Some advice on Lehman Trike

[Mrgimpy]

I have a 99 Suzuki Intruder Lehman trike. I had clutch issues the other day. Seems the clutch got hot while out riding. My group was riding around the mountains and all seemed well until the ride back down. My clutch wasn't shifting and the clutch handle was very, very soft. After sitting around for 30 mins, everything seemed back to normal. My buddies think its the kit weight causing strain on the clutch. Others have said it's air in the clutch line getting hot and expanding causing these issues. I have no idea, but was wondering how much does the Lehman kit change when installed on a bike. If I have to put a ton of money into this bike because of the kit, I'd rather sell it and put the money into something that is built for a trike like a Harley Freestyle or Can Am.

 

[Gorilla]

I'm not familiar with your trike but when you trike a 2 wheeler you add about 400+ lbs to it. Also if you were all ready close to the gross vehicle weight as a 2 wheeler that would over tax the drive train which effects the clutch first. Now with that being said sounds like you heated the clutch up and after it cooled off it was fine. You could just look and see what upgrading to a heavy duty clutch would cost VS replacing the trike unless you are leaning that way to start with. Good Luck

 

[mhgoldwing]

You didn't say which of the three engines it has and is the clutch hydraulic or cable operated?

If the clutch is hydraulic I suspect the clutch fluid needs to be changed and bled. If that doesn't solve the problem then you have need clutch plate service.

 

[Mrgimpy]

You didn't say which of the three engines it has and is the clutch hydraulic or cable operated?

If the clutch is hydraulic I suspect the clutch fluid needs to be changed and bled. If that doesn't solve the problem then you have need clutch plate service.

It's a 1400 and has a hydraulic clutch.

 

[mhgoldwing]

It's a 1400 and has a hydraulic clutch.

With that engine the clutch should be plenty strong to handle trike with no problems. Simplest item first would be to flush clutch system with fresh brake fluid and bleed. Be sure to clean junk out of reservoir if any found.

 

[jjvw]

When our 1400 had a clutch problem due to overheating, flushing and changing the fluid to Amsoil, solved it. No problems for 10,000 miles until the bike was destroyed in a fire.

 

[Sinical]

Agreed that it sounds like the fluid in the clutch reservoir needs to be changed and bled.

Unfortunately, both the VS800 and VS1400 have weak factory clutch springs. Not saying that this is the problem, but just a head's up for future reference. If the clutch ever starts slipping, you can replace the factory springs with heavy duty aftermarket clutch springs like EBC or Vesrah.