Future V-8 build questions.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Not the same........those are honkers.

Thought those were noses .... I'm so confused .... again ..

[shameless]

so the way I understand it, the more trail, the harder it is to steer a trike, but too little trail and you get front end wobble?


also just for grins is it possible to do a double fork set up, or is it just a bad idea all around? I know someone with a water jet that maybe I could build the mounts and spacers to make this happen, as long as its not dangerous or just too costly comparably
<---side view, top view of fork mounts at tree-->

[shameless]

Why not save yourself all the hassle and buy one of these. You'll probably end up spending about the same money.
Attachment 26066

actually I love that, but cant afford it all in one shot lol

[vw driver]

So how is your credit? Make payments, people with the $40,000 trikes aren't paying cash, they're making payments, it's just like buying a car. As you are probably realizing, building a safe, reliable trike is a complicated process, not for the faint of heart.

[stacebg]

so the way I understand it, the more trail, the harder it is to steer a trike, but too little trail and you get front end wobble?

that is correct again i find 1.5 - 2.5 works for me

also just for grins is it possible to do a double fork set up, or is it just a bad idea all around? I know someone with a water jet that maybe I could build the mounts and spacers to make this happen, as long as its not dangerous or just too costly comparably
<---side view, top view of fork mounts at tree-->

yup seen that done as well as side by side doubles but unless you want to be "different" i wouldnt go through all the work... if you do you will need a way to keep the rocker at the bottom from moving at all .. if it does the distance between the sliders will vary and bind.. i dont think dollar wise there is any comparing leading link ...to the double forks and as a bonus if you put several pivot holes in the swing arm on the leading link you can change the trail in a blink if you need to
a bunch of different LLs here
https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/...&hsimp=yhs-002

some pretty nice others ... wouldnt want to ride them
i think one think a lot of guys miss it the part that ties the rockers together behind the wheel.. thus the leading "LINK" the springer style with just the rockers an no link will have a considerable amount of flex compared to the LL

[vw driver]

Easy to understand rake and trail.

[Drpepper]

Easy to understand rake and trail.

nice picture, extend frame line to ground make mark ,square up from center of axel make mark measure distance. axel mark should be toward tike.

[vw driver]

Yes, if shopping carts had more rake they wouldn't wobble so bad.

[shameless]

so, basically, as I understand it, I can chop the front end out as far as I want, as long as it'll hold the weight, and I can get my Trail down to a max of 1-2 inches, keep my steering, comfort, and stability?

[vw driver]

Sure.

[Drpepper]

so the way I understand it, the more trail, the harder it is to steer a trike, but too little trail and you get front end wobble?


also just for grins is it possible to do a double fork set up, or is it just a bad idea all around? I know someone with a water jet that maybe I could build the mounts and spacers to make this happen, as long as its not dangerous or just too costly comparably
<---side view, top view of fork mounts at tree-->

I don't think this will work, front
left compress , left rear stays put creates pivot point ,right front stays put, right rear compress creates oppiset pivot point ,makes big wollbble not good.

[stacebg]

Yes, if shopping carts had more rake they wouldn't wobble so bad.

actually shopping carts have no rake at all
i believe usually the reason for their wobble is that wheel is barely touching the ground

- - - Updated - - -

so, basically, as I understand it, I can chop the front end out as far as I want, as long as it'll hold the weight, and I can get my Trail down to a max of 1-2 inches, keep my steering, comfort, and stability?

keep in mind if you use a slider type front end, at some point they stop sliding freely.. have no idea what that angle is

and the more rake you have the more stress on the neck, tree, and tube as you mention " as long as it'll hold the weight",

[vw driver]

Here is something I found on Graig's List in Seattle. It's from a '97 Cadillac Catera. Something like this would be a great start for a trike, disc brakes, IRS. He only wants $150 for it.

[rrunner]

That is one nice setup for a trike

[vw driver]

That is one nice setup for a trike

I thought so too. If I was building a V8 trike I'd go buy it.

[Marty]

independent rear is the best way period. no vibration, no torque over problems and rides like a dream. I built the black bike in your pics, it had a 45 degree rake in that picture. It now has a 40 degree rake and steers big time easier. I've had it way past 100 mph it handles great and now is pulling a trailer.

[vwbug72501]

Take a look at this trike. http://www.k-jentrikes.com/phobos.html Apart from the exotic metal and frame design, the driveline / suspension is probably the cleanest you can get. I'm using the C5 A-arms for my mid-engine VW trike and using a steel frame duplicating the C5 geometry. I found a complete C5 upper frame section, suspension, and transaxle on eBay for $500.00. It only took about a year of looking before it showed up. If you're in the planning stage, I'd think it's a good place to start. It is an electronic trans but there is a lot of info on how to control it on the Internet just takes some surf time. I'll be starting a build thread on VW trike forum soon. Good luck on your build!

[drumdoctor]

Shameless,

I have built 1 V8 trike and modified another.

I have spent many hours searching the web, talking with professional trike builders and talking to other V8 trike owners
to learn about these beasts.

Here are the things that I found out:
1--Air Ride suspension is the best ride.
Whether it is air shocks or air bags.

2--The standard type of hydraulic forks from the bigger bikes-Harley, Honda, Yamaha,etc...
Cannot handle the weight of a V8 trike.
All that weight on the front end will blow out the fork seals.

There are some heavy duty springer type front ends out there with a large center spring.
Some of these also have an air bag instead of the spring.
A leading link front end is also a great ride- if it is heavy enough.
You can also switch out the coil -over shocks for air shocks.

I have a monster front end for sale.
It has an air bag for suspension.
It is built from 2 inch DOM and is wider than normal.
Contact me at drumdoctor@live.com if you are interested.
Mike

[irmagoo]

hi shameless
I am using a 180x65x16 for front tire on 5 inch wide wheel on my trike build, you may want to consider a leading link front end. you can use coil over adjustable shocks that are for front end of car/street rod. build your trike then weigh it on all three corners and come up with springs you need for shocks. I am considering QA1 shocks for my front end...
just food for thought.
magoo

[rasmataz]

Does anyone know if the boyz from v8trikes are still around? They had adecent frame. Originally they where from oregon, but they moved to texas after awhile. They always advertised on btw... Thanx