Ok here goes, My first trike build

[Sacred Steel]

Yes I'm keeping it a hardtail.

 

[dcryder]

Isn't that going to be a rough ride?

 

[Sacred Steel]

Probably, but I have the spring seat. I just like the hardtail style.

 

[dcryder]

Thats cool, to each thier own, and to make it your own.

 

[dcryder]

Now I have been working on the trike for the past couple days and got a few things done. I completely redone the seat. And welded new brackets to help steady the fenders. Also been trying to finish up on the body work and sanding and priming. Got the rear lights installed, whew lots of work for cutting out the fender for the lights to fit right. after that was done made up a rear bumper and installed it, but got to pull it off to paint. got some pics to upload. Couple of questions for ya, does the rack look better on the body or does the trunk look better? And where do you think I sould mount the licence plate? Also that is the rims I am going to use. Just not sure what color I am going to paint them as the body will be Plum crazy purple.

 

[Sacred Steel]

Another thing to consider with running a flipped rear end. You won’t get oil flow to the pinion bearing and run the risk of burning it up due to being starved with oil. Look at this video and you will see what I mean. Fast forward it to about 10:20. I plan on drilling and tapping some fittings to duplicate the oil feed and drain. The video is a different rear but still the same principal. I’ll take some pics of mine when I do it.

14-Bolt Axle 101 / Low Dollar Wheeler Part 3 | Xtreme 4X4 | PowerBlockTV.com - Video

 

[dcryder]

that sounds good will check into it.

 

[dcryder]

If I can get the pics loaded here, it will show where I am at now. sorry won't upload need to find a site to make them smaller.

 

[vwmaniac]

Try Infaview to make them smaller.

 

[Big_Blue]

If I can get the pics loaded here, it will show where I am at now. sorry won't upload need to find a site to make them smaller.

If you're running Windows open them with Paint. Paint is included with Windows. If you don't have an icon look under Accessories in the Start menu.

Click on the Resize button. You can do it by percent or by pixels.

If you're not running Windows, but are running Linux try GIMP. You can download it here: GIMP - Downloads.

I don't know how to do it on a Mac.

 

[dcryder]

Well it is just about done except starting it and sycning the carbs. And my wife has waited along time to sit on her trike.

 

[dcryder]

More pics.

 

[nine_of_diamonds]

That is really amazing for a first attempt. Well done you.

 

[saab9k]

Exelent job. You are a fabricator first class.

 

[slick rick]

I also think you did a great job . ThumbUp How does it perform and would you do it again ?

 

[dcryder]

well got it started today and it ran pretty good, but still have to sycn the carbs. can't ride it yet because in NY I have to get it inspected first. but thank you all for the good replies, I used to build and race my own stockcars, so I have a little experience in fabricating. But the bike into a trike was quite abit different. I also did things a little differently, I used parts and pieces from just about everything. Like a subaru starter and 358 modified flywheel for reverse on the trike, mustang 16 inch alum rims just to name a couple. Also I built my own body, as the fenders move with the rear end and body stays stationary. And yes I would do it again. This is for my wife and now she wants me to build one for myself.

 

[Big_Blue]

Amazing. Love this thread.

Did you make the curvy body piece behind the side cover, beneath the fairing, and the outer edge of the fenders? Although I've never done it, I can imagine how you must have done the flat pieces like the trunk and fenders, but I can't imagine how you do curvy pieces.

 

[Big_Blue]

What did you do about the flipped rear end issue Sacred Steel mentioned in post 117? Is it the shorter shocks mentioned in post 34?

 

[John Luciano]

BTW. I don't know how I could get it to you, but I have a fairing you might be able to use on your next project. It is a frame mounted fairing has radio and speakers. It is a Windjamer II . Set up now I believe for twin down tubes. Was on a Honda 550 1978. That would make a great trike BTW.

 

[dcryder]

Bigblue the covers are made out of 3 pieces of metal bent and welded together and some body putty. the front ones on the fairing came with it, the ones on the fenders I made out of sheet metal. the issue with rear was taken care of by drilling two holes in the rear and putting a tube in to catch the oil and transfer it to the bearing.

 

[dcryder]

John Luciano let me think on that fairing, haven't found another bike yet to convert into a trike. This time I am going to use a independent rear end. As I said before now its one for me. My wife picked out the bike to trike for her and the colors on it. She would help me as much as she could and there are alot of her ideas in that build as well.

 

[John Luciano]

If you went with a shaft drive you could use a Subaru rear end. That is independent rear. I also have a beautiful 1986 500 Honda Shadow. Only 46,000 miles on it. Shaft drive. 6 speed.

 

[dcryder]

the yamaha we used is shaft drive, also I own a 02 vt1100 shadow spirit as well. Thanks for the info on the subaru rear end.

 

[2Trikez]

Ya done good! Hope your tire size & gear ratio work for the street. On my GL1200 trike build I used a Ford Ranger truck rear. Tire size is 205/70R/15 and changed ratio to 3.0 from 3.65. The tall tire, higher gear number give me a good overall gear for highway/country riding and best all-round gas mileage (35-40)and power.

As you can see from my avatar I also have a GL650 Honda V-Twin. It also has a car rear and is mounted with the swing arm not like my GL1200 (sub-frame mounted).

Now, you might consider adding a aux. fuel tank...as the your wife will need the extra range.

2Tz

 

[dcryder]

the trike already has a 6 gallon tank on it, but have been thinking about adding one.

 

[2Trikez]

I have 6 gals as well on the Wing, but still added 2 more. This gets me to the range of the 2-wheeled Gold Wings (1500/1800). You may have to set-up a gravity feed rather than a electric fuel pump for your bike.

2TZ

 

[dcryder]

been thinking of a small drag car fuel cell.

 

[Big_Blue]

Here's a link I collected about an addon gas tank. Can't say whether they're good or not:
Tour Tank Auxiliary Fuel Tanks for Motorcycles

 

[dcryder]

thanks will check them out.

 

[slick rick]

::Coffee:....... I run three ,, fat boy tanks and two under the body all controlled with a toggle switch and electric fuel pump ......ThumbUp