Couple Questions

[scupper]

Greetings All, I got a couple more questions I think you folks can answer.

Say your trike has a 1600 motor or aprox. What do you get for mileage?

Shifting, I've read folks run in 1st or 2nd gear, why not run in 4th after getting up to speed?

Reason for first question, I've seen vw trikes with 3gal tanks and others a lot larger, so it just got me
thinking.

Many Thanks for your info,
scupper

[matman1972]

Greetings All, I got a couple more questions I think you folks can answer.

Say your trike has a 1600 motor or aprox. What do you get for mileage?

Shifting, I've read folks run in 1st or 2nd gear, why not run in 4th after getting up to speed?

Reason for first question, I've seen vw trikes with 3gal tanks and others a lot larger, so it just got me
thinking.

Many Thanks for your info,
scupper

I have a total of about 10 gallons in my tanks and usually get about 27 miles per gallon with my mildly built 1915cc.
Not sure what you mean about the first or second gear, I use all 4. No way I could stay in 1st or 2nd more than a few seconds of accelerating. I replaced my fourth gear with a .89 so I get lower rpm's on the highway. I typically stay in 1, 2, or 3 until about 60 or 65 mph. Runs out of gear a little over 100. (or power, which ever way you look at it)

[scupper]

matman1972, Ok on the MPG, it's not bad at all. I know my question abt running in lower gears is crazy but I swear I've read on some forum that somebody was doing that,(maybe they were "shiftless) Oh well you've answered my questions. I'm still searching for a VW trike any still hoping to find one in my price range.
Thanks
scupper

[matman1972]

Good luck with the search. I am on a vw group on facebook and see quite a few for sale. If you are on facebook look for a group near you. I find it more useful that eBay or Craig's list.

As far as mileage, I use a single center mount progressive carb. My mileage depends heavily on how far I twist my wrist. Taking it easy on the highway on long trips with my small trailer I'll get high twenties. Around town popping wheelies and accelerating hard I'll get high teens.

[werewolf]

Mine is a 4 speed.
Mechanic says it was a 1500 bored to 1600
Other than that, basically stock, even has points and plugs
(on my list of stuff to change)

Locally, usually running 65 or less, I get about 27 to 30 mpg.

Last year running to Sturgis, wasnt quite so good.
The one stretch, running (allegedly75mph) behind a semi
I got 22mph

Dont know if it was the speed, the ethenol, the wind or a combo of all

[scupper]

Again, Thanks for all the info, you folks have been very helpful. I might have found a vwTrike, don't know for sure but it looks kinda promising. Maybe you can help with my decision. The one I'm looking at has "No Front Brake" think it's required by DMV here. Trike has '1970's FX forks but a custom wheel so I'd have to add front brakes. Wonder what's involved in that, "$$"??
Also the fiberglass body doesn't cover rear wheels so maybe I'd have to add fenders, don't know abt that. DMV is now closed so can't get answers till first of week. What a pain.
Later,
scupper

[werewolf]

Custom trikes from Ariz has the front tire assembly with the drum break
for sale, don't know about the price

http://www.customtrikesinc.com/custo..._catalog2.html

scroll down to see it.

In truth on mine it is a waste of time. IF you squeeze the brake
tight, the front tire just SLIDES.

Fenders I cant help with, mine doesn't have them.
You will get WET without them if it rains.

[matman1972]

As far as the front brake goes, I run a wide glide front tire so I have a little more rubber on the front than some. I do use it in conjunction with my front brakes out of habit. However, even with the wide front tire, if I try to use it by itself to hold the bike on a hill of any size, it will slide. I did a rear disk conversion, and that is where my main braking is done.
Installing a front brake all depends on what type of forks you have. Mine is a typical 90's wide glide harley, and aftermarket parts are plentiful. My lever and master cylinder are Honda VTX as I couldn't find a Harley one I liked for the angle of my bars. (They get along just fine) You will probably need to do some scrounging on fleabay. (If you decide you want the front brakes.)

[Doug D.]

Greetings All, I got a couple more questions I think you folks can answer. Say your trike has a 1600 motor or aprox. What do you get for mileage? Shifting, I've read folks run in 1st or 2nd gear, why not run in 4th after getting up to speed? Reason for first question, I've seen vw trikes with 3gal tanks and others a lot larger, so it just got me thinking. Many Thanks for your info, scupper

Mine was built to travel. I'm running a 1641 with a 110 cam, stock 34 carb and dual advance ignition behind a stock 4-speed IRS tranny with 195/R70-14 tires. My mileage averages about 27 mpg. I've gotten as much as 30 on the interstate riding conservatively, and in the right conditions. I'm in the process of upgrading to a Weber 32/36 progressive 2 bbl carb. I'm keeping the cam, adding some mild high-ratio rockers, and switching to 205/R70-14's, all with the hope of maintaining a consistent 30+ mpg on the interstate and getting a little more horse power when needed. I've also switched out the dual advance dizzy for a Bosch 009 for more dependability. Oh, and I can carry 6.5 gallons of fuel.

Next, I've never heard of anyone running in only first or second gear, at least not to cruise. I've done so in heavy traffic where I couldn't get past second until things opened up, but that's it. I start out in second, because my ride isn't equipped with a Boden tube, and first chatters so bad it'll knock your teeth loose.

[matman1972]

Mine was built to travel. I'm running a 1641 with a 110 cam, stock 34 carb and dual advance ignition behind a stock 4-speed IRS tranny with 195/R70-14 tires. My mileage averages about 27 mpg. I've gotten as much as 30 on the interstate riding conservatively, and in the right conditions.

I'm in the process of upgrading to a Weber 32/36 progressive 2 bbl carb. I'm keeping the cam, adding some mild high-ratio rockers, and switching to 205/R70-14's, all with the hope of maintaining a consistent 30+ mpg on the interstate and getting a little more horse power when needed. I've also switched out the dual avance dizzy for a Bosch 009 for more dependability. Oh, and I can carry 6.5 gallons of fuel.

Next, I've never heard of anyone running in only first or second gear, at least not to cruise. I've done so in heavy traffic where I couldn't get past second until things opened up, but that's it. I start out in second, because my ride isn't equipped with a Boden tube, and first chatters so bad it'll knock your teeth loose.

Doug, You should be able to get that pretty easily. My 32-36 on the 1915 with larger valves a .89 4th and c35 cam is getting steady 27 highway. Unless I open the secondaries a lot on a trip in which case I get lower. I currently run a bosch .009 but am right now considering a svda because when my rpm's drop in 4th I get a noticeable drop in response and am wondering if the combination of high speed/ low rpm is limiting my advance. I'm doing a little investigation into it when I get my O2 fuel ratio gauge in. (to see if my mixture is good or if it might be advance.

[Doug D.]

Doug, You should be able to get that pretty easily. My 32-36 on the 1915 with larger valves a .89 4th and c35 cam is getting steady 27 highway. Unless I open the secondaries a lot on a trip in which case I get lower. I currently run a bosch .009 but am right now considering a svda because when my rpm's drop in 4th I get a noticeable drop in response and am wondering if the combination of high speed/ low rpm is limiting my advance. I'm doing a little investigation into it when I get my O2 fuel ratio gauge in. (to see if my mixture is good or if it might be advance.

I also thought about an svda, but I had the 009 laying around, so I went with that for now. I wonder if the weights in the 009 could be changed to improve response at lower rpm's? We used to play with that when we were horsing around with small block Chevys and the like back in the day. There were kits available for that purpose back then, but I haven't seen anything like that for years, and certainly haven't seen them for the bug motors.

Scupper, I hope all this banter proves useful. Hope we didn't highjack your thread too bad...

[scupper]

Hey Doug & Others,
No, it's all very interesting and educational.
Educational much needed in my case.
Take Care
scupper

[matman1972]

I ordered a Mallory with vac advance today. I got ambitious and figured money would buy reliability. Lol

[matman1972]

I missed where you said your front was an fx. Should be very easy to put together a system out of aftermarket or used parts then.


http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=fxe+front+brake&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_ trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.Xfx+front+brak e&_nkw=fx+front+brake&_sacat=0

[stacebg]

when u mention 1st or 2nd.... i would guess maybe some one was talking about takeing of not driving .....with a really light front end i know some do take off in 2nd a liitle easier to keep the front wheel down... so thay say..