Tow-Pac insta trike tips and tricks

[jmk865]

Just picked up a 1994 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 with a Tow-Pac insta trike already installed. I am new to triking, after 56 years of two wheeling it.
Bike is in excellant shape, with 19,000 original miles on it. I am trying to learn to ride it properly and would appreciate any suggestions anyone has.
Our local side streets are "crowned" tar and chips, highways and main roads are flat and either concrete or black top. So far the crowned side roads seem to be the most challenging.

 

[rivercityjack]

I had an older Honda GoldWing with a Tow Pac 12" wheel setup. I purchased it installed on the Honda and found it difficult to handle sometimes with the road and the wind.
After looking at it for a time I decided to remove the fenders so I could see what was happening to the suspension when I was riding it slow around a parking lot and over bumps and while sharp turning. I moved the bracketing and adjustments so the the wheels on the kit were exactly even with the straight line of the rear wheel on the bike, and then added about an 1/8" of toe in to the front of the wheel on the Toe Pac and as close as I could to straight up and down when the bike was parked on the level. Also check the alignment of the bike axels front to rear to make sure the bike is lined up first and then set up the TowPac. Adjust the down pressure on the tires last. It worked wonders as to riding after that. Almost no different than a regular motorcycle except no lean on the turns. TowPac has a really nice Service Dept. that is very helpful also.
Hope this helps. Jack

 

[jmk865]

Thanks !

 

[ridgetill]

I purchased the Tow-Pac Instatrike for our 2006 HD Ultra Classic in Oct 2011. My wife does not feel comfortable riding two wheels anymore behind me, so we looked at various possibilities. We purchased the TP because it allows me to ride two wheels when I go alone and four wheels when my wife rides with me. I can put the TP on in 15 minutes and take it off in 10. We take it along to Arizona or Florida with us in the winter time and ride then. We live in Iowa so no riding from Nov through March usually. It is much cheaper than a trike or conversion and still allows me to ride two wheels.

 

[jmk865]

I've only had this bike two days; and haven't had much of a chance to try and learn how to ride it safely. Right now it's so **** hot I don't want to subject myself or the bike to overheating, so I'm waiting for a little cool down before trying it again. What I'd really like is a large empty parking lot; but don't have one in the area; so will have to make do with side roads. I'm really hoping this all works out well and this old guy can continue riding. I did find out I'll have to get a longer shift peg. Due to a foot problem; the peg is way too short for me to get to it.

 

[dadztoy]

I just picked up an Insta-Trike kit for my 2009 Gold Wing... I have ridden it a total of about 100 miles now and am pretty well satisfied with it... Steering effort can be high at times but for the most part, it is a pretty decent ride... Interesting comments by river city jack - I may look into his adjustments a bit further...

I bought it for those times when the wife and I are on a trip and loaded heavy - just a little more peace of mind as this 67 year old body isn't as strong as it used to be... I'm in the process of getting it painted to match my silver bike - then it will look a whole lot better than the basic black it is supplied in...

Les

 

[Mick]

I've only had this bike two days; and haven't had much of a chance to try and learn how to ride it safely. Right now it's so **** hot I don't want to subject myself or the bike to overheating, so I'm waiting for a little cool down before trying it again. What I'd really like is a large empty parking lot; but don't have one in the area; so will have to make do with side roads. I'm really hoping this all works out well and this old guy can continue riding. I did find out I'll have to get a longer shift peg. Due to a foot problem; the peg is way too short for me to get to it.

I wonder if this would workout for your shifter?
Ilium Works 10-300 Shift Lever Extension - BMW Motorcycle Shifter Extender : Amazon.com : Automotive

 

[jmk865]

That shifter extender might just do the trick. Thanks for telling me about it.
Did venture over to our local high school parking lot since it was deserted on a Sunday morning. Rode around for a while, doing right and left turns, figure 8's etc. Bike rides amazingly well on a flat paved surface. From what I have experienced so far and read on this site; crowned, tar and chip side roads are not the best learning place. As soon as I get the shifter where I want it, I do have several well paved rural highways that are low traffic roads; so will be able to start getting some decent mileage in the saddle.
Thanks again.

 

[jmk865]

Shifter problem resolved with an extension and also raised it a bit. Things well within my reach now. Ventured out to some rural highways and the bike runs, and handles extremely well and is very comfortable. Been trying to find a rig like this for two years or more and it appears I have gotten really lucky to find this one. Thanks for all the advice everyone.

 

[jmk865]

I am also curious as to how much clearance people have between the rear motorcycle tire and the cross piece at the rear of the trike kit. Mine is approx. 1/2". It doesn't appear to be adjustable; but nothing's rubbing so I am hoping this is correct. I tried e-mailing Tow-Pac; but they say it depends on what rear tire is on the bike and this clearance can vary(makes sense). I asked them if an owners manual was available since there wasn't one with the trike' and they said to call to order one ($15), and I plan to do that. I have around 600 miles on the trike so far and am enjoying it greatly; in no small part due to picking up a lot of tips from people on this forum.

 

[dadztoy]

I just out new Bridgestones on my bike with the Insta Trike installed and it was a real b**** getting the new tire on the rear...

I ended up having to remove the brake pads, hang the tire by one bolt, in order to get enough room between the tire, caliper, and Tow Pac frame to get the new tire on... Then I had to reinstall the pads again once the tire and caliper were in place... Oh yeah, I also had to get the rear Centramatic balancer on too!!! WOW - what a PITA!!!

Glad I don't do this real often!!! If anyone knows a better way, I'd love to hear about it...

Les

 

[jmk865]

Almost 1200 miles on the Vulcan now and enjoying it more every day. Put new tires, battery, tune-up, oil and filter change, coolant change, gear oil change, etc. Now I know for sure when last maintainance has been done. Wife has been going with me and enjoys the ride without worrying that I'll dump her on her head at a stop...lol Bike is great and the only thing I'm trying to figure out now is why the previous owner wanted to go back to two wheels (he's older than I am).

 

[dadztoy]

Tow Pac is only about 90 miles south of me so I went down there and had them initially install my Insta Trike Kit... Since then I have readjusted a few things and on a recent 650 mile trip to Tennessee, the left rear lean stop broke loose and the entire bike was leaning to the left for a good deal of the trip... Other than being difficult to steer straight no apparent harm was done...

Upon arriving at our home in Tennessee, I jacked up that side of the bike and repositioned the left lean stop to where it was initially installed... This led me to looking closely at the installation and wondering just how all the adjustments on the kit interacted and related to each other...

I called Jeremy at Tow Pac and had a lengthy discussion with him (2 discussions actually) and I'm going to do a complete readjustment of the kit so I know exactly how the geometry of everything ties together...

I'm currently back in Illinois but will be back in Tennessee in or around the late November time frame and this adjustment procedure will be a good winter project...

Tire wear on the 650 mile trip looked quite good in terms of alignment, but I'll be checking the kit to make sure the tires are parallel with the rear tire... I'll report back when I'm done with all the readjusting and may post some photos as well...

The more I work with this Tow Pac kit, the better I like it... It is handling well and was thousands cheaper than a regular conversion... I like it because of the easy switch back to 2 wheels...

Anyway, those are my plans for the near future with the Tow Pac kit...

Les

 

[wehrme]

I just out new Bridgestones on my bike with the Insta Trike installed and it was a real b**** getting the new tire on the rear...

I ended up having to remove the brake pads, hang the tire by one bolt, in order to get enough room between the tire, caliper, and Tow Pac frame to get the new tire on... Then I had to reinstall the pads again once the tire and caliper were in place... Oh yeah, I also had to get the rear Centramatic balancer on too!!! WOW - what a PITA!!!

Glad I don't do this real often!!! If anyone knows a better way, I'd love to hear about it...

Les

I have a 2012 w/Insta-trike. Easiest way to change rear tire is to remove trike, lay the GW on it's side (videos available). Rear wheel off in 5 minutes.

 

[jmk865]

I aquired my Tow-Pac insta trike equipped 1994 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 last July. I immediately took it to my mechanic and had all fluids changed, new tires installed, and had him go over the bike throughly to be sure nothing was going to be a problem down the road. The trike now has 4000 of "my" miles on it and I haven't had the first problem with it. Total mileage on the bike is 23,000 (it had 19,000 when I got it). It rides and handles fine and any speed I choose to go up to 80 or so. I figured that was fast enough for a 71 year old man...lol Now it's a matter of doing proper maintainance and enjoying the additional years going to a trike have provided me.

 

[dadztoy]

I have a 2012 w/Insta-trike. Easiest way to change rear tire is to remove trike, lay the GW on it's side (videos available). Rear wheel off in 5 minutes.

I had the bike up on my Handy Lift and there wasn't enough clearance for the tire and the new tire didn't want to "give" as much as the old tire even with no air in it... I doubt laying the bike on it's side would make much difference in my case... Could be a difference between your 2012 and my 2009???

Les

 

[tfdeputydawg]

I had the bike up on my Handy Lift and there wasn't enough clearance for the tire and the new tire didn't want to "give" as much as the old tire even with no air in it... I doubt laying the bike on it's side would make much difference in my case... Could be a difference between your 2012 and my 2009???

Les

Puzzled here
As far as I know, no difference in changing rear tire.
Remove the training wheels. Either use the lay down method or remove the rear fender.

 

[Mick]

 

[dadztoy]

Thanks for the video Mick - I have seen it before and I understand the concept... My point is simply that the Tow Pac sub-frame is narrower than the stock GW frame and therefore complicates tire removal...

If others have different experiences, I would love to hear about them and photos would be a plus...

Les

 

[HarleyBob]

Think about getting a Tow Pac Kit

I have a 2003 Harley Ultra Classic I bought new and now have only 12,000 on it! I'm almost 70 YO It's time to trike it. My first pick is a Hannigun trike kit but would cost $16,000.00 I sure can't afford that on a fixed income! I see no one has been on the thread in a long time. It you read this is the Tow Pac kits still working OK for you guys?