Hinge lifts lid on trike trunk
Lehman Trikes, Westlock, Alberta, Canada (lehmantrikes.com) converts high-end touring motorcycles into trikes for the added stability and comfort of three wheels. The conversion includes rear fenders and a trunk. Lehman's original design forced the rider to be in an awkward position when operating the trunk lid. And the lid hinge partially obstructed the trunk contents when open.
But a new hinge design from Weber Knapp Co., Jamestown, N.Y., (weberknapp.com) fixes the problems. It lets the lid rise vertically and swing 180° out of the way for unfettered access to the trunk. The counterbalanced four-bar linkage mechanism makes the motion smooth and controlled. A latch at the top of the door closes the lid tightly against a gasket similar to that used on an automobile door, protecting the contents from weather and road dirt.
Lehman recently introduced the retooled trunk at the Gold Wing Road Riders Association's annual Wing Ding show in Grapevine, Tex.
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