Reverse trike

[Dennis Elliott]

my first attempt at a reverse trike using a vw front beam . It has worked out well and it fun to ride.
The bike is a 78 goldwing gl 1000 i put a 70 vw bug front beam on it

 

[kwidd]

Got anymore pics?

 

[Bob Witte]

my first attempt at a reverse trike using a vw front beam . It has worked out well and it fun to ride.

The bike is a 78 goldwing gl 1000 i put a 70 vw bug front beam on it

Although not a lightweight, the stock VW front end is an inexpensive, excellent choice for a Tadpole conversion and uncomplicated to attach to a Goldwing as you have proven. It's an easy thing to center the steering by changing the length of the connecting rods. Were I to attempt it (and I'll lay down until the feeling goes away), I would narrow the tract width a bit and use narrow tires (i.e. 155's or even less). JSYK, there are lots of inexpensive disk brake conversions for those fronts available.

I'm amazed that more folks haven't done it already (maybe you've started a trend!)

Take a look........

As I said, the OEM front ends are quite heavy, but if you are serious, our desert rat friends have developed a solution. There are any number of aluminum front ends available (aftermarket VW parts are endless, let your google do the walking!). Here's just one example: http://www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=1218

 

[vwmaniac]

Why not do as others have done and use the same frontend off with A arms design.

 

[lzski326]

Here's one a saw in sturgis this year. kinda neat.

 

[Dennis Elliott]

There are a arm front ends that could ne used the miata had a bolt on a-arm front. i just prefered the vw for simplicity. i am in the process of narrowing one 6 inches to install as a bolt on unit to my goldwing gl1800. having an aluminim frame i dont want to weld to it

 

[Troublemaker]

Hey Dennis,
this looks like a good project for my GL1500 got any building it pictures. and I'm interested in the 1800 as well.

 

[Dennis Elliott]

Hey Dennis,
this looks like a good project for my GL1500 got any building it pictures. and I'm interested in the 1800 as well.

Ill see what i can find . as for the 1800 im trying to make it an all bolt on ,because of the alum frame. I plan to come out from the foot pegs for mounting like the voyager kit.(which i have on it now). im in the pricess of narrowing a 70 vw front beam. they are 60 inches and most trikes are 54 to 56, so debating on 4 or 6 inches.

denniselliott@hotmail.com

 

[Westgl]

Hey Dennis,

I like the simplicity of this, the sway a way adjusters allow you to lower and firm or soften the ride.

How does it move out?

Have you weighed it?

Do you Have any more Pictures????

I have a 88' GL1500 that needs a conversion,

My thought was to build a frame that the VW front end can bolt to, then mount the GL1500 engine/trans as far forward behind the beam front end as possible and still be able to do Maintenance.

Then take the stock Goldwing Drive shaft and lengthen it, so that i can sit on a Low seat right behind the Transmission, and the wheel behind me.

Seating position Like the Roadstercycle has

 

[Westgl]

One other thing is i would leave the VW front beam the Stock width.

I would just add a sway-a-way adjusters, and a Swaybar, disc Brake's S.S. brake lines
Gas shocks, front and Rear.

Then play around with dressing up the front end, to look something like the RoadsterCycle

 

[Mr Orange]

So is this project still ongoing? :Shrug: Would love to see more photos of the build! Tell us more.

 

[Dennis Elliott]

One other thing is i would leave the VW front beam the Stock width.

I would just add a sway-a-way adjusters, and a Swaybar, disc Brake's S.S. brake lines
Gas shocks, front and Rear.

Then play around with dressing up the front end, to look something like the RoadsterCycle

I havent weigheed it but it doesnt seem to notice any difference in weight i have about 1200 miles on it now. i attempted to put a power steering unit from and atv but ht unit didnt work and i got tired of dealing if you email me ill send you some build picswith a tech so i went back to casically go cart steerin. if you email me ill send some build pics and any ive taken. denniselliott@hotmail.com

 

[Dennis Elliott]

So is this project still ongoing? :Shrug: Would love to see more photos of the build! Tell us more.

shoot me an email i have some pps pics. denniselliott@hotmail.com

 

[Dennis Elliott]

i wanted to keep it where i could put it all back to stock if it didnt work out,but it did

 

[Graydog]

Thank You, Dennis, for sending me the PPT about the set up of your trike!! You gave me a lot of food for thought as I try to figure out how I want my trike-to-be built...

 

[Bushman4]

Very cool.

 

[RTwing]

I have received communications from several guys who have used the VW crossbeams for RT conversions. They are a bit heavy and overbuilt for this type of vehicle but the theory behind the product is good. They offer a fairly stiff ride with minimal pitch and roll. I had thought about trying one myself however I would build my own light design rather than use the stock VW setup.

A-arms are more conventional and offer a more adjustable ride however do require a stiff sway bar to control pitch and roll.

I am on my 5th build right now which is a 96 HD classic which rear ended a car. I am rebuilding this bike for the owner but decided as long as it's on the lift I would fab up a RT frame for it.

#1 back in 2009 - ST1100 (stealth11)

#2 was in 2011 - 99 Valkyrie Interstate (Valk3)

#3 2013 - 2001 GL1800 (prototype 3)

#4 total rebuild on the Valk3 - (Prototype 2)

I have it down to a science right now but there is much to know and much to learn regarding 3 wheel geometry.

 

[Dennis Elliott]

steeris a little hard but working on thta

i now have 33000 miles on the conversion.
I still get about 40 mpg and i dont have to put my feet down

 

[RTwing]

Thats good Dennis - I get 34mpg and that is what I got before the conversion. In the mountains I would get over 40 but at our elevation 34 is about it.
I am at 129k on 7 different forward trikes and every day I learn something new. I will say the GL is the hardest bike to tune in as the aerodynamics on this machine are not good. Getting them to handle is easy getting them to handle in the wind requires a fully adjustable suspension design.

 

[Gorilla]

Dennis good job. Would be nice if you posted some pictures of the build. Time has shown that it is a good one.