I Wanted to Introduce Myself...VeeWee

[VeeWee]

Found this forum on The Samba site so had to come check it out, very cool trike subjects going on in here.

I've got a special formula 1 style Rat Trike I started 3 years ago 'till I lost my job and had to move...the trike is further along than the current pictures show...it had a Honda Shadow 650 front end on it but I hacked it off a month ago cuz the steering sucked and I want to build a one off custom front end that will match my rear suspension...my rear suspension design removes a LOT of weight over the VW torsion housing.

I've been a VW fanatic since I was 16 and have become very handy working on VW's...in the last 25+yrs. I have mastered the metal fabrication to a level I am happy with...I own a lot of metal working tools and enjoy a challenge...the stub axles are modified 914 stub axles so I have rear disk brakes...the heim joints are rated for over 5,350lbs of sheer force so I should be good there.

Heavy duty side covers were used on both sides of the case so I would have a flat mounting surface to mount the inner suspension to.

You guys have the best smiles!:beerchug:

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[Denny Tattoos]

Welcome

Looks like it's well thought out and well built. Looking forward to update photos.

 

[VeeWee]

Here is the last video I did just before whacking the front end off...is was just this last winter it was left uncovered in the snow and now I will have more work removing the surface rust.

YouTube - VW Custom Frame Trike build video 1: Just getting started

VeeWee

 

[Gorilla]

Welcome aboard. nice project, some great ideas

 

[Loner]

Welcome to Trike Talk - one of the best trike forums that exists for great information and wonderfully friendly folks.

As one who has designed and fabricated a few VW trikes in my past, I can appreciate the meticulous work you've done! I see from the YouTube video that you added the leading arm on each side of the suspension (a necessity). If you don't mind a wee bit of engineering input, add the forward upper tie rod back (it will need it to eliminate flex) and gusset the welded tabs holding the tie rods. Hope I'm not stepping over the line but I've run into some of these things in the past. I think you're going to have a great trike when it's completed! I'll be anxious to see the front end you're fabricating (I love extended forks).

I look forwqrd to seeing you on the road someday (just went through southern New Mexico a few months ago from El Paso going toward Tucson).

 

[Frozenshrimp]

VeeWee Welcome to TT from Oklahoma!!

 

[Nana]

Welcome VeeWee. Thanks for the great pictures, and we look forward to following along on the project

 

[VeeWee]

Welcome to Trike Talk - one of the best trike forums that exists for great information and wonderfully friendly folks.

As one who has designed and fabricated a few VW trikes in my past, I can appreciate the meticulous work you've done! I see from the YouTube video that you added the leading arm on each side of the suspension (a necessity). If you don't mind a wee bit of engineering input, add the forward upper tie rod back (it will need it to eliminate flex) and gusset the welded tabs holding the tie rods. Hope I'm not stepping over the line but I've run into some of these things in the past. I think you're going to have a great trike when it's completed! I'll be anxious to see the front end you're fabricating (I love extended forks).

I look forwqrd to seeing you on the road someday (just went through southern New Mexico a few months ago from El Paso going toward Tucson).

Thanks for the input Loner...I removed that forward upper bar for a reason...it was binding with the addition or the strut control arms I just installed...this is why I used 2 larger heim bushings that are larger than the arm bushings...the torque arms are very strong...that bar was made for a V8 pan rod bar...the wall thickness is 1/4" thick and will not flex at all...befor I added the torque arms the rear suspension had a lot of travel up and down and side to side...after the torque arms were installed my suspension only moved about and inch up or down before binding...the front torque arm mount is center line with the drive axles...trying to solve my problem I realized that the front upper arm was binding against my torque arms...so when I removed those upper forward arms my suspension worked just fine...I did notice the problem through the suspension travel because the torque arms geometry the hubs travel is a straight line up and down but the upper forward arm was acting like a door stop and keep the torque arms from moving up and down...I will also add to this that using an angle find though out the entire suspension travel, the wheel angle has a 0 degree of angle movement which means that all the research on suspension building I did paid off...it took me roughly 2 weeks to design and build the suspension alone...it may look like the transmission is buried in that frame but I can literately have it out in less than 15 minutes.

One other note: Those 914 stub axles are like 3" shorter than a Beetle's stub axle...so even with my 12" rear tires the overall width is the same as a stock VW...this does however bring the inner tires closer to the valve covers.

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[Loner]

:wtg: Gotcha! Seems like all parameters have been addressed - I look forward to seeing your progress photos. Great work so far.

 

[duane43344]

Welcome to TT VeeWee..LOTS of people here for advice/help building your ride. Except me...I`m an idoit to trike building lol