Trike assembly

[Fabricater]

Has anyone done there own trike conversion? I am wanting to do my own.I like to do my own work.It seems I am never satisfied with the way things are done unless I do it myself.OCD I guess.I have built custom equipment and done custom car work for over 30yrs.Very capable of doing this myself.I like to pay attention to detail when doing assembly's to get the fit and finish just right. In the end I might save a little in labor cost,but it is more about the satisfaction of doing it myself.So has anyone done there own?

 

[Lucky]

To answer your ? there are folks here that have done their conversions themselves. However some of the kit co's do not sell diy kits. If you want to go diy talk to Zook he can probably help you out some. $$$$ and great advice. GOOD LUCK

 

[skuuter]

To answer your ? there are folks here that have done their conversions themselves. However some of the kit co's do not sell diy kits. If you want to go diy talk to Zook he can probably help you out some. $$$$ and great advice. GOOD LUCK

YEP...and if You read a lot here at TRIKE TALK.com You'll find lots of Self-Build Info, and there are many, many on-going Build Threads where Members are documenting Their Builds as They go with Posts and Pics. You may want to do this also if You start Your Project.....GOOD LUCK on Your Build....ThumbUp:10:

 

[cavie]

Champion will sell you a kit and I'm told the install directions are very good.

 

[Jonesy]

I did my Yamaha venture trike myself, think over things good before you proceed worked out fine. It was a tri-wing kit, only option I had, had to go though dealers for rest of kits.

 

[John Luciano]

Only caution some insurance company's won't insure it if not built professionally. I was never asked and never told who built mine. Someone on here had the problem.
I was told DFT and Roadsmith sell DYS KITS. From what I understand takes time and good knowledge. You seem to Qualify.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Make sure you check out warranty coverage on those that will sell you a conversion to DIY!

 

[jackthemachinist]

Many people here have built their own trikes, either from kits or from scratch. I converted my 1997 Electraglide with a DFT kit. Very doable for someone with mechanical experience and some fabrication skill. You may or may not save much money, but you will know your trike intimately.

A word of caution, having worked on hotrods and race cars for decades myself, just be aware that motorcycles are different to work on. Not easier or harder, just different. A few examples? I rarely use impact tools on motorcycles (Harley compensator and clutch hub nuts come to mind); I always use either never-seize of lock-tite on motorcycle fasteners. I don't use a half-inch sockets or torque wrenches much on motorcycles either, but I do torque just about everything (with a 3/8 or 1/4 torque wrench). Pretty much common sense stuff.

The quality of installation instructions is variable, some good, some less so. Some are available on-line.

You might want to do a google.

Almost anyone on this forum would be glad to offer any assistance you might need.

Best part is when the wife tells someone, "My husband built that for me."

What kind of bike are you thinking about?

 

[Fabricater]

Many people here have built their own trikes, either from kits or from scratch. I converted my 1997 Electraglide with a DFT kit. Very doable for someone with mechanical experience and some fabrication skill. You may or may not save much money, but you will know your trike intimately.

A word of caution, having worked on hotrods and race cars for decades myself, just be aware that motorcycles are different to work on. Not easier or harder, just different. A few examples? I rarely use impact tools on motorcycles (Harley compensator and clutch hub nuts come to mind); I always use either never-seize of lock-tite on motorcycle fasteners. I don't use a half-inch sockets or torque wrenches much on motorcycles either, but I do torque just about everything (with a 3/8 or 1/4 torque wrench). Pretty much common sense stuff.

The quality of installation instructions is variable, some good, some less so. Some are available on-line.

You might want to do a google.

Almost anyone on this forum would be glad to offer any assistance you might need.

Best part is when the wife tells someone, "My husband built that for me."

What kind of bike are you thinking about?

I am thinking I might want to convert my goldwing,and use a Roadsmith trike package.I know about the Hard to get off nuts on a Harley .I changed a stator on a ultra a couple of years ago .We were camping and away from home.I had to buy tools to do it,and no impact.I got it done,but that nut was tough to get off .

 

[lgjhn]

I cant' say I blame ya for wanting to do it yourself.

IF you've got the shop space, lift(s), tools and the ability, I'd say go for it.

We had our Gold Wing converted last November utilizing a Roadsmith kit.

Since then, it's been just one issue after another: All installer issues, not Roadsmith issues. It's been mostly loose and missing nuts/bolts/clamps etc. causing the issues. Also a couple of bad wiring issues as well. After spending a lot of time going over this machine, I feel I could have done it myself and done a much better job. The deal is trying to find the time to do it. I just didn't have the time to do it with the way I was working.

 

[Fabricater]

I cant' say I blame ya for wanting to do it yourself.
IF you've got the shop space, lift(s), tools and the ability, I'd say go for it.
We had our Gold Wing converted last November utilizing a Roadsmith kit.
Since then, it's been just one issue after another: All installer issues, not Roadsmith issues. It's been mostly loose and missing nuts/bolts/clamps etc. causing the issues. Also a couple of bad wiring issues as well. After spending a lot of time going over this machine, I feel I could have done it myself and done a much better job. The deal is trying to find the time to do it. I just didn't have the time to do it with the way I was working.

I know that there are some very good installers,that can do a good job.I would just be guessing if I picked someone to do it for me.Would I be pleased with the result maybe.If I do the install myself,I won't have anyone to blame but me,if some thing is not just right.I like to work within thousands of a inch,and know that in this install it most likely not needed,but I would not happy with anything else.The mother trike that I had,most would not see anything wrong and think it looked good.After having it for a while I began to see thing that were not lined up just right and started adjusting it so it was to my liking.it was a old straight axle design that had adjustment that could be made.

 

[cherrybucket]

What about the brakes on the trike, home made trike, rear end off ford truck resplined, shorten, but finding the right master cyclinder for both back tires?

 

[pcombe]

FROM THIS

TO THIS WITH A CHAMPION FLT KIT AND A FIVE DEGREE RAKE ALL BOUGHT FROM ZOOK AT A DISCOUNTED RATE AND DELIVERED TO MY DOOR.
BUILT BY ME, BECAUSE I WANTED TO DO IT MYSELF AND THERE IS NO ONE IN MY AREA OF THE GLOBE THAT KNOWS JACK ABOUT TRIKES.


FOR PICTURES OF THE CONVERSION AND A FEW HINTS TO SAVE YOU TIME AND HASSLE SUCH AS NECK BEARING RACE REMOVAL AND CONSTRUCTION OF ONE OFF PARTS DEALING WITH MY PARTICULAR 25 YR. OLD HARLEY- GOOGLE--(pcombe library/photobucket)

NOTE: THE FOLKS AT CHAMPION MANAGED TO SAVE ME SOME BUCKS ON SHIPPING AND WERE AVAILABLE FOR ANY TECH. QUESTIONS I HAD.
THE INSTRUCTIONS WERE PRETTY CLEAR AS LONG AS I DIDN'T TRY TO OVERTHINK THEM.
THE CHAMPION IS ONE OF THE MOST BASIC STRAIGHT FORWARD KITS TO DEAL WITH AND I AM VERY PLEASED WITH IT. THIS THE SECOND SEASON AS A TRIKE.
I HAVE ABOUT $8,000 INTO THE COMPLETE SOLID AXLE BUILD BY DOING IT MYSELF.
ALSO I WAS ABLE TO GET SOME TECH ADVICE FROM FORUM MEMBERS ANY TIME I ASKED.ThumbUp
YOU GUYS KNOW WHO YOU ARE BUT THANKS AGAIN.

 

[stacebg]

Has anyone done there own trike conversion? I am wanting to do my own.I like to do my own work.It seems I am never satisfied with the way things are done unless I do it myself.OCD I guess.I have built custom equipment and done custom car work for over 30yrs.Very capable of doing this myself.I like to pay attention to detail when doing assembly's to get the fit and finish just right. In the end I might save a little in labor cost,but it is more about the satisfaction of doing it myself.So has anyone done there own?

build the converstion too for even more satisfaction..