Triax Trike Kit

[Bob Witte]

Bob Thanks for the link, sounds like this may be a solution, I have already emailed them. My ride through the Saguaro National Park was interesting, I had a couple of curves I really had to muscle thru, I think I even lifted the opposite wheel one time, didn't like the feel at all. At least now I have a baseline to go off of.

By the way, although I haven't done business with them myself, I've spoken to several folks that are familar with this outfit and they have a very good reputation. It appears to be a small, family operation -- my favorite kind!

Bob Witte
The Trinity Trike

 

[Capt Chaos]

I heard back from the Steerite people today, I was given a lengthy answer to my questions I am going to post here. Very interest but dissapointing.

Hi Larry: Thank you for contacting us. The Triax Trike Kit, like the Voyager and Tow Pak system, is indeed an innovative approach to triking and the very nature of the principle behind these systems relies on a certain amount of wheel travel at these additional wheels to compensate for variable terrain etc. and enable the bikes rear wheel to continue to do its job properly. Two things have always made us hesitate supplying customers with these conversions;
One - the obvious possibility that your trike conversion can be easily removed, suggests that the bike can indeed be operated as a solo machine. When we modify triple trees we remove approximately 65% of the original trail value (caster) to attain the light, yet controlled power steering effect that we are so famous for with our Steerite modification. To use our modified trees on a solo bike would court disaster, as insufficient trail induces high speed wobbles, removes most of the cycles sense of direction and generally feels very discomforting (read – weird). Any modified trees that reduce trail must only be used with more than two wheels (not single track).

Two - if the trike conversion remains always on the bike, the donor motorcycle, for the most part, must not be allowed to move independently from the supporting wheels. If this does occur, then the steering head of the donor motorcycle can also lean from side to side emulating it's origins as a solo bike and therefore, tends to have the traits mentioned in the first paragraph. The end result is not as disastrous as in the first notation, but allows the trike as a unit to feel insecure in it's sense of direction (tracking is destabilized) yet the steering will be substantially easier than the unmodified trees. So you see the Steerite modification will greatly improve the steering department as far as effort is concerned, but with these trike conversions, along the lines of and including yours, the end result trades off some stability.

We have done hundreds of triple trees for customers with sidecars or conventional full trike conversions throughout the world with 100% satisfaction and because of our extensive expertise in this area, knowing how these (4 wheel) systems work, we simply cannot supply you with our Steerite modification. This has been our policy regarding these particular innovative trike conversions. Excuse us if we have expressed ourselves somewhat overdetaily, but every industry has a 'gray' area and we feel it only fair to address the questions and concerns correctly. This attitude to doing business this way has made us a world leader in this field and sorry we can't help you but hope this info helps to explain why.


Kind regards,

Donna M. Smith
Kamloops, BC
Canada

Tel : (250) 573-2364
Fax : (250) 573-2365

 

[Bob Witte]

Disappointing yes, but very classy nonetheless. That was a $500 worth of free consulting!! They certainly rank high with me! :yes:

Bob Witte
The Trinity Trike

 

[Nana]

I agree with Bob...... That was a VERY nice response from them! We appreciate you sharing it all with us too. It will answer questions for a lot of people here.

 

[Capt Chaos]

Yes they did take a lot of time to explain things, I replied back to them with a question about EZ Steer that alot of the outrigger bikes use, here is their response.

Hi Larry: Our modification is basically taking your triple tree and modifying it by cutting, moving sections, filling and rewelding; whereas the EZ Steer is a billet replacement triple tree, doing the same function; reducing the stock trail. If they (Champion) knew their product was going on a non-traditional trike, they probably wouldn't (or shouldn't) have sold them. Once a bike has been triked (three wheels only) it's pretty safe to say that it's never going back to a solo; so the modification will do the job, handle correctly and be great to ride. But because a bike with the 'add on' wheels still has the rear wheel in place, it can still lean slightly, between the outrigger wheels, so in cornering, the bike could lift one of the outrigger wheels and cause the bike to go in the opposite direction and that's a diaster waiting to happen. We don't want to be liable in the event that something went wrong and would strongly urge you not to go with any form of modified steering on this type of 'non-traditional' trike. The people that make these types of trike kits should be aware of this, if they have done their homework, they should be able to advise their customers that it is not a safe undertaking to change the steering.

Kind regards,
Donna M. Smith
Kamloops, BC
Canada
If I ever get a real trike, I will use these people

 

[Gorilla]

I think the proper action would be to leave well enough alone. Enjoy the ride. When you can then upgrade to a complete trike with a raked fork.

 

[Capt Chaos]

Completed pictures of my Triax Nomad are now posted in my albums. I took it for a ride thru some twistes and she did pretty good.

 

[Capt Chaos]

Hello, I guess it is time to wrap up my Triax saga, I have posted bits and pieces in several different threads, and now I can't fine the one I am looking for. So hear goes nothing. On my third ride with the Triax kit, I left my gloves on the passenger seat, when I was going about 30 -35 mph, I remembered and reached back to see if they had fallen of yet. All of a sudden the handle bars started whipping back and forth to the point I almost lost control. After experimenting with air pressures and reading from the TT in regards to this problem, I decided to first tighten the steering down and to add a MPA. Of course they don't make it in my size, 150/80/16 so I went with a Bridgestone Battlax BT45V Sport Touring rear tire, mounted on the front backwords. Well... that took care of at least 90% of the problem!!! I rode it home through Tucson Mountain Park with lots of twisties going the speed limit and had a very injoyable ride. Something I couldn't say last week no matter how slow I went.
Remember
Ride Safe, Always

 

[Nana]

Great report, Capt Chaos! All your adventures will make things easier for the next new member! Appreciate you sharing the solution

 

[John Luciano]

That front tire (actually rear tire on the front) makes a whole lot of difference.

 

[Gorilla]

Hello, I guess it is time to wrap up my Triax saga, I have posted bits and pieces in several different threads, and now I can't fine the one I am looking for. So hear goes nothing. On my third ride with the Triax kit, I left my gloves on the passenger seat, when I was going about 30 -35 mph, I remembered and reached back to see if they had fallen of yet. All of a sudden the handle bars started whipping back and forth to the point I almost lost control. After experimenting with air pressures and reading from the TT in regards to this problem, I decided to first tighten the steering down and to add a MPA. Of course they don't make it in my size, 150/80/16 so I went with a Bridgestone Battlax BT45V Sport Touring rear tire, mounted on the front backwords. Well... that took care of at least 90% of the problem!!! I rode it home through Tucson Mountain Park with lots of twisties going the speed limit and had a very injoyable ride. Something I couldn't say last week no matter how slow I went.
Remember
Ride Safe, Always

Congrats on the success.

 

[jimmy]

i am talking to a triax dealer in main but am a little leary. he is 3 hours from me and i have not made the ride up yet. i was just wondering now that you have had it awhile what your impression of it is. And would you do it again or do a full conversion?

 

[Capt Chaos]

Hi Jimmy,
A lot of things influenced my decision, and the main thing was I had spent 10 years getting my bike just the way I wanted it. If I had a more common bike, and what I know now, I would go with a full trike. Mine still has some handling issues, I think could be taken care of, if I could install a ez steer unit. Some corners, especially riding two up, require a lot of strength, to muscle my way through, not good when you have had a neck fusion. I also spent as much money, with the right bike, I could have done a Frankenstein, a Trinity or a Santiago chopper kit. Anyway at this point, I am even thinking of going back to 2 wheels, it was easier on my back and neck than what I am dealing with now.

 

[John Luciano]

Yes many times the full trike can turn out cheaper.

 

[oldnewby]

just a note on the neck fusion. i had it done in 05, and my neck is great. it took some time to get here, and the only problem i have is a lack of feeling in some of the area around the base of my neck, which is completely negligible. It will get better.

Also, have you checked with Raked Cycles to see if they can help with the Nomad?


Old Newby

 

[blue mule]

hello Capt.
I live in Tucson and ride a 1500 Kaw. Drifter. Would like to meet up with you sometime and take a look at your ride. I am thinking about converting my ride as well.

 

[Capt Chaos]

Hi Ole Newbie,
I appreciate the encouragement, my surgery was in 06, so I think it's as good as it going to get. I also had two back surgeries in the last year, one a fusion, so I was hoping the trike kit was going to be a lot easier on my body than what it is. I won't buy anything again without a long test ride. Speaking of test rides, Blue Mule call me and we can meet up anytime. PM me for my phone number.

 

[John Luciano]

I rode a Voyager for a few years and I can tell u it is no comparison to a REAL trike in ride . My ride is so smooooooth Honey falls a sleep for hours on the back .

 

[Gorilla]

hello Capt.
I live in Tucson and ride a 1500 Kaw. Drifter. Would like to meet up with you sometime and take a look at your ride. I am thinking about converting my ride as well.

Welcome aboard blue mule. Glad you found us. Good luck on the conversion.

 

[jimmy]

thanks for your input when i trade the soaftail or sell it it will be for a full conversion. glad your health is better.

 

[prowell4]

Capt:
Nice looking bike. I have been riding my 1500 se around the Picture Rock and Marana area. Great roads out that way. Have you riding over to the Regional Airport for breakfeast yet? Great place, and good food.
Tony

 

[Capt Chaos]

I have lived out here for 26 years, so I have pretty much eaten everywhere. We usally hit the Circle S for Taco Sunday.

 

[Tugs]

I heard back from the Steerite people today, I was given a lengthy answer to my questions I am going to post here. Very interest but dissapointing.


We have done hundreds of triple trees for customers with sidecars or conventional full trike conversions throughout the world with 100% satisfaction

I am a little late but as I just joined I thought I would throw this out there. They say that they will not sell you the Triple Trees because for the fact that you can remove your kit and return to two wheels. Now can someone tell me the difference of having a side car that "is removable" or your kit?

Ride Safe,

Tugs

 

[Gorilla]

I heard back from the Steerite people today, I was given a lengthy answer to my questions I am going to post here. Very interest but dissapointing.


We have done hundreds of triple trees for customers with sidecars or conventional full trike conversions throughout the world with 100% satisfaction

I am a little late but as I just joined I thought I would throw this out there. They say that they will not sell you the Triple Trees because for the fact that you can remove your kit and return to two wheels. Now can someone tell me the difference of having a side car that "is removable" or your kit?

Ride Safe,

Tugs

Their point of view?

 

[sal g]

The bike looks great.
How do you like the Triax kit?

Anyone have any input about the Triggkit?

 

[Capt Chaos]

Thank you, Sal G and welcome to the Forum. I like the Triax Kit just fine since I got all the bugs out. I have it up for sale right now, asking $9500.00 but I will take offers.

 

[pregil]

I roll to travel from there convertible with harley: /, I find much d' effort and of tiredness to make transfer the motor bike, there is much rebound to the kit to travel which is transmitted has l' motor bike unit and kit//et there is much swing laterally on bad the //j ways have to test all the adjustments that j' could have on your site l' together n' is not very pleasant/: that will be til of the same with the kit triax or more pleasant for control thanks to each wheels independent

 

[adaptolife]

That's a neat looking setup. Is it wider than the voyager? Nice job.

 

[BIG DENNY]

Thanks gey I have a Honda VTX 1800N that I was going too outriggerbut I think after reading all that has been said on the from I am going to hold out for the trike converson thank all of you BIG DENNY

 

[cblack6540]

i like the wheels. they are tall but not bulky like a regular car tire, nice setup...