tank slap or wobble

[jveon427]

We just added the 6 degree ez steer rake kit to our 2000 Honda Goldwing Trike (voyager trike kit), now it has tank slap or high speed wobble when you hit a bump or get it up to 65 mph. Any suggestions how to correct this problem? Any information is greatly appreciated.

 

[bugcatcher]

I have 6 degree on my 1998 Goldwing SE. Make sure the steering nut is adjusted. The adjustment is in the shop manual. Those are taperlock bearings
and must be seated properly. Thats my thoughts, I installed mine myself got it from Zook here on the forum. Also make sure the upper and lower tree bolts are tight and the tubes are equal on top of the tree. Also measure the distance on each side of the disc brake to make sure the wheel is in the center of the forks, this can be adjusted with the axle nut. Tire wear and wheel balance can cause this also. Hope this helps, wobble can be very scarey.

 

[pastence]

I have been told by Sideffects of Ca. that you should not use a rake kit on a four wheel trike like the tow pac or voyeger becase of things like that . I would go back to stock rake or do a full convert to a three wheel trike then install the rake kit

 

[Denny Tattoos]

I converted my Triumph Legend and it had very bad tank slap anytime I hit a bump with one or both rear wheels. I could live with the wobble but was concerned should I ever let someone ride my bike. They do not make raked trees for my bike so I opted for a steering damper. The difference is like night and day. It is hard to believe such a small addition could make such a difference. Photo of bike and damper attached. Click on the thumbnail to enlarge.

I wish now that I had done it sooner. pepper

 

[Nana]

Welcome to TrikeTalk!
I am not the expert in this area, Bazooka is; but I know Pastence is correct that a rake kit is NOT recommended with the bolt-on addition of the Voyager kits. The main concern I have heard is that the bike will be dangerous to ride if/when the kit is removed and it is a 2-wheeler again. The rake is highly recommended for a true 3-wheel trike, however.

Please contact Bazooka here on the forum to clarify this. I would not like to hear that you were at risk in any way!

 

[slick rick]

A friend went to a local trike builder and was told the same thing which I thought was very honest . He runs a Tow Pac outrigger kit on a 1800 and was complaining about steering hard , which I didn't think was that bad ....ThumbUp

 

[pcombe]

:Shrug: I know it's tempting to try to save money by using the voyager kit and some would argue that they like them. I have no problem with that.

I am afraid you have caused yourself a dangerous situation when the kit is on and an even more dangerous one when its taken off.

The rake on a two wheeler will likley make it really difficult to ride in a safe manner?
I should think it would try to fall into corners? and the steering will be to sensitive?

I expect you paid about $1,200.00 for the easy steer.
My advice would be to convert the whole bike or loose the easy steer.

 

[Papa Zook]

I have sold quite a few rake kits to Voyager owners over the past ten years and have never had a tank slap complaint. Two things to look at, one the rake kit has to be properly torqued to 35 LBS and two, the Voyager Kit has to be set up right for the trike to handle properly. The preload on the rear wheels has to be set right and the air pressure on all tires has to also be right. This is very important on Voyager kits. You're welcome to give me a call at (334)648-0157.

 

[pcombe]

I have sold quite a few rake kits to Voyager owners over the past ten years and have never had a tank slap complaint. Two things to look at, one the rake kits has to be properly torqued to 35 LBS and two, the Voyager Kit has to be set up right for the trike to handle properly. The preload on the rear wheels has to be set right and the air pressure on all tires has to also be right. This is very important on Voyager kits. You're welcome to give me a call at (334)648-0157.

Zook, my friend:
What happens when he removes the voyager kit and trys to run as a two wheeler?

 

[skuuter]

Zook, my friend:
What happens when he removes the voyager kit and trys to run as a two wheeler?

Possibly not as much as some Folks think.....with good, experienced Riders, Raked Trees on a 2-Wheeler are not that bad. We used to run Raked Trees a lot on 2-Wheeler Choppers to keep Them sitting level after extending the Fork Tubes. You will feel it more in a slow parking lot maneuver ("wheel flop"), than actually out on the road. Raked Trees on a 2-Wheeler actually feel really stable on long straight road cruises. Main difference on a 2-Wheeler is Your steering will feel a tad "sluggish" (slowed down response over stock to the amount of handlebar input), but nothing that a few hundred miles of acclimation won't cure.....ThumbUp...Fork Braces, such as the SUPER BRACE help with Parking Lot Stability when using Raked Trees on a 2-Wheeler also.....ThumbUp

 

[pcombe]

Possibly not as much as some Folks think.....with good, experienced Riders, Raked Trees on a 2-Wheeler are not that bad. We used to run Raked Trees a lot on 2-Wheeler Choppers to keep Them sitting level after extending the Fork Tubes. You will feel it more in a slow parking lot maneuver ("wheel flop"), than actually out on the road. Raked Trees on a 2-Wheeler actually feel really stable on long straight road cruises. Main difference on a 2-Wheeler is Your steering will feel a tad "sluggish" (slowed down response over stock to the amount of handlebar input), but nothing that a few hundred miles of acclimation won't cure.....ThumbUp...Fork Braces, such as the SUPER BRACE help with Parking Lot Stability when using Raked Trees on a 2-Wheeler also.....ThumbUp

I know you are correct by having built and rode choppers years before.
I guess i just thought of a full dressed goldwings weight and bulkiness and its feeling of falling into corners with the raked front end.
When cornering i try to look through the corner instead of directly in front of the bike to keep from constantly correcting my path. Makes traveling through a corner smoother.

I have ridden bikes in need of a cross brace to stop fork flex. It's a real scary feeling, It's the feeling of falling into a corner. I thought this full dressed Honda may imitate that feeling even though fork flex should not be an issue?

I guess the proof will be in the puddin?

 

[Papa Zook]

skuuter is exactly right...most people think a two wheeler with a rake will immediately be dangerous, but history has proven that isnt exactly true. They can be ridden after being raked even the Gold Wings and Harley dressers...Are they going to handle the same as stock...no. Are they going to be dangerous..Only if you push them to an unsafe limit such as riding switchbacks as an unsafe speed. That said, I still dont recommend a person rake a outrigger trike if he ever intends to ever take the trike kit off.