88 blazer trike

[LarryA]

I can understand about a new job taking up brain power, new faces,new names, new #'s etc. Time will fix that.

Glad to hear your giving some time to the trike.



I kind of blocked up/mocked up, tacked up the frame, neck, fork tubes etc,



I used a 1in. round shaft about 5' long slid thru the neck bearings and clamped with heater hose clamps, so it held the bearings in place, the shaft extended to the floor. If the shaft is not perfectly straight, rotate 180 deg and split the difference.



then I made a holder from 2x4's to hold the front wheel upright and touching the floor on the wheel centerline.

I had to make sure I had clearance between the front wheel and my front sheet metal. So began juggling, neck height, neck angle, wheel distance, rocker length, (axle to fork lower pivots) and adding in2in. of trail.

Considerations for rocker length......(from axle to fork lower pivots). shock travel was about 3.5 in. front wheel travel ended up being about 4.5in. rocker length turned out to be about 6.5in...... a little longer than I like....I think with less rake, say 40deg, rather than 45 deg , the rocker length could have been shorter......I'm thinking that long rockers and big rake make the front wheel lay over more than I like. But that said, trike rides and steers great! Anyhow, food for thought......larry

[Fowler]

What do you think about this for the front wheel?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Har...9ZylhP&vxp=mtr

[peteg59]

The idea of using a Fatboy rim out front is solid, (no pun intended!), as they are plenty rugged & should have no trouble handling the added weight of a front engine trike. Too bad you live a bit too far away Bob as I have a decent fatboy front wheel like the one you're eyeing on ebay, but with a good season or two left Dunlop on it I'd give you free...

That one on ebay is about $50~$75 overpriced for just a rim with bearings IMO. If it had a decent tire on it, maybe, but when you add shipping, the deal starts to fall apart...

Another thing to consider: If you plan on putting a front brake on it, add cost of rotor, spacers, bolt hardware, tire, etc. it can start getting really pricey! You might do better on a Fatboy rim/wheel $wise on craigslist, more local to you, with no dreaded shipping/handling charges tacked on?

[vwbug72501]

I'm with Pete on your choice. I'm using a 2003 VRSC front wheel (19") on my build. I wasn't so concerned about front weight as with the side forces put on the front wheel when a rear wheel drops in a pothole, etc.



With Pete's generous offer I think I'd be looking at shipping an empty box to him with a return shipping label!

[rrunner]

Got one of them fatboy wheel on the front of my v8 trike with a rear tire mounted on it. Handles the trike with no problem.

[Fowler]

Too bad you live a bit too far away Bob as I have a decent fatboy front wheel like the one you're eyeing on ebay, but with a good season or two left Dunlop on it I'd give you free...

would you consider selling it to me.

I would rather give you my money then some guy on ebay.

I will pay for it and shipping

[peteg59]

As Tom suggested above, just send me up a crumpled up newspaper filled box to put the wheel in along with a prepaid return UPS call tag with your info on it, & it'll go out to you soon as I get it. I don't currently know the weight but I'll try to get out to the shop tomorrow & get that for you if you're interested...

I got the wheel in a bigger parts deal a few years ago & although I could easily resell it on craigslist or ebay, I'd rather it go to someone building a trike.

Don't know if the Moderators can PM members but if not, perhaps Papa Z can relay contact info between us....

[Fowler]

As Tom suggested above, just send me up a crumpled up newspaper filled box to put the wheel in along with a prepaid return UPS call tag with your info on it, & it'll go out to you soon as I get it. I don't currently know the weight but I'll try to get out to the shop tomorrow & get that for you if you're interested...

I got the wheel in a bigger parts deal a few years ago & although I could easily resell it on craigslist or ebay, I'd rather it go to someone building a trike.

Don't know if the Moderators can PM members but if not, perhaps Papa Z can relay contact info between us....

That would be great. But I insist on paying you something for it.

Please tell me what would be fair and I will enclose a money order in the box

[peteg59]

Bob, I have had the wheel sitting over in the corner of my shop for about 3 years now. I have no use for it, and would rather see someone use it than worry about selling it at this point in time.

I'm sure you don't hear this often but honestly, I don't want your money! Save it for something else on the project.

I'll post up the weight of it for you tomorrow, and we'll go from there....

[Fowler]

That is very nice of you but that would not feel right to me.

We can work something out offline

Please send weight and size of box needed

My email address is rsfowler@3fowlers.com

Thanks

[LarryA]

good choice! fatboy was my favorite. would make a great trike wheel.

[Fowler]

Bob, I have had the wheel sitting over in the corner of my shop for about 3 years now. I have no use for it, and would rather see someone use it than worry about selling it at this point in time.

I'm sure you don't hear this often but honestly, I don't want your money! Save it for something else on the project.

I'll post up the weight of it for you tomorrow, and we'll go from there....

Thank you for your offer.

I went to the ups store to ship you a box but found out the shipping both ways would be over $130.

I just cant see paying that much in shipping.

I will try to find one locally as you originally suggested

Again thanks for the offer though

[peteg59]

If you can't find what you need locally, my previous "offer" still stands.

$130. does sound a bit high for shipping both ways, but I've been out of the loop in UPS, FEDEX, etc., shipping rates as of late. But then again, if you can't get a wheel/tire combo locally that can be used on the final version & on the road for less than $130.00 delivered, my earlier standing offer for a front wheel doesn't sound too bad...

[Fowler]

If you can't find what you need locally, my previous "offer" still stands.

$130. does sound a bit high for shipping both ways, but I've been out of the loop in UPS, FEDEX, etc., shipping rates as of late. But then again, if you can't get a wheel/tire combo locally that can be used on the final version & on the road for less than $130.00 delivered, my earlier standing offer for a front wheel doesn't sound too bad...

I would rather just send you a $130 money order, you can take the wheel to a UPS store, have them back and ship. (you will have to take it there anyway) Then you could keep the extra money.

If you would still rather me send you a box I will. I just wanted to pay you something for the wheel instead of using that money to pay for shipping a box.

Again I appreciate you doing this and will do it however you want.

[peteg59]

Bob, Shoot me your address on email & I'll get it to you. (provided you got my earlier email?)

If you don't mind paying the shipping, its yours. I'll try to get to UPS tomorrow once I have an address from you, & I'll let you know the cost...

[Fowler]

Bob, Shoot me your address on email & I'll get it to you. (provided you got my earlier email?)

If you don't mind paying the shipping, its yours. I'll try to get to UPS tomorrow once I have an address from you, & I'll let you know the cost...

Thanks,

I will send it in a few via email

I will also send you a money order in the mail

Or would a PayPal transfer be better for you.

[peteg59]

Bob, Hold off on sending $ until I can get the actual cost for you. I'm not in paypal, so once you get the wheel we can figure out how to handle the shipping.

I'll check email when I get back later, as I'm heading out for a bit right now...

[Fowler]

35 degrees

just hanging there now

Lots of measuring ahead

Will tack in place then weld the hell out of it.

I plan to use 1/4 inch gussets/bracing on the top, Bottom and sides

The neck itself is sitting in a 1/4 thick channel

The top bar you see there will be cut back and then 2 ran 1 on either side of the engine

[Sidecarbill]

Those welds look cold. Just sayin.

[Fowler]

Those welds look cold. Just sayin.

My pattern is off because i was welding up. I did get good penetration on them though