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Post by roger32849 on May 17, 2016 22:08:02 GMT
  Now then, what is to be taken from these two pictures. For one, when the "Darksiders" say the tire goes on hard, they are not lying. When they say blow outs during mounting rarely happen.... be skeptical. The force of the air totally devastated the dogs bed. It lifted the tire 5 feet in the air and blew out a patch 5 inches long. It tore the tire compound from the wire windings that reinforce the rim seat. I was 25 feet away and I felt the concussion of the rapid loss of air. Would I Darkside, no not again. If someone provided a mounted tire on the proper wheel, then I might consider it, but will not buy another tire and attempt the same scenario. Here is where this lesson was handed out and here is where I say, I learned something. Roger Worcester, Massachusetts |
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Post by roger32849 on Jul 10, 2016 12:13:55 GMT
I just returned from my vacation out west. Naturally it is raining once I return. It is just as well, I need to relax and rest up a bit before I start my riding. I believe Monday is supposed to be dry and sunny. I want to do a little clean up on my Eco-Exo. It has been kept inside and beneath a dust cover, but it could use a good once over inspection and check critical bolts and fasteners for security.
I know there hasn't been much activity on the forum. The Eco-Exo group is a small elite gathering of guys and after all, it is vacation time. I will be taking mine out tomorrow weather permitting.
Yesterday I went to my local Victory/Polaris dealer and looked at and drove the Polaris Slingshot. The entry level model is about $22,000. The SL is ka-chinging in at close to $26,000, which includes a windshield, stereo, backup camera and 20" wheels and tires. I drove the SL. Plenty of power, handling was "good" comfort was "just ok". I sat down with the dealer and asked what sort of deal he could make. Basically, the price is chizeled in stone, they did not negotiate at all. The offer for my bike was low and the model they were offering was the entry level unit. Don't ya just hate it when you are looking at a very expensive "toy" that you would potentially purchase with a price tag that could gag a porn star, and the dealer is negotiating in pennies and refers to your next major purchase as a "UNIT". I personally have a difficult time justifying buying a "Unit" in the multi thousand dollar range. By the way, my Exo-Exo would not be traded in. I have a Victory Trike that was being offered up.
Well, I am back. I need more coffee before I start my day. Ride safe.
Roger
Worcester, Ma
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Post by roger32849 on Jul 12, 2016 11:02:45 GMT
 It was a bright and sunny day, all was right with the world. It was just me, my trike and the open road in front of me. Suddenly I realized my day was about to take a change, but.... not necessarily for the worst. In my haste to get on the open road I was neglectful in one small but necessary component. GAS...FUEL... PETROL... MOTION LOTION...what ever you call it. As the engine staggered and eventually quit, the clutch auto released and I coasted to the edge of the highway. I got out, thoroughly disgusted at my stupidity. If I could kick myself in the backside I would. I turned the key on and watched my fuel gauge cycle and reset just above the red line reserve mark. I gave the gauge cluster firm tap along side the housing to see if the reading was correct. (As this would magically fix my situation) I removed the fuel cap and shook the trike....yep bone dry. As I was about to call a friend for assistance, a Massachusetts State Police cruiser rolled up behind me. He made several calls for me. I belong to AAA (American Automobile Association) but they refused to come out saying they were to busy. It is the only time I have asked for roadside assistance and it was denied. We will let our membership lapse and enroll in a different roadside service association. Long story short, the Trooper called another service and they were there in 15 minutes. He stayed until I was safely back on the road. This is typical of the sort of assistance the dedicated men and women in the Massachusetts State Police provide. He was very professional, extremely helpful and curious about my trike. He took a picture or two and asked if I bought it or built it. The end result was, it was a very pleasant encounter with the officer, he got me the fuel I neglected to get, stayed to ensure my safety and made sure I got back on the road. The day was saved and I rode the remainder of it thanks to a Massachusetts State Trooper helping me. Yay!!! Roger Worcester, Massachusetts |
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Post by birubhai on Jul 12, 2016 19:32:59 GMT
Hi, pictures say a thousand words. Firstly, I wasn't aware that 'darkside' is actually a very well recognised and discussed topic on motorcycle forums. Whilst cleaning trike, I saw some black rubber marks on the inner front rims and got bit concerned. Took a torch to look up close, for sure the rim and car tyre combo is not working. This is madness and ignorance can kill. I am going back to motorcycle tyres - 140 fronts and 150 rear. Read some more on internet, and most tyre/traffic safety agencies have strongly advised against using car tyre on motorcycle rim. It could have been disaster for me. I feel morally responsible to share with my fellow members here. Rear tyre is fine, i think it is to do with the outer bead of tyre and how it fits the rim. As rear has lower profile, and less lateral movement compared to fronts running 80 profile. I am going for bike tyres: Front 140/70/13 (easily available), Rear 150/60/13 (hard to find) other option 150/70/13.    |
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Post by davej98002 on Jul 13, 2016 4:47:09 GMT
That Ooze is most likly the lube you used to seat the bead. Darksiding will not cause the rubber to melt and ooze all over.
A motorcycle 13 inch tire is really larger inside than a 13 inch car tire (Tyre). This is why a Car tire fits VERY tight on a Motorcycle rim.
There are 1000's of people that say Never ever put a Car tire on a Motorcycle rim. But 10,000's of motorcyclist have been doing it for decades. I am one that has and will continue to do so.
Back in the 70's (1970) we ran Bias Ply (Cross Ply) TRUCK 15 inch tires on Harleys. My uncle had a customizing Harley Chopper shop and I would set on the bike and rev the engine to about 3500 in 3rd gear while he pulled a curved "SHOE" up on the tire that would burn off the edges to round up the truck tire. Lots of smoke.
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Post by birubhai on Jul 13, 2016 5:38:57 GMT
Great thanks for the input, I was actually dreading even driving as thought that the front would burst. Will take to Tyre shop just to make sure that the tyre is not shredding as it seems. I didn't see how the tyre was mounted as the fabrication shop got it done.
Many thanks for the reply as I was about to order a set today. Cheers
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Post by kiwicanfly on Jul 13, 2016 9:58:36 GMT
As the inflation pressure passed 82 psi, the sidewall seperated from the steel bead and the tire exploded. Apparently car tyres should never be inflated above 40psi due to stresses imparted above this, appently the side can seperate! I got that fact from a deep analysis of the cons of darksiding, something I had never heard of before you mentioned the term. However I learnt something even more interesting from the same forum - darksiders and non-darksiders don't see eye to eye on the subject  That is an understatement to say the least, the best bit was the debunking of long standing proven scientific friction theory by personal opinion! |
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Post by roger32849 on Jul 13, 2016 10:17:20 GMT
Here is how I look at this. If you feel you need/should do anything to your trike for your safety and/or piece of mind, then by all means do it. I agree with what Dave said about running darkside tires. Litterly thousands of riders have car tires on their trikes and motorcycles, most without incident. If the ooz that is seaping from your bead seam is really excess sealant or some sort of lubricant, then you probally should have it checked. If there is ANY doubt in your mind about your personal safety or the safe operation of your trike then it would be wise to install motorcycle tires on your motorcycle rims.
It is easy for us in our easy chairs to toss out all sorts of advice or speculate on a problem. All that, will do you absolutely no good when your tire blows or becomes seperated from the rim at 60 MPH. It is "YOU" in the drivers seat and the people and property you might injure or damage will become your responsibility. And all you will have is "someone on a forum said it was okay".
Don't take a chance with your safety or the safety of others. Get the tires the checked and if defective get them replaced.
Roger
Worcester, Massachusetts.
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Post by roger32849 on Jul 17, 2016 10:31:11 GMT
There were several very nice riding days this week. I thoroughly took advantage of them. Yesterday was a 125 short hop and before that it was a lunch ride to "The Shady Glen" diner in Turners Falls Massachusetts. It was a great lunch, and the best raspberry cream pie "evah"!! It was rated by chef and food critic Anthony Bourdain a few years ago. We both recommend the pie..... :-) Massachusetts is criscrossed by thousands of rural backroads and byways that lead to small out of the way villages and scenic views. It is a perfect place to ride. The trees form a canopy over the highways and its like riding beneath natures umbrella.
I do not think I will be riding coast to coast again and I have taken my Victory trike to a friend that is a dealer, and he is in the process of negotiating a sale. If it goes through, I means my trike will be gone as early as Tuesday. There is an older GL1500, that is being offered in partial payment. The GL is also a trike, Low miles for a Goldwing... 60K...and it is the SE model. It will replace the Victory temporarily, and is suitable for camping trips and freeway cruising. The Eco-Exo will be kept and ridden as always.
I really enjoyed building the Eco-Exo. I met a lot of very helpful guys and made a few friends. However, it is obvious to me the Eco-Exo is not ever going to be produced. It is a shame, it is great fun to drive and not to challenging to build. I would build another one if the circumstances were different.
I checked into tooling up to build a chassis. A professional manual ratchet type tubing bender with a single 120° 2" die was less than I thought, about $750.00. The pipe roller was quite cheap as well. These two items along with a MIG welder are all the expensive tools needed. Of course a good cut off saw would come in handy. So, for around $1500.00 you could be in business...... at least to fab up a chassis. Am I headed in that direction?? I think not, but would enjoy building another kit trike though.
Well, its time to get going. Today is Sunday and we are going to the "farmers market" in Hardwick and possiby to a flea market at Reaetta.
Now get out there and ride.
Roger
Worcester, Massachusetts
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Post by birubhai on Jul 21, 2016 9:13:12 GMT
Hi, re tyres took to a shop and they suggested it is bead seal glue and don't see any signs of rubber chafing. Then I took it to fabricator who said the tyre installer used this glue as there could be a chance of air loss dues to the tyre not being originally meant for bike wheel. So, it should be fine, I will keep a check on it though. Best - Babr
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Post by roger32849 on Jan 18, 2017 17:47:24 GMT
It has been a long time since I did a post here. My summer riding time naturally has come to a seasonal pause, somewhat like a bear in hibernation...... Still living, breathing, and very much alive but yet asleep. I knocked the bugs and excess road film off the finish and placed my Eco-Exo-R in my garage beneath a cover for winter.
My summer riding was enjoyable and a mix of the Eco-Exo and my Yamaha VStar 1100. When it comes to enjoyment, the two are somewhat of an opposite contrast to each other. The trike hugs the curves and corners like the tires were glued to the road. There is sufficient power to make short work of the Birkshire and Green Mountain roads and byways. I always get thumbs up..... (even from the police) in short, it is a fun vehicle and I am glad I was able to get one before Scott Turner sold the business off to Kelvin. As far as my VStar goes, it is also quite smooth and is equally adept at handling the mountain back roads of New England. Both are fun, but in their own way.
My riding season will begin with a 2 year inspection of my final drive: variator, clutch and belt. For sure the belt gets replaced as well as new OEM rollers. The clutch will be inspected and pads replaced if needed, also the clutch friction surfaces will be deglazed. I will also service the final gear assembly by changing oil. A good cleaning and replacement of wearing parts is just about all that is required in this area. A set of brake pads are cheap insurance and I will order a set and install them as well then top off the fluid... (or purge it and add new) brake fluid is very hydroscopic and absorbs water so replacement may be prudent. There you have it. I will be all set for the season ahead. I am generally pleased with the power and speed range of the trike. I will not be altering the roller weight, or using sliders. Everything OEM.
I have not posted much about my TR1KE build, but will simply say it is progressing. If you are interested I did a video on YouTube with an initial (starting fluid) startup. You can do a search for "tr1ke initial start up starting fluid" progress on it is ahead of my schedule and this start up was to verify and confirm the ignition system circuitry. I may be starting a late thread under the "TR1KE" section forum to show what has been done so far. I don't want to violate any forum rules here but feel a mention here and there is not out of line. To show photos, progress information or build data would not be acceptable in the Eco-Exo section, so enough said.
Winter is here guys, it is time to wrench.....
Roger
Worcester, Massachusetts
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Post by davej98002 on Jan 18, 2017 19:28:40 GMT
One of the nice things about this design is the Burgman 400 has a big following and you can find any information to do repairs. The two main web pages are BurgmanUSA.com and Burgmanriders.com but there are web pages in Italy and Spain too.
I have wanted a Eco-Exo as you know. But having had major medical issues due to crashing my Burgman 650 and the not covered medical bills, it will not happen too soon. My last crash not only cost me my job but also about $25,000 in medical bills. But I do enjoy reading all you owners builds, you guys are very talented and due some praise.
Roger, we would welcome you posting your tR1ke build over on the ReverseTrike forum. It too is a Proboard.com forum.
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Post by roger32849 on Jan 20, 2017 11:19:16 GMT
After some thought and seeking advise from the forum Moderators I have decided to open a TR1KE thread. It is listed similarly as my Eco-Eco build. Easy to find, mainly because it is the only active TR1KE build currently on the forum.
I need to address a few things before I start posting pictures and videos. My photo bucket account is about at its maximum and want to make sure I can load more photos for the thread. There are a few more issues to sort out but will be multitasking until everything I need to take care of is finished.
That being said, I will start this morning with posting the few photos I have after loading them on photo bucket (pending available room)
Roger
Worcester, Massachusetts
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Post by nigel on Jan 21, 2017 18:44:27 GMT
... My photo bucket account is about at its maximum and want to make sure I can load more photos for the thread. You can always with an alternative email register a second photo bucket account.  nigel |
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Post by roger32849 on Jan 22, 2017 20:03:11 GMT
I have used 70% of my available space on Photobucket. When it gets to about 95% I will do a download of older non MEV posted pictures and free up some space. I have loaded a few pictures on the TR1KE section. No one has commented yet but lots of views. It appears I am the only one that owns a qualifying TR1KE that is posting. I have monitored this section for awhile and it is [was] dead as yesterday's spare ribs. Maybe there will be some activity or interest later on.? No worries here....
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