Different trike

[redneckray]

i am always building trikes and always looking to build something different, get tired of the same old trikes[vw] but are easy to build for me anyhow,
just want to build something totally different in a trike, but something that will really catch the eye, the type that you are going down that lonesome hwy and next thing you know you have a convoy following you, if you know what i mean,
i have been looking at what some builders are building and some real nice ones too,
so if i could get some input on , what you would think would be a nice trike to build, that may help me out, and can go from there,
ray

 

[redneckray]

I like something like this style

 

[skuuter]

I like something like this style

THAT is slick....hard to get much more "slammed"....:wtg:

 

[John Luciano]

Saw some done with a Subaru Motor . That WRX motor would be neat. U could do like a mid engine trike. How about the motor up front like the Stallion, Reverse trike.

 

[Greydog]

I like the design of the big vents just forward of the rear fenders......reminds me of the intakes on an F4 Phantom!!!!

 

[redneckray]

while i was in germany many moons ago, i had the pleasure of meeting a mechanic that reworked motors for the planes there and he showed me a motor that i had to have and for $100.00 then, i bought and brought a vw motor that was a flat 8 cylindar motor, just like the vw 4 cyc motor, i was thinking of using it for a build, and the motor up front, but i have never had this motor running and been trying to get parts for it and well lets say, they don't exist, so this motor i have is a hoax, the german got me good,grinn
anyhow i am thinking of using a fwd unit out of a vw passat or a mercedes diesel fwd car,
i want power and gas mileage too, don't want too much weight on the front end
we will see, will be a winter project.
Ray

 

[Gorilla]

That is a real looker. You will be answering to many questions to ever get to ride.

 

[redneckray]

Does anyone know of the place in arizona that is an airplane grave yard? Maybe a link to it>

 

[Gorilla]

Kingman

 

[redneckray]

Thanks

 

[BigSam]

These are different if your looking for something real different. There are only 36 of these Trikes built being from 15 yrs old to new.

Pictures by BigSam_012 - Photobucket

 

[BeHereNow]

I wanted to get a trike magazine, and the only one I could find is published in the UK. They only put out 4 issues a year, and it is kind of pricey, due to the postage ($30+ as I recall). Nice magazine and all the articles are custom builds. Advertising is not excessive, like many of he U.S. bike mags.
Great photos, but not a lot of detail on 'This is how I did it.'
Lots of what I would call "Mad Max" style.

I signed up for one year, don't think I'll renew, due to price.
Google: - trike magazine uk -, and you should find it.

 

[BigSam]

It takes over 200 hrs to build one of these rat trikes so its hard to give all the details of a build being each one is different. I thought about doing a step by step documentary and then I realize I haven't seen any other trike builder do this. It would be like Ford giving Chevy all there better ideas. The pictures that are taken are to show the steel that goes into the build and some of the basic design. I have yet to meet a man who builds trikes that figure out the frontend on the first half dozen tries.

Takes a while to come up with something that works one trial and error after another until you have it. After 36 trikes some being 15 yrs old to present as for the frontend no problems. As for the frame structure never a break. As for the rearend setup never a problem. When building a rat trike there are no secrets just grab a cutting torch, hammer, some tools, a welder and go to town.

Pretty basic really, all trike have a 350 Chevy engine, All trikes have a 700 R 4 automatic overdrive transmission, There are a couple who wanted the 350 Turbo Transmission, all trikes use the Mercury Cougar rearends a couple have a Chevy S-10 rearend, one has a Toyota rearend. Most trikes have a 1200 or 1300 frontend. In my opinion the 1983 Yahama Royal Star works the best. Most of the trikes have a top on them for those who don't like the direct sunlight there is a couple like mine without the top.

There is one trike that has heat, wipers, AC, power brakes, LED lights and so on all the way down to the radio, you name it the trike has it. It all depends on what the person wants. The basic design is simple all trikes are build with manual gauges. The reason for the basic build is so if anyone has a problem when out on the road all you have to do is go to salvage yard or a part store which all towns have and pick up the part they need. Not every trike rider can to this, they have to find a dealer and in my experience not every town has one which leaves no options but towing.

As for our trike brothers on the other side of the pond I really like the mad max look but no one wants to copy someone else's design so this is the basic rat tike build for right now in my area.

 

[Marty]

you want radical check out mine

 

[vwmaniac]

Big Sam,
you have some nice trikes there that you have built and like the way you say to build a trike,grinn.
I have a V8 trike that the guy wants it to be redone to a Ratrod look, like I told him, you need to screw your head on backwards and start building to get a Rat.
Thanks for sharing your pics.