Post by rapidjim on Jun 26, 2010 20:29:29 GMT -6
Well here is the next show and tell and report on another Ice Bear Trike. This is on Marcia's Metallic Blue Compeller.
The trike was sent in an almost complete condition. Only required assembly was the mirrors, battery, rear wheels, rear fender assembly and brackets. It is about 109 inches from the tip of the front to the rear of the fenders, and just shy of 4ft wide across the rear fender. Marcia had to rent a 6 x 12 enclosed trailer to take it back to Cincinnati.
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Once again the unit was very well packed. I was impressed with the improvement of additional bubble wrap around the rear fender Assembly which was taped very securely to the seat. This was one of the suggestions I gave to Ice Bear about how to protect the fender assemblies better. Still not using cardboard and again I informed my Rep that they should.
Notice how the bar on the cage was lowered below the front nose. The nose had additional bubble wrap on it also to help protect it during shipping.
After all the wrapping was taken off, the trike was jacked up by the differential and jack stands placed under the axles so that portion of the frame could be cut off.
Installed the rear wheels, the brake calipers were already installed, and simply rolled it off the pallet and cage.
Next was checking which fender brackets assembly went to which side. The holes in the fender Assembly and the brackets matched perfectly, no adjustments required.
Next was installing the brackets to the read differential. Care must be taken here. First the top and bottom of the U clamp has center bolts that must be loosened first. Then attach the brackets to the differential and tighten each clamp bolt alternately, leaving the clamp loose enough to allow movement for alignment to the fender assembly. Once the fender assembly is installed on the brackets and adjusted, finish tightening the clamp bolts, then the center holding bolts. Ensure the is about an inch to an inch and a half clearance between the fender assembly and the rear light. Failing to do this could cause damage to the fender or light assembly while riding due to up and down movement.
Fender assembly is held on by 8 pan screws on each side and is very secure. I did not notice and vibration or noise from the rear fender assembly when I rode it.
Trunk size is deceiving from the outside. Once I opened it I was pleasantly surprised to find it goes down to the lights inside. 15 1/2 inches deep. 13 inches by 15 1/2 inches lenght and width.
Under the gas cap cover is also the overflow/fill bottle for the radiator. Nice improvement over the Magnum, where the windshield and upper faring cover had to be removed for access to the bottle.
One piece seat as compared to the Magnum, which is a split opening seat. The helmet bucket is the same but less additional storage under the seat than the Magnum. Of course the trunk makes up for this storage.
Battery is also under the seat. We had a small problem here. The battery shipped with the Compeller was a 12ah battery and was too tall to fit and close the seat. Had to change it out with a 9ah which has plenty of power to run this 300cc.
Nice size Glove box. Also could fit a full size radio here with now problem at all.
Speaking of a radio, the truck is already pre drilled for speakers.
Dash is digital and well lit. Has a clock also.
Rear lights are led and very bright.
Top pic is low beams and the bottom is high beams. More than adequate in my opinion.
Different style rear wheels than the Magnum. Also the size is quite different. The Magnum uses a 235/40/12, low profile and wide, where the Compeller uses a very common 185/60/14 tire.
Tire Comparison: The 185/60 is 3.3 inches in diameter bigger than the 235/40. What this equates to is the it will turn 887 times in a mile where the 235 will turn 1040 in a mile. Which should give appox a 10 MPH advantage over the 235 at 60MPH. Comparison courtesy of www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html. The 185/60/14 could be used on a Magnum but modification to the rear fender would be required.
After the rest of the PDI was done, fluid changes, bolt and screw checks, ect. It was time for a test drive. In a word, Impressive. There was no vibration to speak of except at an idle. No wobble, or "tank slap" out of the front end at all. I only ran it up to 50MPH due to being new, however it still had plenty of throttle to go. Road very comfortable with my 6 foot 215 llb frame on it. Also road nice with the new owner, Marcia, on it as a passenger. Take off from a stop was very good, had no problems pulling out into traffic. I think the 14 inch tires make a difference compared to the Magnum.
Jim/Owner
Rapid Repair
Gradual turns like on the 35-45mph roads are no problem doing the speed limit. Its the Turns that you make on the streets to get onto the cross street that you have to slow down for. Other than that just sit be vigilante of cars and let the breeze hit your face 
..BAD TO THE BONE..
I like the saddlebag on the seat