1st real ride with this VW beast

[Bikerbozo]

Took the VW for first extended ride today. 28 miles one way to work. Featured stop and go and highway speeds. It was the toughest riding I have done in years. Takes 200% more concentration to operate this beast. Does handle bumps pretty good. Like the independent suspension. Loud and obnoxious (me and trike). People on the road loved it. Never had so many waves and smiles from car drivers. I thought a couple were going to have accidents because they were busy looking at me. Nothing fancy, just "Mad Max" vintage trike. At least, that's what I call it. :qpnmt:
Since I found out the hard way the other day that it has a 4 gallon tank, I think I will look into some sort of auxiliary gas. With no Speedo/odometer yet, can't be sure, but seems to get just under 30 mpg. Need to also get petcock with reserve on it. Probably get 5 gal gas can for home also to tip it off each day.

 

[slick rick]

That's great ,,yep about 29 miles to a gal with twin carbs I also have a marine GPS speedo but if your a techie just use your I phone . You get use to all the waves and it's a heck of a conversation piece and if your like me that's not a problem . Wife says it draws some strange people at times and I guess it does .

 

[Bikerbozo]

Great idea Slick. Didn't even think of GPS Speedo. Just did a couple quick searches and see plenty of Speedo/odometer combo that use GPS. As opposed to full screen GPS.

 

[slick rick]

Hey BB if you go to Arizona Trikes and click on parts you'll see the extra fuel tank that I run . It mounts between the tire and transmission out of the way and gives you four more gal ,,,,which is a good reserve . I have mine on a electric fuel pump and able to switch between the tanks , some just use shut off valves both will work .

, I think if you add something like this you may not have to ride caboose again ,,,,just saying !!!!

 

[Frozenshrimp]

BB you mite also check posum pride on an extra tank they have one that goes under the back half of the trike its like a 14 gal.

 

[cooltech]

Bikerbozo, I'm sure u've posted a pic but I'd love to see the machine
cooltech

 

[Bikerbozo]

Bikerbozo, I'm sure u've posted a pic but I'd love to see the machine
cooltech

Here you go, Cooltech. A couple of pics from different angles. One with wife also on it. And, no, she is usually only a passenger. She will never be given the keys AND there is ZERO chance I could teach her to shift.:qpnmt:
Replaced generator with alternator. Now looking to figure out where to connect Reverse light, so I know when shifting wrong. It's somewhere on that manual tranny. Just haven't spotted it yet. 1970 VW Bug engine and 4-speed tranny.

 

[Doug D.]

Now looking to figure out where to connect Reverse light, so I know when shifting wrong. It's somewhere on that manual tranny. Just haven't spotted it yet. 1970 VW Bug engine and 4-speed tranny.

Mine's on the front of the tranny, next to the rod you hook the the linkage to.

 

[DeathBySnuSnu]

Like Doug D. said
On the nose next to the shift rod.
Not all have it though. I think 66 or 67 was the first year for the switch. So some early swing axles will not have it at all.

 

[Rick Kay]

Awesome ride!

 

[Bikerbozo]

Awesome ride!

Thanks.
I think I just solved one of the last big problems. New alternator didn't seem to be charging. Suspected it had something to do with dummy light. Seems LED lights don't pull enough juice to get the voltage cranking. I tried old signal light and can see it dim as I rev engine and now I see voltage at battery go over 13vdc finally.
Still have to figure out better mounting for brake. My legs are long enough that it is not easy pressing it.
Also, just took a close look at tranny in daylight. Seems this one just doesn't have reverse light switch.

 

[bj tribble]

u r riding a good looking machine. it looks real good to me.