Design Questions....Input NEEDED

[Shadow Dreamer]

Hey All!

Still working my way through the design phase and have yet to even purchase any steel....with that being said, the dragon, I mean old lady, wants me to go back and look at going with a motorcycle based trike instead of a mid/rear-engine based trike.


What I'd like to know is what everyone else thinks. Is it better to build a trike from the ground up (example being onetonmagoo on youtube) or start with a bike, pull the swing arm and add a rear end?

[Fowler]

I would think that would be a matter of your preference.
I would think a Trike built from a Bike would be easier, quicker and less expensive (as long as you can get a hold of the right donor Bike)

I personalty like the complete custom look of a trike build from scratch. You see so many bikes turned into trikes, don't get me wrong some look real good but for me I just like when its done from scratch

just my 2 cents

[vwbug72501]

Here's the questions (considerations) as I see it:

1. What are the Significant Other's expectations? Will she be riding with you? (My wife doesn't want to ride on something that looks "cobbled" together or "unsafe" in her mind.)
2. Do you want to ride sooner than later? (Maybe finding someone else's trike that is close what you want and modifying to your tastes is quicker.)
3. Is the journey of fabricating your design ideas more important than the destination of going down the road?
4. What is the status of your fabricating skills and fabricating tools? (Be honest. Everybody is 10 foot tall and bulletproof until they get shot at.)
5. Are you willing to invest the time to learn and perfect the new fabrication skills you will need?

I have been designing my trike and collecting parts for at least 10 years and fabricating parts and pieces for 2 yrs.

Had to take the last year off to expand my fabrication tooling to implement what I envision and Life tends to get in the way on a regular basis.

Anyone who's done fabrication will tell you that its ALWAYS harder than it looks in Youtube videos and the last 10% of the project takes 90% of the time.

Whatever you decide, good luck and be sure to post your progress on the forum.

We all learn by sharing our experiences and our missteps.

[rhino 2]

Most home made Trikes look like an after thought, But what do i know i once owned one of the first Spyder's...
Ive seen a lot people post pictures of them.. And iv'e also seen a lot of the replies about them, Like nice trike, great looking trike... ect.ect... Those quotes remind me of the fairy tail ; The Emperor has no clothes on .So like i say what do i know...

[Shadow Dreamer]

Here's the questions (considerations) as I see it:

1. What are the Significant Other's expectations? Will she be riding with you? (My wife doesn't want to ride on something that looks "cobbled" together or "unsafe" in her mind.)
2. Do you want to ride sooner than later? (Maybe finding someone else's trike that is close what you want and modifying to your tastes is quicker.)
3. Is the journey of fabricating your design ideas more important than the destination of going down the road?
4. What is the status of your fabricating skills and fabricating tools? (Be honest. Everybody is 10 foot tall and bulletproof until they get shot at.)

Before I hurt my back I worked at a machine build shop for a company in SE Michigan as an industrial electrician.

I was required to do most of my own welding, fabricating and such for "detail" work, not for structural. As far as my machining skills go, I'd rate myself at about a 7 or an 8 on a 10 scale. Welding? Well.....let's just say I'm going to need some practice pieces to work on.....although I've been told I'm a 10 with grinding off all that excess stuff that ends up in my welds.

5. Are you willing to invest the time to learn and perfect the new fabrication skills you will need?

I have been designing my trike and collecting parts for at least 10 years and fabricating parts and pieces for 2 yrs.

Had to take the last year off to expand my fabrication tooling to implement what I envision and Life tends to get in the way on a regular basis.

Anyone who's done fabrication will tell you that its ALWAYS harder than it looks in Youtube videos and the last 10% of the project takes 90% of the time.

I know Conrad (onetonmagoo) makes his videos look easy, but he also leaves out all the pertinent details when he does one of his build videos. This is also why I'm investing the time now to figure out what I'm going to do before I start.

I recently started watching a different video on youtube where a fellow completely rebuilds a V8 engine (Pete's Garage)....I think the MOST important thing he said in the series so far was in the very first video: plan everything, down to the slightest detail BEFORE you ever start.....and that's what I'm doing. Gather the info, get the specs, make the design, know the measurements, the requirements, the laws, the whole kit and kaboodle....before I ever purchase the first part to get started.

Whatever you decide, good luck and be sure to post your progress on the forum.

We all learn by sharing our experiences and our missteps.

MOST CERTAINLY!

I expect this journey is going to be long and full of questions along with discussions about whether I should hit my thumb with the hammer or just drop it on my toes....lol

Most home made Trikes look like an after thought, But what do i know i once owned one of the first Spyder's...
Ive seen a lot people post pictures of them.. And iv'e also seen a lot of the replies about them, Like nice trike, great looking trike... ect.ect... Those quotes remind me of the fairy tail ; The Emperor has no clothes on .So like i say what do i know...

Input is always important. The significant other has made it clear that she doesn't like the "cobbled together" look either, she would much rather have something that looks classy. That does, of course, rule out any idea I'd had towards a "rat rod" styled trike. lol

[Fowler]

Just because a Trike is Homemade does not mean it has to look like it was thrown together or a afterthought.
I have seen some very nice looking home-built trikes and some that would be perfect for a woman
I seen one the other day that was built from a Fiero. It would have been perfect for woman (that can drive a stick)
Anyway my point is you can get real imaginative when building a Trike from scratch and and to me building it is half the fun.

Of coarse my Trike is most likely not the style you are looking to build for her.
http://3fowlers.com/

[Papa Jack]

My home built Harley Pickup Trike. Basket '92 FatBoy,'58 Servi-Car rear axle

[Shadow Dreamer]

Would anyone be willing to post how they built the swing arm/attached it to the bike frame? Or are there already pics on here of that?

[Papa Jack]

I'll dig up the pic's. for you later. I used conduit to make up my pattern then did the final build with seamless tubing, plugs in the joins on the bottom. Don't remember the #'s. of the tubing, but can get them if you need. I'll get back later today.

[vwbug72501]

There are lots of pictures and descriptions here and on the Internet. Some are better than others. Remember when you were in high school and they were trying to teach you math and physics and you were thinking "When will I ever use this"? Well, here it is!!

Here is the first thing to consider in any design: https://www.yourmechanic.com/article...nsprung-weight

NOT calling ANY design down as I started riding on a 56 FLH (rigid frame - Yes, I'm older than dirt!) and have known several fellows that have ridden Harley Servicar based trikes for years and cross country, but, generally speaking, more unsprung weight = rougher ride. OK if you're blasting around town or bar hopping but not so good for a 1500 mile trip. I'm personally a fan of IRS suspensions.

Google Images is great for finding visual images of designs. Don't just look at the USA. The guys across the Pond have some pretty novel trike designs. Some of their parts aren't available here but you can find equivalent "bits" in the USA that will work the same way. Brazil has some interesting designs too

An interesting "bit" is the Yamamha XJ750 - XJ1100 Mid Drive.

It has been used by some to convert from chain/belt drive to shaft drive differentials.

They're getting older and scarcer but still around.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-Yamaha-...RXFqYT&vxp=mtr

Formula SAE and other Formula race car design sites are good for information and ideas.

You can find pictures of the different trike conversion subframes out there but they can be elusive. You won't get any dimensions but you can see what they are doing and adapt to your design.

Sorry to be so long winded but I got on a roll.

[Shadow Dreamer]

Sorry to be so long winded but I got on a roll.

Don't be sorry...KEEP ROLLIN'!!! I'm like a sponge, and will soak up as much info as I can.

~SD

[Papa Jack]

I just cut the V off of the swing and went from there. If you look close at the bottom tube you can see the joint, the top tube I mated it just as it was stock. I'm still lookin for the pic's of the actual fabrication.

[Retired Army]

Here is a trike with the best seat money can buy.

[Papa Jack]

Thought I posted this pic. earlier. If you look close you can see the join on the bottom tube, top tube mated same as original. I have more pic's I'll look tomorrow,it's been a busy day. This is softail not ridged.

- - - Updated - - -

Oop's I guess I did.

[Papa Jack]

Hear are the first two.

[stacebg]

Would anyone be willing to post how they built the swing arm/attached it to the bike frame? Or are there already pics on here of that?

i dont use swing arms but here is what ive done

[stacebg]

i dont use swing arms but here is what ive done

a few more pics... dif is from a t bird swing arms a subie.... welded the subie axles to the ford axles
what else can i tell you?

[Shadow Dreamer]

I'm drooling just looking at those pics.

That's some awesome work, stacebg!!!

what else can i tell you?

I think I just counted and have a million and one questions....when I get them sorted out into a logical order, if you don't mind, I'll fire them at you.

[stacebg]

I'm drooling just looking at those pics.

That's some awesome work, stacebg!!!



I think I just counted and have a million and one questions....when I get them sorted out into a logical order, if you don't mind, I'll fire them at you.

k
see if we cant keep it just under a million okay??

[vwbug72501]

Nice design, Papa Jack. Simple, straighforward, and elegant in my book. Did you have to increase the spring rate on the rear suspension with the new rear frame? Is the pickup bed attached to the front frame or the rear frame?