questions about my up coming build

Hi I am new to this forum, I am planning on building my own trike, my brother cant ride his bike anymore so i am getting it, it is a 2001 Suzuki intruder 1400. Now i know it would be easier to put "training wheels" on and call it good but i hate that look! I have a few questions that some of you may be able to help me with? first thing is i am not using a kit at all what i am going to use is the rear frame out of a 1999 subaru legacy out back.

it has independent suspension for my bad back and i am getting that cheap from my cousin, i will fab the frame work to mount to the bike my question is the gearing, the motorcycle has a final gear ratio of 2.66 and the car has a rearend ratio of 4.11 i am not sure what size tire i will run but close to height of rear bike tire. i am not sure what gears i can get for that car rear diff any suggestions?? and the other thing is if i run the stock calipers and rotors from the car will the master cylinder of the bike be able to sustain adequate pressure to the calipers? I plan on using braided brake lines. thanks for any info you can help me with!

Welcome to Trike-Talk....:wave4: From the Garden State... I can'i help you on your build, But i know it won't be too long before someone chimes in with the answers you need... Again Welcome.....:clapping:

Thank you, I have alot of ideas in my head as to what i want to do but i just want to get a few major things crossed off before i get to far into anything!

Welcome Jason. You should start thread in the homebuilt section and you'd probably get more help.

[url]http://www.triketalk.com/forum/forums/45-Home-Built-Trikes[/url]

I will move this thread to that forum for you.

Hi Jason :welcome: to Trike Talk.

You will find there are a lot of knowledgeable folks on the forums to help you out with your questions.

[QUOTE=Papa Zook;458588]Welcome Jason. You should start thread in the homebuilt section and you'd probably get more help.

[URL]http://www.triketalk.com/forum/forums/45-Home-Built-Trikes[/URL]

I will move this thread to that forum for you.[/QUOTE]

Thank You I wasnt sure where to post my questions still trying to figure out the site but i am happy i stumbled across this forum!! alot of different topics

Have you considered ditching the bike rear master cylinder? Speedway sells willwood master cyls with larger bores that would work. There may be other independent rears with taller gears. can't help you there. There are folks here that can! Worst case scenario, solid axle. good suspension and good seat suspension.

I was originally thinking of using 2 stock rear disks from the motorcycle and making adapters but i was told the bikes master cylinder could handle the cars brakes but i may need to have a bigger fluid reservoir but i am asking for advice. and the reason i am using an irs car rear is i have a bad back from a car accident, plus i am getting the whole rear off the car cheap but i may look for another rear just need to research more! The car has a 4 cylinder in it and i know the transmission gear ratio helps the car so not sure how high the rpms will be if the rear is hooked up to the shaft of the bike.

I'm using the willwood 3/4 in. bore m/c speedway #835-2601304 this m/c is working the 2 front calipers on a mid 80's dodge datona transaxle. pedal travel is just right. I used a residual pressure valve in line with the m/c because the m/c is mounted slightly lower than the calipers. sorry, can't help with the gearing problem.

Welcome to the forum:wave4:. The first thing you'll learn is how much you didn't even know about how much you didn't know! There's a bunch of really creative (demented?) guys here. Check out DeathbySnuSnu's "So you want to build a trike?" sticky thread in the VW trike forum. It is full of useful links and info. Here's a link for gearing / tire diameter calculations: [url]http://www.wallaceracing.com/calc-gear-tire-rpm-mph.php[/url]

[QUOTE=LarryA;459094]I'm using the willwood 3/4 in. bore m/c speedway #835-2601304 this m/c is working the 2 front calipers on a mid 80's dodge datona transaxle. pedal travel is just right. I used a residual pressure valve in line with the m/c because the m/c is mounted slightly lower than the calipers. sorry, can't help with the gearing problem.[/QUOTE]

Thanks I will look into that m/c, I talked to a guy about changing the m/c but he said mine would work but may need a bigger fluid reservoir and that is when i told him i want to use braided lines so they wont expand. it will be trial and error for sure. the gearing issue i just dont want to over rev the engine and scatter it or burn up the clutch trying to get going.

[QUOTE=Trike newbie01;458521]Hi I am new to this forum, I am planning on building my own trike, my brother cant ride his bike anymore so i am getting it, it is a 2001 Suzuki intruder 1400. Now i know it would be easier to put "training wheels" on and call it good but i hate that look! I have a few questions that some of you may be able to help me with? first thing is i am not using a kit at all what i am going to use is the rear frame out of a 1999 subaru legacy out back.

it has independent suspension for my bad back and i am getting that cheap from my cousin, i will fab the frame work to mount to the bike my question is the gearing, the motorcycle has a final gear ratio of 2.66 and the car has a rearend ratio of 4.11 i am not sure what size tire i will run but close to height of rear bike tire. i am not sure what gears i can get for that car rear diff any suggestions?? and the other thing is if i run the stock calipers and rotors from the car will the master cylinder of the bike be able to sustain adequate pressure to the calipers? I plan on using braided brake lines. thanks for any info you can help me with![/QUOTE]

welcome to our "world"

i would physically check the ratio, seems low

one of my 1st trikes had a subie rear i know 390 gears are available.. probably have one kicking around you can have for the shipping, but i will strongly suggest you look at other stuff.. that is an awful lot of difference in there ration....you can do the math i figure about a 24" tire on the bike so

24 x 4.11 ÷ 2.66 = 37 even if you get a 390 rear 24 x 3.9 ÷ 2.66 = 35.2

with that tall a tire the disks on the subie rear probably wont even slow ya down much been there done that...

so you will want a bigger diameter disc....

i think the bike has the driveshaft on the left?? if so u need to run the diff upside down....or like to go backwards a lot..

i have been using blazer front diffs small and light an not a mile long

i have about a 3:45 might be something smaller but not sure even then need a pretty tall tire about 31

as for the mc.. have had luck with the stock mc no bigger res needed the i would certainly try the stock mc 1st

only time i had trouble was the 1st subie rear i used was a 4:11 and drum brakes...i converted to disks off the honda which worked fine..

btw the subie upside down needs to be almost full of oil... stock mount the ring gear slings oil to the front pinion shaft bearing and the middle one too... yes three pinion shaft bearings ... upside down the middle bearing went dry and seized.. not fun at about 60mph

some pics are the subi with ford dif, mazda w s10 diff basically the same but there are a lot of ways to do it

Thanks, I have been trying to research everything and i have been worried about the gearing ratios i am going to look at some other rear ends and try to find something a little closer i just cant spend alot of money thats was why i was looking at the subaru cuz my cousin has it and was just scrapping it out. I just dont want to ruin this bike i am getting so i am weighing all my options before i jump the gun. I stopped at the bike shop close to me today and asked a few questions and they couldnt help much about gearing but they did tell me where i can get my braided brake lines made locally so that was a big help. I may try scouring my local wrecking yard to see what is available for rear ends and see what i can find closer to what ratio the bike is. I appreciate everyone helping me figure all of this out and not waste my time and money and have something that i cant ride, so any more suggestions would be great and i do want to keep with an IRS rear so if any one has any idea of something closer to a 2.66 final drive let me know!

[QUOTE=Trike newbie01;459449]Thanks, I have been trying to research everything and i have been worried about the gearing ratios i am going to look at some other rear ends and try to find something a little closer i just cant spend alot of money thats was why i was looking at the subaru cuz my cousin has it and was just scrapping it out. I just dont want to ruin this bike i am getting so i am weighing all my options before i jump the gun. I stopped at the bike shop close to me today and asked a few questions and they couldnt help much about gearing but they did tell me where i can get my braided brake lines made locally so that was a big help. I may try scouring my local wrecking yard to see what is available for rear ends and see what i can find closer to what ratio the bike is. I appreciate everyone helping me figure all of this out and not waste my time and money and have something that i cant ride, so any more suggestions would be great and i do want to keep with an IRS rear so if any one has any idea of something closer to a 2.66 final drive let me know![/QUOTE]

just to be sure i would pull the rubber boot between the trans and swing arm and physically check the ratio

Well just went and picked my bike up from my brother yesterday, now to start planning everything out!!