New to me VW chopper trike

[Bikerbozo]

After my recent accident on 2-wheels, I decided to forgo 2 in future for 3. My HD TG will still be primary ride, but I found this on Craigs List in my area and figured it was a good price. Checked it out and took the plunge. Classic looking trike chopper with 1970 VW Bug engine. Guy I got it from just retired and races and builds souped up Bugs. He's moving and wanted to get rid of some toys. It has slightly better cam. Following info means nothing to me. Maybe to someone reading. CB cam 25, angle 100 cam. Also Duel Cade 40mm carburators. Crager rims. Starts up 1st try. New generator/battery.
I will have to do some work to make it fully road legal. No horn. Signals not working. Want to add electronic speedometer (used a bicycle one once on a chopper project. But only went to 65mph). I've been warned not to start off in 1st gear unless I want to wheelie. I think it is a 5 gal. gas tank. Previous owner claims he could go 150 miles before gassing up. Need to change petcock. No reserve. A couple other small things.
I will have to change linkage for brake and clutch. A little too close for my legs. Drum brakes. Trailering bar that attaches to frame under front wheel.
All in all, seems like a good deal for $3500.
Pics show the little lady on it. Note her feet reach controls. I'm twice her size and more that a foot taller.

[Bruce]

I think in NY to be legal you will have to put fenders on it and a front brake -- looks like a fun project -- I always used a gps for the speedo

[Bikerbozo]

Not positive about back wheels, but as far as front, I dealt with that on a chopper years ago. No front fender needed and as long as there are absolutely no brake components, then front won't need them.
One brake light working. Trying to track down issue with other. Not finding anything with signals yet.

[Bruce]

Not positive about back wheels, but as far as front, I dealt with that on a chopper years ago. No front fender needed and as long as there are absolutely no brake components, then front won't need them.
One brake light working. Trying to track down issue with other. Not finding anything with signals yet.

I built a chopper a couple of years ago and they made me put a front fender on it and brakes ( the front or back fender could not come to a point ) of course that was changed after I got a title for it

[Bikerbozo]

It looks like you are going to be having a lot of fun with that, Bozo. Congratulations! Are you going to sell the 2-wheeler, or was it totaled?

2-wheeler doesn't have a lot of damage. Tourpack is destroyed. Saddlebag protective bars and maybe saddlebag and right mirror. Tabs on front crash bars look a little bent. Frame seems straight. I rode it onto trailer to get it home.

[John Luciano]

Things that need fixin don't seem too bad. If I were doing the. Turn signal lights , I would do it Harley style . A switch on each side. Run the front and back in series and a flasher in line. One for eac side. The petcock you can get of of a gas tank. I may have one I will look tomorrow. Fenders Tractor Supply Online Store - Enjoy searching:fenders
tractor supply and a few braces. Next year you can ride it up to the NE TT RALLEY where ever we decide to have it.

[Rsw]

Be careful on that thing...looks like it could hurt you!!

[Bikerbozo]

Be careful on that thing...looks like it could hurt you!!

Don't really like existing brake. Will be looking for a nice wide brake pad that is easy to stomp fast and mounting at easier angle to get to fast.
Found horn. Really hidden. It works. Hooked to different button than one labeled Horn. Looks like signal switch has short. Easy enough to replace. High/low lights work.

[vwmaniac]

Looks like a great trike, hope you enjoy the new toy.

[Bikerbozo]

Looks like a great trike, hope you enjoy the new toy.

Say, VW, wonder if you can answer 2 questions. Does the tranny use same oil as engine? Did original VW's have any fuses (haven't spotted any)?

[slick rick]

,,,,,I run Marvels Mystery oil in my tranny and yes it should have a fuse panel somewhere,, mines under the rear body .

[Rsw]

Just 80-90 weight gear oil in the trans. None of the new fancy stuff.

[Doug D.]

Sweet ride, Bikerbozo! I like the lines of the old school chopper trikes.

Castrol 80-90 in the tranny and Valvoline SAE 30 in the motor for me. As for the fuse panel, I wired my own electrical system from scratch, and included a six circuit fuse block. Located it under what used to be the fuel tank behind an access panel.

[Bikerbozo]

Replaced signal relays. Found internal short in signal switch which may have been affecting one brake light also. Replaced that. Front and rear signals work now. Both brake lights work now also. Strange thing. Brake lights need ignition on to work. Signals are hot wired all the time. And no, I did not find out the old fashioned way.
Now I just have to figure out moving and enlarging clutch and brake pedals. Not seeing where tranny oil goes yet. Only found engine oil dipstick and filler. Turns out there is a working horn also. Very well hidden.
Don't think I like the exhaust sticking straight up. Too much risk of something going in there.

[Doug D.]

Not seeing where tranny oil goes yet. Only found engine oil dipstick and filler.

On mine, there's a plug on the driver side of the tranny. Takes a "reverse" socket that you should be able to get anywhere they sell VW stuff. If you can't find one, there's a guy here local that carries them. I can pick one up and send it to you. They're only a couple bucks. Or, you can substitute a chisel that fits in the plug and turn it with a wrench, as I did. Fill the tranny until the oil runs out of the hole and you're good. If you want to change the oil, there's a plug on the bottom of the case that takes the same tool.

Hey, would you mind posting a few pics of the wheelie bars? I've been looking for some ideas, and yours are pretty interesting.

[Rsw]

On mine, there's a plug on the driver side of the tranny. Takes a "reverse" socket that you should be able to get anywhere they sell VW stuff. If you can't find one, there's a guy here local that carries them. I can pick one up and send it to you. They're only a couple bucks. Or, you can substitute a chisel that fits in the plug and turn it with a wrench, as I did. Fill the tranny until the oil runs out of the hole and you're good. If you want to change the oil, there's a plug on the bottom of the case that takes the same tool.

Hey, would you mind posting a few pics of the wheelie bars? I've been looking for some ideas, and yours are pretty interesting.

Or you can use a 17 mm allen wrench. You fill it till it runs out and then let it drain till it quits coming out. Don't fill it and cram the plug back in. Overfull transaxles will leak somewhere!

[Bikerbozo]

Or you can use a 17 mm allen wrench. You fill it till it runs out and then let it drain till it quits coming out. Don't fill it and cram the plug back in. Overfull transaxles will leak somewhere!

So I started life on a Harley that marked its territory and same with VW later in life. Seems like a metaphor somewhere in there.
As far as wheelie bars, I'll snap some pics. In a nutshell, they are custom wheelie wheels with bearing in them. I have the name at home where they came from. They are mounted on the end of what looks like leaf springs sticking out. This will probably act to bounce me back down when (not if) I wheelie.

[slick rick]

Wish you the best of luck with it , even though it will require attention their just fun . The upside to mine is no matter where I go it draws more of a crowd that my Road king ever did . Now it did take getting a custom to and still learning a little more all the time .
Andy I never owned a V Dub in my 57 years and having to learn from scratch but realizing there's not that complicated ,, sorta simple as a matter of fact .
My first few weeks I didn't know if I had made a mistake or not , now after 20 months I know I made the right decision , already planning a V6 motor swap when this one goes bad .
So I think once you get the bugs out and change it to your own you'll love it .

[Bikerbozo]

So I think once you get the bugs out and change it to your own you'll love it .

Wait if i get the Bug out, it will just be a cool looking go-cart. Leaving me with Flintstone Power only.

[slick rick]

,,,,talk about slip of the tongue ,,,,,that would put you on the tires,,,,,,,,,,,