Trike Installer Problems

[jayhawkokie]

I will be dropping my 2010 Goldwing off at the Honda Dealer tomorrow morning to get the Roadsmith HTS kit installed. I've read a lot of threads that the installer makes all the difference, the folks doing my install build and sell a lot of trikes and a friend has been riding one of their trikes for over a year with no complaints. I was wondering where they can mess up an installation and what I need to look for when I first pick up my trike and get it on the road. I sure hope I chose the right people, it's a lot of money to spend not to get the right job done.

 

[mhgoldwing]

Chances since they're a dealer you will be fine; particularly since you had a good recommendation from someone you trust.

What to look for before you take delivery:

Quality of any paint work done

Look for loose fasteners everywhere they worked; rear kit, rake kit, Fork axle pinch bolts, etc.

Check clearance between rear wheels and fenders to be sure they got the kit centered correctly

Be sure they put the center brace under the wing boards if you got them.

Check that "trunk open" warning flashes in dash if either trunk door, upper and lower, are left open. Some dealers don't hook it up and all they have to do is plug in the two pin connecter from the new lower truck and old right saddlebag "open" connection. If the lower trunk is open the warning should flash for the right saddlebag since that's the connector they use.

Double check lug nut torque.

Check tire pressure.

Check brakes on test drive to be sure they bled them correctly and brakes have firm feel and not mushy. Remember, new pads on rear will have to break-in so they will either feel very grabby at first (if they used the EBC Yellowstuff pads) or may feel weak if standard pads are used. Don't be afraid to ask about it.

Aux fuel tank? If you got this, then fill it and check at first opportunity to be sure it's transferring fuel correctly and that there are no leaks.


Chances are you will find very little wrong from a dealer. But, humans are working on it so pay attention. You have a great warranty from Roadsmith and they do back it up professionally so don't be afraid to use it. If anyone gives you any flack about warranty then call Roadsmith directly.

Enjoy! I love my Roadsmith and think you will too. Lots of smiles an miles. epper:

 

[Gold Rush]

:Agree::Agree:

Very comprehensive list of checks. Just be aware and write down every thing you find. Hopefully that list with be very short!!! :xszpv: :xszpv:

 

[jayhawkokie]

Thank you for your help, I know after I get it home I will go completely over every thing
with more scrutiny to se if I see anything. The dealer is little over an hour away, not far to return it If I find problems. The only problem my friend has encountered on his trike is a leaking trunk door he discovered after getting caught in a downpour.

 

[mhgoldwing]

Unfortunately, there are several places where water can intrude and riding in rain all day will find them. Last fall on our Nova Scotia trip I found water had entered my lower trunk and had to use big black garbage bags to keep everything dry. Don't know exactly where the water entered but everywhere a wire or fastener penetrates the trunk wall is a potential leak.

When I got home I tried to RTV everything I could reach but doubt I stopped the intrusion when riding all day in rain. The spray from rear tires throws a lot of water all over every thing.

 

[jayhawkokie]

I dropped my bike off this morning for the trike install, after talking to their service people and others I now feel very comfortable with my choice, I feel they are very professional and will do an excellent job for me. Walking out I saw they had over a dozen new trikes in their showroom, all of them built in their shop and they have been doing this for several years, even talked to a guy who drove 11 hours from Beaumont, TX to pick up his new 2014 Roadsmith Goldwing.

 

[Ozarkryder]

Where did you take the bike to get triked? I live in Anderson, MO, just about 20 miles from Grove. The dealer we trusted and were close to was Neosho Powersports, but they are out of business. I'm not sure where there are Honda dealers that install trike kits, but a few that sell RS trikes are Honda of the Ozarks in Springfield MO and Heartland Honda in Springdale Ar. May be more, but those are the one's i know of.
Happy triking - we'll have to get together and hit some twisties some time.

 

[Rowdy]

I will be dropping my 2010 Goldwing off at the Honda Dealer tomorrow morning to get the Roadsmith HTS kit installed. I've read a lot of threads that the installer makes all the difference, the folks doing my install build and sell a lot of trikes and a friend has been riding one of their trikes for over a year with no complaints. I was wondering where they can mess up an installation and what I need to look for when I first pick up my trike and get it on the road. I sure hope I chose the right people, it's a lot of money to spend not to get the right job done.

There are may ways they can do a bad job. Most of the time just out of carelessness and sloppy work. My friend bought an 02 GW with a new adventure kit on it from a place in Georgia I think. It was the worst installation I have ever seen. The wiring for the air pressure was not connected, the exhaust shields were wired on, the drive shaft safety loop was not installed and it had a vibration at about 65mph that made it unsafe to ride. There were other issues but I am sure you get the idea. We live in Ky. and in the end we took the trike to Troupe to MT to get it straightened out. It took them several day even for them to do the job because of the a$$ the guy made of his work

 

[jayhawkokie]

Sounds like it can be a crap shoot sometimes, I'm sure Heartland Honda will do a good job, haven't heard any complaints about them yet.

 

[bikerbillone]

If you get the aux fuel tank, recommend you get it filled after leaving the installer, if you live any distance away. I found I had a leak on the first fill, so back to the Trike Shop which is 2 hours away for a replacement of the fuel tank.

 

[jayhawkokie]

If you get the aux fuel tank, recommend you get it filled after leaving the installer, if you live any distance away. I found I had a leak on the first fill, so back to the Trike Shop which is 2 hours away for a replacement of the fuel tank.

Didn't get the Aux tank found no need for it for my type of riding, thanks for your reply.

 

[bikerbillone]

I understand, it's not for everyone.

 

[SMSgt]

I got the aux tank as well. It leaked so I called the Trike Shop and they sent me a new tank said I was on my own for the "warranty" install. I was not at all happy with the install and all the hassle since. I still need to do some work on it to make it right. Stay away from a certain installer in Rome Ga.

 

[Rowdy]

I got the aux tank as well. It leaked so I called the Trike Shop and they sent me a new tank said I was on my own for the "warranty" install. I was not at all happy with the install and all the hassle since. I still need to do some work on it to make it right. Stay away from a certain installer in Rome Ga.

Might be the same installer I mentioned in my previous reply. At the time they were installing MT. When we went to the factory to get his trike straightened out we were told that they would not allow him any more MT kits because of his reputation.

 

[jayhawkokie]

Re: Trike Installer Problems Update

The dealer emailed me that my kit is in and the bike is stripped down, he sent these pictures.Won't be long now.

 

[FRR]

We just lost a great trike installer in the central Kentucky area. Bob Morton of Morton Motorsports in Louisville recently sold the business and retired. I great guy who did good work.

 

[jayhawkokie]

Getting closer, should be finished by next Wednesday.

 

[mythplaced]

Sounds like it can be a crap shoot sometimes, I'm sure Heartland Honda will do a good job, haven't heard any complaints about them yet.

That's why I converted my own! Most difficult thing was getting the bike/trike up and down without benefit of a lift table.:NoJoke:

I won't put my life in the hands of a "hired" wrench..(Unless of course I knew them VERY well!)

Been spinnin my own wrenches since '68..

 

[Hannigan Motorsports]

We just lost a great trike installer in the central Kentucky area. Bob Morton of Morton Motorsports in Louisville recently sold the business and retired. I great guy who did good work.

+1 ThumbUp

Just as Bob gave us here at HMS and many others his Best for many years,
We now wish him the Best in his hopefully many years to come.

 

[Pegasus1300]

We just lost a great trike installer in the central Kentucky area. Bob Morton of Morton Motorsports in Louisville recently sold the business and retired. I great guy who did good work.

For those of you out West, Gene Wright at Crossroads Trike and Trailer does top notch work in Salt Lake City,UT plus he is an all around good guy. Check out their website www.crossroadstrikes.com

 

[87Trike1200]

Your trike looks great in the assembly pictures - love the color. Did you get it back yet or did I miss the "It's Finished" post.

Have fun, ride safe! :wave4:

 

[Konrad]

We just lost a great trike installer in the central Kentucky area. Bob Morton of Morton Motorsports in Louisville recently sold the business and retired. I great guy who did good work.

Bob Morton Motorsports installed my Roadsmith conversion a few years ago and I have never had a problem with it. But to give credit where it's due, Mike, the mechanic who did the actual work should get most of the credit. I have never seen a cleaner workplace - you could eat off the floor and every tool was in its place - an absolutely meticulous shop! I wish I knew where Mike was now - somewhere in southern Indiana?

 

[brianl]

Thank you for your help, I know after I get it home I will go completely over every thing
with more scrutiny to se if I see anything. The dealer is little over an hour away, not far to return it If I find problems. The only problem my friend has encountered on his trike is a leaking trunk door he discovered after getting caught in a downpour.

I had a Roadsmith installed and had a leaky trunk also. The dealer tried everything and finally had to install a second gasket facing the first. It seems to keep things dry. (Although I avoid the rain whenever possible) I did have a problem with the trunk popping open until the gaskets broke in. Make sure to give the trunk a little tug when closing it to make sure it latches.

 

[jayhawkokie]

Guess I forgot to post a finished picture, I picked the trike up August 6 and haven't been able to get the grin off my face since. I have to give kuddow to Roadsmith's painter, the finish is absolutely perfect, not a blemish anywhere. The 75 mile ride home was a get acquainted experience, still taking some getting used to the feel in the curves, haven't figures where I should set the progressive shocks or the adjustable pre load to get the best feel in the curves. My wife took her first ever motorcycle ride with me last Saturday, I think she is already hooked, heard her talking to a friend about buying riding gear. The installer did a great job as far as I can tell, only thing I discovered and don't know if I should jump the dealer about, they charged me $325 for tail light bases, bulbs and sockets and then used the tail lights from my saddlebags. Here's the finished product.

 

[Pegasus1300]

I would certainly ask somebody why they charged me $325 to use my own parts and they better have a real good answer.

BTW that is a really pretty trike and I am not a real fan of Yellow,but that is nice.

 

[jayhawkokie]

I would certainly ask somebody why they charged me $325 to use my own parts and they better have a real good answer.

BTW that is a really pretty trike and I am not a real fan of Yellow,but that is nice.

Every time I stop somewhere someone comes over to admire my trike, the yellow certainly catches your eye. Yesterday I stopped to fuel up and two old fishermen were fueling their bass boat and they both came over to ask about it, of course I had to brag a bit.

 

[lgjhn]

Chances since they're a dealer you will be fine; particularly since you had a good recommendation from someone you trust.

What to look for before you take delivery:

Quality of any paint work done

Look for loose fasteners everywhere they worked; rear kit, rake kit, Fork axle pinch bolts, etc.

Check clearance between rear wheels and fenders to be sure they got the kit centered correctly

Be sure they put the center brace under the wing boards if you got them.

Check that "trunk open" warning flashes in dash if either trunk door, upper and lower, are left open. Some dealers don't hook it up and all they have to do is plug in the two pin connecter from the new lower truck and old right saddlebag "open" connection. If the lower trunk is open the warning should flash for the right saddlebag since that's the connector they use.

Double check lug nut torque.

Check tire pressure.

Check brakes on test drive to be sure they bled them correctly and brakes have firm feel and not mushy. Remember, new pads on rear will have to break-in so they will either feel very grabby at first (if they used the EBC Yellowstuff pads) or may feel weak if standard pads are used. Don't be afraid to ask about it.

Aux fuel tank? If you got this, then fill it and check at first opportunity to be sure it's transferring fuel correctly and that there are no leaks.


Chances are you will find very little wrong from a dealer. But, humans are working on it so pay attention. You have a great warranty from Roadsmith and they do back it up professionally so don't be afraid to use it. If anyone gives you any flack about warranty then call Roadsmith directly.

Enjoy! I love my Roadsmith and think you will too. Lots of smiles an miles. epper:

EVERYTHING that mh has stated here are things to look for.
I had my Roadsmith conversion done by a so-called highly-regarded, independent shop back this past November, and every issue he's listed here, I've had some sort of issue with...and then some. All installer issues too, not Roadsmith. I fixed almost all of them myself, but there was one major one that I took back to them for warranty work as it was pretty expensive as it involved replacement of the trunk lid which needed to be painted. Roadsmith warranted that one, but I still don't believe it was Roadsmith's doing. Loose and missing fasteners were everywhere. Lug nuts never torqued. Even my right exhaust pipe fell off doing 60 mph in traffic. Fortunately, no one hit it or was hurt. Again, loose fasteners. The left side was about to do the same thing.
In addition to his recommendations, choose your installer wisely (which it sounds like you have) and try to stay as close to home as you can. That way, if a major issue does crop up, it's not a 1600-mile round trip with loss of work and hotel costs to get it fixed. IF I had known this past November what I know right now, mine would have been done locally, or in my own shop by myself. I would have farmed out the paint work locally to a shop that I know and trust from first hand experience that does good work. After having it apart a couple of times, I could have handled the mechanical work myself and done a far much better job of it. Would it have taken me longer? Well, they had the bike over a month to do it right, so no, not really, but I'd have done it right the first time. I do love the Roadsmith though. Got the HD sway bar and the aux fuel tank with it and glad I did.

 

[jayhawkokie]

Thanks for the advice, so far nothing has fallen off, I need to take a day and crawl under it and check all the bolts just for peace of mind. I have a lot of confidence in their mechanic who builds the trikes, he's been around a long time and builds a lot of trikes. The only problems so far was with the TPMS light coming on on the ride home and the license plate light not working, I took it back last week and they fixed the two issues and adjusted my shocks up one notch, and he gave me a spanner wrench in case I want to change the setting. The body was painted by Roadsmith and the finish is absolutely flawless. I am very happy with the trike and very happy I chose Roadsmith.