driving a VW based trike

[fish]

Howdy all!
I guess this is my noob intro.
I am an old fat guy with a goldwing
I am an ASE certified mechanic and very experienced fabricator & welder.
I allready own two heavily modified air cooled VW bugs.
I wanna build a VW trike for my wife.
I am concerned about the foot clutch-hand shift-foot brake-hand throttle issue.
I think I could fabricate a hand clutch, & handlebar controlls like a motorcycle.
What about the shifter?
If I build a hand clutch (left hand)
I could not use a left hand shift
If I build a hand throttle (right hand)
I could not use a right hand shift.
I would not like the ideer of taking my hand off the bars to use a hand shift anyway (either hand).
could I just stick it in 3rd gear and feather the clutch to get away from the stoplights. Only use 4th on the freeway?
I have invested a lot of skull sweat in designing a foot shifter for the VW transaxle & I gave up.
I hope I have managed to explain my self adequately?

[Beachbum45]

Left foot (clutch)/Left hand (shift), becomes second nature after awhile. I went 26 years between trikes, and I shifted like I had never stopped. Keeping it in 3rd would work,but, it would get old after awhile. Don't know if this helps or not, these are my preferences. Good Luck.
Mitch

[Beachbum45]

Oh, I forgot....you can always throw an automatic on it!!

[Rsw]

If she can already drive a standard, she should be alright with a left side shifter. The wife took mine around the yard and had no problem.

[Loner]

As stated above, the left hand shift with foot clutch becomes second nature after a few rides. Even easier in my opinion is left hand shift with shifter in the middle like mine.

[cblack6540]

its my understanding that a motorcycle master cylinder will not pull the clutch slave cylinder far enough to make it work right. several members of another forum were discussing this a few days ago.

[Loner]

Hand clutches and foot shifters for VW trikes is an issue that has been discussed numerous times in several trike forums. I've been doing VWs and trikes since the 60's and have never seen a practical, successful design. If one really has aversions to using a left foot clutch and a left hand shifter, then build aournd a VW Type 3 full automatic, or a Type 1 semi-automatic. Put it in gear and forget it (except shift one time with the semi-automatic when you hit highway speeds).

[fish]

hello again guys & thanks for the replys!
I need to learn some stuff about that auto-stick!!
as for hand clutch the Bosshoss (chevy 350 powered motorcycle) has an 11 inch Chevy clutch & it is left hand controlled.
it is interesting the way they did it.
they use a car brake booster.
it is controlled by a cable attached to the left hand clutch lever, mounted to the handle bars.it uses engine vacume to assist with depressing the clutch, just like power brakes use engine vacume to add power to your cars brake system..

[pd5190]

On my VW trike it has a fluid assist. clutch used by dune buggy builders, left pedal operated, with left handed shift, right handed throttle just as on a normal bike. First time out i looked like a drunk monkey trying to shift but i got it home and have not looked back. shifter is vertical between your legs.

[ea81slush]

3 years ago I ordered my Aussie panther trike with the type 3 automatic. Never have I had regrets about this decision event hough the auto has its limitations.

It is robust if you locate a sound one
Simple 3 speed- no electronics or overdrive issues

If you pull one off the transaxle and you are replacing the seals then fit two seals in the location where it meets the axle. They leak here and fitting two is a common remedy.

The unit has two adjustments and they work together for gear changes. Their is a rear solonoid that works off the engine vacuum that can be adjusted by a small screw after you take off the hose. Screw it in for higher changes, screw it out for lower changes until you are happy.

Thats it!!!

I think your wife would enjoy her trike more if she had both her hands on the bars. No offense to others views here but woman arent in their comfort zone changing gears on a vW trike.

The auto selector can be positioned in the middle of the fuel tank. my fuel tank is actually where all my electricals are. The auto servicing is- lower the pan, clean the wire mesh filter, replace pan gasket (using a good heat proof sealant)replace with new oil. Always overfill the oil to just over the high level mark or you will find on the odd occasion riding uphill slowly you will lose gears. very easy and simple.

If you want a 4 or 5 speed auto you can get a Subaru auto modified with reverse crownwheel here in Oz and shipped to you. From www.subarugears.com/

and finally that brake pedal in the pic below is on both sides of the trike as one unit. can use either leg which is handy. its also adjustable for short or long legs. you cans ee the bell shaped adjuster with holes just below the pivot point.

[xployer2000]

well i am a newbie with the volkswagen trike but mine was built with the clutch on the left floorboard and the brake and gas on the right side of the floorboard. My floorbord is solid diamond plated and there is no controls on the handle bars. My brake and clutch is hydrolic and the shifter is still in the center tunnel so i can shift right or left handed (which i shift right handed since my manual shift cars are shifted with the right hand.)

[Gorilla]

Welcome aboard