Doner vehicle?

[DianneB]

I have figured out that the only way I can afford a trike is to scratch-build something. Starting with a small 4-cylinder, rear wheel drive, manual transmission car or pickup as a drive train doner would probably be the lightest and most economical. Since I want to do a pickup style trike, starting with a compact pickup would probably provide additional usable parts (the box).

Have any of you started with a compact pickup? Or, for you knowledgeable car/truck experts, what would you suggest for an economical doner vehicle?

Thanks gang!

[jaxbobg]

Friend, you are going to spend a whole lot more money on a home build than you would on a pre-built kit at a decent installer or in your garage.

There are hundreds (thousands ?) of trikers on this board that are prematurely bald, divorced, crazy, crippled, and generally screwed up because they were so smart that they just knew they could do the conversion themselves.

I volunteer at the local hospital. Saw 2 trikers last week in ERD that thought they were smarter than the Harley engineers. Oh, well - ce la vie.

[DianneB]

... then I'll never have a trike because even a used one is beyond my retirement budget.

I thought that if I could build an airplane (which I did), I could build a trike but maybe I am foolish ..............

[cavie]

Stop looking at Goldwings and Harleys and the price comes way down.

[DianneB]

I have been looking at all brands and every model with a reasonable engine displacement. At least in this part of the country, there isn't much difference in price in the used market, with the exception that Harleys tend to go a bit higher than other flavours.

[vw driver]

Here is one.

[DianneB]

Hey, that's COOL! That's much like what I am after and I'd go for that in a second!

What do you know about it?

[pcombe]

The other day I talked to a shop owner in Swan Valley, Idaho that has a rusting VW trike out back of his shop.

Don't know anything more about it. I was freezing my can off and stopped to visit and warm up.
It's a small custom cycle shop in a one horse (ok maybe two) town and I always wondered what volume of business might be?
The owner told me they are trying to sell out.

Swan Valley Custom Choppers




3378 Swan Valley Hwy,
Irwin, ID 83428
(208) 483-2467

I also know a guy in Casper, Wyoming that has a home built trike with a small V-8? that still runs from many years ago that he may have had trouble insuring?
he used to ride it years ago and still starts it up once in a while. Its nothing fancy. but darn sturdy.

[vw driver]

Hey, that's COOL! That's much like what I am after and I'd go for that in a second!

What do you know about it?

I know nothing about it, just a picture from the internet. Do a Google search of "Reliant trikes". It seems that across the pond in Great Briton people like to make trikes out of Reliant three wheel cars. You might be able to get some ideas on building a car engine trike. Old VWs make good trikes also without spending a small fortune.

[John Luciano]

Did you see the address? We may have a border crossing problem. My favorite home built is the mid engine VW trike. Speaking of witch they are very reasonable to purchase. I would have one in my stable if the wife was not looking
http://www.badasstrikecompany.webs.c...trikestore.htm

http://burlington.craigslist.org/mcy/4676939881.html

[slick rick]

I think if I would trust myself building a airplane I wouldn't be afraid to build a trike ,,,,,so good luck with whatever you decide . One thing I've found if something you want to do and never try , you'll never know .

[pcombe]

I hadn't noticed the canadian address but i have a brother-in- law

near banff that runs a used car business on the side, maybe could do something?

[DianneB]

Those mid-engine VW trikes are cool!

They haven't made VW's in AGES (have they?) - I wonder how long parts will be available?

The best deal for used vehicles up here is the government insurance company's "write-off" auction. Vehicles with major body damage are so expensive to repair now-a-days that they write them off and sell them at auction for a song. Since I don't need the body, that's perfect for me - all I need is the drive train and maybe the rear sub-frame.

[pcombe]

Those mid-engine VW trikes are cool!

They haven't made VW's in AGES (have they?) - I wonder how long parts will be available?

The best deal for used vehicles up here is the government insurance company's "write-off" auction. Vehicles with major body damage are so expensive to repair now-a-days that they write them off and sell them at auction for a song. Since I don't need the body, that's perfect for me - all I need is the drive train and maybe the rear sub-frame.

Before you start you might check into insurance availability, There are company's that will insure a home built trike and some that wont unless it's a recognized kit.

[DianneB]

Our insurance here is through the government (damned Communists LOL!) and I will be talking to them this week 'cause they are also the ones who issue a Vehicle Identification Number for a custom vehicle.

[vw driver]

Those mid-engine VW trikes are cool!

They haven't made VW's in AGES (have they?) - I wonder how long parts will be available?

The best deal for used vehicles up here is the government insurance company's "write-off" auction. Vehicles with major body damage are so expensive to repair now-a-days that they write them off and sell them at auction for a song. Since I don't need the body, that's perfect for me - all I need is the drive train and maybe the rear sub-frame.

VW still makes cars, just not the air cooled variety. Air cooled VW parts are easy to find and cheap compared to some of the newer vehicles. If you want to build your own trike, VW is a cheap way to go providing you know how to weld and have some mechanical skills.

[Loner]

I appreciate your ambition and willingness to take on a home build. However, having been in the trike building business for many years (mostly VW powered trikes), I would recommend that you do a bit of research on your part regarding:

1. Regulations on importing a trike or major parts (used or new) from the US or other sources.
2. Regulations on licensing a homebuilt trike.
3. Regulations pertaining to specifications for a homebuilt (such as a percentage of weight on the front wheel - a major consideration if you build VW).
4. Regulations regarding starting with a salvaged vehicle.

I've tried to deal with Canadian customers on several occasions who wanted to purchase complete trikes (with VIN, MSO, Bill of Sale, etc.), as well as partially built kits, or even major components. Seems there were roadblocks during many of the transactions. Like everything else, some deals went through with absolutely no interruption, while others were imposed by rule after rule that required addressing. For me that meant that some sales were completed and others were cancelled.

Just make sure you know all hoops to jump through before you invest.

Best wishes, and it doesn't require an airplane technology skill to do this, so you are definitely over-qualified!

[vw driver]

He is right, there will probably be hoops to jump through, always too many as far as I am concerned.

[Easyrider54]

Hi, DianneB. I am also in the early stages of researching a trike project, and I am from Manitoba, as well. I am considering using my 1996 Subaru Legacy Outback as a donor. The advantage to a Suby, in my view, is that it has all wheel drive, so you have the choice of using the engine and front axels to build a mid-engine mount trike, or use the rear wheel drive with a shortened drive shaft, and build a front mount engine unit. The other big plus to the Suby, is the boxer engine. If you are not familiar with the boxer engine, it is a flat four (or six) cylinder configuration, usually 2.2 or 2.5 litres, not unlike a Honda Goldwing style engine. My plan is to go with the mid-engine mount, which will put the engine immediately behind the passenger seat, but ahead of the rear axel. I have started a mock-up to try to determine weight distribution, but early gut feel is that the weight would be pretty evenly distributed amongst all three wheels. The front mount engine scenario seems to me to be pretty front heavy.
Another possibility would be a Cadillac Northstar engine, with a tras-axel, also in a mid engine configuration. The Caddy engine puts out almost 300 hp
If you are interested in sharing thoughts and research, PM me. We might be able to save each other some work...
Glen