From a noob: What kind of trike kit do I have? Need drive shaft

[chobson66]

I apologize in advance for this book of a post, but I’m desperate fir a part, so I’m trying to be thorough.

I have an 88 GL1500 trike I just purchased from a private estate sale for $1000. It sat for 3 years. We went through the trike replacing brakes and drums, rotors and pads, it was garaged for most of the time and winterized so is all good. Only 33k miles. I took the first test ride and my driveline broke as soon as I shifted to 2nd. Glad it happened near home lol. I’m trying to find out what kind of kit this is so I can get a drive shaft.

It has a Kafka pinstripe job, signed in 1990 on front fender. This pinstripe job is all over the trike, so I assume it’s the build year. It has The Trike Shop fork kit on it, so I called them about it, thinking it was their kit, and explained the Franknsteined driveline has a GM slip yoke welded to the OEM Honda drive shaft, with the splines ground off of whatever spline shaft welded to the Honda drive shaft and pounded into a splined yoke and a weld bead on the top. All this connects to 85 Mustang differential and a chopped pinto axle. He said is was Motor Trike. Not possible as motor trike didn’t go into business until 94-95. From center of 1310 series U joints to end of spline on OEM Honda side is 16-3/8 inches.

Can anyone help? Thinking it’s a custom build but not sure.

Pictures are at this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/EiotfxZF95EZtn5w7

[Lee H. Mann]

I apologize in advance for this book of a post, but I’m desperate fir a part, so I’m trying to be thorough.

I have an 88 GL1500 trike I just purchased from a private estate sale for $1000. It sat for 3 years. We went through the trike replacing brakes and drums, rotors and pads, it was garaged for most of the time and winterized so is all good. Only 33k miles. I took the first test ride and my driveline broke as soon as I shifted to 2nd. Glad it happened near home lol. I’m trying to find out what kind of kit this is so I can get a drive shaft.

It has a Kafka pinstripe job, signed in 1990 on front fender. This pinstripe job is all over the trike, so I assume it’s the build year. It has The Trike Shop fork kit on it, so I called them about it, thinking it was their kit, and explained the Franknsteined driveline has a GM slip yoke welded to the OEM Honda drive shaft, with the splines ground off of whatever spline shaft welded to the Honda drive shaft and pounded into a splined yoke and a weld bead on the top. All this connects to 85 Mustang differential and a chopped pinto axle. He said is was Motor Trike. Not possible as motor trike didn’t go into business until 94-95. From center of 1310 series U joints to end of spline on OEM Honda side is 16-3/8 inches.

Can anyone help? Thinking it’s a custom build but not sure.

Pictures are at this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/EiotfxZF95EZtn5w7

I believe you have a TRI-WING Industries conversion.

They appear to be out of business.

Take a picture of the driveshaft and post it here, I may be able to help you.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Take a picture of the driveshaft and post it here, I may be able to help you.

If you can find help, short of making your own, I think Lee would be the guy that can do it ...

[Wingrider55]

See if there is a machine shop in your area that builds drive shafts and have them build one for you if you can't find a replacement.

[CrystalPistol]

I recall the Tri-Wings, they were owner installed kits if I recall correctly. At one time, I considered one for a GL1200 I had.

That drive shaft is a GL1500 shaft and front U-joint, but the U-joint is on it long yoke on shaft, short yoke to engine? Backwards I think, didn't even know it would fit like that, is that how it was in use? Not sure what the rear yoke is.

Clean looking older trike, but odd how the fender bras are placed, maybe the PO carried something on top of the left fender? Ladder bars much like MTs and that rear axle was used in Mustangs and Pintos, looks like Ford 6.75" Older GWRRA stickers.

33,xxx miles huh, lot of life left in that one.

[hogcowboy]

You aren't the only one that would like to have a driveshaft. My biggest fear when I convert my Indian to trike is the belt exposed to gravel. I really wish there was an aftermarket driveshaft kit available. With a GoldWings you are already there but my Indian would need a major conversion kit that no one makes that I'm aware of.

[chobson66]

I believe you have a TRI-WING Industries conversion.

They appear to be out of business.

Take a picture of the driveshaft and post it here, I may be able to help you.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/EiotfxZF95EZtn5w7

If you look in this album you will see the driveshaft pics about halfway through.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Clean looking older trike, but odd how the fender bras are placed, maybe the PO carried something on top of the left fender? .

If you look at all the pics, there's one that shows the left fender and I believe there are snaps where that fender bra attaches in what I think we will agree is the normal spot for the fender bra. I suspect the bra was removed to clean under it? Or maybe moved there while working on the trike to protect that particular area?

[chobson66]

I recall the Tri-Wings, they were owner installed kits if I recall correctly. At one time, I considered one for a GL1200 I had.

That drive shaft is a GL1500 shaft and front U-joint, but the U-joint is on it long yoke on shaft, short yoke to engine? Backwards I think, didn't even know it would fit like that, is that how it was in use? Not sure what the rear yoke is.

Clean looking older trike, but odd how the fender bras are placed, maybe the PO carried something on top of the left fender? Ladder bars much like MTs and that rear axle was used in Mustangs and Pintos, looks like Ford 6.75" Older GWRRA stickers.

33,xxx miles huh, lot of life left in that one.

As far as I know that was the original driveshaft and exactly how it was in use. What I do know is it that is a 1310 series Neapco u joint, and it is 5.47 C to E. It is about 16-3/8 from C of 1310 to E of OEM Honda side.

[chobson66]

If you look at all the pics, there's one that shows the left fender and I believe there are snaps where that fender bra attaches in what I think we will agree is the normal spot for the fender bra. I suspect the bra was removed to clean under it? Or maybe moved there while working on the trike to protect that particular area?

Yes I was cleaning it 🤣

[Lee H. Mann]

That drive shaft is a GL1500 shaft and front U-joint, but the U-joint is on it long yoke on shaft, short yoke to engine? Backwards I think, didn't even know it would fit like that, is that how it was in use?

The splines on each end of the yoke are different (count and diameter).

It will sure make a difference in the length by laying it out wrong.

[CrystalPistol]

I never tried it like that, but I was pretty sure the splines differ on the two yokes of the Honda U-joint, Lee H Mann confirmed it above. I don't see how that Honda U-joint fit "backwards". That is a Honda drive shaft that has been cut and looks like ground down to fit inside the slip yoke from a car. On the Lehman, back then, they cut the drive shaft and drilled a virgin 1310 yoke to 0.770" and welded it after inserting the shaft into the yoke's new hole. How the one I ran for years was done and it's a spare now. Never broke. I found a later Lehman shaft with a splined/not welded rear yoke.

Don't know when you measured it, how close, but your shaft looks to be useable, but that slip yoke … ??? … I don't think so. A Neapco # N2-28-357 ( https://www.drive-lines.com/neapco/1...hp?series=1310 ) was what Lehman Trikes used at the rear, it too is a 1310 series U-joint. Is your yoke on the differential use the same size bearing cups, etc as the slip joint that was in use? On Lehmans, the yoke used larger bearing caps under the retainer straps to resist distortion by over tightened straps, mine used a series 1310 Ford Big Cap U-joint. Moog #430.

I doubt it will be the same in your case, but the Lehman shafts, assembled in phase, relaxed with no pressure on the spring, is 15.625" from center of one U-joint cross to the center of the other cross. Likely yours will differ!

[chobson66]

I never tried it like that, but I was pretty sure the splines differ on the two yokes of the Honda U-joint, Lee H Mann confirmed it above. I don't see how that Honda U-joint fit "backwards". That is a Honda drive shaft that has been cut and looks like ground down to fit inside the slip yoke from a car. On the Lehman, back then, they cut the drive shaft and drilled a virgin 1310 yoke to 0.770" and welded it after inserting the shaft into the yoke's new hole. How the one I ran for years was done and it's a spare now. Never broke. I found a later Lehman shaft with a splined/not welded rear yoke.

Don't know when you measured it, how close, but your shaft looks to be useable, but that slip yoke … ??? … I don't think so. A Neapco # N2-28-357 ( https://www.drive-lines.com/neapco/1...hp?series=1310 ) was what Lehman Trikes used at the rear, it too is a 1310 series U-joint. Is your yoke on the differential use the same size bearing cups, etc as the slip joint that was in use? On Lehmans, the yoke used larger bearing caps under the retainer straps to resist distortion by over tightened straps, mine used a series 1310 Ford Big Cap U-joint. Moog #430.

I doubt it will be the same in your case, but the Lehman shafts, assembled in phase, relaxed with no pressure on the spring, is 15.625" from center of one U-joint cross to the center of the other cross. Likely yours will differ!

Obviously I’m not the brightest candle on the birthday cake! I’m as noob as they come 🤣🤣

Been on the phone with Lee a couple of times with my mechanic. We got it situated now and it’s 18-5/8” center from U joint to U joint.

Added the measurements photo to this album https://photos.app.goo.gl/EiotfxZF95EZtn5w7

[CrystalPistol]

Obviously I’m not the brightest candle on the birthday cake!

I'm sorry. I only intended to provide some help.

[chobson66]

I'm sorry. I only intended to provide some help.

Oh no, no worries, you are just fine, and I absolutely appreciate the help! I have learned a lot about my trike on this forum.

[chobson66]

As you all said, if anyone could do it Lee could. That is the absolute truth. I just got my new driveshaft from him and it works great. Thank you for all your help!!

[Lee H. Mann]

As you all said, if anyone could do it Lee could. That is the absolute truth. I just got my new driveshaft from him and it works great. Thank you for all your help!!

[chobson66]

Thank you for posting that pic, Lee. I was having difficulty

[chobson66]

My trike drives like dream now. No comparison! I took the trike on a 500 mile ride over the weekend through highways 49 and 4 in through the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Thank you again, Lee.

[LadyonaMission]

My trike drives like dream now. No comparison! I took the trike on a 500 mile ride over the weekend through highways 49 and 4 in through the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Thank you again, Lee.

It is nice to know you have it all fixed up and enjoyed your weekend ride. I love good news.