To Wobble or not....

[Donson]

Yesterday, the Gentleman that bought My Street Tracker project came over to pick up some stray parts i found. He was riding an Ultra Classic Trike that he had built from a kit. This is the 3rd or 4th Trike he has built, and is a long-time Rider. As he was leaving, he asked Me if I would like to ride it. Being a Moto-slut,I jumped at the chance.
I boarded the Trike and He briefed me on its layout, and off I went. To the end of the block, where I dis-mounted and inspected all three tires. I turned around and rode it back to My drive, where he was standing. Whats wrong, says he. I thought it had a flat tire-why do the handlebars shake like that, I said.
They always do that, all of them do ,says he.
Really?
Yep, every trike does that, You don't even notice it at 70, says he.
Try it again says he. I climbed aboard and with a relaxed grip on the bars, I rode it around the block. The oscillation, with a loose grip on the bars , was about 2-3 inches back and forth at the end of the hand grip. It felt exactly like the front tire was flat, or almost so. I rode it around the block again, with a firmer grip, and relaxed as I could be, on a strange machine exhibiting a disconcerting handling characteristic. The front end oscillation was frightening at 15, 20,25 and 30 mph, with no signs of getting better. Dose it decrease at higher speeds, I asked. I don't even notice it, he said.
I was not comfortable going over 30 on it. I handed it back to Him and offered him My tire gauge. No need , says he, there are 32 psi in the rear tires, and 38 in the front. There is nothing wrong, perfectly normal, says he.
Any of you Guys familiar with this "normal" handling scenario? If that is normal, COUNT ME OUT.:icon_cry:

[DarthRider]

Talk to the guys that ride the good ones...they don't "all do that".
The good ones track straight & true and don't "push" the front wheel through turns. And don't oscillate. Like the Goldwing based one we saw at the gas station on the way to Dean's place.
If this was the same guy who was going to build a VW powered trike that we talked to, I'm not surprised. I asked him how he was going to address things like fork length & angle, rake & trail, etc. and he said it's no big deal, you just set all that up to where "it looks like it would work well".
The better kits & factory-builts use Corvette or Jaguar rear suspensions and are actually engineered. One I saw uses a purpose built suspension system that looks like it was nicked from an Indy car.
The one you rode is not that abomination that uses both motorcycle wheels, suspension & standard geometry with 2 more "training wheels" at the rear is it?
Do I want one? Hell no, but I'd hate to see them all painted with that tarry brush.

[Jaythro]

I built a couple an No Siree they should not do that

We did Europe on a 1200 Beetle engined trike back in the 80's and I was working on a Relaint Robin one last year and Delivered it to it's new owner in Troon

No Head shakes from either I would say Badly Set up maybe even as simple as Loose head bearings !

[Donson]

I know "they dont all do that" ,but this is the only one I have ever ridden. He told Me the name of the manufacturer, but I dont recall it. It looks like a factory job, very well finished, and the rear tires/wheels are automotive. It is actually quite a nice looking machine, so I was suprised at the handling characteristics. I dont recall the VW builder, but you have not met this Guy, Dave, as far as I know. he has been riding a lonfg time and built a number of bikes . He built 2 or 3 H-2 750 powered sand drag trikes, so, pehaps he doesnt know what "normal" handling is.....:icon_redface:

[Donson]

I built a couple an No Siree they should not do that

We did Europe on a 1200 Beetle engined trike back in the 80's and I was working on a Relaint Robin one last year and Delivered it to it's new owner in Troon

No Head shakes from either I would say Badly Set up maybe even as simple as Loose head bearings !

Good point, but would loose h bearings manifest those characteristics at such low speeds?

[DarthRider]

I was talking about the electrician who was going to build the VW trike, then didn't...thank God!
Ask the guy who mounted your tracker tires, Mike Prope about it. He builds 1 or 2 trikes a year.

[Sir Limpsalot]

Sidecar outfits also tend towards a slight oscilation of the bars at low speeds. Well, those I've ridden do. The best in that respect, and any other, was a Vincent Rapide and Steib. The worst was a CB200 and lightweight Watsonian. You don't notice it after a while.

[panthercity]

...He built 2 or 3 H-2 750 powered sand drag trikes, so, pehaps he doesnt know what "normal" handling is.....:icon_redface:By Jove I do believe you've found the key!

[Deans BMW]

I think it has something to do with the Rake and Trail of the front end. If I remember...............some of the better trike rigs change the R&T from that on the stock bike.

Dave, that was a good looking rig, and that was a great day. The couple enjoyed the heck out of the rig.

http://deansbmw.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Motorcyclist-Cafe-Barn-and/MCBB-visits-09-004/587386911_3BTej-L.jpg

http://deansbmw.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Motorcyclist-Cafe-Barn-and/MCBB-visits-09-005/587386984_DVVT6-L.jpg

http://deansbmw.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Motorcyclist-Cafe-Barn-and/MCBB-visits-09-006/587387020_xCMnh-L.jpg

[Donson]

I remember that trike, in Springerville. What I could see of it through My bleary eyes after following Dave,Jeremy and Rog, at near triple digit speeds, across the badlands of new Mexico, Myself on a Harley, with baggage, they on Sportbikes, with their gear comfortably stored within Betty's car....:icon_cry: However, I digress. The bike I rode yesterday had a very short wheelbase, think Harley Servi-car. Nowhere near that of the Springerville Land Barge. I plan to inquire ,discreetly, of course, as to the brand of the kit He installed. I just don't believe "they all do that".:thumbs_down:

[DarthRider]

What I could see of it through My bleary eyes after following Dave,Jeremy and Rog, at near triple digit speeds, across the badlands of new Mexico, Myself on a Harley, with baggage, they on Sportbikes, with their gear comfortably stored within Betty's car....
If you'd been on that Goldwing trike you would have been at mid-pack..:pot:.

[Donson]

Thats what She said.....:icon_redface:

[Griffon]

For some reason, I don't remember that Goldwing at all. Perhaps it's the early hour and my lack of coffee...

That must be it...

[jamming]

They all don't do that, however in my experience they all WILL push the front tire if ridden hard enough.

I'd be curious on how he built the trike and if it had an eccentric steering head installed. That allows you to adjust the front end so it tracks true. If I'm going to ride a Trike, its going to be a Spyder. I want 2 wheels up front for the steering.

[Jaythro]

One that I Helped to build for a mate and we toured Europe on it too!

No GPS and No Mobiles Absolutely Marvellous! Should be mandatory!

Ooh and No Wobbles!

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu352/Jaythro55/trike0001.jpg

[DarthRider]

Hey Jay...cool, will it wheelie?

[Jaythro]

Yep just a 1200 beetle engine but it could I reckoned it wasn't a good idea in case the front forks bent

BUT you couldn;t wheelie this big beast and it wobbled!! LOTS

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu352/Jaythro55/Antler%202010/Sidecaravan/sidecar3.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu352/Jaythro55/Antler%202010/Sidecaravan/sidecar2.jpg

http://i663.photobucket.com/albums/uu352/Jaythro55/Antler%202010/Sidecaravan/sidecar1.jpg

[panthercity]

That sidecar looks about the same size as Anna's Fit.

[DarthRider]

That sidecar looks about the same size as Anna's Fit.
So, what did you do this time to cause that?:028:

"Husbands are a sorry lot."
- Dagwood Bumstead

[panthercity]

So, what did you do this time to cause that?:028:

"Husbands are a sorry lot."
- Dagwood BumsteadMe love her long time...

[DarthRider]

Me love her long time...
"Minute Man", eh...?

[panthercity]

"Minute Man", eh...?Minute to Win It!