V8 hardtail?

[VaBob]

Hey all, just joined tonight. I have been working out a V8 trike plan in my head, on paper, on machinery at work, ect, for about a month now. I've planned everything out except for the rear end. I want to go with a hard tail design and I was wanting some input.<br />
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Would a V8 be too heavy for a hard tail? I ask because I know there is an increase in impact stresses, and I dont want to weld up a frame and then have it crack when I hit a pothole or speedbump.<br />
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I plan on using a 10bolt or a 9&quot; rear end, would I need to brace the axle tubes to hand the increase in stress?<br />
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Im sure theres a couple more questions that I havnt thought of yet, so if you have any tips or advice, dont be afraid to speak up.<br />
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Thanks for your time guys, <br />
Bob

[cscsonny]

Welcome to Trike Talk from Missouri.I have a son living in your area.
Did a Google search on your idea and apparently many trikes as you describe are being built and also being sold as completed trikes.
What surprised me was most owner/riders claim they ride better than a trike with suspension and can do 6-7 hour rides with no discomfort!
The 9" Ford limited slip seems to be the rearend of choice.
Good luck with your project.My search was for "V8 hardtail trike" and there was page after page of related info and builders.
Send some photos when you get started.

[VaBob]

I used that search, along with many others, and after about 10 links, it starts searching for other things. But I think I've nailed down a good mounting solution, and right now Im doing some math on gear ratio and tire sizes and things like that. Not sure if I said it before, but I'm still in the planning stage. I am still writing and drawing everything down that its in my head. Theres been a lot of day dreaming, and quick sketches. So hopefully I'll start collecting materials and iron out something.

[ratrodney]

Welcome.

I just joined as well and there seems to be a lot of knowledeable helpful people on here.
Im starting on a v8 build myself so ill gladly share info as i get it.
post pics RR

[stacebg]

guess i would have to ask why hardtail????<br />
no way ANY one could convince me it would ride better than a suspended trike.. my 1st one was hardtail about 100 yrs ago <img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" /><br />
and yes i rode it all day BUT i was a kid... and i could take it but certainly wasnt as good of a ride..<br />
i have built a bunch since and every one had independent suspention and a linear acuator to lean the trike to compensate the crown in the road..<br />
<br />
personally i only use completely open diffs. no posi or limited slip stuff...<br />
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my biggest advise..... no matter what you do in the back ... make sure you trail is low... i like about 1-1/2 to 2-1/2<br />
your results and opinionswill probably vary <img src="images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" class="inlineimg" /><br />
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good luck w your build<br />
<br />
stace

[VaBob]

The reason I would like to do a hardtail first is for simplicity. Since this will be my first I just want to make it as easy and simple as possible. If this first one goes well and I accomplish what I want, then when/if I do another than I will step up to something more challanging.

[Sacred Steel]

Don't let anyone scare you away from hardtails. With a good front suspension and a sprung seat, it's not that bad. I'm 50 years old and ride a hardtailed 67 Triumph and I love it. There are guys older than me that I know who ride hardtails with no complaints. Just use good seat springs. You can't build one of these things from scratch and expect it to ride and handle like a Cadillac.

[VaBob]

<a href="http://santiagochopper.com/shop/details.html?id=454" target="_blank">Trikes and Trike conversion kits, Custom Motorcycle Trikes, custom motorcycle parts, and more...</a><br />
<br />
This is exactly what I had in mind for a rear end mount. Of course I would make it larger and beefier. Anyone see any problems with this? I would probably run a pair of stabalizer bars from the center of the axle to the frame somewhere to control torque twist. Maybe I need to think of another way to control the twisting of the axle inside the mount. <br />
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Thoughts?

[stacebg]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>VaBob</strong>
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<div class="message">The reason I would like to do a hardtail first is for simplicity. Since this will be my first I just want to make it as easy and simple as possible. If this first one goes well and I accomplish what I want, then when/if I do another than I will step up to something more challanging.</div>

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</div> simple is good but suspension will not be that big of a challenge<br />
several ways to do it<br />
one possibility is a ford irs all one unit bolt it into a frame and hook a drive shaft to it. crown vic,is one... i think mustang is same.... i know where there is one for sale<br />
personally i would go with the suspension on the 1st build.. then if you do another you can consentrate on other refinements as you see fit...<br />
<br />
just me

[Mo Lee]

I started with a rear setup from an 97 Lincoln Mark VIII and built the frame from there.

[Rsw]

I started with a rear setup from an 97 Lincoln Mark VIII and built the frame from there.

[John Luciano]

I want that trike.... Or at least a chance to drive it..... Ok ... Ok. A ride just a ride.....close as I have come so far Boss Hoss.

[Marty]

I used 1980 jaguar independent and it works great. 4 link with coil overs is simple to build as well.

[Reaper]

Hi All,

I'm building a V8 Trike using a Nissan 300zx Rear end. It has a "Viscous" Diff so it could be interestin.

[Steven3472]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>stacebg</strong>
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<div class="message">simple is good but suspension will not be that big of a challenge<br />
several ways to do it<br />
one possibility is a ford irs all one unit bolt it into a frame and hook a drive shaft to it. crown vic,is one... i think mustang is same.... i know where there is one for sale<br />
personally i would go with the suspension on the 1st build.. then if you do another you can consentrate on other refinements as you see fit...<br />
<br />
just me</div>

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</div>What year and type of vehicle is that rear end out of and how would you think it would compair to the jag irs set up thanks.<br />
<br />
VR<br />
SPC Steven deGroot

[stacebg]

What year and type of vehicle is that rear end out of and how would you think it would compair to the jag irs set up thanks.

VR
SPC Steven deGroot

ford ... i think crown vic mustang and some othere use the same one i have one from a police car that is almost brand new asking $800 if you are interested