

 

[WindyOne]

You guys collectively are a treasure trove of information, I didn't expect this much but really appreciate it all.
Kooltrikes can do whatever they want with my old parts. I think them keeping them is a fair trade off for the price.
I sent off an email after reading the post and am waiting to hear back.
The price is much lower than I had in my mind and think this is really something I will do.
Curious if you all think parts should be powder coated before the install?
The prices seem very good for the possible upgrades.
I think I would do the MMD reverse while they had it in the shop and maybe even the brake,rotor, and wheel upgrades.
Now if Harley can just have a 2025 that makes me drool I am in for all this.

 

[HDUSA1]

Please keep us posted on your response from them!

I had tried buying a complete conversion kit with the body from them earlier last year. I really liked the geometry of their IRS setup as it's set up like a Quadrunner with parallel linkage. I didn't have very good luck with them however as I think the owner was having some health issues at the time. I got tired of waiting and ended up purchasing a Roadsmith kit instead.

 

[WindyOne]

Please keep us posted on your response from them!

I had tried buying a complete conversion kit with the body from them earlier last year. I really liked the geometry of their IRS setup as it's set up like a Quadrunner with parallel linkage. I didn't have very good luck with them however as I think the owner was having some health issues at the time. I got tired of waiting and ended up purchasing a Roadsmith kit instead.

Sending an email on a Friday afternoon never goes well. I hope to hear from them sometime next week.

 

[pwhoever]

I'm kind of glad this topic came up. I was just recently talking to my son in laws father. He owns a Tri Glide but I'm not sure what year. He had been considering selling it but said he's not allowed to because his wife really enjoys riding on it. One thing that came up was the rough ride. I happened to mention the 2 places offering IRS upgrade for rear end and he was really interested. The Kool Trikes location is only slightly over 2 hours from him. They also offer the option of installing rake kits too but if course I also brought up the rake kits offered by Cut n Shoot as a more economical choice. Now I just have to wait and see if he ends up upgrading. I didn't think about it but should have offered my help to do the rake kit with him. We can have that conversation another day.

 

[WindyOne]

Got a reply back from Kooltrikes. Guess this will keep me from buying a 2025 RG3 just yet.

Greetings! In regards to your inquiry we are yet in development of the 2019 and newer Retrofit suspensions. The issue is the ABS/Traction control sensors. I'm hoping they will be ready this coming spring. We reuse your existing rear brakes, rotors and wheels. Some customers eliminate the electric reverse and have us install a mechanical reverse. The mechanical reverse is mounted on the right outer transmission and operates by being in neutral, pulling in the clutch, engaging the reverse gear lever and as you release the clutch the Trike will back up.The retrofit takes a week to do. Some customers ship the Trike to us or ride it here. It could work if you could take a week vacation and visit the Milwaukee Harley museum and take it home later week when it is completed. We will make the announcement when they come available! thanks! Jeff/Kool Trikes - 920-648-4800

 

[HDUSA1]

Wow, that's great!!! I was really impressed with their suspension design when I was looking at them last year.

I am a bit perplexed on their response though on the ABS/Traction control sensors. They say they reuse the existing brakes, rotors, and wheels. On my Roadsmith kit, it was the opposite. I reused my ABS/Traction control sensor and they provided a new reluctor wheel. I don't understand why they can't just make a bracket to reuse the ABS/Traction sensor as well?

I'm pretty sure they are using the proven Motor Trike mechanical reverse. Just my opinion, but would be well worth the money while they are at it.

 

[cycle7447]

Got a reply back from Kooltrikes. Guess this will keep me from buying a 2025 RG3 just yet.

Greetings! In regards to your inquiry we are yet in development of the 2019 and newer Retrofit suspensions. The issue is the ABS/Traction control sensors. I'm hoping they will be ready this coming spring. We reuse your existing rear brakes, rotors and wheels. Some customers eliminate the electric reverse and have us install a mechanical reverse. The mechanical reverse is mounted on the right outer transmission and operates by being in neutral, pulling in the clutch, engaging the reverse gear lever and as you release the clutch the Trike will back up.The retrofit takes a week to do. Some customers ship the Trike to us or ride it here. It could work if you could take a week vacation and visit the Milwaukee Harley museum and take it home later week when it is completed. We will make the announcement when they come available! thanks! Jeff/Kool Trikes - 920-648-4800

Still not sure I understand your plan. You will later buy a 2025 RG3 and have this converted by KoolTrikes?

The RG3 is $34,900. The Road Glide is $25,900 -so, that about $9K.

The KoolTrikes conversion with the things you may want will probably cost you are $15K. Converting a road glide to say a CSC will cost about $17K - difference if $2K - but, you already saved $9K on the price of the bike.

 

[WindyOne]

Still not sure I understand your plan. You will later buy a 2025 RG3 and have this converted by KoolTrikes?

The RG3 is $34,900. The Road Glide is $25,900 -so, that about $9K.

The KoolTrikes conversion with the things you may want will probably cost you are $15K. Converting a road glide to say a CSC will cost about $17K - difference if $2K - but, you already saved $9K on the price of the bike.

The reason I would, If I did do this, is that I am unable to ride the RG but can ride the RG3. If it took some time to get the IRS done at least I could be riding.
Now I am going back to square one one this.

 

[WindyOne]

Would that be the cost for dropping and adding IRS on a RG3?

 

[nucseal]

Would that be the cost for dropping and adding IRS on a RG3?

You need to give a call to Randy at Cut and Shoot before you make any decision. Get his advice, if I remember correctly he has installed IRS systems.
(346) 800-7946

 

[trike lady]

I had seen this independent suspension conversion some time ago L.A.T. Enterprises, Inc. - Power Arm Suspension Independent Suspension For Harley Tri-glide Trikes and I am wondering if anyone has seen it, it could be another choice if the price is right. Another option to improve the ride of the trike.

 

[WindyOne]

One thing I noticed in watching the videos is that no locktite was used in any of the assembly.
I did think that the aluminum parts should have been anodized.
I thought the engineering was terrific. To think someone started at a drawing board conceptualizing this assembly just amazes me. Then all the parts had to be made to exacting standards.

 

[PosseRider]

You need to give a call to Randy at Cut and Shoot before you make any decision. Get his advice, if I remember correctly he has installed IRS systems.
(346) 800-7946

100% talk with Randy first... he knows what he is doing & won't steer ya wrong

 

[DOKK]

The reason I would, If I did do this, is that I am unable to ride the RG but can ride the RG3. If it took some time to get the IRS done at least I could be riding.
Now I am going back to square one one this.

If I'm understanding correctly, you want the RG3 so you are able to ride until Kooltrikes get their kit finalized then have them install the kit. This allows you to continue riding and maybe come up with some more scratch in the mean time as well.

If that's the case, then I say stick to your plan and you will probably be happier in the long run.

 

[DK Custom Products]

You can get your RG3 riding almost as smoothly as a IRS for a fraction of the cost, plus keep the ability to do warranty work and not have shops looking at the major mods of an IRS install and not wanting to touch it.

Simply get some exceptional Front and rear suspensions on the RG3. It will be a smooth ride, no longer harsh, like they come OEM.

Rear Suspension Report

Front Suspension Report

Video of our experience with IRS vs. Great suspension-




Kevin

 

[WindyOne]

You can get your RG3 riding almost as smoothly as a IRS for a fraction of the cost, plus keep the ability to do warranty work and not have shops looking at the major mods of an IRS install and not wanting to touch it.

Simply get some exceptional Front and rear suspensions on the RG3. It will be a smooth ride, no longer harsh, like they come OEM.

Rear Suspension Report

Front Suspension Report

Video of our experience with IRS vs. Great suspension-




Kevin

Kevin I did all that( front suspension,14" shocks on rear,comfort lift, 22 lbs in rear tires) on my FW and never felt that the money spent was that much of an improvement on the quality of ride. This is why next time around I am thinking of going right to the source of the problem, that being the solid axle. Old bones feel every bump.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Kevin I did all that( front suspension,14" shocks on rear,comfort lift, 22 lbs in rear tires) on my FW and never felt that the money spent was that much of an improvement on the quality of ride. This is why next time around I am thinking of going right to the source of the problem, that being the solid axle. Old bones feel every bump.

Oh no!

I am sorry to hear that. Sounds like the front or rear (or both) suspension was not set right.

I wish we could have gotten it adjusted for you while you still had it.

Sounds like it would be good for you to ride a few different trikes that have IRS and see how you like it.

Kevin