3 wheeled vehicles
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
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From: Travelers Rest SC
3 wheeled vehicles
I guess this is automotive, tho' in most states they are considered motorcycles... anyone ever mess with 3 wheel vehicles? I might build one. They say 2 front wheels and one rear is the most stable. I have plans for a Doran, which uses a Subaru drive train (fwd) with a scratchbuilt frame. Other schemes are smaller/lighter, like an old VW front end, w/ a 20 hp Briggs driving the rear wheel. I just want to putt around town- 50 mph tops. If I built the Doran, I wonder if I could adapt the Subaru tranny to one of my beloved Ford 4's? A warmed over 2.3 would scream in a 1200 lb. vehicle! I have no interested in a VW trike- I test drove one, and if you gave it any gas in a corner, it would just go straight!
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Tottenham Ontario Canada
Originally Posted by dono
I want the trike they built on Monster Garage ... the one with the huge engine from an 18-wheeler - super cool.
Dono
Dono
Cheers,
Eric
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
In the U.K. and I believe Europe, it use to be any vehicle under 50 c.c.s did not require a driver's license and three wheel vehicles were very popular. You might look at those overseas vehicles for design clues.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Travelers Rest SC
Theologian- was the Reliant real tippy? They look it to me. Although most driving in our area is virtually straight-line, accident avoidance is even more important than brakes, IMHO.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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I believe Kennedy makes adapters for 2.3L Fords to VW transaxles. I know they make Subaru-VW adapters.
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Elder User
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I only have experience with the trikes made in the seventies-early 80's ,with one wheel up front- vw drive train in the back. My best friends family used to build them all the time. They haul and are a blast. Great for people that want a motorcycle feel with less stability issues. Wheelies are great.....There is a website which features 3 wheelers from all over the world- it has some interesting concepts including the 2 wheels up front. You also my do a search of th T-Rex- it is probably the best trike going today.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Baileyton, TN
Originally Posted by FLgargoyle
Theologian- was the Reliant real tippy? They look it to me. Although most driving in our area is virtually straight-line, accident avoidance is even more important than brakes, IMHO.
The only time it really scared me was going up a very steep hill in North Wales - It felt like it was going to tip over backwards - I have never felt that in a four wheeler, so maybe it was.