True Trike for Swing

Almost 3 months ago, I had an accident that for a variety of reasons seemed to put an end to my scooter riding. I am excited to announce that there is a new option for me that I feel will last a lifetime for me.
I have been investigating triking a Silverwing and had found that the only option available was the kit that converts a two wheeler into a four wheeler. I was seriously pursuing that avenue before Bill (Honda Silver)gave me some very good information that made that option a whole lot less attractive. I was beginning to believe that I had ridden my last time. Then, I believe it was Dennis or Bill again that sent me the name of the Trinity Trike Company in Florida. I read their web site information and called the company. I talked to one of the partners Bob (the other is Richard, a true honest to goodness rocket scientist). It didn't take long to discover that this is the option for me. A true trike. A silverwing with a new rear assembly that is just what I have been looking for. I know it is not for everyone. Some will say it is too much money to put into a Scooter. I heard that when I got my first Silverwing. Just this morning, my wife asked me this question... "Why are you getting another Silverwing? Why not get a "REAL" motorcycle trike? I apologize guys. I sat there staring at this woman I slept with and began wondering if she was the same woman I began the night with. I ignored the question but you know how it goes. I love the Silverwing. I proved back in April that you can slide it 50 yards down a highway. Pick it up. Push the start button and drive it to Mississippi. Think about the posts here on this forum. How many posts are there about real mechanical problems? Most posts are about gloves, seats, gas tank capacity, mpg, blings. Ever once in a while someone has a starting or running problem... when those get posted, it is like ringing a dinner bell at the ranch house. Everybody pays attention because they are so rare. That is why I am not wanting a REAL motorcycle. REAL motorcycles have REAL problems.
I have bought a swing that I will pick up in a couple of weeks. ( I still can't ride yet because I am still wearing an aircast.) The trike kit won't be ready for two or three weeks (maybe longer). When all the ingredients are collected. I am going to make the trip to Glenpool where Dennis and I are going to do the conversion ourselves. I am really excited. I may have the first actual Silverwing true trike. Dennis and I are going to take detailed pictures and will post here to document the process in case any of you want to follow suit later in your riding career.

Just as I have formed first impressions of many of you from your posts or phone conversations, I am really convinced that the folks at Trinity Trike are top class people. They have been manufacturing trike kits for the Bergman and other bikes for a while now. I am just fortunate that they are expanding to the Silverwing market at this time. Give their site a look.

(Sorry, you won't see this link on the .org site)

[url=trinitytrike.com]The Trinity Trike Site[/url]

I guess you may have to cut and paste the url... trinitytrike.com

http://www.thetrinitytrike.com/CVTcruisers/index.html

The very best of luck with it, Gary!

I bet Dennis has already started dreaming up a few bolt-ons........towbar, for example?

Thanks for the link help Bill.
Mike ... I am already making a list of things to add for making it more safe....

Gary,
May I suggest that a Sebel horn or two be on the top of your safety list?
Your trike will not only be a bigger target than a 2 wheeler, but you have more room to attach stuff, instead of trying to cram everything into the small silverwing frame. You can afford to think bigger and more dramatic.

Dan

dspevack wrote:

instead of trying to cram everything into the small silverwing frame. You can afford to think bigger and more dramatic.

Could you imagine what Dan would do without any limitations

Dan... I definitely am going with the stebel horn. Those are awsome.

honda_silver wrote:

dspevack wrote:

instead of trying to cram everything into the small silverwing frame. You can afford to think bigger and more dramatic.

Could you imagine what Dan would do without any limitations

Bill,
The only thing I have wanted to do to my bike and chosen not to (exclusively because of money) is boring out another 50cc and turbocharging the engine. There is no need to do so, but if money were no object, I would do it because it can be done. Everything else I have already done.

Gary,
All the best to you and the Trinity Trike conversion. Unfortunately, after I had already bought and half installed a Danson Trike, Bob contacted me about the soon to be available SilverWing conversion. If (a big word that) I had been a bit more of a procrastinator or Trinity had been a bit faster with the development process, I would more than likely be in line to install a Trinity.

All in all, I'm happy with the Danson. I'm still learning to DRIVE it. Trust me when I tell you that the first time you attempt to ride the finished product it will scare the living **** out of you. Each subsequent attempt will be less scary and soon you will truly enjoy it.

Jon... believe me I have been told over and over about having to adjust to the three wheel ride. I am going to be VERY deliberate with my education. I am not in a hurry. Safety is going to be my watch word for the rest of my life. Glad to hear you are getting along with the Danson. I had been wondering how that was going for you.
I sure look forward to getting back in the swinging scene soon.

Opalsboy wrote:

I sure look forward to getting back in the swinging scene soon.

What does that have to do with a trike?

Well Dan, for me, my foot/ankle was really messed up. I didn't have have the strongest ankles to begin with. I don' t know if I would ever be strong enough to support a Swing, especially in any kind of emergency. To say the least, my confidence level is as puny as my ankle. Just getting a Silverwing between my thighs will be a thrill. I can hear a big WHOPPIIEE coming in my near future.

Now Gary, I've been to the big city. Some times I wish I never have. The act of "Swinging" in the adult world, in the big city, is some times called "wife swapping".

Wife swapping probably began since the dawn of time. From our history records at museums and in libraries we can find some sort of written documents from the ancient Rome and its' orgies. Those orgies they have was probably what we call today as "swinging parties".

Just thought you may want to know.....

Thank You for explaining it Dennis.
Gary, I often find humor in taking things out of context.

Dennis. I will give your number to the little lady and YOU can ask her about the wife swapping idea.
I will keep to MY idea of wrapping my thighs around a Silverwing.

Na....No Thanks. Just not my cup of tea. That was for your information only. Nothing more.

Talking of 'between your thighs' and 'swinging' reminded me of the following clip - it's funny, mildy rude but not offensive, so you have been warned!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LylYOuEJuMU

Gary we are going to have the coolest Swings around

HARLEY.... I welcome you to the small group of Trike Swings... I know you are excited as I am...
Add a little more info to your profile... at least give the country or state... stalkers won't find you with that basic stuff.


Mike... I just looked at the link in your post again... it is obvious that it is of my squirrel BEFORE the heat wave....

Posted a picture of my 06. and where I am.. when I trike & can finally ride, two wheels are fun, but unfortunately I need more stability..

been getting updates on the trinity looks like it won't be too much longer..
& I cant wait...

Yes, me too. I have talked to Bob a couple of times in the last two weeks. I am looking at the kit as a nice Christmas gift. If I get it a few weeks early, fine. If not, that is fine too. I just want it before next spring
I was a lot more impatient early on. I finally realized that this is a completely new design and there are a lot of first time details that have to be worked out. The update today mentioned the discovery of the left side plate as it was originally designed ( kinda like the Bergman) would require a major disassembly in order to do a belt change. Things like that are important to find before final production. As Bob told me early on, when the kit does arrive, it is going to be so worth the wait. They are working diligently to get this done right.
We will have to meet up one of these days. How far do you live from Chattanooga TN ? My bucket list includes a Holocaust memorial in Whitwell, TN. That is about 30 miles from Chattanooga. Do a Google search for Paper Clip Project and read about this special place. It is a two day ride from me.
I am still riding my two wheeler, but do look forward to the addition of the extra wheel.

Let me introduce myself, I’m Bob Witte, President of The Trinity Trike. I’ve been lurking here for some months and only communicating via reports made by others on the forum. But with the rather immediate pending completion of the first true trike conversion of our beloved Honda Silver Wing (we’re calling ours the Trinity S’Winger), I figured it was time to come out from behind the curtain!

Therefore, I’ve prepared a set of these “updates” the folks have been referring to for the last weeks. Nothing earth shattering about what they contain, just a narrative that has issues involved and a number of pictures some of you might find interesting (don’t we love pictures??).

Anyhow, here’s the edited set of PDF’s you can download directly from our site. Just click on the link to load the PDF. Once loaded, you can save a copy to your desktop. Oh yeah, depending upon the tightness of your PC’s security setups, you may get warnings about risks downloading such files. There’s no real risk for this PDF, I prepared it myself:

http://thetrinitytrike.com/CVTcruisers/Silverwing/S'Winger.pdf

I’m hoping that the update coming out next week will have pics of a fully assembled unit! And if anyone wants to be on direct distribution, just PM me and ask.

Bob Witte
www.TheTrinityTrike.com

Hello, Bob, and welcome!

I think it's always good when the 'professionals' join a forum like this - mutual benefit!

Welcome indeed. Always a good thing to have the professionals join us.

TrinityTrike wrote:

Let me introduce myself, I’m Bob Witte, President of The Trinity Trike.

Very familiar with the Trinity Trike

I referred Gary (Opalsboy) the first Trinity Trike purchase ... then it looks like several others have signed up since then.

I like the Trinity Trike logo too

Well, here it is almost February, 2011.

I see in the Triketalk forum, today, that "another" customer (local to Florida) unit has been delivered.

I sure hope that you, Gary, and you, Harlywld1, get the promised (and paid for a long time ago) kits delivered soon. :flower: :flower:

I own an MTC Voyager, which is bolted to my SWing 650. I have been drifting through this thread and noted the comments about the 'different' type and style of ride that the conversion to 3, or in my case 4 wheels makes.

MTC bill their kit as 'from mild to wild' and I think that sums it up neatly. Sure riding a trike is different from a solo - width is the first big issue, followed by weight. You sure do notice the first time you clip a curbstone on a trike and it feels like your gonna flip right over It takes a very small mental adjustment thats all, like going from a compact to a station waggon. The basic skills are there, its the adjustment of spacial awarness that takes a little time.

I find that my 'Quike' as its called, handles nicely, the only major issue I had to overcome was the negotiation of round-a-bouts. I used to slow right down and steer around them as opposed to 'riding' around them which I do now - who cares if I lift a wheel in the process??? Certainly not me

I think the thing is, after some careful riding their comes a point when you realise that the way to get the best out of your machine is to take it by the scruff of the next and show it whos boss, anything less and it will 'dominate' you!


So get out there guys and give it some beans !!! Just remember that big cheesy grins can be misconstrued by wives/girlfriends; esp if the overhear the comment to the neighbours 'best ride I've had in a long, long time'..................

The two S'Wingers released are two local machines that Bob and Richard had loaned to them for measuring and developing purposes... it makes sense that they would be the ones to get out the door first...

My wheels and fenders are on the way due in here early coming week. I have actually seen the FedEX pickup orders. The rest of the kit will leave Trinity probably end of next week. The following kits will be short order out the door...

Yep, we are going to get promised kits berry berry soon.... and when we do... they are going to be so worth all this wait... I am about to have a peeing fit again...

Hi Gary, Looks like I'll need to get my Grayhound bus ticket to Pine Bluff pretty darn soon. You got your tires and paint lined up?

Yepp!!! Will have fenders and rear side panels painted within a day after I get them. Same for tires on wheels. Then I will be waiting for rest of kit.

Pack your bag....

Not sure what we will need to lift scoot .. any suggestions?

Don't forget that the scoot has about 300 +/- lb load on the rear wheel. If you need to get it very far in the air, I would use an American car engine hoist, the kind that they use to pull the complete engine/gearbox from some big whappin V8. I would support it once it is in the air with jack stands. You don't want it to come back down unexpectedly.

For the Danson, most of the assembly was done with the bike on its centerstand, plus a couple of small bottle jacks.

When I got the Danson kit, the "body" bits were already color matched to my '07 scoot.

Best of luck.

:flower: :flower:

It's too bad that the builder couldn't have taken advantage of the technology that has happened in the transportation world since Harley and Davidson plugged a single cylinder engine in Orville Wright's bicycle. (His analogy, not mine)

Hhhmmmm!!! Thanks jon for the hoist suggestion...

No comment on the rest ...

Overall I have no complaints about Trinity...

I notice you ended with an ellipsis. Nuff said. :flower:

a proper trike awesome.not the easiest of things to do on an auto.

Damn... I am so smart Jon... I had no idea that what I have done all my life with the three periods... or dots... had a name... learned something today... would six dots be ellipsises ...... or maybe ellipsiss ...... would me doing the dotting make me an ellipsiser ...

That's another word I had never used. Not many Greek fellows raised here in this country. Thanks for the lesson...

[b]Jon Said:[/b]
"Nuff said"

That reminded me of a true story my dentist told me yesterday while he had my mouth pried open. It seems there is a lady in a nearby town that had several children then upon the birth of her eighth one... she named him
"Enough" . Nick named ... "Nuff" You must know his mom.

Gary, are you going to Darkside the front when you get your Trinity conversion completed? I would think flat profile tires would be a Good Thing. Sure were on the CB750 sidecar rig I had in the '80s.

Sidecars -- left turns like a go-cart; right turns like an 18-wheeler. Lots of fun, but I imagine a true trike would be worlds better.

Looking at the pics on the Trinity site, it appears there would be plenty of room for decent hard saddlebags. Something like the Givi V35s would be attractive (if pricey).

Hi Bill... hope you don't mind a few ellipsis(s) now and then... I am not sure about the front dark side question. I have a new tire on front now, so I have a few miles to decide. I have an open mind on the dark side issue.

I will make decision on saddle bag options based on need after trike is complete. I don't want to over load the scoot with more than I am going to really really need. But I have looked at the Givi V35 (after your suggestion) ... they do look nice, but very pricey... wife is leaning toward a soft model.

Thanks for the suggestions