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Post by roger32849 on Aug 22, 2018 22:03:39 GMT
I had a boat once. JUST ONCE!!
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Post by roger32849 on Aug 24, 2018 10:40:39 GMT
I was checking over the trike after taking all of the pictures on the previous page and found I lost a couple of bolts that were screwed into rivnuts. I am NOT a huge fan of using rivnuts to secure anything if I have an alternative method. In this case there wasn't much I could have done. I will remove them and install something???. I am looking at what works best, rather than just "what works". Maybe weld-o-lets, or coupling nuts welded in. While I had the bonnet off, I installed a battery isolation switch, not mandatory in the U.S. I just wanted to be able shut off all power when it goes into storage this winter. I also installed a new AGM battery. One of the unofficial acid tests for checking a battery is to blast the horn a couple of times. I did that but my horn sounded like I was chocking the life out of a budgie. Not the masculine sound I wanted to have associated with my TR1ke. I had an air horn I bought at the Americade motorcycle rally a few years ago, so I installed that. Big difference in sound. I went from budgie to big rig in the matter of a few minutes. It is in line with why bikers have loud pipes: "If you can't be seen, be heard" or "Its better to be loud than dead". Roger Worcester, Massachusetts MVIMG_20180822_141038 by Roger Baker, on Flickr MVIMG_20180822_141103 by Roger Baker, on Flickr A couple of photos I took a day or two ago.
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Post by roger32849 on Aug 24, 2018 21:18:40 GMT
Okay, I removed the old rivnuts and installed new ones. There just wasn't any other way to this. I am speaking of the front canard mounts. I installed two struts or braces to augment the support. I removed the old supports and moved the mounting point to the rear canard wing attach point. I used Heim/Rose joints and 1/2" aluminum rod to make the braces. There is absolutely no bouncing or movement in the canards. Anyway, it all works good. The picture really doesn't show much, but at least you can get an idea of what I did. Roger Worcester, Massachusetts IMG_20180824_171303 by Roger Baker, on Flickr
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Post by roger32849 on Aug 27, 2018 19:39:20 GMT
I had a couple of good outings with the TR1ke. The addition of the canard struts improved the stability and handling. The canards used to bounce and giggle about when I drove. It sort of felt like the wheels needed to be balanced but not as bad. Once I stabilized the canards, the bounce, the vibration are gone.
As far as the rear bags go, I cannot tell if they are even mounted. No wind noise, no weird effect coming from the rear end at all. Mind you, these are not huge bags, but enough to carry a few tools, rain gear and a jacket & gloves. The battery switch will prove to be the best thing I installed.... that is after the super loud air horns.
The shakedown rides were about 75 miles and included some very nice countryside vistas. The trike ran smooth, no problem with anything.
Roger Worcester, Massachusetts
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Post by edvb on Aug 28, 2018 0:59:36 GMT
Great to hear Roger! It is so great when a plan comes together and everything works as it should. Been busy getting ready for the install of the whole house filter, twin tank softener and 50 gallon water heater. I am tearing everything out and starting fresh! Other than that just enjoying the trike. I still like it better each day I ride so now it just is an extension of myself whenever I drive it. You are a hard working and lucky guy to have two to play with.
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Post by roger32849 on Aug 28, 2018 7:50:06 GMT
Eddie:
If I can manage it this season and the snow isn't early I would like to take both trikes up early October for the foliage drive and do some autumn leaf peeping. It starts earlier up country and we get peak colors a week or two later. So there is an envelope of time to wait for sunny weather.
I've taken both out this summer. Next year, I will,not be gone so long on my vacation. Probably 3 weeks or less. That means more riding time here.
About the only thing I would like to do is to make a couple of aluminum escutcheon plates to dress up the holes in the bonnet of the TR1KE. This is where the canard struts come through just below the front side markers. The holes are pretty neatly dressed already without the escutcheon plates, but would rather make the opening "tight".
I appreciate the good comments, coming from " THE MASTER" I feel a bit like "Grasshopper". I know the feeling you have with your trike, it's the same here.
Be good, stay busy, and enjoy what you do... those hot water tanks can get pretty pesky.
Roger Worcester, Massachusetts
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Post by Stiggy on Aug 28, 2018 13:53:34 GMT
Looking good! I was wondering if you suffer buffeting at certain speeds? This often occurs when the air flow shears at the top of the bonnet bulge or flyscreen and (instead of flowing in the direction of up and back as we expected) flows towards the drivers chin, under the helmet and shakes the head. Some have tried small vertical plates that disperse the air enough to cut the shake out, the effect varies of course at different road speeds and wind speed/direction. Below is a picture of an Atom with additional plastic screen.
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Post by roger32849 on Aug 28, 2018 16:56:58 GMT
I've seen other TR1ke's with similar plexiglass or lexan pieces to divert the air over the top. I've been at 85 MPH in the trike, the wind does strike me square in the face and at those speeds it tends to sting a bit when the front tires kick up a little debris. I do not notice the wind so much at lower speeds, but then again, I am on a motorcycle quite a bit too and have grown acustom to wind buffeting.
The wind really doesn't get UNDER my helmet so much. However, it has caused me to close my flip up face shield every time I ride. It would be great to have a nice conformal screen that could be bolted in place that would look decent and divert the slip stream to a higher path.
Roger Worcester, Massachusetts
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Post by roger32849 on Aug 29, 2018 23:33:27 GMT
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Post by roger32849 on Sept 2, 2018 11:19:32 GMT
About a month or so back, I installed a "Speedohealer" speedometer correction device. This little box not only calculates for non OEM sprocket sizes it also has an offset calculation for factory error and tires. I have to say, once I installed it and did the programing it has been very accurate.
I got a chance to do some measured miles using the freeway mile markers. While these are not exactly placed, they are quite close especially when measuring 5 mile increments. In addition to that, I was able to accurately figure my MPG. I am getting 41 miles per US gallon, or 49 miles per Imperial Gallon. The calculation was based on a combination of city and highway driving. My speed was around 55 MPH, but I have to admit, I was utilizing the gearbox and taching the engine up quite high at times. (There is nothing like the sound of an R1 engine when it's tached up to about 9 grand) I am running 17 tooth front sprocket and a 49 tooth at the rear.
I take it out again today. I've got a full tank of gas and no where in particular that I need to be. damn, this is fun!!
Roger Worcester, Massachusetts
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Post by roger32849 on Sept 21, 2018 22:17:42 GMT
There hasn’t been a whole lot to write about since the post above. I have been taking the Eco-Exo and the TR1ke out in alternate turns. I have to admit, I enjoy them both. I normally go alone in the TR1ke, and lately I’ve got a lot to reflect on. I lost a true friend to a massive heart attack on Monday. He was my “go to” friend for technical advise and an occasional pizza and beer conversation about what we were doing. He was a Mopar guy with a love for cars that was equal to a religion. He was only 63.
Back to the TR1ke: I’ve taken it out on some longer drives. 180 miles last week and 150 miles today. It runs great, handles REALLY well and hasn’t broken down on me on any of the rides. It was only around 60 deg F today so a jacket and gloves were in order. I headed up toward the Berkshires (mountain range) but got rained out. I had to make a quick diversion and drive in the mist of a heavy dense fog for about 45 minutes. Of course you guys in the UK must get a special stamp on your drivers license to operate a vehicle in the everpresent fog. Sort of like a pilot getting an IFR qualification : ). I was gone about 5 hours, stopped twice for coffee and to rest a bit. All and all, it was a good afternoon. The TR1ke is back in the garage but needs to be wiped down and polished up.
Until later.... get those rides in before it gets to cold to enjoy the moment.
Roger Worcester, Massachusetts
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Post by davej98002 on Sept 22, 2018 6:38:52 GMT
Your loss is a tough one I am sure. Sorry to hear that.
You are almost talking about me there. I like Pizza and good beer. I am a Mopar guy as is my son. And I am 62 years 4 months old. I have had heart issues since I was 32 years old when I took a 208 Volt AC 50 Amp shock across my chest. I was lucky when my left hand broke the earth contact so the amperage did not hit hard. It knocked me across a 20 foot room. In the last 30 years I have been to the ER about 12 times, two were possible heart attacks but no damages. I have had "NitroStat" on my person for these 30 years.
So, yes, your loss hits close to home for me too. Again, sorry to hear it.
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Post by roger32849 on Sept 22, 2018 23:42:58 GMT
Thank you Dave for your comments.
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Post by roger32849 on Sept 24, 2018 12:35:44 GMT
As the weather becomes less and less inviting I am actually using my trikes a little more often. It gets down right cold the middle of November and riding times are catch as catch can, and the fun will briefly end so winter can run its course. Once the first snow falls and the roads are treated with salt it isn’t worth riding an hour then wiping all the salt off for the next five. Some guys ride 12 months a year, even the guys that live in snow country, like here. It isn’t what I do. I will be doing some minor maintenance like replacing a few seals on my R1 engine and doing some touch up on some paint. I’ve never been to pleased with idea of removing the front fenders to take off the tires so will probably weld the nuts onto the fender mount to at least make the job easier. When I mounted my rear view mirrors they were barely adequate to see traffic behind me. I “can” see but not all that well. I bought the longest mounting stem I could find but they simply fell short. I get a “Jim Dandy” view of my elbow and arm and maybe a glimpse of traffic behind me when I round a curve or corner. I decided to fix the problem and fabricated a 2-1/2” extender link from aluminum bar stock to place between the mount and pivot point of the mirror stem. Does it look fantastic and super duper, Hell no. It looks added on but functional. Before I go out and buy some very expensive replacements I want to make sure what I buy is going to work. What I made, works but doesn’t look all that well engineered as you can see from the photo below. I will more than likely keep this arrangement until I can find a mirror set with longer mount stems. That’s it for now. I will be riding today if it isn’t going to rain. Cheers everyone Roger Worcester, Massachusetts E36549BF-E22C-4099-A96C-7C77C15B34C8 by Roger Baker, on Flickr
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Post by roger32849 on Sept 30, 2018 21:25:14 GMT
MVIMG_20180930_124702 by Roger Baker, on Flickr It was a nice fall day here in New England. I decided to take a ride through New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts. At the covered Bridge in Charlemont Massachusetts
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