Slooooooow

[2234ME]

Hey guys, Just getting used to my RK/MT conversion Handles like a tank and has a very low speed wobble so I guess I'll be giving Zook some money. But my biggest complaint is this trike is slow as S#!t. Don't know if I'm expecting to much coming off a two wheeler. What is the top speed. And what is the top safe speed Thanks Steve

 

[Gorilla]

Hey guys, Just getting used to my RK/MT conversion Handles like a tank and has a very low speed wobble so I guess I'll be giving Zook some money. But my biggest complaint is this trike is slow as S#!t. Don't know if I'm expecting to much coming off a two wheeler. What is the top speed. And what is the top safe speed Thanks Steve

Congrats Steve, You don't say what year RK you have. ie what size motor. You have added 3 to 4 hundred lbs and a lot more wind resistance. Yes the rake kit will help alot to ease that steering. Might have to hop up the motor a bit. You also might need to consider the front pulley change discussed on the forum.

Ted

 

[FLTR2008TRIKE]

LoL 300 to 400 lbs.....the Motortrike Trog kit weighs 185 total. The Gladiator might weigh in around 200.

Wind resistance is your biggest drag for slowing down you trike.

 

[09Mug]

Sort of agree with both posts. Right from Motortrike website will add around 300 lbs. with the gladiator kit. Have to realize that your turning two wheels in the rear vs one on the bike. Plus being wider the wind kills ya a but as well.
I am in the process of changing out the clutch, and the rear tranny sprocket. Still also thinking about the cams as well.

 

[DK Custom Products]

As has been said, the extra weight, extra drivetrain components (tires especially), extra wind resistance all add up to reduce felt power on acceleration. This is especially noticeable the faster you go.

Another factor is heat. We all have experienced that our bikes run better (stronger) in cool weather. The engine will heat up faster, and get hotter on a trike than a 2 wheeled bike, so anything you can do to cool down the engine is beneficial speed/power wise.

After that, it is a matter of gearing and/or increasing ft lbs of torque via tuning, Stage I, II, III or IV upgrades.

Kevin

 

[2234ME]

Thanks for all the input. Having come from the two wheel world and having a habit of stroking,carb,pipes.cams, I feel like this thing is a real dog. Had it on rt 41 through the Marion Nat Forest in SC. I got it to a whopping 84mph IMHO that is sloooooow. Are these trikes meant to go faster or am I spending some time and money this winter I realize this speed may seem excessive but if on the highway in a 70mph zone and I,m 5 over if I have to exhilarate out of harms way I'm screwed.

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I just realized I never said it's a 2003 RK Classic with a TC88 the only performance upgrade is V&H pipes

 

[BinIdaho]

Thanks for all the input. Having come from the two wheel world and having a habit of stroking,carb,pipes.cams, I feel like this thing is a real dog. Had it on rt 41 through the Marion Nat Forest in SC. I got it to a whopping 84mph IMHO that is sloooooow. Are these trikes meant to go faster or am I spending some time and money this winter I realize this speed may seem excessive but if on the highway in a 70mph zone and I,m 5 over if I have to exhilarate out of harms way I'm screwed.

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I just realized I never said it's a 2003 RK Classic with a TC88 the only performance upgrade is V&H pipes

Downshifting is your best friend! You can't expect to ride the trike like you did on 2-wheels.

 

[tom w]

my friend had a little too much nehi last week end and I had to ride his street glide home. I was all excited to be back on two wheels ! (2013 with 103) I was really disappointed by the power and torque of the stock motor after riding my 110 stage 4. IMO cams and a good tune would make a huge difference.

a little adjustment may make you a lot happier.

 

[DK Custom Products]

Thanks for all the input. Having come from the two wheel world and having a habit of stroking,carb,pipes.cams, I feel like this thing is a real dog. Had it on rt 41 through the Marion Nat Forest in SC. I got it to a whopping 84mph IMHO that is sloooooow. Are these trikes meant to go faster or am I spending some time and money this winter I realize this speed may seem excessive but if on the highway in a 70mph zone and I,m 5 over if I have to exhilarate out of harms way I'm screwed.

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I just realized I never said it's a 2003 RK Classic with a TC88 the only performance upgrade is V&H pipes

I'm with you on the acceleration at top end...last night I was headed home, flowing with traffic at about 78 mph, there were several times where I accelerated quickly up to 85-90 mph to get past a semis & weaving cages.

Changing out the front drive pulley/sprocket might give you the best bang for your buck on acceleration.

Is it carbed or EFI? Free flowing air filter? If not, a free flowing filter and a tune will yield some more torque also.

Kevin

 

[2234ME]

I'm with you on the acceleration at top end...last night I was headed home, flowing with traffic at about 78 mph, there were several times where I accelerated quickly up to 85-90 mph to get past a semis & weaving cages.

Changing out the front drive pulley/sprocket might give you the best bang for your buck on acceleration.

Is it carbed or EFI? Free flowing air filter? If not, a free flowing filter and a tune will yield some more torque also.

Kevin

Hey Kevin It,s a EFI my first non carbed bike I know nothing about the tune kits Stage 1,2,3&4 or a free flow filter I,m an old school S&S guy who can't spell accelerate any help would be appreciated

 

[sandrooney]

My wife had an 05 RK/MT conversion and it was a dog way way underpowered. I took out the 88 inch motor and installed an S&S 111 and it was great. For a short time I had an 02 EGC/MT conversion with a 95 kit with 255 cams pipes and tuner and Screaming Eagle heads. It was just fine not as good as the 111 but drivable. I never rode 2 up so don't know about that.

 

[msocko3]

Thanks for all the input. Having come from the two wheel world and having a habit of stroking,carb,pipes.cams, I feel like this thing is a real dog. Had it on rt 41 through the Marion Nat Forest in SC. I got it to a whopping 84mph IMHO that is sloooooow. Are these trikes meant to go faster or am I spending some time and money this winter I realize this speed may seem excessive but if on the highway in a 70mph zone and I,m 5 over if I have to exhilarate out of harms way I'm screwed.

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I just realized I never said it's a 2003 RK Classic with a TC88 the only performance upgrade is V&H pipes

The 88 is a little on the small size for a Trike, its possible to pump it up a touch with some cams and change in gearing. You can choose a gear change a couple ways, you could go with the 30 tooth transmission sprocket, or a primary gearing change. In the primary you could go from the present 3.15 to a 3.37. The down side to either gearing change is around a 200 rpm increased.

 

[2234ME]

Didn't Harley make trikes in first a 74" and also an 80" ?

 

[FLTR2008TRIKE]

Didn't Harley make trikes in first a 74" and also an 80" ?

Servicar models were strictly utilitarian service 3 wheelers for around the city and local use. They were never designed for highway use.

The clips in the rear axles were a weak link.

 

[2234ME]

Servicar Trikes were 45's and very rare 80" flatheads I know this because I rode one as a kid. A 53. They had ford rears on them and had a top speed of about 60mph. I'm talking about Harley trikes with Lehman kits. Trikes from the 70's and 80's. I Know very little about modern trikes but I was led to believe that Harley never made their own trikes they outsourced them to Lehman and just recently purchased Lehman. My point is if a 1980 80" powered a trike why then would a TC88 be under powered. MT is making a trike for a 650cc Japanese bike

 

[Sloufoot]

Servicar Trikes were 45's and very rare 80" flatheads I know this because I rode one as a kid. A 53. They had ford rears on them and had a top speed of about 60mph. I'm talking about Harley trikes with Lehman kits. Trikes from the 70's and 80's. I Know very little about modern trikes but I was led to believe that Harley never made their own trikes they outsourced them to Lehman and just recently purchased Lehman. My point is if a 1980 80" powered a trike why then would a TC88 be under powered. MT is making a trike for a 650cc Japanese bike

No, the servicar was also made for later utilitarian trikes that were used for police as traffic control. They had the '74 engine, & probably other engines. Almost like the older 45 inch models in shape. I don't remember when they quit making those.
They weren't very good on the highway either. Never geared for that. Mainly putting around on surface streets. If you want to run the TC88 series you could do that, but I wouldn't want one stock for highway use. It would either be slow on top end, or low on power or both. But I bet there are a lot of those out there. 74ci = 1200cc...... If you aren't in a hurry they might work great.
Remember, with a full body you gain almost 300# & gain a lot of wind resistance with the design from 2 wheels. The kits for the Sportster's are mostly no rear body. But work great.
Most in the past previous to the Harley Tri Guide there were custom trikes, & home built, some from the servicar that were stripped down to just rear fenders & a seat. Much less wind resistance & weight.
The first trikes did use Lehman for the rear of the trike, but The way I understand Harley only did that one year. Then did their own. Same basic design, but not made by Lehman. In fact I think Lehman assembled the first editions. I could be wrong.

Lehman is owned by Champion Co.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Servicar Trikes were 45's and very rare 80" flatheads I know this because I rode one as a kid. A 53. They had ford rears on them and had a top speed of about 60mph. I'm talking about Harley trikes with Lehman kits. Trikes from the 70's and 80's. I Know very little about modern trikes but I was led to believe that Harley never made their own trikes they outsourced them to Lehman and just recently purchased Lehman. My point is if a 1980 80" powered a trike why then would a TC88 be under powered. MT is making a trike for a 650cc Japanese bike

The first year of manufacture for the Tri-Glide saw the "front" built by HD, shipped to Lehman, where the "trike" portion was added.
The Tri-Glide then went "in-house" to HD.
Champion purchased Lehman after that.
Under powered is the reason HD has been putting larger motors in not only their trikes but, also their other models! Having said that, how big a motor does one need to run the speed limit!!?? Loved my "88" Ultras. Had more than enough "go" for me!

 

[msocko3]

No, the servicar was also made for later utilitarian trikes that were used for police as traffic control. They had the '74 engine, & probably other engines. Almost like the older 45 inch models in shape. I don't remember when they quit making those. They weren't very good on the highway either. Never geared for that. Mainly putting around on surface streets. If you want to run the TC88 series you could do that, but I wouldn't want one stock for highway use. It would either be slow on top end, or low on power or both. But I bet there are a lot of those out there. 74ci = 1200cc...... If you aren't in a hurry they might work great. Remember, with a full body you gain almost 300# & gain a lot of wind resistance with the design from 2 wheels. The kits for the Sportster's are mostly no rear body. But work great. Most in the past previous to the Harley Tri Guide there were custom trikes, & home built, some from the servicar that were stripped down to just rear fenders & a seat. Much less wind resistance & weight. The first trikes did use Lehman for the rear of the trike, but The way I understand Harley only did that one year. Then did their own. Same basic design, but not made by Lehman. In fact I think Lehman assembled the first editions. I could be wrong. Lehman is owned by Champion Co.

Lehman helped Harley with the engineering of the Triglide, they also assembled the 2009 - 2010 back half at their factory. Starting with the 2011 MY Harley moved the total build to the York Pa plant.

 

[sandrooney]

I thought it was just the 09 that was assembled by Lehman .

 

[pcombe]

I have an 80" evo on my old tour glide with an e-27 cam (just a might hotter than stock) and suits me fine with a top end a little over 90MPH. No other modifications were made. This one is a new engine but the old one had 91,000 miles on it (set up exactly the same) and it still ran fine with nothing more than regular maintenance,just developed an oil leak under the cylinder
How much faster do I need to go?
I have great low end torque and good enough roll on power.

I am of the school of thinking that the more you do to an engine the more you will have to do to an engine?

 

[Sloufoot]

Lehman helped Harley with the engineering of the Triglide, they also assembled the 2009 - 2010 back half at their factory. Starting with the 2011 MY Harley moved the total build to the York Pa plant.

Thanks Mike...:Trike1:

 

[msocko3]

I thought it was just the 09 that was assembled by Lehman .

It was 09 - 10, when I ordered my 10 we followed it from the York plant where the front half was produced, to the Lehman plant in SD and to a distribution center in WI. It was then shipped to the Harley dealer, the method of packing has also changed. This is my 10 the day it showed up at the dealer.



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I have an 80" evo on my old tour glide with an e-27 cam (just a might hotter than stock) and suits me fine with a top end a little over 90MPH. No other modifications were made. This one is a new engine but the old one had 91,000 miles on it (set up exactly the same) and it still ran fine with nothing more than regular maintenance,just developed an oil leak under the cylinder
How much faster do I need to go?
I have great low end torque and good enough roll on power.

I am of the school of thinking that the more you do to an engine the more you will have to do to an engine?

You have an advantage the OP doesn't, your bike had the 3.37 primary gear ratio which makes it handle the trike a whole lot better.

 

[pcombe]

It was 09 - 10, when I ordered my 10 we followed it from the York plant where the front half was produced, to the Lehman plant in SD and to a distribution center in WI. It was then shipped to the Harley dealer, the method of packing has also changed. This is my 10 the day it showed up at the dealer.

View attachment 21737

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You have an advantage the OP doesn't, your bike had the 3.37 primary gear ratio which makes it handle the trike a whole lot better.

Being behind the times on other models I had assumed the ratio was the same?

What was I Thinking?
The sixties were very good to me Mike!

 

[roadking2]

I have a converted Roadking that started out life as a 88. I put a 95 kit and a 204 cam in it plus intake and exhaust, and I don't have any power problems. It isn't as robust as it was as a 2 wheeler, but the power is there if I need to give it a kick from 75 mph. All the mods were done years ago when the bike was new. My next mod to give it a little more umph is going to be gearing.

 

[msocko3]

I have a converted Roadking that started out life as a 88. I put a 95 kit and a 204 cam in it plus intake and exhaust, and I don't have any power problems. It isn't as robust as it was as a 2 wheeler, but the power is there if I need to give it a kick from 75 mph. All the mods were done years ago when the bike was new. My next mod to give it a little more umph is going to be gearing.

95" and 204 cams is a good combination, my dad had an 06 Ultra Classic with that combination plus some port work on the heads.

 

[2234ME]

Thanks for all the GREAT input! I've been checking into the 95 kit and the cam conversion seems like that will give me the best bang for the buck. can someone recommend a intake for the TC88 that wont put me in the doghouse with the wife. Somehow she just doesn't get it when I try to explain that I NEED to spend a couple more grand cuz my trike isn't fast enough. You would think after 33 years of marriage and numerous bikes she would catch on. Life and toys sure was easier before I retired and had I a slush fund

 

[FLTR2008TRIKE]

Thanks for all the GREAT input! I've been checking into the 95 kit and the cam conversion seems like that will give me the best bang for the buck. can someone recommend a intake for the TC88 that wont put me in the doghouse with the wife. Somehow she just doesn't get it when I try to explain that I NEED to spend a couple more grand cuz my trike isn't fast enough. You would think after 33 years of marriage and numerous bikes she would catch on. Life and toys sure was easier before I retired and had I a slush fund

Good head work and port work on your intake and TB would yield some good results to work with your cams and big bore upgrade