Hi, Dan,
All is well. It brings me much discomfort and pain to announce that my plans for buying my two sons (who I raised from an early age as a single dad and work with me now) Morgan Three Wheelers for some good, clean, wholesome fun and "family" outings didn't pan out. Let's just say, as it turns out, there was an unexpected flaw in my plan. Therefore, I had to revert to Plan B which was still in the same financial ballpark. Guess we'll just have to endure and suffer through it.
Guess which one takes after his dad...
On the Morgan...I think the "snake oil" killed my bevel box. It's not screaming like a banshee yet but it has entirely too much back-lash for it to be a perfect world inside the box. Additionally, once the thick, goopy pudding was displaced with thinner proper gear lube, it appears I may have a seal leaking which I suspect was due to the seal being cooked exposed to such high temps. The stuff that was in the box wouldn't leak through a screen door. But I'm not giving up...oh hell no. I'm not going to get out-smarted by a chunk of metal. I've got tubing benders and a tig rig...I'll start from the ground up if I have to while pushing to infuse some durability/reliability into this puppy. What I can see on the M3W, I really like...it's what you can't see that I find disturbing. My youngest son (13 years old) pointed out some M3W irony to me the other day...he thought it was weird that I had a un-used travel rack on a ride that won't travel (with 3K miles on it). He asked what happened to my GPS, Stereo, Radar Detector plan...and I had to give him "that" talk about how you don't add accessories to a car that is not mechanically sound...that you work on making it mechanically sound first and then proceed with the extras. He asked me when will that be...and all I could do is give him a dumb look.
I've asked a dealer to price out a new box but have not heard back on it yet and wouldn't expect anything less than a six month delivery. I've had a Centa on order now for going on for 4 or 5 months (I've lost count). Although, technically I still have warranty, I'm not asking for any help from Morgan other than just selling me the parts. I've got too much pride to beg, I've got wrenches and am not afraid to use them. I want to know what I'm dealing with anyway as ignorance isn't always bliss.
On the SlingShot, as more and more people (and dealers) are taking factory demo rides, more footage is surfacing on Youtube. Much of it is boring and sedate but a few of them recorded themselves shining their butts a little. Some just plan old guys...and I liked hearing their comments while on the road as I indicated in another thread...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI3Ty1SV_iEOn the SlingShot, I changed my order...I now have an order for a base model (titanium gray) and then upgraded it to an SL through options as I thought the red would look too "plasticy" and the red seats were repulsive to me. The end result was it cost $600 more than the SL but I will end up with a complete second set of wheels (albeit smaller diameter and cast rims), have the lesser of two evils color and still under 1/2 the price of a Morgan. I would be reluctant to do anything rash to the Morgan but on the SlingShot, anything goes. I don't have any illusions its going to be a work of art or have "the look" like a M3W but I do suspect it will be fun and will take some abuse (likely bottled up Morgan frustration). I have a few morbid ideas on how to change the look a bit and have no reservations in doing so. I'm going to put a few hundred miles on it before I fully commit to making changes to it. If it turns out to be lame or disappointing in any way, I'll unload it as it will be taking up too much room in my shop to stay if its a dud.
I'll be riding to Denver the week of the 18th to an Iron Butt International meet. I'll be going out on a timed ride (1,530 miles in less than 24 hours), be out there riding various rides until the following weekend and make a leisurely "cool down" trip back. I may try to pay you a visit on my way back...buy your lunch or something...if work permits me to stay for the full event. I'm afraid the M3W won't get to make this trip. Like a stripper, it's very attractive on the outside but below the surface, a total basket-case...that's why you should only "rent" them.
On a semi-related note...an Alabama motorcycle company (Motus) has an engine that would work nicely on a reverse three wheeler. It's a pushrod engine and familiar configuration.
http://motusmotorcycles.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/V41.jpgAnd used in a car...adapter plate for use with a 5-speed gbox. Listen to the sound track at the bottom of the page.
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/04/10/motus...g_river_articleZ
