Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Zack, where are you?

Zack, how are things going?

Is the M3W still working for you? Have you had anymore issues with the BB?

How's the Slingshot order coming along? When?

Is that a lot of questions or what?

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_iE

On 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.jpg

And 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_article

Z

Great post. Love the attitude

As for the Motus V4 engined 1950's F1 replica in your last link

Zack, thanks for the update.

I was a family worker too although our small marina didn't have a lot of wealth, my dad got me things that we worked hard to, in most cases, we made them together. I watched others on the lake have stuff just handed to them. I know your boys take great pride in working with dad and appreciate the what they have...

So how really does it work, buying Morgan parts? Can you order from Morgan or do you have to go through a dealer?

I know that the M3W can be a dependable cycle/car with just a couple upgrades, a fit for purpose comp and BB would make 99% of you guys very happy.

Zack, good luck with your Iron Butt rally.

By the way, have you ever ridden a Triumph Rocket III in touring mode? I sat on one last Saturday and my wife hopped on the back and said it felt "better" than our '09 CVO SERG. Just wondering how that massive, for a bike, motor at 2.3L pulls it along.

Again, thanks for the update and have a great week.

Dan,

Work hard, play hard is our strategy. I've taught them how to make a living and therefore, don't feel obligated to give them anything. I am greedy when it comes to making money but am not stingy once I've made it.

Yes...just order through a dealer. The Centa on order involves more than just the compensator itself (though I don't have the parts list). At any rate, instead of having a "kit", the dealer has to order each individual part. The parts have been trickling in for months now and I think all they lack in having the complete kit is one bearing (which is supposed to be in the next shipment).

I think with a decent compensator (knowing how to drive in a compensator-friendly manner) and a goo-less bevel box, I can milk some miles out of this thing. Still have to deal with rubber mounts, chaffing wiring and the like but that's mostly labor which is not a problem provided I find the items before they become an issue. It's the "proprietary" components that you can't get anywhere else that are the stumbling block. Quaife builds the bevel boxes specifically for MMC and was not an "off the shelf" item prior to the release of the M3W...so you have to dance with Morgan on that item.

The dealership service manager I am working with has indicated that none of the M3W's they've sold have had BB problems (which is encouraging)...so if I can get my hands on a fresh copy and use the correct lube (NVH be damned). I don't mind a little noise if the BB is doing what it is suppose to do. The M3W, as you know, is not a refined ride....it's raw, raunchy and minimalistic which I like as I wasn't shopping for plush when I got it. I don't want to flog the living day-lights out of it but do feel it could be moderately durable and reliable if given a chance. It may require upgrading some of the less than stellar items (regulator/rectifier, fuel sending unit, etc.) but that's minor compared to drive-line improvements. Typically, when I end up with a toy that doesn't pan out or isn't what I anticipated, its usually gone shortly thereafter...with the M3W, some how or another, I've developed a love/hate relationship with it. I love the little car and want it to be what I expected when cutting the check and hate that it's not...yet. Maybe, one day it will be robust enough to handle a warmed-over S&S engine as the one on it seems de-tuned...but that's okay considering the car's current situation. At the very least, I would like to be able to get in it, drive to Missouri and only have concerns for tires (and what they may encounter on the road...out of my control).

I am not looking for and don't expect any relief on my M3W from Morgan but for the sake of others that follow behind us, I hope Morgan learns what needs attention and addresses it so this isn't a re-occurring story. I would like to see it to the point when others tell me they are thinking of purchasing a M3W and what my thoughts are...I'd like to tell them truthfully that the M3W got off to a bumpy start but it's been sorted out and now has a good track record. Many are turned off completely by the real truth now but I'm not going to misled the un-suspecting...it is what it is whether you like it or not. Us early owners have paid for the right to call an ace an ace and a spade, a spade.

On the Rocket III, I rode one briefly (at a dealership). I was not in the market but the dealer said "hey...go ride this and see what you think"...so I did. It reminded me of the Yamaha V-Max...hot, hot straight line performance. I hammered on it one time and one time only...it has grunt for sure. That has been a couple of model years back so I'm not really up to speed on the latest model.

Triumph has come a long ways since resurrecting the name. Honestly, their twins are kind of watered down (even though displacement is up compared to their vintage counter-parts) but from what I see and hear, any of the three cylinder jobs are serious runners. Actually, I think the twins are something to keep the nostalgic thing going on (and appropriately so) and are fit for that purpose though built to a price point. My '73 Norton Commando (stock except flatside carbs...and cafe'd) will eat my new Thruxton alive (low end, mid range and on top)...but the Thruxton is loaded up with EPA crap, however, there are many after market parts (and the easy ability to re-map) that will soon allow me to give the Thruxton some bark and bite. The Thruxton, to me, is an attractive bike but not a real "vintage" bike so there is little guilt about running the hell out of it. It's kind of like riding a vintage bike that is extra "fresh" with all the reliability upgrades (no Lucas) and parts could easily be had tomorrow if something breaks or experiences road rash.

If I were going to have only one bike with intensions of hauling a passenger, I would have a Wing. I would find a low-mileage 2006+ (when they made the last important round of improvements) and ride the wheels off of it. They are smooth, quite and comfortable. Very little maintenance (and easy maintenance) and as bullet-proof as a motorcycle can get. They are easy to clean, provide good all-weather protection and are a wolf in sheep's clothing. I check valve clearances at 40K miles and if all is good, I never check them again. At 150K miles, I swap the final drive with a trike pull-off (+/- $100) and usually change the alternator (similar to a car alternator). All my IronButt rides have been and will be on a Wing. I have several friend that have Wings with 350-450K miles on them with zero engine work.

I was a HD guy from the 70's (Linkerts, magnetos, rigid frames and no front brakes) and didn't want to ride anything else...time changed that for me. Over the past 10-12 years, I have still went through phases where I would go back to riding an HD (missed them) but I found myself keeping them shorter and shorter periods of time due to maintenance (and cam bearing issues). With time, I could only remember the good HD experiences and would forget the bad...but upon purchasing another, all the bad memories would come back all too quick. The last HD impulse I had, I bought the Indian...it's low maintenance, runs strong, sounds good and a fraction of what a comparable HD would cost. The Indian is a keeper...but I didn't buy a Cheiftan (touring model, batwing fairing, 100w stereo, TPMS, heated grips, heated seat...cruise and ABS standard)...so I'm not really planning any long range touring on it (from a comfort stand-point) as I put a windscreen on it and the ride is similar to a RoadKing...with associated wind buffeting. The new Indians hold 5.5 quarts of oil...no primary issues, mono-shock which makes for a quick rear belt change if needed, stiff aluminum frame (no flexing)...it's a hoss...but just not my touring choice.

Cheers,

Z

Thanks for the update Z.

The wife and took the '76 FLH Shovelhead out for about 65 miles a week ago and it was great fun again, but then we hopped on the '09 SERG and rode in comfort, relatively speaking that is!

Have a safe trip.

Keep the sunny side up, Z ...

Why thank you, Seeker.

Since I value your opinion so much, I was wondering if you could help me with a situation.

I put some stone guards on my headlights but am not too sure about the look. I wasn't sure if it looked too "busy" or not. I thought I would post pictures so you could compare and you could "shed some light onto the situation". I apologize in advance as I am a rookie photographer...if that good.











Z

I know you weren't inviting my opinion, but I prefer the photo without stoneguards.