What bike to trike

Feb 8, 2011
63
24
Huntsville, AL
Name
Steven
I have a ultra with a sidecar and am looking for basically a daily driver trike to take to work and zip around. I might go on a few hour ride to eat at best. I have been thinking about a 1200 sportster with a frankenstein kit but wonder if i will want more power and should I get a dyna or softail with the frankenstein. In the used range it is only about $2,000 between the two but that is $2000 for the front end if the 1200cc will be ok. I am looking at the sporty's with the 4+ gal tank for range just in case. I also plan to use the AME or Seeger chopper front end so this really is meant to a fun bike.

any thoughts? Last time I went through this I got the sidecar which is what I really wanted :) but it is a lot to drive around town. I would like to keep the miles down on the ultra sidecar since they do not make them anymore.

Steven
 
If you plan on any hiway milage you will not be happy with the low horsepower. The engine will have to work a lot harder and actually give you less fuel milage than a bigger engine that does not have to work as hard. But lf course if you need the power for passing on two lane road you have it in reserve.
 
If I was building an around town trike I would look real hard at a Vrod, they can normally be had pretty cheap. A couple years ago I was looking at an 03 and a 09, the dealer wanted $11,000 and change for the 03 and about $1,000 less for the 09. They priced the 03 higher because it had the 100th anniversary paint and badging. For some reason V-Twin die hards have never warmed to the V-rod, they don't know what their missing, IMO its a great bike.
 
I have to agree with M3 on the VRod. I have been kicking around doing one with the Frankenstein rear for over a year now. If the right VRod crosses my path I will probably do it. I personally think its a "Bad" looking conversion.
 
what ever you do keep the side car.its valuable . you could sell it to finance your
new bike. oh!! the frankenstein kit is a great idea. esp. with chrome wheels.the local shop
clowntown, here in peru,in. is trikeing 2 now. a good S&S cam makes the bike ride better.
i.ve got a '09 t/g and like it, but like the f/kit very much.i've got a '79 FXEF with a S&S
motor and would like the f/kit for it after my dau gets out of law school in 2 yrs. expenses everwhere you look.
merry christmas. lb
 
Re: What bike to trike - Have I got a deal for you!

Trike fodder: More than enough HP and torque, and would be unique also.

Turn this into a trike:
100_0650.jpg


2003 Indian Scout. S&S 88cu. in, five speed, 4,400 miles. Lady owned. New price $16,450...needs NOTHING. Must sell; she (my wife) has bought her own trike and this one is not being ridden. $6,000.00 Located in Richmond VA. Can deliver for gas money.

Do a Frankenstein rear, with a T-model truck bed and have a very unique around-town hauler, capable of interstate travel also.

xmasindian.jpg

(Christmas morning, 2004)
 
Not sure about an Indian Stan. I had never considered a V-rod, seems like they can be had under 10 grand and as cheap as a dyna. I know nothing about them, would they make a good trike? Is the revolution a solid moter? I guess after 12 years it probably is. I like the liquid cooled idea in the heat.
 
I've got a softail with a Frankenstein kit. I went with the big twin so I could use a Champion reverse. If reverse is not an issue I would do a night rod with HD's new mid control kit. With a V-rod you've got more than enough power, water cooling, sporty modern styling, and sportbike riding gear and helmet for safety wouldn't look out of place if that matters to you.....
 
Well I bought a 2007 Dyna Street Bob this weekend to trike. I put a deposit on a V-Rod and had decided that i what I wanted and it had the look I liked. When I got to the dealer I test rode it and man was it uncomfortable for me. At the same time it was scary fast and blast to ride. I tried several V-rods on the floor with diffeent riding positions and I just could not physically stand the riding position. I am still not right from back surgury and it just did not feel right buying it when I hurt bad after a few 15 minute test rides. Anyway more to come when I decide on a trike kit. But I am leaning towards a Frankenstein kit with a pair of wide tires.
 

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