Trouble-Shooting Guide
InstaTrike by Tow-Pac, Inc
 
 

A - Motorcycle is not straight vertically in InstaTrike

  1. Be certain hitch brackets are installed properly according to installation manual

  2. Loosen hitch brackets. Straighten motorcycle vertically. Retighten brackets.

  3. Be certain leanstop bolts are tight. Be certain leanstop spacers (if applicable) are the same on each side. See Below

  4. Check wheel adjuster position.

B - Motorcycle is not square (right to left) in InstaTrike

  1. Be certain hitch is square with motorcycle. Loosen hitch brackets. Square hitch with motorcycle . Retighten brackets.

  2. Be certain hitch is square with InstaTrike frame. Loosen three attachment bolts. Square InstaTrike with hitch. Retighten three attachment bolts in the following sequence: Tension washer first followed by both leanstop bolts.

C - Motorcycle seems to lean right or left while riding

  1.  You may be experiencing road crown. Most roads slope to the right for water drainage

  2. Be sure hitch brackets and leanstops are properly installed and tightened.

See Item A

  1. Adjust wheel height adjusters to compensate for lean. Extend wheel height adjuster to lower wheel. Shorten wheel height adjuster to raise wheel.

See Below  Example: If motorcycle leans to the left lower left wheel and/or raise right wheel. Make adjustments at no more the ¼ inch intervals at a time.

D - Motorcycle pulls to the right or left while riding

  1. You may be experiencing road crown. Most roads slope to the right for water drainage

  2. Be sure hitch brackets and leanstops are properly installed and tightened.

See Item A

  1. Ensure InstaTrike tires are properly inflated. Ideally 50 psi.

  2. Adjust wheel height adjusters to compensate for pull.

  • Lower the wheel on the side of the direction of the pull and raise the wheel on the opposite side.

  • Adjustments should be made in no more than ¼ inch increments at a time to avoid over adjustment but can be made at any smaller increment. Further adjustment can be made however smaller increments generally produce better results than one large adjustment.

  • Adjust both wheels for best results. One wheel up and one wheel down. Example: Bike pulls to the right. Lower right wheel 1/8 - 1/4 inch and raise the left wheel 1/8 to 1/4 inch.

    •

    1. InstaTrike may not be square with motorcycle. See Item B

    2. Be certain InstaTrike wheels are properly aligned. See Below

    E - Motorcycle wobbles back and forth

    1.  Ensure hitch brackets and InstaTrike attaching bolts are properly tightened.

    2.  InstaTrike wheels may have insufficient down force. Adjust InstaTrike wheel down with wheel height adjusters to increase down force. Adjust at no greater than ¼ inch increments at a time. Ensure motorcycle rear wheel has sufficient traction after adjustment.

    3. Ensure InstaTrike tires are properly inflated. Ideally 50 psi.

    F - Motorcycle front end shakes at certain speeds

    1. Ensure InstaTrike tires are properly inflated. Ideally 50 psi.

    2. Ensure motorcycle tires are properly inflated and balanced. Check motorcycle tires (especially front tire) for unusual wear and cupping.

    3. Ensure motorcycle front suspension is functioning properly.

    4. Check InstaTrike tires for roundness. Tires should be within 1/8 inch of round. Replace tire if necessary.

    5. Check InstaTrike wheels for proper balance.

    6. Ensure InstaTrike wheel lug nuts are all properly tightened.

    7. InstaTrike wheels may have insufficient down force. Adjust InstaTrike wheel down with wheel height adjusters to increase down force. Adjust at no greater than ¼ inch increments at a time. Ensure motorcycle rear wheel has sufficient traction after adjustment.

    G - InstaTrike wheels show unusual or premature tire wear

    1. Properly align InstaTrike wheels See Below

    2. Ensure InstaTrike is square with motorcycle See Item B

    H - Motorcycle has vibration at certain speeds

    1. Ensure InstaTrike tires are properly inflated. Ideally 50 psi.

    2. Ensure motorcycle tires are properly inflated and balanced. Check motorcycle tires (especially front tire) for unusual wear and cupping.

    3. Check InstaTrike tires for roundness. Tires should be within 1/8 inch of round. Replace tire if necessary.

    4. Check InstaTrike wheels for proper balance.

    5. Ensure InstaTrike wheel lug nuts are all properly tightened.

    6. Ensure InstaTrike hitch brackets are properly tightened.

    I) - Raising or lowering InstaTrike in relation to receiver hitch

    NOTE: Your InstaTrike is set-up properly for a stock version of your motorcycle. Rarely due to aftermarket or worn suspension the hitch height in relation to the InstaTrike may need to be altered.

  • Remove alignment plate from InstaTrike frame. (Alignment plate is the portion of the InstaTrike which inserts into the receiver hitch. It is attached to the rear of the InstaTrike frame with 2 bolts.)

  • Change hole position.

  • If necessary alignment plate can be inverted for smaller ½ inch adjustments.

  • Alignment plate can be shimmed to adjust its angle if necessary.

  • Leanstops and spacers may need to be reoriented to accommodate change.

  • Torque alignment plate bolts (2) to 50 pounds.

    •

    J - Motorcycle rear wheel needs more traction

    1. Using wheel height adjusters raise both InstaTrike wheels at no greater than ¼ inch increments at a time until adequate traction is achieved.  See Below

    2. Check motorcycle rear tire for proper inflation

    K - InstaTrike wheel raises off of road surface excessively in tight turns

    NOTE: During sharp or high speed turns, the inside InstaTrike wheel may raise slightly off of the road surface (no more than 1 to 2 inches). This is normal.

    1. Ensure InstaTrike tires are properly inflated (50 psi)

    2. Adjust more down force on InstaTrike wheels using wheel height adjusters.

    3. Do not take turns at excessive speeds.

    L - InstaTrike fenders Rattle

    1. Ensure all fender bolts are tightened properly.

    2. Place an isolating material (foam strip, Velcro, ect) between fender and InstaTrike frame.

    3. Ensure fender is not touching axle attachment plate.

    M - Motorcycle rides too roughly

    NOTE: With InstaTrike installed your motorcycle will ride stiffer than in its stock two-wheeled configuration.

    1. Decrease down force on InstaTrike wheels by adjusting them up.  See Item J

    2. Ensure motorcycle and InstaTrike wheels are properly inflated.

    N - InstaTrike wheels appear to lean or turn out

    NOTE: A slight camber is normal due to torsion axle suspension

    1. Ensure InstaTrike wheels are properly aligned See Installation Manual

    2. If necessary, axle plates may be shimmed to reduce wheel lean.

    O - InstaTrike or hitch bracket bolts come loose

    1. Periodically check bolts for tightness particularly after initial installation

    2. Use removable lock-tite and/or spring lock washers if necessary.

     P - Towing a trailer

    1. Maintain motorcycle recommended weight. Do not overload trailer.

    2. Use safety chains

     Q - InstaTrike is difficult to attach or remove from receiver hitch

    1. Grease alignment plate periodically

    2. Place riser plates under InstaTrike wheels to help align alignment plate with receiver hitch.

    3. If necessary loosen alignment plate (2 bolts). Retighten to 50 pounds.

    4. Shim alignment plate to adjust angle to match that of receiver hitch if necessary. Be certain shim surrounds bolt.

     R - Miscellaneous

    1. Regrease wheel bearings every 12000 miles or one year

    2. If bolt replacement is necessary ensure replacement bolt is of the same hardness as original.

    Most bolts are #8 hardness (6 dashes on bolt head)

    Some may be #5 hardness (3 dashes on bolt head)

    Metric bolts (if applicable) are 8.8, 10.9, or 12.2 hardness

    1. Tire replacement

    8 inch kit - 4.80 X 8 B or C class

    12 inch kit - 4.80 X 12 B or C class

    1. Recommended tire pressure is 50 psi

    Diagrams -

     

    Wheel Alignment

    With InstaTrike installed and motorcycle on center stand, measure A and B. Loosen axle plates and align wheel so A and B are equal to within 1/16th of an inch. Tighten axle bolts and torque to 45 pounds. Repeat for C and D.

    It may be necessary to shim axle plates for proper alignment.

     

    NOTE: The measurement of A and B may not be the same as C and D. This is normal and presents no difficulty.

    Wheel Height Adjuster

     

    The wheel height/traction adjuster (right and left side) allows you to selectively adjust the position of your trike wheels in order to customize ride, handling, level, and traction characteristics. Your trike is shipped with the adjuster preset to an optimum position for your model of motorcycle however you can make whatever adjustments necessary to customize to your bike and personal preference.

    Shortening the adjuster arm raises the trike wheels and places more of the weight of your motorcycle on the motorcycle wheel. This increases motorcycle traction and gives a generally softer ride.

    1) Loosen jam nuts

    2) Shorten adjuster arm by turning adjuster nut A toward bolt C desired amount.

    3) Turn adjuster nut B until it tightens against adjuster bracket and adjuster nut A

    4) Tighten nuts A and B and jam nuts

    Lengthening the adjuster arm lowers the trike wheels and places more of the weight of your motorcycle on the trike wheels. This gives a firmer ride and increases handling/cornering.

    1) Loosen jam nuts

    2) Lengthen adjuster arm by turning adjuster nut B toward bolt D desired amount.

    3) Turn adjuster nut A until it tightens against adjuster bracket and adjuster nut B

    4) Tighten nuts A and B and jam nuts

     

    If necessary the pivot bolt and bolts C and D and be loosened for adjustment

    Be certain to retighten all bolts after adjustment.

    NOTICE: Check all bolts and nuts periodically for tightness

    NOTICE: Be sure motorcycle is level after adjustment.