Vw Roth Trike shifter linkage question

[DaveO98]

I'm rebuilding am old Roth Trike. It came with no shifter linkage at all. I realize the linkage must be modified as it sticks out the side (off center) from the original beetle location. Does anyone know the usual answer?

Thanks.

[peteg59]

Not knowing how yours is currently set up, there are commercially available universal type shifter boxes that can be mounted in off center positions to accommodate almost any mounting position. A stock VW shifter is typically used in these mounting boxes, although aftermarket shifters can also be used or made to work.

It will be easier to operate through the gears if you keep the shifter linkage rod aligned as closely as possible to the input shaft on the transaxle.

If possible Dave, post up a pic of what you're working with & maybe we can give you more accurate info on what you're looking to do...

[vwbug72501]

I'm rebuilding am old Roth Trike. It came with no shifter linkage at all. I realize the linkage must be modified as it sticks out the side (off center) from the original beetle location. Does anyone know the usual answer?

Thanks.

Is the main frame tube round or square?

Is there a plate that looks like the shifter mounting surface on a VW tunnel welded vertically to the tube behind the body shifter hole?

As far as I know, the original Roth trike used a stock VW shift lever assembly mounted at 90 degrees. The offset from center left and vertical was handled by a shifter tube fabricated from the stock VW shift rod ends and a couple of universal joints from a socket set.

Pictures of the frame and shifter area would help.

[DeathBySnuSnu]

If you have nothing....

Get a buggy super shifter and the swivel joint link rod. Mount it where you need it to be.

[vwbug72501]

Here's some pictures of the Stires Stinger Trike. It was the closest "Roth Clone" that I'm aware of.



Here's the frame:



Here's the shifter:



These pictures are from a 1973 Stires Catalog. Hope this helps.

[Fowler]

I use a EMPI side shiftier setup

[DaveO98]

Thanks guys.

All input is helping.

Today I'm meeting with a guy named Dave Shuten. He's restored a number of Roth pieces for the Galpin museum in San Fernando Valley.

He's going to show me how they did the shifters on those.

I'll post pics later today.

[DaveO98]

[QUOTE=vwbug72501;500290]Is the main frame tube round or square?

Is there a plate that looks like the shifter mounting surface on a VW tunnel welded vertically to the tube behind the body shifter hole?

As far as I know, the original Roth trike used a stock VW shift lever assembly mounted at 90 degrees. The offset from center left and vertical was handled by a shifter tube fabricated from the stock VW shift rod ends and a couple of universal joints from a socket set.

Pictures of the frame and shifter.

Dave Shuten. (One of the head restoration guys at Galpin Auto Sports) let me take a good look at a couple of Roths personal trikes they have on display there. And another one they are restoring. Pretty crazy setups. But I did come to realize that i may had been overthiinking it a bit. My friend at Prowlers (buggy and sandrail builder here in Santa Clarita, Ca) modified a stock bug shifter box to be supported on the front and the rear with heavy duty bearings. That, combined with two u-joints (kind of like you suggested) should work fine. I hooked it up and tested it (static). And it seems to work fine.

Thanks guys.