Props to some of the guys above who mentioned something very important that I forgot...you need to be very aware of how wide the trike is along the rear fenders. It's not just you thinking: "Oh, I've got plenty of room between those two parked cars..." Yeah, well, maybe, maybe not. Make sure. But, here's another thing that will catch you: You're riding down the road, and there's a rock or something else. So, you see it in plenty of time, and you easily clear the rock, with your front tire. And then, you get launched into the air when one of those big, fat, rear tires goes over the rock. Sooo many new things to pay attention to!

 

Welcome to this forum! You will find a lot of good information here! You and your brother were obviously very close and I hope tears soon turn to smiles when remembering him. Riding a trike gets easier / better with time and miles. You didn't mention if you were planning to switch to three wheels or if you remain comfortable with two wheels. Many of us switch to three wheels because of health changes. The trike was a wonderful gift from your brother's family but maybe it doesn't need to replace your current motorcycle.

 

Hey all.... THANKS so much for your condolences. My most significant ride with my buddy was in July, 1970 from Santa Cruz, Ca. to Colorado Springs, Co. We made a stop in Twin Falls Idaho and found Shoshone Falls a great place to spend a couple nights. The 3rd night we went to the Dairy Queen, there sat a 48/49 Plymouth with 3 young ladies in it... the driver rolls her window down and yells out to us "Are you guys' Bronson?". and that's how I met my wife of 47 years... so far! (7 year engagement, ha)

Sorry got sidetracked..! realized right away this is a different animal. Steering, braking, girth, and weight. You can definitely feel that weight of 1200+ pounds under you. I rounded a car in a parking lot and almost clipped it! I said, out loud, "Well I won't do that again!" Took it about 20 miles and started to feel a tad bit more comfortable towards the end. Glad I live on the edge of a small town where it is easy to get away from traffic etc. I am in the process of another build, so I plan on still riding on 2 wheels. Not sure how that will work out bouncing back and forth but we shall see. My health is still great (knock on wood) and I know trikes have been a life saver for those with health issues that are not comfortable riding. Thanks so much for the link to the sound system pdf. I wasn't able to figure out a few things. That should help.

Seems like a lot of engine noise coming out of this! Sounds about like a Twin Cam B engine. Normal? Oil level fine! Maybe because of all the fairing, trunk, fenders, lowers etc... Must channel the sound straight up. My wife had a TC-B engine in her '03 Softail and it sounded like it was coming undone. Even after sticking 512 gear drive cams in it.

One question I do have is... Starting it, do I need to pull the clutch, hold the front brake handle and step on the rear brake simultaneously?? I thought I read somewhere to use this proceedure! That's crazy!

Thanks again ....

Frank

 

Only if it is in gear, you have to have either the front brake or the rear brake on and the clutch pulled in to start; useful if you stall out. Other wise it will start with nothing pulled in if it is in neutral and the green "N" lamp on.

I always pull the clutch in as a matter of habit because of riding more than 50 years with bikes that did not have interlock safety's when they are in gear.

 

Only to start if you are not in neutral!
Did not see the other reply.

 

Operators Manual is your friend.

 

47 years for me and my wife too! Your trike will still be under warranty and your local Harley service center will address your concerns. I made a point of reporting any unusual behaviors (ie:sounds or sound level) in case there is a problem. As an aside, my first ride on a Harley was my friends new '71 Super Glide. I hear the same familiar sound coming from my stock '20 Freewheeler!

 

^^^^^^
The difference?
If there’s a puddle under the Trike, there’s a problem.

If there was NOT a puddle under the Shovelhead, there was a problem.

 

Welcome from NC

 

O ya... ALWAYS pull the clutch before starting any bike. Really appreciate all the feedback and hints. I told my wife the other day that back seat looks pretty darn comfortable! She can drive! But it seems you kind of have to muscle these things around. Maybe I'm making too much out of it but maneuvering a 2-wheeler seems so much easier!! I'll check back later after a few hundred miles. Started it up yesterday and check engine light is on. Not sure what's up there. Yes, still under warranty, so straight to the HD Dealer.

Merry Christmas All....!!!

Frank
Twin Falls, Idaho