Post Your Home Built Trike Pics

[David357]

Beautiful build.

Great ingenuity, craftsmanship and patience.

[butchvoss]

I like the way you did your steering. I may set mine that way when and or if i install the power steering setup i want to use.. You did a super build and I like is a lot. Thanks for posting pics and giving me a great idea for my power steering project..

[Arnieann]

I like the way you did your steering. I may set mine that way when and or if i install the power steering setup i want to use.. You did a super build and I like is a lot. Thanks for posting pics and giving me a great idea for my power steering project..

Jip !! it took some hell of a lot of thumb sucking on some problems. Where to put the fuel tank, battery etc. Have to keep the CG in mind to. Having driven it a few kilo's, I must admit that the steering is a bit heavy. Also had some " head shake"; in the beginning, and had to move the two steering rods closer to the center on the first triple tree. I now have a 1:1 steering ratio.

I was thinking of a powered steering, but have no clue where to start. Would love to see how you master that one. You can also contact me at arnieann@lantic.net.

[stacebg]

Jip !! it took some hell of a lot of thumb sucking on some problems. Where to put the fuel tank, battery etc. Have to keep the CG in mind to. Having driven it a few kilo's, I must admit that the steering is a bit heavy. Also had some " head shake"; in the beginning, and had to move the two steering rods closer to the center on the first triple tree. I now have a 1:1 steering ratio.

I was thinking of a powered steering, but have no clue where to start. Would love to see how you master that one. You can also contact me at arnieann@lantic.net.

assuming you have a motorcycle style front end....the power steering you seek is a set of raked trees...or a leading link or earls type front end

basically u go from driving a lorry with no power steering to driving a mg with power steering!

[Arnieann]

Beautiful build.

Great ingenuity, craftsmanship and patience.

Thanks. You made my day. No my year.

[Arnieann]

assuming you have a motorcycle style front end....the power steering you seek is a set of raked trees...or a leading link or earls type front end

basically u go from driving a lorry with no power steering to driving a mg with power steering!

Not having to turn that often, one might learn to live with it. But,, being over seventy, a power steering would be nice. Over here in South Africa you have to dodge pot holes all the time.

If you drive strait on our roads, you are considered drunk.

I am not familiar with those goodies you mention for power steering. Could you place some pics? and more info plse.

[Arnieann]

nice job should be real fun to ride. no info on the dana

Thanks. What is " Dana" ???

[Arnieann]

I like your trike

Would like to see more pictures of it

Thanks. At last I managed to add some more pictures here and there.

[vwbug72501]

Beautiful build! It's fellows like you that keep the bar raised for the rest of us. Definitely the inspiration I need when the build gets difficult and frustrating and the temptation is to "Just slap it together".

Your steering set up solution will solve one of my frame dimension problems that I've been wrestling with for some time. Thanks!

What motorcycle fork assembly are you using? That will have a lot to do with raked triple trees are available. Look at the sticky tech thread by DeathbySnuSnu for a good explanation of rake and trail and trikes.

[vwbug72501]

Snu's sticky thread is in VW Trike forum.

[Arnieann]

Beautiful build! It's fellows like you that keep the bar raised for the rest of us. Definitely the inspiration I need when the build gets difficult and frustrating and the temptation is to "Just slap it together".

Your steering set up solution will solve one of my frame dimension problems that I've been wrestling with for some time. Thanks!

What motorcycle fork assembly are you using? That will have a lot to do with raked triple trees are available. Look at the sticky tech thread by DeathbySnuSnu for a good explanation of rake and trail and trikes.

I was told by the Guy I got it from, that it is a 1985 Suzuki gs1150e. Wish I could fit a nice wide flatter tire for proper " footprint" That would also help eliminate head shake. Trail on my trike is just over 100mm. With the round tire it's not so effective on the castor as I hoped.

Thanks for the nice words.

[Arnieann]

I like the way you did your steering. I may set mine that way when and or if i install the power steering setup i want to use.. You did a super build and I like is a lot. Thanks for posting pics and giving me a great idea for my power steering project..

Hope this will add to your inventive mind.And I still have to sort out this crows nest.

[vwbug72501]

I'll bet the steering would be much lighter if you could get the trail down to 40 - 50 mm.

Looks like the Suzuki has 37mm diameter tubes. that should be the same diameter as the Honda GL1000. You might be able to find a raked triple tree setup for a trike or side car application. Here's a link for tube diameters:http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=20950.0 The cafe racer crowd might be able to assist you in fork swaps.

I realize that it's rather late in the game for major redesigns but in solving your heavy steering / tire profile issues, it might pay to keep an open mind. Here is a link for fork conversion headset bearings: http://www.allballsracing.com/

I would think that a fork assembly with an aftermarket raked triple tree setup from a Honda GL1100 - GL1500 might solve your issues. Wider tire, larger diameter fork tubes, and more readily available raked triple tree availability. these are pretty reasonably priced and available here in the US. I don't know about SA.

I wanted a sequential foot shift on my VW trike and searched for quite a while before I found a source from Brazil. Took a chance and bought it. The whole experience was very positive. I'm still setting up the transaxle but it looks like it will work very well. Sometimes you have to go "outside the box" (Not that you haven't already done that just a little. )

[Arnieann]

I'll bet the steering would be much lighter if you could get the trail down to 40 - 50 mm.

Looks like the Suzuki has 37mm diameter tubes. that should be the same diameter as the Honda GL1000. You might be able to find a raked triple tree setup for a trike or side car application. Here's a link for tube diameters:http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=20950.0 The cafe racer crowd might be able to assist you in fork swaps.

I realize that it's rather late in the game for major redesigns but in solving your heavy steering / tire profile issues, it might pay to keep an open mind. Here is a link for fork conversion headset bearings: http://www.allballsracing.com/

I would think that a fork assembly with an aftermarket raked triple tree setup from a Honda GL1100 - GL1500 might solve your issues. Wider tire, larger diameter fork tubes, and more readily available raked triple tree availability. these are pretty reasonably priced and available here in the US. I don't know about SA.

I wanted a sequential foot shift on my VW trike and searched for quite a while before I found a source from Brazil. Took a chance and bought it. The whole experience was very positive. I'm still setting up the transaxle but it looks like it will work very well. Sometimes you have to go "outside the box" (Not that you haven't already done that just a little. )

I really get jealous of you guys in the states with all the cheap goodies and ease of getting them. Yes, it is 37 mm tubes. If I can get hold of the parts you suggest, I would certainly make the changes. This is my very first attempt building a trike. I have built six Experimental aircraft in the past, but was looking for something different this time. Hope I still have enough time left to build the rest of what I still have in mind. I would really like to get the trike perfect first.

Thanks for the links. Ordering stuff over the post here in SA is a gamble. It gets stolen by the previous disadvantaged population.

• " I wanted a sequential foot shift on my VW trike and searched for quite a while before I found a source from Brazil"
  
• Tell me more about this please.
  
  
  

• 
  
  
  

[butchvoss]

Jip !! it took some hell of a lot of thumb sucking on some problems. Where to put the fuel tank, battery etc. Have to keep the CG in mind to. Having driven it a few kilo's, I must admit that the steering is a bit heavy. Also had some " head shake"; in the beginning, and had to move the two steering rods closer to the center on the first triple tree. I now have a 1:1 steering ratio.

I was thinking of a powered steering, but have no clue where to start. Would love to see how you master that one. You can also contact me at arnieann@lantic.net.

I put a leading link on mine and helped a lot. My steering is lighter and would be fine if i was back in my 30s lol. My plan is to use a marine power steering setup or a older chevy slave setup and just power it by adding pump to motor. They both have the built in valving. Lots of fabrication work but would work great for me with the way you moved your steering back from top tee allowing room for the hydraulics that could be hidden easily. and incorporate it into the steering link like they did on the older Chevy and fords

[Arnieann]

I put a leading link on mine and helped a lot. My steering is lighter and would be fine if i was back in my 30s lol. My plan is to use a marine power steering setup or a older chevy slave setup and just power it by adding pump to motor. They both have the built in valving. Lots of fabrication work but would work great for me with the way you moved your steering back from top tee allowing room for the hydraulics that could be hidden easily. and incorporate it into the steering link like they did on the older Chevy and fords

OK. That looks promising, and it is not to big. It would fit in nicely as you said between the two setups. Fitting a pump to the VW engine would take some thinking. Maybe tap it of the Auto-box somewhere. How about designing an electrical gadget? Controlling electronics these days is very easy. Maybe some sort of linear motor could do the trick, or a stepper motor of some sort.

My pictures are all over the place. Have a look at : linear motors" on the web. I am sure there might just be the thing that could work.

[vwbug72501]

Research electric power steering pumps. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/2620236...&ul_noapp=true This is for a Mazda 3. Its small, frame mounted, and has an integrated reservoir.

[vwbug72501]

I really get jealous of you guys in the states with all the cheap goodies and ease of getting them. Yes, it is 37 mm tubes. If I can get hold of the parts you suggest, I would certainly make the changes. This is my very first attempt building a trike. I have built six Experimental aircraft in the past, but was looking for something different this time. Hope I still have enough time left to build the rest of what I still have in mind. I would really like to get the trike perfect first.

Thanks for the links. Ordering stuff over the post here in SA is a gamble. It gets stolen by the previous disadvantaged population.

• " I wanted a sequential foot shift on my VW trike and searched for quite a while before I found a source from Brazil"
  
• Tell me more about this please.
  

• 
  

I had the same concerns about using the Post Office from Brazil and getting through US customs. After all, our government bureaucracies are second to none when they go awry. I ended up using DHL. The package was insured for loss, they handled all the customs hoop-jumping, the package had tracking updates, and it arrived in 4 days. Used PayPal for the money transfer so I had their safeguards in place also. I think it cost about $100.00US for shipping.

Here is Luis' facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/luisboatswain and here is a youtube link to the shifter: Luis is a really nice guy and very helpful.

There was a motorcycle called the Amazonas built in Brazil in the late 70's that used a VW type 1 engine and transmission on a 2 wheeler. This shifter is an updated design from that motorcycle.

Hope this info is helpful, informative, and entertaining.

[Arnieann]

I had the same concerns about using the Post Office from Brazil and getting through US customs. After all, our government bureaucracies are second to none when they go awry. I ended up using DHL. The package was insured for loss, they handled all the customs hoop-jumping, the package had tracking updates, and it arrived in 4 days. Used PayPal for the money transfer so I had their safeguards in place also. I think it cost about $100.00US for shipping.

Here is Luis' facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/luisboatswain and here is a youtube link to the shifter: Luis is a really nice guy and very helpful.

There was a motorcycle called the Amazonas built in Brazil in the late 70's that used a VW type 1 engine and transmission on a 2 wheeler. This shifter is an updated design from that motorcycle.

Hope this info is helpful, informative, and entertaining.

Now that is bloomin clever. I don't understand a word but can see how it works. Must have been one heluva heavy 2 wheeler. Thanks for the info.

[stacebg]

OK. That looks promising, and it is not to big. It would fit in nicely as you said between the two setups. Fitting a pump to the VW engine would take some thinking. Maybe tap it of the Auto-box somewhere. How about designing an electrical gadget? Controlling electronics these days is very easy. Maybe some sort of linear motor could do the trick, or a stepper motor of some sort.

My pictures are all over the place. Have a look at : linear motors" on the web. I am sure there might just be the thing that could work.

think you will be quite happy with just reducing the trail... if you go with a leading link you can make it adjustable

made this one a few yrs back

note extra holes at the pivot point