Motorcycle Consumer News / Motorcycle Consumer News / Three-Wheelers Corner

Tow Pac trike conversion kits.

rnielsen — Mon, 18 Jul 2005 20:13:05 GMT

Anyone with experience riding a Tow-Pac trike conversion kit?

They offer what seems to be an economical way to get into a trike -- by adding two extra wheels and a sub frame to your existing bike for around $3K.

I'm ready for a trike but the cost is impossible for me with the cheapest new ones around $22K.

Winter projects

Rich Maund — Sat, 27 Nov 2004 21:17:33 GMT

I just finished painting the home built steel tub for my old M72 frame on my 2003 Ural Retro. In a few days she'll be polished out and back on the frame ready for passengers.

Anyone else out there have a interesting project to share here?

Rich Maund
'03 Ural Retro "Oleysia"
http://www.geocities.com/rgmaund/RichsCycleUpholsteryHomePage.html?1069633040109

Speed attempts in Australia

jdaley — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 05:20:51 GMT

Hello to you blokes.

I am a sidecar racer over here, having raced on Road race tracks and speedway since 1972 with breaks from time ti time to fit a family in. I am currently building a machine to have a go at the speed records at Lake Gairdener in the state of South Australia.

I am wondering if anybody has had any experiences they can share with me to minimize mistakes.

Thank you

Hmmmm....

NORTY — Fri, 17 Dec 2004 10:32:27 GMT

I attended the "experienced rider course" (MSF) a couple weeks ago and discovered that a class "C" endorsement was required for a trike or side car operation. That is the regular automobile license. A motorcycle license is not required for a 3 wheeled vehicle. Helmets are required....Just found that interesting.
BTW-I found the course extremely elementary.
Maybe they need an "Extremely Experienced Rider Course?"

You can't build a reputation based on what you are going to do.

led lights on trike

pushtrk99 — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 06:48:04 GMT

If anybody out there has a tow-pac conversion and your thinking of adding led lights- go for it-it is easy and yor trike will really light up-if you need help email me -pushtrk99@gmail.com--Rich

TOW PAC INSTA TRIKE KIT FOR SALE

KENNYHOTWHEEL — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:36:16 GMT

I HAVE FOR SALE A TOW PAC INSTA TRIKE KIT THAT SLIDES INTO YOUR EXISTING RECIEVER. IT CAME OFF FROM MY 85 1200 GOLDWING THAT I TRADED IN ON A NEW TRIKE. THESE ARE FANTASTIC IF YOUR GETTING UP THERE IN AGE LIKE ME. DON'T HAVE THE WORRY OF DROPPING THE BIKE ANYMORE AND THEY CAN BE TAKEN OFF IN MINUTES WITH LITTLE EFFORT. PRICE IS $1,500 FIRM. LOCATED IN MIDDLETOWN, OHIO. EMAIL ME AT WARDK@CINCI.RR.COM THANKS, KEN.

trigg trike kit and voyager trike kit and tow pak trike kit

mhammer — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:18:14 GMT

does the trigg kit attach with a belly pan like the voyager kit does? which of these three kits would you guys choose? pros and cons are welcome. thanks, mhammer

What brand of Trike conversion should I select?

Laura — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 17:50:42 GMT

I am considering a Trike and would appreciate input.

VW trikes

torqueman — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 19:22:16 GMT

I ran into a group of guys at a gas station during the rain in Ohio. All of them were riding rat trikes made from VW rear ends. They were kind of cool in a Mad Max looking sort of way.

Anyway it looked like something I could build with some instructions along the way. I might give it a shot if I can find a old bug cheap enough. Anyone here built a VW trike?

Reason for a Trike?

beachside39 — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 10:00:47 GMT

I don't know any trike owners personally to ask this question. Why did you decide to ride a trike?

I'm thinking that perhaps the rider isn't strong enough to hold up a 900 pound 2-wheeled motorcycle due to aging or physical limitations.

Are there other reasons?

Thanks

Triple Trees or Leading Link Forks?

geezerhacker — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:22:08 GMT

I'm new to the forum and read with great interest the messages posted by DEDSLED and the responses he got. After four years of fun, the hack pushed by even my little '03 Sportster is getting too hard for this old man to turn. I've been looking into both raked triple trees and leading link forks. My dilemma is that I'd like to drop the hack off, on occasion, and ride solo. So here are the questions: (1) If I go with triple trees what's the minimum safe trail for solo riding? or (2) Can the leading link trail be easily adjusted for hack on, hack off, riding, and, if so, how?

Thanks! Any advice will be appreciated.

M/C Endorsement for Trike??

pdebruyn86 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:18:10 GMT

I am putting together a TowPac Minitrike kit on a Yamaha Majesty for my wife to ride and a thought occured to me. Does she need an M/C endorsement on her driver's license in order to ride a trike?

She doesn't ride, doesn't want to learn but is really looking forward to a trike. Do I have a prob here?

Thanks.
Paul

lOOKING FOR THREE CYCLE AS GIFT

Gertrude McClain — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 19:47:08 GMT

HI, I LIVE IN ILLINOIS WITH MY HUSBAND FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS, AND EVERY TIME HE SEES A THREE WHEEL CYCLE HIS ACTS JUST LIKE TO 12 YEAR OLD. I WOULD LIKE TO BUY ONE FOR HIM BUT CAN'T AFFORD A 30,000 DOLLAR CYCLE. CAN ANY ONE HELP IN LOCATING A USED SHOP OR A PERSONEL SELLER LOOKING TO SELL A THREE WHEEL PLEASE EMAIL gerteegood@hotmail.com

GERTEE , THANKS

Custom Trike Bodies

Carolina Triker — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:19:12 GMT

Anyone know where I can find a '57 fiberglass rear end to fit my Honda 1800 Goldwing. I've seen them on Boss Hoss but where do you get them?

Carolina Triker

Advice on finding new rig

NM_Eman — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:19:03 GMT

I’d like to draw on your experience. What bike(s) and what sidecar(s) would you recommend given the following criteria:

1. My main reason for looking at a sidecar is for my wife. She would like to ride with me but she dislikes riding pillion, and really does not want her own bike. She wants to be reasonably comfortable, have a view forward and plenty of stability in mounting and dismounting, she has a knee which is problematic.

2. I been riding almost 40 years with a background in sport bikes and adventure-touring bikes. I'm currently riding a V-Strom 650 which I like very much. Dauntless Motors can set up the V-strom with a sidecar but I'm not sure that is what I want to do. I was never drawn to cruisers, but in combination with the side car could be convinced pretty easily. I don’t have experience with sidecars but I learn quickly. I’d like to avoid a bike that makes the learning curve harder.

3. Would like to stay away from Harley, BMW and Goldwings.

4. Cost is an issue but, maybe, not the primary one. Is there a make/model you’d recommend that stands up well and a used bike might be a good alternative? I’ve never met anyone who didn’t have a budget. Just folks who’s budget was far larger than mine.

5. I’ve read a lot about recommended front suspension modifications. What is your take?

6. Primary use would be for me and my wife on day trips, some overnight (2 or 3 day) trips and eventually some multi day touring. Both of us are fairly heavy but not tall, I’m about 250 my wife is less than me.

At this point I don’t have a preference for buying bike and sidecar separately or already as a unit, but I would like to have professional installation of the hack. I do my own oil changes and that kind of maintenance but would rather not tackle large jobs.

Again I appreciate your help.

beetlebikes

jkennedy29 — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:37:22 GMT

i have taken a 74 beetle cut the front off and added a kaw. front end looks like mad max but a lot of fun building .it will be more fun to ride when it is finished

Tow Pac For Harley Davidson Ultra Classic

Sbwire — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:42:54 GMT

I have read allot on the Tow Pac and saw a Gold wing with one installed while riding the Trace, I talked to the owner and he recommended it. I was wondering if someone knew where I could find a good used one for a 2005 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic. I really enjoy riding but I have had three back surgeries and when I ride for hour or two... well you know. Just looking for a little help.

Thank you

Front end wobble

jimdogi — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 04:45:45 GMT

I just picked up an older VW / Trike conversion with a springer front end on it. Is there any way to rid it of the low speed front end wobble?

Insta-trike for Venture Royale

Taas — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:23:51 GMT

Hello,

I have a Yamaha Venture Royale 1300 year '91 and would like to purchase the insta-trike kit. I am European, but I'll have to purchase the kit from the States. There seems to be only one supplier of this kind of conversion kits, and he cannot provide me with pictures of my type of Venture with insta-trike.

Anybody who can? I'm also very interested in users' comments.

Thanks

05 ULTRA CLASSIC TO WHICH TRIKE CONVERSION

Pushrod — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:26:15 GMT

I have a 2005 Ultra Classic, want to convert to a Trike, would you out there say that the California Sidecar (Daytona) is the best for my ride, what is your opinion?

tow pac

Goldwinger — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:32:41 GMT

Im looking hard for a towpac for my gl1500. Sorry no voyagers

New Member - Tampa Florida

wheelsof3 — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:21:49 GMT

New to the forum hope to find a few others looking to ride in the area.

Have fun be safe

price for conversion kit

stelthrider — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:08:01 GMT

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TrTrying to find out the price of a trike conversion kit for the yamaha morphous scooter

2005 Honda Goldwing Trike

meeuwsen — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:35:43 GMT

I have my eye on a 2005 Goldwing Trike with a Motor Trike conversion kit. I'm looking for pros and cons of the Motor Trike. Can anyone help? Any information is very much appreciated.

Spare Gasoline In A Sidecar

pbarnesqsi — Thu, 10 Mar 2005 21:29:22 GMT

As the new owner of an XLH 883 Sportster with a Velorex sidecar, I've got to do something about the limited amount of fuel I can carry in the itty, bitty peanut tank. It is rated at 2.25 gallons, the last .25 gallons are reserve. Today it went on reserve, I rode about 4 miles to the nearest gas station, and filled up. Took 1.8 gallons, so apparently I don't even get to use all 2 gallons. 70 miles between fuel stops doesn't work for me.

So, my temporary solution is to carry a filled plastic one gallon gas container in the sidecar. I don't know how safe this is, but I suspect it isn't all that safe. In hot weather it could be even more of a problem.

Are there safe fuel cells made for sidecar rigs? How about a fuel cell with an electric pump to get fuel into the main tank? Is something like this commercially available?

Being a sidecar newbie, I don't even know where to start looking for this information, so I figured I'd start here. Thanks.

Barney,
Seattle

Differentials

torqueman — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 09:25:42 GMT

I talked some time ago about building a trike. Old VWs for a reasonable price were more difficult to come across than I thought they would be. So I have started looking at using a old GL1000 or even a CB750 as the foundation.

I have seen conversions of this type using HD servi car differentials, converted ford diffs, and home brew contraceptions. Being a computer engineer and not a mechanical engineer I am thinking the home brew thing is out. I would not want to ruin a part that could be used to restore a motorcycle so old HD parts are out (and hard to find anyway I am sure.)

So that leaves conversion of an auto or similar diff. I found that web site that promises that "coming soon" they will tell how to convert a diff to chain drive. Since the site looks like it was created in the 90s with every animated gif they could find I am not going to hold by breath for the instructions. I am sure you would want to cut some out of the width and that would require some custom drive shafts to be made. But how does one convert the diff to chain drive? Or is a auto diff just way to heavy to even consider for conversion? I found a company that sells chain and belt drive diffs but $4K for just the diff is a little pricy. If I am spending that kind of money I can get the VW.

mud flaps for trike kit

Rayman — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 19:54:17 GMT

I'm new to this site and i ride a goldwing 1500SE with instant trike kite which wife really likes but i'm looking for mud flaps for the fenders !

Anyone know where to get them!

california custom trikes

kookie696969 — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:16:19 GMT

hello all new to the site here i own a 800 intruder w/lehman trike kit which my wife is taking over and im thinkin about getting a cali.custom trike has anyone heard god bad or other about them thanks ken

Leading Link Forks

dedsled — Sun, 27 May 2007 11:05:58 GMT

After wrestling my 1974 BMW R75/6/Velorex outfit around for almost three years, I have finally decided to install a leading link front fork setup. There doesn't seem to be much choice of products for my rig other than the UNIT leading links (out of England, I believe.) This is priced around $2,100.00 thru Side Striders, Inc. Does anyone out there have any experience with these forks? Are they really worth $2,100.00? Is there other manufacturers providing a less expensive product? Any input or shared experiences with leading link front fork setups would be greatly appreciated.

Dedsled

Urals In The City And On The Slab

motormule — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 19:00:46 GMT

I'm considering a hack for daily commutes and cagelike errand running . My power needs are minimal , I'm quite content chuffing along at 55 -60 MPH on the superslab .

My question : Will a Ural 750cc fill the bill ? I have read postings on this thread recommending a more powerful BMW hack . The sidecar will be for groceries and the girlfriend ( not necessarily in that order ).

I love the seasonal wet weather that we have here , riding in it daily isn't a concern for me .

Are there any of you hackers out here who have replaced your day to day cage use with a sidecar rig , and if so , what did you experience ?

Motormule

2005XL1200c

Seattle , Wa.

" A vacant mind is a terrible thing to waste " .

The Stallion

Nomad17 — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 09:59:48 GMT

I came across a dealer in Ohio that is selling the Stallion. Made by Thoroughbred Motorsports. A company of Motor Trike. Anyways has anyone checked this thing out. Or has anyone bought one. It looks pretty cool I think I would do with out the steering wheel though. Has a 10 gallon fuel tank up to 52 mpg. I did when I saw it stop in and take a nice look at it. Black Cherry & Candy Apple Red are the best colors. Powerd by a Ford 2.3 Liter 4 cylinder. 5 speed auto rated at 155 hp. Has 7 cubic ft trunk space. All leather A alpine mp3 player with cd receiver Ford gauges Air lift suspension Cruise control And on and on.Oh yes forgot you also get a/c and heat for both driver and passenger. Billet wheels 3 year 36,000 mile warranty. I left two sites to check out tell me what you think For $30,000.The All New Stallion Trike Motorcycle

Motor Trike®

Nomad17

Voyager Insta-Trike?

Scratch33 — Tue, 04 Oct 2005 05:02:25 GMT

Anyone here have opinions pro or con on the Voyager "Insta-Trike" system?

Three-Wheel Question...

OzarkHarleyGuy — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 15:12:12 GMT

Greetings Trike People,

I come to you from the land of two-wheel motorcycledom. If you speak this tongue I have a question for you. Do you know of a man near Mena, Arkansas that buildeth a 3-wheel wonder. This man-made machine hath an automobile engine but looketh like a trike. His name begineth with a "K." Have you heard of such a one? If so doth he haveth a web-site or do you know where his place of abode is?

One other question: Doth thou know of a website that sells used trikes?

Thank you

tow pac

rounder — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 16:37:12 GMT

Does anyone have trouble with front wheel wobble with their Tow Pac trike? I have tried everything the trouble shooting guide says to do and I still get a wobble?

Anyone know how to fix this?

Ural Sidecar Rigs

motojavaphil — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 19:41:22 GMT

Having never owned one of these I had a few questions for you pro's. Is the rig reliable? Egan wrote an article and seemed to give it a thumbs up but a lot needed to be said. Do they modify well, such as with pipes, air cleaner and jetting? What are the maintenance requirements? Are they hard to drive and once used to them are they still hard to drive? The two wheel drive option, can it really get out in the boondocks and is it a worthwhile option? I know they are slow but that is not an issue for me unless it is dangerous slow.

Thanx, Phil

used insta trike

tommy2tics — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 21:39:38 GMT

Does anyone knoe where i can purchase a used insta trike for my 02 honda shadow ACE 750. Cant afford a new one . on limited income.

thanks

Tommy2tics

New England Sidecar-Trike Club Event

papasmurf — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 03:45:49 GMT

For anyone near enough to possibly attend[even day trippers- solo, sidecar or trike]: Northeast 3 Wheelers Sidecar-Trike Club of western MA is hosting their 11th Annual Campout this weekend in Bernardston, MA, at Travelers Woods of New England Campground, 152 River Street. In town center, turn south off Route 10 onto River Street, drive mile to Campground on left. Turn right off entrance road across bridge to Club tenting area and check in with Dale or Don. Bernardston approx. 5 miles north of Greenfield and same distance south of VT state line, along I-91 and US Route 5 in western MA. GREAT bunch of folks who LOVE riding with the Third Wheel!

P.S. Local motel, the Windmill, located approx. 4 mi. east on Route 10; they serve a Good Breakfast!

The practicality of a seasonal sidecar

Sox Fan — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 21:06:33 GMT

Hi:

As winter approaches us here in southeastern NY, I've been thinking what a great thing it would be to ride my '05 V-Strom year 'round. That is, I already ride all 12 months of the year, as long as the roads are dry. The cold doesn't stop me. But since I ride over a ridge with an elevational change of over 1000 feet every day on my way to work, I have to be pretty careful, lest I find that it snowed up top when it was dry at home. If I didn't have to worry about dropping the bike on the snow, I could ride every day.

Anyway, the thought occured to me that perhaps putting a sidecar on the Strom for the winter might be the ticket. Is the addtion of a hack too involved for this to be practical? Are the modifications necessary to install a sidecar significant enough that it would be a hassle to undo them every spring and re-do them every winter? Also, would it really reduce my worries as far as traction in the snow, or am I fooling myself in that regard?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

MC News - Improved Sidecar Coverage Request

derailment — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 11:47:27 GMT

Way back in 2002 David Hough wrote an article on his review of a sporting sidehack setup. The article discussed the mating of a Dutch EZS Compact sidecar with a Suzuki 1200 Bandit, an apparant good match of machines. David in particular discussed issues regarding the fit, finish, handling, braking, passenger comfort and cost of creating such a set up. These are just the issues I am interested in for building my own specialty sporting hack. I have long been interested in the details of the various machine configurations, from old-style iron /2 BMWs and Urals, to modern, sporting machines such as the Suzuki/EZS pairing, or even applications of leaning cars with fast, sporting bikes such as BMW K-bikes, etc.

I'd like to request that MCN promote articles of this type more often. I have been reading the magazine diligently for several years and Hough's article is the only one to discuss sidecars in any depth, to the best of my recollection. I'd like to know if MCN's editors (Mr. Searle) has anything planned in this vein for the future. Please, please, please!

G.Baker

Chris-Crafted Hack

Rider33 — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 10:29:50 GMT

In the April issue of RIDER magazine on page 82 is a picture of a 1935 BSA with a hack
that looks like a mini chris-craft wooden
outdoor boat. Apparently, the thing even
comes off and can be used in the water. Now
that's what I call a true dual purpose bike,
ride it to the lake and then float away. Imagine sail boat, row boat or canoe versions
of this idea. If riding around with a side car isn't excentric enough for ya, this baby aught to do it..........