Maybe I'll call it 'Threenix' for a while ;)

[gltriker]

I was successful to duck out of my son and daughter-in-laws home yesterday afternoon after having Thankgiving dinner with our family, and take a 60 mile ride on some nice back roads. Sunshine, mid 50s with a gentle breeze was a perfect "dessert" not to be missed.
With no traffic to contend with for my full time attention to only the road, I made a discovery re: occasional missed upshifting gear grinding I'd reported several days ago.

Even though I was shifting with the throttle grip fully and immediately returning to "idle", the engine was somewhat lazy returning to 1000-1100 rpms on the tachometer. hmmmmmm. (I should anticipate that successfully synchronizing the carburetors will reduce the engine's return- to- idle speed lag?)

After that moment of discovery and completely processing it, waiting several seconds until the engine did fully return to idle, on the tachometer display, before lifting the pedal, consistently produced smooth and complete upshift gear changes. (Downshifting has never been a troublesome task, ever.)

Also, since I'm becoming more confident with the trike's operational integrity, I gradually took it up to 70mph yesterday and never encountered any unnerving feedback during acceleration and deceleration cycles.

So..... that's where I'm at now making beneficial observations with almost 200 miles ridden over 4 days. Our long range weather forecast seems to confirm my riding days are done for this year.

[Sagebrush]

I miss upshifts fairly frequently on my 1100s ending up in the false neutral most often between 4th and 5th but sometimes between 3rd and 4th. Its usually when I get a little lazy in my shifting. With square cut gears and no synchronizers it takes some input from the foot in order to make consistently solid shifts. At this point in your GL1000 riding experience I wouldn't attribute your missed shifts to anything other than not using enough authority.

I will say this, on my yellow 1100 I have floorboards with a heal-toe shifter similar to the one you removed. I rarely miss upshifts on that bike due to the greater leverage gained with the shifter.

Is it the tach that is slow to return to idle or is it the engine? If its the tach often they get a little laggard if not used for a long time. Riding the bike usually clears them up after several hundred miles.

[Fred Camper]

I find I miss less up-shifts if I use the throttle to shift. Like others, I launch in the usual way with the clutch, then pre-load the up-shift with my foot and momentarily reduce the throttle (to unload the shaft) then reapply the throttle when the shift to second occurs. I think my better results shifting this way is due to my more purposeful constant pressure on the foot shift lever. If I was that consistent with foot pressure when using the clutch, I suspect I would be just as successful with the normal clutch method as well. Both the clutch lever and throttle can unload the output shaft when rolling, so the shift is pretty much the same under either method I think.

[terry_208]

Congratulations on the build! I am very glad you were able to take a couple short rides this year. I checked about the air activated shifters. You're right, pricey is an understatment! I did find one on auction for much cheaper: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pingel-Motorcyc ... 08&vxp=mtr. Their price is better, more in-line, with what to me, seems more fair.

[gltriker]

Thanks for your compliments, Terry. and.... Thanks for your help earlier this year with the critical dimension I needed, too!!

Even though the air temp was no more than 45 degrees this afternoon, the sun was shining and I knew today and tomorrow would be my last days to ride.... this year. 26 invigorating miles today. Maybe I'll get out again tomorrow. My upshifting is steadily getting better, now that I'm learning to be more patient.
I confirmed today, after somewhat recognizing it during Thankgiving afternoon's ride, that when my left knee gets cold, and my left thigh muscles are tiring, as well, that's when the problematic upshifting from 1st to 2cd gets dicey. Betcha that warm weather, and some strengthening excersises for my whole body, would pretty much make my riding experience MUCH more enjoyable!

[terry_208]

Ride a lot more and let that be your excersicse! I'm sure riding will be much more fun.

[gltriker]

You are a Wise Man!!

[Fred Camper]

keep very warm when you ride in the cold, that is a naked trike after all.

[gltriker]

we took a 15 mile ride this afternoon. 40ish degrees again and mostly cloudy. upShifting is getting better each time. I Realized today, that to just get moving and then shifting up to 2cd, works best.

I stopped by the home of the co-builder of the CB900 Custom trike on my way home, and finally talked him into getting dressed and taking a ride on this one. It's interesting watching somebody else ride it. He gave it 2 when they got back. Ralph asked afterwards, if I were to build another one, what would I change? I don't know.....nothing?

And, I only missed one shift on my way home. Actually, I'd only partially engaged 2cd and it popped back to neutral under Hard acceleration. I believe that assisted shifting plans are now just a passing distraction. Rear brakes are top priority now.

edit on 12/15: I'd change one thing. The selection of a rear axle closer to a 3.42 to 1 ratio. That's all!
I'm realizing the 3.73 ratio is too low! Actually, I believe I could take off from a dead stop in 2cd gear with just myself riding, and not unduly lug the engine in the process. (I can increase the rear tires' diameter 2 inches larger to alter the present 3.73 axle ratio close to the 3.42 range)

[Fred Camper]

Good deal on another ride and getting your x builder out was a good move too. Keep us posted on this rear brake build, it is something that needs to be well documented.

[gltriker]

keep very warm when you ride in the cold, that is a naked trike after all.

Jeff, I'm grateful to the PO/ s that the bike came to me with a Pacifico fairing installed. It blocks a good deal of wind on my upper body. A short ride is good for my head, and legs. I feel much steadier, and confident, and secure walking after getting off. All is well in my world!

I've suddenly began studying the extended weather forecasts with an eye for 45 degree days, with no precipitation anticipated, with great interest. My wife (and many others, I'm sure) doesn't understand my new found passion for riding when you can almost see your breath! At 63, he's already getting addled? I don't think so.

It's interesting to notice other drivers looking the trike over, and at the same time wondering if a guy with a quad cane securely, and somewhat strategically placed in plain sight, is crazy. i don't care..... just don't run me over!

[sunnbobb]

That machine is just crazy. Congrats on sticking with it!

[Red2trike]

I know you already have the heel/toe shifter on the trike and your gettin' better with shifting... but I use an "auxiliary shifter" attached to my exhaust manifold bolts. This type of shifter allows "push down" shifting for upshifts and still allows "push down" downshifting with the stock shifter as well AND with little foot movement (left/right). Can be used with stock footpegs and no cutting/welding. These things were out back in the mid-late 80's for 1000/1100/1200. Been using these things since I got my 1st GL1100 back in 1980. Still use one for the GL1200 Trike at present since the wife has strength issues with her ankles(she drives the trike too).

It's simple to make from 1/2" x 1/2" angle iron bent into a 90 deg bend. Holes drilled in location of exhaust manifold bolts and add a secondary hole for a 1/2" dia. x 1" long shoulder bolt. The shoulder bolt attachs another piece of bent steel 3/4" wide by 7-8" long. This is bent into a flat "Z" shape and hole drilled for shoulder bolt to attach to angle iron mount. This is the pivot point (shoulder bolt) of the steel piece that one ends locates under the "stock shifter" near the engine case. The steel piece pushes "up" on the gear lever as you go "up" in gears and then you use "stock shifter" to downshift as normal. Sounds complex but it's not. Maybe I can take a picture or two and send them to you via...pm or e-mail. I'm not to good with this adding pics to this site. I'll see what I can do.

RD2

[gltriker]

Your assistance is greatly appreciated, RD2!!
I'll incorporate whatever photos and information you send to me, into this thread for other folks that might benefit from it, as well.

Cliff

[transitman]

I plan to hang a crane and full size mobility scooter off the back of mine...