Triple Threat

Some people think that if riding two wheels is a good time, then three wheels are even better.

They may be right.

When Fats figured out he could turn a V-Rod into a trike, it was like granting him a wish.

“I’ve always liked trikes,” Fats said. “I’ve wanted one for a while. And I like the look of the V-Rod. When I found the Frankenstein trikes conversion, I decided I had to have one.”

So, he got ride of his Harley Davidson Tri-Glide and bought a 2004 V-Rod--VRSC, and opted for the Frankenstein 36-inch Sport Kit trike conversion. He opted to have the guys at Frankenstein Trikes, in Pleasanton, Kansas, do the conversion work. The end result is the sleek speedy three-wheeler you see here.

The Frankenstein rear end features a stout axel and drive assembly that measures 36-inches wide before the wheels are mounted. The stance allows for excellent stability on the back end, and lets all the power from the V-Rod motor to get to the monster wheels. Fats opted for centerline wheels, with 10-inch wide tires. That’s a lot of rubber on the road, letting this little trike burn holes in pavement.

“”The other trike I had was kind of a dog,” Fats said. It didn’t have enough power and would bog down on hills or if I was loaded down. This one though, it’s pretty bad-ass.”

It stops, too. The Frankenstein brakes, rotors and calipers stop this bike on demand, not just slow it down.

But this scooter isn’t all about the back end. Fats installed a Frankenstein built raked triple tree, which looks cool as hell, and provides tremendous stability and makes the bike easier to steer. The front end is stock Harley VRSC, but the seven-degree rake in the triple tree creates more than stability…it gives the trike a low, sleek look that fits right in with the V-Rod styling.

One thing that had to be dealt with was the exhaust. Factory exhaust can’t be used—it’s too long and jams against the rear axel. Fats had a D & D system on the trike, but it was too long as well. So, he took a Supertrap muffler, cut a couple inches off the front end to allow it to slide over the flange of the D & D headers, and welded it together.

The standard three-gallon fuel tank was also removed and a five-gallon tank installed.

“You can’t go anywhere with a three gallon tank!” Fats explained. “I had to change that. I don’t want to be stopping for gas al the time.”

A Harley police tour-pak was added behind the seat, giving the bike some carrying capacity, and Rick LaBriola, of LaBriola Machine in Denver, designed and built a mounting bracket that allows for just a luggage rack to be mounted—no tour-pak—giving this trike another open, low, sleek look and feel.

The entire bike is painted Vivid Black, topped off by some fine pinstriped flames by long-time Denver area pin-striper Rody (pronounced roadie) from Centennial. He flames really pop off the bike, and just add to the look.

“I’ve always liked trikes, but I really like this one,” Fats said. “It feels like I’m riding a bike. I can put my feet down when I’m stopped and it doesn’t feel big and boxy. It’s fast and there’s no wobble at all. Best of all, I really like the way it looks.”

Speaking of liking the way things look, we really like the way our girl Amanda looks reclining on the Frankenstein Trike. As good as this bike looks, like most bikes, it looks better with a sweet young thing on it.

Coaxing Amanda off the trike took a little doing, since she’s full of attitude we like and she took a liking to the scooter. When she’s not decorating motorcycles and dreaming of the open road, Amanda can be found at school, getting smart—she’s pursuing a horticulture degree.