First time builder seeking input

[owenno6]

Hello!

I have wanted to build a trike for years and finally have some time on my hands to do so, but I could use some advice in choosing which direction to go. Ultimately, what I would like to build is something in the style of the 70's era chopper trikes (my favorites have always been the old shovel-head custom trikes with raked out and extended forks).

But for now, I am trying to decide which road to take for my first trike. Currently, I would like to build/fabricate as much as I can in my humble garage while I have time on my hands.

That being said, I am trying to decide between building a VW Trike (like the one seen on bigyella.com, though where I would find a VW Beetle to salvage remains to be seen), converting a used/salvaged motorcycle to a trike (and figuring out the least expensive route to converting the rear end, dropping $5K on a Frankenstein kit is a bit out of the question for me currently), or any options I may not yet have considered.

So before I go any further, I'd like a solid plan, and any advice I can get from those that have done this before who might help me avoid potential headaches, and maybe give me a clearer idea of the pros/cons.

Thank you in advance!!

[ol' school]

Shawn, welcome to Trike Talk! You came to the right place to get advice on your trike project you hope to get into. Lots of knowledge on here!

[rhino 2]

Shawn..Welcome to Trike Talk 👍👍..

[David357]

Hi Shawn,

to our Trike Talk Family.

[Sully]

Welcome from North Ga. ..

[TomyJ]

WELCOME! from California...

[Jack Klarich]

Hi Shawn, Welcome to Trike Talk

[vwbug72501]

Shawn,

Welcome to Trike Talk! It sounds like you are at the "How high is up?" portion of your project planning.

Things to consider:

1. How soon do you want to ride? Fabrication can take literally YEARS.

2. Is this a fabrication project or a "get your knees in the breeze" project? Don't be lulled into the 6 figure custom fabrications in less than a hour (less commercial time) as seen on TV.

3. Can you weld? Your life, and those of others will depend on this!

4. Are you a machinist (professional or hobbyist) or do you have access to machine shop services? There are ALWAYS custom parts required!!

5. Do you have heat and AC in your garage? Creature comforts make it easier to continue a seemingly never ending project in the winter and heat of summer.

6. Get familiar with your state's DMV laws and regulations especially where it pertains to "Special Construction" or "Home built" vehicles.

Once you can check these points off, wander about the Forum and read the different build threads. Lots of good ideas here. Google is your friend. Search Trike images and follow the rabbit holes linked to the images. This often leads to obscure build threads. Search Google overseas also. Lots of interesting approaches in the UK and OZ (Australia). Brazil is a good source of ideas too. Google Translate helps here!

I'm working on a tight budget and I started 20 years ago collecting parts. Started the build several years ago and got put on hold for 2 years because "Life gets in the way." and my in ability to locate an obscure VW trans tool / assistance to set up my trans axle.

I would recommend developing several different approaches and develop loose build plans before you start acquiring parts, then keep scouring ebay, CL, Marketplace, etc. for parts. I got a complete CSC fiberglass body for $150 but had to do a 600 mile round trip to pick it up.

Your build can be as complex or simple as you want it to be. Ian Roussel built a basic bar hopper trike that is pretty straightforward. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8028284/ No rear suspension ala early HD Servicars.

Good luck and don't get discouraged.

[stacebg]

couple ideas

not a ton of money. i dont think i have spent over $1000 on any conversion... after the cost of the bike

for me independent rear is a must, personally i like bike conversion over vw, make sure you have your trail right... you will find many different numbers... i find 1.5 - 2.5 inches works well... not just an arm chair builder here... built my 1st in 79 and have done a bunch since also do sidecar installation and set up which also need a modified front end to get the trail right. did my 1st hack in 84 and lost track of how many since then

the one that that is rear engine is a Subaru engine stuffed under a rupp body

[owenno6]

Shawn,

Welcome to Trike Talk! It sounds like you are at the "How high is up?" portion of your project planning.

Things to consider:

1. How soon do you want to ride? Fabrication can take literally YEARS.

2. Is this a fabrication project or a "get your knees in the breeze" project? Don't be lulled into the 6 figure custom fabrications in less than a hour (less commercial time) as seen on TV.

3. Can you weld? Your life, and those of others will depend on this!

4. Are you a machinist (professional or hobbyist) or do you have access to machine shop services? There are ALWAYS custom parts required!!

5. Do you have heat and AC in your garage? Creature comforts make it easier to continue a seemingly never ending project in the winter and heat of summer.

6. Get familiar with your state's DMV laws and regulations especially where it pertains to "Special Construction" or "Home built" vehicles.

Once you can check these points off, wander about the Forum and read the different build threads. Lots of good ideas here. Google is your friend. Search Trike images and follow the rabbit holes linked to the images. This often leads to obscure build threads. Search Google overseas also. Lots of interesting approaches in the UK and OZ (Australia). Brazil is a good source of ideas too. Google Translate helps here!

I'm working on a tight budget and I started 20 years ago collecting parts. Started the build several years ago and got put on hold for 2 years because "Life gets in the way." and my in ability to locate an obscure VW trans tool / assistance to set up my trans axle.

I would recommend developing several different approaches and develop loose build plans before you start acquiring parts, then keep scouring ebay, CL, Marketplace, etc. for parts. I got a complete CSC fiberglass body for $150 but had to do a 600 mile round trip to pick it up.

Your build can be as complex or simple as you want it to be. Ian Roussel built a basic bar hopper trike that is pretty straightforward. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8028284/ No rear suspension ala early HD Servicars.

Good luck and don't get discouraged.

Hey, thanks for the reply!

1. I'd like to be on the road in a couple years or less if possible, which is why I am open to ideas from those who know better than I

2. forgive my ignorance, not sure what you mean by this question, but I like to build things, learn new skills, etc. but the ultimate goal is to have a trike for myself in a decent amount of time, and perhaps even build one for my wife if I can get her interested, too. If I find my niche in this, I would even build more for friends/family who have expressed an interest, but again, it depends on the feasibility... which I have yet to learn.

3. I am a novice welder, but my saving grace here is having two professional welders that are a phone call/door knock away who have given me great advice and pointers thus far. And the ace up my sleeve is my step-daughter who does mag/penetrant/etc inspections for a living and can inspect any welds I do for receivers, trike frames, etc - and really it is mostly this safety net that allows me to even consider doing any fabrication with my welding skills. As you said, it is a life or death situation.

4. I have access to some machining tools, but mostly I have a couple friends who are also professional machinists who might help me should I need a reasonable favor. (In Wichita, you can't swing a cat by its tail without hitting a machinist or welder... not that I swing cats by their tails, mind you LOL)

5. I can make my garage comfortable, but having been an M1 Tanker, my level of comfort is a bit more forgiving than most

6. I don't know the specific laws here, but I have met several trike builders in town over the years, so I know in the past the laws were pretty lax, and I have not heard of anything that would contradict that, but I will be sure to check that out.

Your example of the VW trike is kinda what I feared in that route, plus I would really like to just convert a bike if possible, depending on the cost of finding a used/salvaged bike. I've heard VW parts are notoriously hard to get ahold of, anyway, but I know it is a common route for many builders which is why I considered it, assuming there would be a plethora of info out there to guide me.

HD Servicar, from what I have seen online thus far, is my preferred route, depending on costs... so I hope to get some pointers from the pros here and make sure that is a path I can take and still get on the road in a reasonable time.

Hey, thanks again for the input, I appreciate it!!

[owenno6]

couple ideas

not a ton of money. i dont think i have spent over $1000 on any conversion... after the cost of the bike

for me independent rear is a must, personally i like bike conversion over vw, make sure you have your trail right... you will find many different numbers... i find 1.5 - 2.5 inches works well... not just an arm chair builder here... built my 1st in 79 and have done a bunch since also do sidecar installation and set up which also need a modified front end to get the trail right. did my 1st hack in 84 and lost track of how many since then

the one that that is rear engine is a Subaru engine stuffed under a rupp body

Thank you for the input and those pictures!

You sound like a man I need to talk to. What I would like to build is pretty much what you have pictured from what I assume is your build from 1979. My ideal bike is like what you have in the picture, maybe with a bit more of a rake (if feasible), and some fiberglass fenders & rear. I enjoy the pride that comes with building as much as I can myself, but I also would like to have something on the road sooner than later.

$1000 plus cost of bike is great to hear (I really can't afford the Frankenstein conversion kits on top of the price of a bike at the moment). I just need to know what all that entails, how much time I need to expect to invest, and most of all, where to get an affordable bike. I am new to this, and just need to know what resources are out there for that, and I can figure out how much to set aside for a bike to convert. I worked with a guy last summer who mentioned some resources for used/salvaged bikes, but have since lost his contact info...

Are there pros/cons to converting an older HD vs. any other brand of bike?

Thanks again, and any further input you have is welcome!

[Gorilla]

welcome shawn

[stacebg]

Thank you for the input and those pictures!

$1000 plus cost of bike is great to hear (I really can't afford the Frankenstein conversion kits on top of the price of a bike at the moment). I just need to know what all that entails, how much time I need to expect to invest, and most of all, where to get an affordable bike. I am new to this, and just need to know what resources are out there for that, and I can figure out how much to set aside for a bike to convert. I worked with a guy last summer who mentioned some resources for used/salvaged bikes, but have since lost his contact info...

Are there pros/cons to converting an older HD vs. any other brand of bike?

Thanks again, and any further input you have is welcome!

no worries always welcome to pick my brain.. get it while you can lol

even if the frank was cheap way more fun to do the whole thing.

granted not my 1st build and i am a fabricator by trade... but the v max was a quickie

came home on thur night and did a 5th gear smoke to the rim... following sat it was running on three wheels, the subframe is in the v max.. was a surprise for my ex..

i say running.. there was still a lot to do. suspension was struts and the front end was still stock... non the less she liked it... and ran the snot out of it too

what is the budget for the initial bike?

personally hd is the bottom of the barrel for me..short on power for the traveling i do especially pulling a camper. plus they are usually the most expensive

belt or chain is way more machine work.. but if you go shaft an the drive shaft is on the left of the bike u will need to flip the rear or u only go backwards.. most diffs have the pinion under center of axles so when u flip u end up rear high to keep 1/2 shafts some wheres near in line... however the diff front an s-10 front is about on center which make a big difference...

the other consideration is the ratio one i built i used a subi rear w 3:90 something gear the bike was hi 2.0 so i ran truck tires to make up...a lot to get it rolling..

there is some food 4 thought 4 u lol

[owenno6]

no worries always welcome to pick my brain.. get it while you can lol

even if the frank was cheap way more fun to do the whole thing.

granted not my 1st build and i am a fabricator by trade... but the v max was a quickie

came home on thur night and did a 5th gear smoke to the rim... following sat it was running on three wheels, the subframe is in the v max.. was a surprise for my ex..

i say running.. there was still a lot to do. suspension was struts and the front end was still stock... non the less she liked it... and ran the snot out of it too

what is the budget for the initial bike?

personally hd is the bottom of the barrel for me..short on power for the traveling i do especially pulling a camper. plus they are usually the most expensive

belt or chain is way more machine work.. but if you go shaft an the drive shaft is on the left of the bike u will need to flip the rear or u only go backwards.. most diffs have the pinion under center of axles so when u flip u end up rear high to keep 1/2 shafts some wheres near in line... however the diff front an s-10 front is about on center which make a big difference...

the other consideration is the ratio one i built i used a subi rear w 3:90 something gear the bike was hi 2.0 so i ran truck tires to make up...a lot to get it rolling..

there is some food 4 thought 4 u lol

I'm sure as I work through this plan, I'm going to have a ton of questions, once I know which questions I need to ask. But from what I've seen so far, it looks like converting a bike would be a smart first project for me to learn all this on.

Yeah, the added expense of the HD name is why I'm not too hung up on building a trike from one. And really, when you're building/converting and doing that much work, the brand hardly seems important. So yeah, I'd be fine with a large Honda, Yamaha, whatever I can get my hands on with a limited budget. Which is also why I was considering salvage bikes. I'd like to find a donor around $5K or under, but that's not a hard limit for me, if someone had a bike for $7K that was in good shape and meant less headache/time for me to get it converted and on the road, I'd be fine with that. But like you said, doing the work is half the fun (as well as the bragging rights after!)

I assumed keep it chain drive would be easier for a novice like myself (as opposed to switching to a drive-shaft), but I guess it comes down to what is feasible in a garage like mine. What i really need on this first build is a detailed how-to, I suppose, then once I've done it and can wrap my head around the "how's and why's" then my next build can be a bit more adventurous and I can start to play around more with what's possible. For a good first conversion, a "confidence builder" if you will, would I be best suited to just finding an affordable bike with a large enough engine (is any 1100 cc and up enough to handle the extra weight?) then choose between chain vs. drive shaft (I also assumed that drive shaft would only be an option when working with a car engine and tranny rather than a bike engine)?

Where is the best place to look for a guide to building/repurposing a rear axle (I don't necessarily desire to build everything from scratch, if there is an easier way to repurpose a rear end from another vehicle, I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel on my first trike). I'm not a fabricator by trade, but can wrap my head around things pretty easily once I've had some instruction and done it myself a couple times.

Thanks as always for the information



(edit):

After doing a lot more reading online, I think I see what you mean about using shaft drive instead of chain drive as a differential is needed for cornering, so it sounds like that might be a better option for my first build, or at least less of a headache. It seems like the Chevy S-10 you mentioned is popular too because the diff is closer to center, but is it a big hassle for a novice like me to use rear ends that are off-set? And if I have to flip the axle and the drive shaft is above center, how does that affect the trike?

[stacebg]

there are a ton of used bike out there for $5k i would stay away from salvage if you can less head aches with paper work

would I be best suited to just finding an affordable bike with a large enough engine (is any 1100 cc and up enough to handle the extra weight?) then choose between chain vs. drive shaft



most any 1100 should work well ... as i said chain or belt require waaaay more machine work

Where is the best place to look for a guide to building/repurposing a rear axle (I don't necessarily desire to build everything from scratch, if there is an easier way to repurpose a rear end from another vehicle, I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel on my first trike). I'm not a fabricator by trade, but can wrap my head around things pretty easily once I've had some instruction and done it myself a couple times.

junk yard most anything w irs... you can go straight axle .. many do... but the ride is better with irs



It seems like the Chevy S-10 you mentioned is popular too because the diff is closer to center, but is it a big hassle for a novice like me to use rear ends that are off-set?

what do you mean offset? which direction?

And if I have to flip the axle and the drive shaft is above center, how does that affect the trike?[/QUOTE]

make the trike higher...for me lower is better

and you have to plug the vent and add one on top

again if the shaft is on the right u dont need to flip gold wing for example and moto guzzie

[owenno6]

there are a ton of used bike out there for $5k i would stay away from salvage if you can less head aches with paper work

most any 1100 should work well ... as i said chain or belt require waaaay more machine work

Noted, Thank you!

junk yard most anything w irs... you can go straight axle .. many do... but the ride is better with irs

Agreed, I prefer comfort these days, too

again if the shaft is on the right u dont need to flip gold wing for example and moto guzzie

That gives me a lot to start with, thank you!

The next big hurdle after finding the donor bike will be working out the rear axle, but it sounds like I will definitely be sticking with drive shaft.

Thank you again for all your advice and input. Hopefully, this spring I'll have the chance to get stuff together and will stay in contact with the many questions I am liable to have.