Totally off topic, but PLEASE help me (I'm building a trike)

[56 Panel]

That article is far from the whole story on trikes. If you want a trike that's safer and more stable, use one wheel at the back and two front wheels.

Dave
1956 Ford F-100 panel truck project

[petey shoes]

hey truxx, punch up---las vegas trikes--- might give you some ideas. v-8, tube frame, big power. very stable. have ridden these toys, and they perform very well. remember that a trike that steers from the front handles different than one that steers from the rear!!! also- being wider, you can't squeeze into small spots like you can with a harley. been riding since i was 14, (i'm in my 50's) and ride a custom duece these days. idea sounds like a fun project, good luck

[56 Panel]

Here's the company you mentioned:



Las Vegas Trikes, Home of the Custom v8 Powered Trike

I'd rather have a BRP Can-Am Spyder Roadster

[56 Panel]

Here's a quick road test: Bombardier's 3-Wheeled Wonder: Video Test Drive - Popular Mechanics

[AXracer]

The main problem with trikes is the rear axle cannot pivot, so if you go around a corner at much more than walking speed the inside rear wheel lifts off the ground, over 30 MPH and they play dying cockroach. That's what happened to my cousin, when it went over he was thrown head first into the curb. Ever see a 3 runner ice racer at speed with one side high in the air? Same physics at work except they are light weight and have a sail instead of the driver's head to catch it should it lift too high, they are MUCH wider and the pilot can hang way off the side for counter balance. The single rear wheel trike is much more forgiving since the front wheels are suspended in such a way to allow the rider to lean in a turn.
There is/was (?) a kit made in Canada, I think it was called the Raptor, that grafted the rear section of a motorcycle to two front wheels.
OOPS! wrong dino! It's called the T-rex: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n54BKWGIXI
Tested on Top Gear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38TFetQAe2o&NR=1 VERY stable!

[havi]

I've seen video of the Can Am, and I must say i was impressed. ATV 3 wheelers were notorious for flipping over as well.

[Truxx1956]

Hey guys, I think some of you are missing what I'm talkin about. I'm talkin about using the whlole front clip SUSPENSION and ALL from the ZX2. This will give me IRS, and allow each rear wheel to pivot independantly of each other. I am goin to make a very stable core support and attach the motorcycle frame to that, and lengthen the wheelbase of the motorcycle frame out. This will give me a long wheel base and a very stable machine. The original question was more diercted about finishing the cosmetics, NOT safety or anything else.

Thanks

[55 f350]

nope i'm not missing it .... knew what you were thinking when you made the comment bout welding / pinning the front suspension straight . ya got bud's email and i geuss we jogged something loose in hie head as now he's gonna cut a type one bug he say's and get one of his own going again . my unk butch had one made out of a bug and he never seemed to have any issues with it unless you were really acting a fool .

[Truxx1956]

COOL man, thats what I thought about riding it, as long as your not doin somthing stupid, it's cool.


Later and thanks for his email. He hasnt sent me anything yet, but I'll wait a while til he does.

[rcav8or]

Terry - probably a little more "tupperware" than you are thinking about, but here's a link to the "Stallion" - a great trike.

Stallion Trike

Might give you some ideas....

As for the handling, etc - a trike built on a motorcycle is nothing compared to the old 3-wheeler ATV's. The motorcycle trikes are a LOT heavier, and handle the road quite well. It's actually fairly difficult, to get either rear wheel off the ground, they will usually slide first. I've ridden with many a GoldWing trike, and they've done everything us two-wheelers have done. As was mentioned, just don't get "crazy". But, that goes for ANY motorcycle. Hope it all comes out well. But again, if it was me, I'd look into selling dad's and finding a trike, already done. Not to sound morbid, but most trikes are bought by the "older" set, and there's always a few for sale, when the owner passes away. It might not be as expensive that way, as you'd think, plus, the time involved MAKING it could be spent RIDING it!

Just my $.02 worth.

R

[Truxx1956]

Thanks Roger, I kind of like the look of that thing? Its VERY smooth. It's got nice lines and flows really well. I agree with ya but this is kind of a thing we were planning on builiding "together" and that's as much fun as riding. I like doing stuff like that with my dad. We might never get around to doin it, but we dont have much in the parts we have now and we could always sell them to someone fixin an Escort?

Thanks for the link, and thanks for the positive response of a trike Roger. Neither dad or I have ever ridden one and didnt know how they did? A buddy of ours has one and says he loves his.

Thanks again

[AXracer]

AFA the stallion, why hobble it with only one wheel in the front when you could put two out there and get something like this: Welcome to Ariel Atom It will literally run circles around any trike!
Terry, I'm really lost as how you propose to build your trike. If you use the front clip as the rear section, Won't the engine be behind the rear wheels? Great for wheelie demos, but not much for handling. if you turn it around you'd have 1 forwards gear and 5 reverse speeds...

[Truxx1956]

Originally Posted by AXracer

AFA the stallion, why hobble it with only one wheel in the front when you could put two out there and get something like this: Welcome to Ariel Atom It will literally run circles around any trike!
Terry, I'm really lost as how you propose to build your trike. If you use the front clip as the rear section, Won't the engine be behind the rear wheels? Great for wheelie demos, but not much for handling. if you turn it around you'd have 1 forwards gear and 5 reverse speeds...

Hey AX, that is cool, but not what we had in mind. As far as picturing it, just picture a normal ZX2 Escort, cut off the windshield post down low, an cut across the floorpan. The motorcycle will weld to where the radiator is now. The wheels and engine will be just like it always was in the Escort. I'm goin to remake the coresupport, and move the radiator to the bike, with an electric fan, and pipes to run the coolant up to it. But in a nutshell, the Escort will "push" the bike frame. The rider will sit pretty much where he always did, and immedately behind the rider will be a small rear seat for 2 passengers. I am loosely planning on cutting off the rear sheetmetal and bringing it forward and using the taillights and trunk to cover the engine and such. I am planning on makin it hinged so it can be opened to access the engine. I hope this helps AX

[55 f350]

i think he's waiting on you truxx and make sure you put on it for subject / recepient whatever it's" for bud " so his wife knows and tells him . later .

[homade]

Truxx, they are great to ride once you learn two things, they don't lean and you can't pull on the bars to turn, you'll wear yourself out, you push on the bars to steer or atleast my buddies Hearitage with a springer front trike is like that but it rides great.