Future V-8 build questions.

[shameless]

I'm planning on building a V-8 trike, but I have a few questions. I'd like to stay with a rigid frame with a suspended seat, keep is short, (preferably with no driveshaft, just trans. to axle) I've considered using suspension but I'm not sure how to go about it, and not get negative body roll. ( trike leaning left/outside, or a right hand turn.) If usig suspension, I've consisdered both solid rear axle with springs, and Independant rear suspensions.

Also, I'm not sure of a good front end to use, I'm trying not to break the bank, but don't want to hit a pothole and wind up pole vaulte into a guardrail either. Are Goldwing or Silverwing front ends stong enough, or am I going to have to buy a custom front? Can I go with a wider front wheel, or will it completely change the handling and steering of the trike?

Sorry I'm so long winded, just trying to get a decent start.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

The only experience I've had with V8's on motorcycles was a Boss Hog.

I would think a big issue would be torque ... it was on the Boss Hog, I met a guy in Sturgis in 07 (my neighbor at a campground). He was riding a Boss Hog. 502 Ford V8, he asked me if I'd like to take a ride .... Duh ... Even after he warned me profusely about the torquing to the right when the engine starts, I almost dumped it just starting it. The torquing the whole bike to the right when the engine rev'd didn't get much better while riding it. I would think the frame would take a beating on a trike ... but I'm no engineer.

[rrunner]

The trike will probably break something with a rigid rear end with no drive shaft. My v8 has leaf springs and a Harley front end with helper springs. Got it into the shop today to have a rollbar made and place a correct rake on the front. I find the Harley front with the springs is too much for my trike. It keeps blowing out the fork seals so plan is to remove the springs and see how it seats. I would like to put a leading link front on it. I made my own for the vw trike I have but would like to make one up for the v8. I'll have a better idea after the rake is addressed. By the way the ride with the leaf springs isn't too bad on the open road but on city streets it can be a bit jarring.

[shameless]

I've seen a few online that looked like they were no drive shaft, however, I'd probably be ok with a short drive shaft. my plan is to run airplane gears in it to dial back the torque, at least till I can get more accustomed to the ride. I'm definitely not opposed to running leaf springs or coils in the rear for a smoother ride, just not sure about the body roll, or if there would be any body roll at all. would a springer front be best for that amount of front end weight?

By the way guys, I realize I probably sound like a meandering goof, but I'm learning. I've seen the bikes built, cant afford a Boss Hoss, but want my own interesting trike. So to those of you who are willing to teach, and be patient with me, my sincerest thank you!

[rrunner]

In my opinion an air bag suspension would be best in combination with good shocks to control the body lean. I also like the idea of a short frame but consider the rear axle as a fulcrum, the longer the front end is from that axle the less weight that will be on the front wheel. So keep on planning your build and continue to ask questions.

[Mo Lee]

Here is a pic of the one I built a couple of years ago I started with an sub-frame assy out of an 97 Mark VIII Independent susp set up I'm using the front end off a 83 1100 wing with the heaviest springs Racetech had and with 40PSI in the front shocks it rides well. It does had a little body roll however it does ride 100% better than I ever expected. My biggest problem is when you get above 20-30 MPH the steering get pretty stiff which I guess is really a good thing.

[shameless]

I don't know if I want to be that far away from the forks, I'm willing to spend a little to do this if I need to. I'm hoping for something like these.

Also, if I go with a wide front tire, how much will my handling be affected?

[vw driver]

Here is a pic of the one I built a couple of years ago I started with an sub-frame assy out of an 97 Mark VIII Independent susp set up I'm using the front end off a 83 1100 wing with the heaviest springs Racetech had and with 40PSI in the front shocks it rides well. It does had a little body roll however it does ride 100% better than I ever expected. My biggest problem is when you get above 20-30 MPH the steering get pretty stiff which I guess is really a good thing.

Ya gotta love Hooters

[shameless]

Do you mean that you changed the springs in the front forks? I guess that never really crossed my mind that it was a possibility. If I do that though, will the metal (meaning all other metal, not just the springs,) and the seals hold up to the weight? I live in South East Ohio and we have some pretty major pot holes, and the occasional wheelie, so I just want to make sure the thing wont snap under pressure of a hard jarring.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Ya gotta love Hooters

We are taking about the restaurant ... right?

[JethroBodine]

I am currently building a V8 trike and am using a Goldwing 1500 front end and a Subaru WRX independent rear end. I will start a build thread soon and will, hopefully, be riding sometime in June. I had a drive shaft made at a specialty shop for about $250 US. The guy laughed and said it is the shortest shaft he has ever made.

[Mo Lee]

Do you mean that you changed the springs in the front forks? I guess that never really crossed my mind that it was a possibility. If I do that though, will the metal (meaning all other metal, not just the springs,) and the seals hold up to the weight? I live in South East Ohio and we have some pretty major pot holes, and the occasional wheelie, so I just want to make sure the thing wont snap under pressure of a hard jarring.

I would be a fool to say yea it will hold up, my front end is on my mind everytime I see a pothole, I have hit several and it hasn't broke yet. I would like for it to be stronger however I figure it is stronger than one homemade. I was worried about the skinny front tire skipping in the corner but it seems to be holding well. The best way is just build it and test it slowly until you trust it and your own skills. I still have not run much on the interstate even though I've got nearly 3000 trouble free miles on it and yes I do run at interstate speeds frequently.

[vw driver]

[QUOTE=FuzzyWuzHe;282183]We are taking about the restaurant ... right? [/QUOTE

Of course, what else could it mean?

[FuzzyWuzHe]

We are taking about the restaurant ... right?

Of course, what else could it mean?

Ahhh ... we've done a lot of talking about geese lately.

[butchvoss]

On the short drive shaft, my trike is a 4.3 V6. my shaft is 10 inchs u joint to u joint. No problems with the short shaft. If u build it yourself just remember to keep joints in synch .

- - - Updated - - -

I am currently building a V8 trike and am using a Goldwing 1500 front end and a Subaru WRX independent rear end. I will start a build thread soon and will, hopefully, be riding sometime in June. I had a drive shaft made at a specialty shop for about $250 US. The guy laughed and said it is the shortest shaft he has ever made.

I used a 1100 gold wing air front end. My trike is 1700 with me and have 600 on front wheel. Not a V8 but a 4.3 V6. I run 65 lbs air in forks all last summer.. so far so good on the pot hole roads of NH

[vw driver]

Ahhh ... we've done a lot of talking about geese lately.

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

[stacebg]

I'm planning on building a V-8 trike, but I have a few questions. I'd like to stay with a rigid frame with a suspended seat, keep is short, (preferably with no driveshaft, just trans. to axle) I've considered using suspension but I'm not sure how to go about it, and not get negative body roll. ( trike leaning left/outside, or a right hand turn.) If usig suspension, I've consisdered both solid rear axle with springs, and Independant rear suspensions.

Also, I'm not sure of a good front end to use, I'm trying not to break the bank, but don't want to hit a pothole and wind up pole vaulte into a guardrail either. Are Goldwing or Silverwing front ends stong enough, or am I going to have to buy a custom front? Can I go with a wider front wheel, or will it completely change the handling and steering of the trike?

Sorry I'm so long winded, just trying to get a decent start.

imho.. unless u r building a TT bike (tavern to tavern) take the time to put some suspension under it... not only will you feel better but its a lot easier on the trike,,, again in my opinion nothing like an irs and while i am at i put in a link to lean the bike to compensate for the crown in the road....as for the drive shaft... i wont say its impossible to run without one but darn near it.. cant have much if any flex in the frame an you would need solid motor mounts... couple all that w no suspension cant imagine youd get a very nice ride.... for the front end i think i would opt for an inverted-ed front end an maybe even an aftermarket one the bigger the tube the better .. and plan on a set of raked trees... or make a leading link front end.... not very pleasing to the eye but sure work well..

[shameless]

nothing like an irs and while i am at i put in a link to lean the bike to compensate for the crown in the road

I'd love to go with an IRS, what kind of link is it you spoke of, an are you saying it leans the bike into a turn, instead of letting it lean out of a turn?

for the front end i think i would opt for an inverted-ed front end an maybe even an aftermarket one the bigger the tube the better .. and plan on a set of raked trees... or make a leading link front end

I'm assuming you mean the tubes of the forks, and not "Tube" as slang for a front tire. I'm not opposed to a leading link front if its safer. are you saying to go with both inverted forks, and either the raked trees or leading link front?

Also, Does a wide front tire make a better ride or handling, or am I thinking in reverse and I should stick with a thinner font.

I'll be going with a driveshaft, and some kind of rear suspension now.

Thanks again for all of your help. I'm so new to this that I'm almost ignorant to it. I have excellent welders and fabricators that are willing to help, but I need a plan for set up first. Thanks again for your patience and willingness to teach.

[vw driver]

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

[stacebg]

I'd love to go with an IRS, what kind of link is it you spoke of, an are you saying it leans the bike into a turn, instead of letting it lean out of a turn?

no not for turns but for the crown in the road... if you are on a back road usually a three wheeler will pull to the right but the less the crown the less the pull.... now if you get on a hiway in the left lane it will pull a little to the left .. this is all because of the crown in the road...
the more trail you have the worse this effect will be...
you can see the link in my pics... it goes between the top shock mount and there is an electric screw jack attached that leans the bike.... be no means is this a neccesity but on long days i find myself a little more tired if i dont have it an its really not that much work
by a lot of standard it may not be much but usually if i go off for the weekend it will over 500 mile and some time we will do 400 in a day for lunch... a couple yrs ago i did about 15,000 on the v max..

I'm assuming you mean the tubes of the forks, and not "Tube" as slang for a front tire. I'm not opposed to a leading link front if its safer. are you saying to go with both inverted forks, and either the raked trees or leading link front?

just by design the inverted forks are stronger the whole reason for modifying the front is to reduce the trail... a stock front end may be as much as 6 or 7 inches... for me 1.5 to 2.5 seems to work well
the more trail the tougher to make a 3 wheeler turn
basically what you are doing with the raked trees and or leading link is pushing the front wheel forward while leaving the neck alone... but since you are making yours you can put it any place you want

Also, Does a wide front tire make a better ride or handling, or am I thinking in reverse and I should stick with a thinner font.

cant say i have expirimented with that

I'll be going with a driveshaft, and some kind of rear suspension now.

Thanks again for all of your help. I'm so new to this that I'm almost ignorant to it. I have excellent welders and fabricators that are willing to help, but I need a plan for set up first. Thanks again for your patience and willingness to teach.

no problem wish some of all this info was available back in 79 when i built my 1st.... internet what is that???