2002 Trike Shop Roadhawk super beetle wheel cylinder upgrade

[starrider1946]

I had just posted that I was having trouble with my rear right side wheel dragging. It was the wheel cylinder on one side froze up. Got that fixed. I have had the trike for a little over two years. I had bought some super beetle wheel cylinders right after I got the trike but never put them on but they are for the rear. It doesn't look like they would fit. The bleeder valve is not on the top of the cylinder.. Can someone tell me which cylinders I would need and what all I would have to do. I would like to up grade. Do you still use the stock master cylinder? Thanks

[DeathBySnuSnu]

Ok.

So it has been 20...30 yrs since I have had vw drums.

What I remember is....

The super beetle front cylinders are not a direct bolt on swap.

I remember having to take a round file to the bolt holes and turn the holes into slots so the cylinder bolts would fit right side up.

It is more of an adaptation instead of a bolt on.

It is worth it though.

And if I remember correctly....the bleeder nipple is on the bottom. It can be more difficult to bleed.

[starrider1946]

I should have taken a picture of the ones that are on the trike when I had it off but I didn't. The bleeder on the cylinder on the trike is on the top but the bleeder on the rear super beetle cylinders i have are on the bottom so I don't know if I could make it fit or not. I see what you are talking about taking a file and making the holes oblong so the mounting bolt would fit. I just don know about the bleeder screw unless I had to drill a hole for it. I bet it would be worth it if I could get them on there if the master cylinder has enough pressure.

Ok.

So it has been 20...30 yrs since I have had vw drums.

What I remember is....

The super beetle front cylinders are not a direct bolt on swap.

I remember having to take a round file to the bolt holes and turn the holes into slots so the cylinder bolts would fit right side up.

It is more of an adaptation instead of a bolt on.

It is worth it though.

And if I remember correctly....the bleeder nipple is on the bottom. It can be more difficult to bleed.

[DeathBySnuSnu]

Maybe stinger or one of the guys here have done this since I have and remember more detail.

But I do think the nipple was down and had to bend on the brake line.

As for pressure. You can sorta think of it like a mechanical ratio. Increasing the slave bore increases your pressure ratio. The pedal will move a bit further to do the same work.

You could increase the ratio by using a small bore master.

[Papa Zook]

There are quite a few Roadhawk owners here, maybe Don (Ozarkryder) or Dick Lindholm (Mr Trike) will chime in. Dick is the Roadhawk designer and Trike Shop (now Roadsmith) founder. He knows more about them than all of us put together.

[starrider1946]

Yeah maybe one of those guys might have an idea. One thing I can say is when I started having trouble I was praying it wasn't the master cylinder. I don't know how you would change that. I think the body would have to come off. I've laid on my back and looked up underneath at the master cylinder. It looks small to me me.I was just thinking if I could change the wheel cylinders and get a little more braking that would be nice. Thanks for all the suggestions. You know I may call Roadsmith and to talk to one of the guys and see if they have any suggestions. I did call and talk to someone after I first got the trike. Thanks for the help.

There are quite a few Roadhawk owners here, maybe Don (Ozarkryder) or Dick Lindholm (Mr Trike) will chime in. Dick is the Roadhawk designer and Trike Shop (now Roadsmith) founder. He knows more about them than all of us put together.

[starrider1946]

Talked to Doug Lindholm this morning at Roadsmith. He is Dick Lindholms son. Very, very nice guy and helpful.I told him I have a 2002 Roadhawk and ask him about a rear wheel cylinder upgrade to help braking. He thought my 2002 had disc brakes. The trike I have was just before they started using disc brakes. He said I should be able to use a Type 1 vw beetle front wheel cylinder. Thinks it should bolt right on. From what I can read what I have on the trike now is a 17mm bore and the conversion would be to 22mm. I may give it a try.I don't even know where the resivor for the master cylinder is located to refill if I have to bleed the brakes. Anyone know anything on this? Thanks

Yeah maybe one of those guys might have an idea. One thing I can say is when I started having trouble I was praying it wasn't the master cylinder. I don't know how you would change that. I think the body would have to come off. I've laid on my back and looked up underneath at the master cylinder. It looks small to me me.I was just thinking if I could change the wheel cylinders and get a little more braking that would be nice. Thanks for all the suggestions. You know I may call Roadsmith and to talk to one of the guys and see if they have any suggestions. I did call and talk to someone after I first got the trike. Thanks for the help.