Looking for Design Ideas

Hey All!

As already stated, I'm a completely green noob. Used to spend a lot of time up on 2, but due to a work injury and spinal fusion surgery, that's out of the question. Here we are a few years down the road and I'm itching to get back into the wind, so I decided I'm going to build a trike. Now, I'm the sort of anal idiot that has to have everything designed, engineered, over-thought, scrapped, re-designed, re-engineered and toyed with on paper before I ever pick up a tool and start....but once I have that design hammered out to my satisfaction, the rest is nothing but pure fun.

So, I'm looking for some design ideas from you more experienced trike builders/riders. As I know, if you ask 10 riders their opinion on something, you'll get 20 opinions....but here goes....

I'm thinking I'd like to go with a small Chevy engine, maybe a 2.2l or a 4.3 on a mid-engine trike. I'm probably going to end up raping an S10 for the engine, drive train and rear axle, then put it on a custom frame with link lead forks.

Anyone with ANY input ideas, your thoughts and comments would be greatly appreciated.

This is....sort of....what I have in mind. Is there anyone out there that's better at drawing?

Wheel base is 9' for reference, engine and xmsn sizes are roughly accurate. Seat backs are shown as 30" tall-ish with a 15 butt pocket.

Looks like your off to a good start ... I'm guessing one of the "builders" on here will chime in soon.


In the meantime, you might check into your states licensing requirements for "home builds". Some of the states have some pretty rigid requirements.

[QUOTE=FuzzyWuzHe;366407]In the meantime, you might check into your states licensing requirements for "home builds". Some of the states have some pretty rigid requirements.[/QUOTE]

From Michigan Secretary of State's website.
[QUOTE][B]Assembled Vehicles[/B]

[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"] Some owners want to know how they can title and register an assembled vehicle. An assembled vehicle is:[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 1.[/TD]
[TD]One built (assembled) from new or used materials and parts by someone not recognized as a manufacturer (usually an individual). Example: homemade vehicle.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 2.[/TD]
[TD]One altered or modified to the extent that it no longer reflects its original manufacturer configuration. Example: a Volkswagen made into a dune buggy.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 3.[/TD]
[TD]One which has had its body replaced with that from another vehicle. Example: pickup truck has its cab replaced.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 4.[/TD]
[TD]One assembled from a kit (often called "kit cars"), even if a Manufacturers Certificate of Origin is provided.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"][B]Procedure to title an assembled vehicle:[/B][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1.[/TD]
[TD]You will need ownership documents for all vehicles or major component parts used in assembling the vehicle. This includes:[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]
[LIST][*]Titles [*]Assigned ownership documents (example: Release of Abandoned Vehicle notice from police department) [*]Original bills of sale [/LIST]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] The following parts must be accounted for in the ownership documents presented:[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD] [TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD][B]Motor Vehicle[/B][/TD]
[TD]Engine, Transmission, Body Parts (doors, front and rear clips), Frame including axles.[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][B]Motorcycle [/B][/TD]
[TD]Engine, Frame, Front end assembly including the fork, Wheels, Seat[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][B]Titled Trailer or Trailer Coach[/B][/TD]
[TD]Running Gear (frame axle and wheels)[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD]2.[/TD]
[TD]You will also be asked to complete a certification statement summarizing the building of the vehicle. It should include:[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]
[LIST][*]A description of the vehicle and its parts, [*]Who assembled the vehicle, [*]When and where it was assembled or reconstructed, [*]Any special information about the vehicle to assist the investigator. [/LIST]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD] 3.[/TD]
[TD]A Vehicle Number/On-Road Equipment Inspection (form TR-54) completed by a MI police officer must be submitted. The inspection will verify the vehicle has all equipment required for on-road registration.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 4.[/TD]
[TD]All assembled vehicles require a state-assigned vehicle identification number (VIN). There is a $10 fee for this.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD] 5.[/TD]
[TD]When you apply for your assembled vehicle title, tax is due on all parts unless paid at time of purchase.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[/QUOTE]

with this added as a separate link:
[URL]http://www.michigan.gov/documents/BFS-72__09-03__83315_7.pdf[/URL]

Thanks FuzzyWuzHe! I hadn't thought that far ahead as to look into that.

Here in Michigan all the builders I know just buy an old bike with a title and use the head stock with the numbers stamped on it. They register it using the bike title and just dummy up about the "mods"on the bike. May not be right but I've yet to hear of a problem down the line.

I would recommend an independent rear suspension(IRS) as I feel your pain with back injuries. I am using a rear suspension out of a Subaru WRX. My solution might not be your cup of tea, but the older I get, the more I appreciate a smooth ride.

Came across this here locally, may or not be what your looking at but plenty of pictures for some inspiration. Seems like a good price too :Shrug:

[url]https://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/6081674400.html[/url]