Roadhawk engine ID

[Bcsynergy]

Hello folks,

I am new to the forum, and before you ask, I do not currently own a trike but am looking to have one soon. This is why I joined.

I have owned multiple two wheel bike in the past but was involved in a serious accident back in 1997 and lost my left leg above the knee.

So I have stayed on four wheels since then but am itching to get the wind back in my face. I was really interested in a Roadhawk trike recently that was advertised as having a 2300 cc engine with 140 HP (as a matter of fact I already had the bank wire form already filled out). However, through this blog I stumbled on a post that was talking about some modifications that they did to their trike

and low and behold the trike that I was looking at had those same modifications IE 12 volt outlets front and back, same color, led lights in the back etc. anyway, the prior owner mentioned that the trike had the 1835 cc motor. With this new info I asked the individual that was selling the trike how he determined that the trike had the 2300 cc and he said that he had seen them advertised with that motor and assumed that that is what it had. He admitted that he wasn't familiar with VW's. I believe that this individual's intentions were on the up and up and that he honestly believed that it had that engine. I realize that they modify these engines to bring the horse power up and so the block number/letters could represent a 1600 CC but its been bored and stroked to an 1835 CC

Long story to a short question, How do you determine what engine is installed on a VW trike?

I look forward to your responses.

Thanks in advance for your time and assistance in this matter!

[rhino 2]

Hello folks,

I am new to the forum, and before you ask, I do not currently own a trike but am looking to have one soon. This is why I joined.

I have owned multiple two wheel bike in the past but was involved in a serious accident back in 1997 and lost my left leg above the knee.

So I have stayed on four wheels since then but am itching to get the wind back in my face. I was really interested in a Roadhawk trike recently that was advertised as having a 2300 cc engine with 140 HP (as a matter of fact I already had the bank wire form already filled out). However, through this blog I stumbled on a post that was talking about some modifications that they did to their trike

and low and behold the trike that I was looking at had those same modifications IE 12 volt outlets front and back, same color, led lights in the back etc. anyway, the prior owner mentioned that the trike had the 1835 cc motor. With this new info I asked the individual that was selling the trike how he determined that the trike had the 2300 cc and he said that he had seen them advertised with that motor and assumed that that is what it had. He admitted that he wasn't familiar with VW's. I believe that this individual's intentions were on the up and up and that he honestly believed that it had that engine. I realize that they modify these engines to bring the horse power up and so the block number/letters could represent a 1600 CC but its been bored and stroked to an 1835 CC

Long story to a short question, How do you determine what engine is installed on a VW trike?

I look forward to your responses.

Thanks in advance for your time and assistance in this matter!

Bill ....Welcome to Trike-Talk...........

[DeathBySnuSnu]

You can not tell for certain by looking at the outside of the engine.

There could be several clues on the outside though.

At 140 up it is low on power for a 2332. It could be built more for torque though.

To break 100hp it will have to have dual 2 barrel carbs. Something along the type of 44mm idf's or hpmx's

Engine sizes over 2180 have not been around for decades.

The heads will not be oem.

It will have dual valve springs and aftermarket rockers (usually adjuster at pushrod and on solid shafts)

Pull a sparkplug. Aftermarket heads are thicker and the plugs have more threads. 1/2" vs 3/4"

And then the simple fact that going bigger than a 2180 involves a whole lot more machine shop work and a whole lot more custom fitting things together inside that it is cost prohibitive for most people.

If you can put a small stick in the sparkplug hole and hand crank the motor over and Messer how far the stick moves with a ruler you can get an idea of what stroke it is.

But to actually know for certain you have to at least remove a head to measure bore and stroke accurate.

[DeathBySnuSnu]

Also.....

I see you said automatic.

That explains the low up number for a large engine.

You can not run much performance of a cam AND have enough vacuum to work the valving on the auto.

I have seen folks build a big high vacuum engine for an auto car before...... extremely rare.....but has been done.

IF I were to run an VW auto I would definitely lean towards something along the 1835 and single carb and small cam and worked stock head direction......just because the trans would work without being heavily modified.

[Gorilla]

bill welcome. tough question

[paws]

Hi Bill! Welcome to TrikeTalk from your neighbor here in Kerrville, Texas!

I do not have any answers for you but do know of a trike or 2 for sale here in Kerrville.

If you would like to meet up for a coffee or coke type a post out here and we can set it up..

[Jack Klarich]

Hi Bill, to Trike Talk

Good luck on your search and purchase

[Uncle Fester]

Bill - Welcome from Southern Maryland!

I enjoy my 2005 Roadhawk!

[Bcsynergy]

Hi Bill! Welcome to TrikeTalk from your neighbor here in Kerrville, Texas!

I do not have any answers for you but do know of a trike or 2 for sale here in Kerrville.

If you would like to meet up for a coffee or coke type a post out here and we can set it up..

I would like to meet up some time. Just send me an email to bcsynergy@yahoo.com so that we can share contact information.

Thank you!