Ok here goes, My first trike build

[dcryder]

I picked up an 81 xs1100 yamaha a couple of months ago, then here last week a used motorcycle table lift for the combine price of $500.00 so far. I put the bike and lift in my cellar of my house in which it has a garage door. bike is now on the lift and I have started the tear down. also picked up a rear end out of a 71 plymouth cricket for $80.00 complete with emergency cable and handle. This will be a winter's project so I won't be working on it everyday, more like 1 day a week. took some pics and will try to upload them here.

[Loner]

Wow! Please keep us posted on progress.

[Gorilla]

good start have fun

[Beast-of-Burden]

You can't complain about your 'start-up' costs. If you can keep your weight down you'll have a trifty little gas-sipper to have fun with. Good Luck & have fun.

[dcryder]

The rear end measures 50 inches from backing plate to backing plate and it looks simarlar to a 80's mustang rear end. and I can pick it up with no problem. I think I am going to use 16 inch wheels and tires, haven't quite figured out the gear ratio yet as to what I need to make it work. so I am open to sugestions.

[dcryder]

Ok got the rear wheel assembly off and the gas tank, plus the swing arm, now its time to clean things up and do some measurements. I am going to reuse part of the swing arm for my build. just need to cut up some tubing and tack weld them together. when I have this done I will have more pics.

[dcryder]

OK I have a question is there a kit or a way to put reverse on this bike while I have it all apart?

[Greydog]

OK I have a question is there a kit or a way to put reverse on this bike while I have it all apart?

Don't know where you can get one but the truth is you probably won't need it. I put one on my trike in 2009 and have used it three times....once just to see how it works!! A trike is MUCH easier to back up than a two wheeler.

[dcryder]

Today was a good day went to the junk yard and found a front yoke out of a f150 4x4 that with a little work will bolt up to my rear end and slide on the drive shaft of the bike. will have to get the measurements on how long it has to be then take it to a machine shop to have it welded and balanced. also tomorrow will be measuring the rear to see how much is needed to be cut off on the right side and added if any to the left side to make all squared up.

[dcryder]

Ok got the swing arm some what setup and on the bike to get the measurements I need to setup the drive shaft. the arm is not done but it is a starting point.

[dcryder]

also I am extending the wheel base by 7" and running the drive shaft through the left side of the new swingarm setup. I have a question on the width of the rearend, as it stands now from axle to axle it is 54" since I have to move the rear over to the left side to line up with the drive shaft can I cut the extra lenght out of the left side axle housing and the axle which would be about 4 inches then weld back together, I would still have a rearend width of 50" would that be enough for it to handle properly?

[dcryder]

I guess no one seems to be interested in my build anymore. But I did do some work on the swingarm today and got it tack welded together for right now just in case I have to move something. Here are some pics.

[dcryder]

more pics

[berngren]

Best of luck on your new project.

[leo3wheel]

I'm facinated by your build. Guess I should be more pro-active and ask for updates. <img src="images/smilies/wink.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Wink" class="inlineimg" />

[vwmaniac]

dCryder,<br />
looks great, would like to see all pics, I like the idea of what you are doing,.

[mopar]

Keep the updates coming. I'm inerested in how you are working out the fine details. BTW, the rearend on my trike is 48" wide. 50" should work out for you.

[Gorilla]

sure we are

[dcryder]

Ok as far as the rearend goes I am going to weld some flat steel to the axle housing with 2 holes drilled in them and 1 hole will be elongated so I can adjust the pinion angle. also will weld 2 plates on the end of the swingarm to bolt up the rear. then I am going to weld new shock mounts to the swingarm and use a set of racing adjustable coilover shocks. will post more pics as I go. I am waiting on the shocks to get here.

[tis]

Been following your build, really looks like it's coming along fine, hopefully we'll see it @ the Trike Talk Breakfast @ Americade this June, also congrats on getting that lift @ a decent price.....Tis