Covair trike

[vwbuild]

I did a search here for Covair trikes. Can't find anything. Anyone know anything about these older builds?

 

[vw driver]

Do a Google internet search for Corvair trikes. You can even buy an adapter that will allow you to bolt a Corvair engine to a VW transaxle.

 

[Bikerbozo]

The Red one looks "safer at any speed" than the original, anyways.

 

[vw driver]

Yeah, Ralph killed the Corvair. I owned a couple back in the late '60s. I always liked them. I owned the early ones that had a swing axle which made them prone to flip over if a curve was taken too fast. I almost did it once when I was 16 and being stupid. Chevy changed to true IRS with a CV joint at both ends of the axles on the later models which solved the problem but by then Ralph Nader had convinced everyone they were unsafe. Too bad really.

 

[vwbuild]

Yeah, Ralph killed the Corvair. I owned a couple back in the late '60s. I always liked them. I owned the early ones that had a swing axle which made them prone to flip over if a curve was taken too fast. I almost did it once when I was 16 and being stupid. Chevy changed to true IRS with a CV joint at both ends of the axles on the later models which solved the problem but by then Ralph Nader had convinced everyone they were unsafe. Too bad really.

A guy is suppose to get back with me on a Corvair trike that needs a lot of work. I keep reading on the VW trike forum about valve adjustments and other failures of the VW engines. Just wondering if the Corvair engine is a more reliable ride. My first girlfriend drove a Corvair convertible and never had problems with it. Thanks for your responses here.

 

[vw driver]

VW engines are durable, the transmissions are bulletproof. VW engines have solid lifters so they require periodic valve adjustments. They don't have an oil filter so it's best to change the oil every 3000 miles. One big advantage is that VW parts are still easy to find and relatively cheap. I've never had a problem finding VW parts. Availability of Corvair parts might be an issue but I don't really know. A stock Corvair engine has about 80-100 HP I think where a VW engine will be in the 50-60 HP range but a lot of performance parts are available for a VW. Our trike is a VW with a stock engine and it has enough power, it won't win any races but it will cruise on the highway at 60 MPH all day long. I would check on the price and availability of Corvair parts before deciding.

 

[vwbuild]

VW engines are durable, the transmissions are bulletproof. VW engines have solid lifters so they require periodic valve adjustments. They don't have an oil filter so it's best to change the oil every 3000 miles. One big advantage is that VW parts are still easy to find and relatively cheap. I've never had a problem finding VW parts. Availability of Corvair parts might be an issue but I don't really know. A stock Corvair engine has about 80-100 HP I think where a VW engine will be in the 50-60 HP range but a lot of performance parts are available for a VW. Our trike is a VW with a stock engine and it has enough power, it won't win any races but it will cruise on the highway at 60 MPH all day long. I would check on the price and availability of Corvair parts before deciding.

Thanks for your reply--I was just reading where someone is having VW carb problems and also point problems again and they are looking for fuel injection and a different set-up for points. Seems I've read this a lot. I know nothing about Corvair engines but I can sure tell everyone about my Ford Triton engine. Anyway, the guy hasn't gotten back with me on the Corvair trike as of yet so might not even consider it. I like the idea of the higher horsepower but also see that the VW 1600 can be built to 100 horsepower. I see people advertise re-built VW engines all the time but no-one can ever produce a receipt for parts they put in these engines. I'm still at a point where I'm trying to find a frame I like.

 

[vw driver]

I've found a rebuild kit and/or an adjustment will usually fix a stock Solex VW carb that is having problems. VW Pointless distributor units are available for less than $100. My VW bug has one and it's been trouble free since I got the car five or six years ago. My other VWs still have points which seem to last 10K miles or so. I check the points when I do an oil change around every 3K miles. My opinion is that a person needs some basic mechanical skills to own an air cooled VW trike or a Corvair trike for that matter although there are shops around that will work on them. Most trike riders now buy a factory trike of some sort and take it to the dealer for maintenance and repair.

 

[vwbuild]

I've found a rebuild kit and/or an adjustment will usually fix a stock Solex VW carb that is having problems. VW Pointless distributor units are available for less than $100. My VW bug has one and it's been trouble free since I got the car five or six years ago. My other VWs still have points which seem to last 10K miles or so. I check the points when I do an oil change around every 3K miles. My opinion is that a person needs some basic mechanical skills to own an air cooled VW trike or a Corvair trike for that matter although there are shops around that will work on them. Most trike riders now buy a factory trike of some sort and take it to the dealer for maintenance and repair.

With so many after market products out there I should probably go with my first ambition being a VW build. I do have a block in the garage that can be built. Just wish I could find the style of frame I want. Thanks for all the information. Guess I used to live by you. I did 6.5 years in Port Orchard as a tile installer.

 

[vw driver]

I've been to Port Orchard many times. They built a second bridge and now there is a toll for using it. What sort of frame are you looking for?

 

[skuuter]

Aluminum Flywheel, 1.5 Ratio Rocker Arms, Bosch 009 Mechanical Advance Distributor, Weber 2 bbl Carb and Intake, Accel Square Top Coil, and Scat Headers.....You'll be amazed at how a 1600 60 HP Dual Port VW Engine will run on the street with this combo....use throttle sparingly.....

 

[vw driver]

Here is my engine..................just kidding.:laugh:

 

[skuuter]

View attachment 24389Here is my engine..................just kidding.:laugh:

NICE though....:laugh:...I used to oval race VWs with mostly Scat/Gene Berg, etc. engine parts used...2030cc, Twin Weber 48 IDA carbs...8600 RPM with 335 HP....very little actual VW parts......

 

[vwbuild]

Tour Captain--We heard about the new toll bridge but always take the ferry from Seattle to visit people in Port Orchard. My wife still has a house in Seattle where her brother stays. The frame I'm hoping to find is a tube style frame like Wildman sells but longer and I see one that was going to be produced by CC awhile back but they do not respond to emails. I can have one built by one of the manufacturers out there but they have jigs that are set up for shorter builds. I'd like a wheelbase of 96" up to 120" I live by the mountains in Colorado and everything is curved. I've read a longer wheelbase smooths out the curves better. If you know about anything there please let me know. I have a real good buddy in Port Orchard and her brother in Denver that could pick on up. Thanks again

- - - Updated - - -

View attachment 24389Here is my engine..................just kidding.:laugh:

That is one fine looking engine.

- - - Updated - - -

Aluminum Flywheel, 1.5 Ratio Rocker Arms, Bosch 009 Mechanical Advance Distributor, Weber 2 bbl Carb and Intake, Accel Square Top Coil, and Scat Headers.....You'll be amazed at how a 1600 60 HP Dual Port VW Engine will run on the street with this combo....use throttle sparingly.....

Skuuter--Talking notes here. Thanks

 

[vw driver]

Here is my anemic little engine. Bone stock except for the exhaust. Runs great, I'm not complaining for $350. I found out after I bought it that it has AS21 cases. After some research I found that AS21 cases are sought out by performance engine builders, they are supposedly made of some sort of special alloy, made in Brazil I believe.

 

[vw driver]

I have seen a number of VW trikes for sale on Seattle Craig's List over the last few months at a reasonable price. You can access Seattle CL from where you are, go to Motorcycles for sale and do a search for trikes. Our trike is longer than most, we needed seating for three people. It does OK in the mountains, it handles great on the freeway.

 

[vwbuild]

I've been to Port Orchard many times. They built a second bridge and now there is a toll for using it. What sort of frame are you looking for?

I have written CC twice inquiring about this frame but no response at all. Anyone know where to purchase this frame?

- - - Updated - - -

Here is my anemic little engine. Bone stock except for the exhaust. Runs great, I'm not complaining for $350. I found out after I bought it that it has AS21 cases. After some research I found that AS21 cases are sought out by performance engine builders, they are supposedly made of some sort of special alloy, made in Brazil I believe.
View attachment 24390View attachment 24391

I'll research this as21 case. Like that exhaust too.

- - - Updated - - -

Here is my anemic little engine. Bone stock except for the exhaust. Runs great, I'm not complaining for $350. I found out after I bought it that it has AS21 cases. After some research I found that AS21 cases are sought out by performance engine builders, they are supposedly made of some sort of special alloy, made in Brazil I believe.
View attachment 24390View attachment 24391

YUP--$750 for the case. One guy said made of magnesium. Made in Brazil. Found this information on Samba. $350 is a steal just for the case.

 

[vw driver]

Here is one for sale in the Seattle area right now. $1200. Looks similar to the one you like.


- - - Updated - - -

I have written CC twice inquiring about this frame but no response at all. Anyone know where to purchase this frame?View attachment 24393

- - - Updated - - -



I'll research this as21 case. Like that exhaust too.

- - - Updated - - -



YUP--$750 for the case. One guy said made of magnesium. Made in Brazil. Found this information on Samba. $350 is a steal just for the case.

I didn't know what it was when I bought it. I got the numbers from the engine and looked it up on the internet. Apparently there is some debate about the AS21 cases. Some say they are something special, some say they are not. Doesn't matter really, I got a really good running engine foe $350.epper:

 

[vwbuild]

Here is one for sale in the Seattle area right now. $1200. Looks similar to the one you like.
View attachment 24394



- - - Updated - - -



I didn't know what it was when I bought it. I got the numbers from the engine and looked it up on the internet. Apparently there is some debate about the AS21 cases. Some say they are something special, some say they are not. Doesn't matter really, I got a really good running engine foe $350.epper:

Thanks--Found one in Missouri that I inquired about also.

 

[vwbuild]

Thanks--Found one in Missouri that I inquired about also.

tell me what you think. $2500.