Future V-8 build questions.

[Drpepper]

so the way I understand it, the more trail, the harder it is to steer a trike, but too little trail and you get front end wobble?


also just for grins is it possible to do a double fork set up, or is it just a bad idea all around? I know someone with a water jet that maybe I could build the mounts and spacers to make this happen, as long as its not dangerous or just too costly comparably
View attachment 26108<---side view, top view of fork mounts at tree-->View attachment 26109

I don't think this will work, front
left compress , left rear stays put creates pivot point ,right front stays put, right rear compress creates oppiset pivot point ,makes big wollbble not good.

 

[stacebg]

Yes, if shopping carts had more rake they wouldn't wobble so bad.:laugh:

actually shopping carts have no rake at all
i believe usually the reason for their wobble is that wheel is barely touching the ground

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so, basically, as I understand it, I can chop the front end out as far as I want, as long as it'll hold the weight, and I can get my Trail down to a max of 1-2 inches, keep my steering, comfort, and stability?

keep in mind if you use a slider type front end, at some point they stop sliding freely.. have no idea what that angle is

and the more rake you have the more stress on the neck, tree, and tube as you mention " as long as it'll hold the weight",

 

[vw driver]

Here is something I found on Graig's List in Seattle. It's from a '97 Cadillac Catera. Something like this would be a great start for a trike, disc brakes, IRS. He only wants $150 for it.

 

[rrunner]

That is one nice setup for a trike

 

[vw driver]

That is one nice setup for a trike

I thought so too. If I was building a V8 trike I'd go buy it.

 

[Marty]

independent rear is the best way period. no vibration, no torque over problems and rides like a dream. I built the black bike in your pics, it had a 45 degree rake in that picture. It now has a 40 degree rake and steers big time easier. I've had it way past 100 mph it handles great and now is pulling a trailer.

 

[vwbug72501]

Future V8 build questions

Take a look at this trike. http://www.k-jentrikes.com/phobos.html Apart from the exotic metal and frame design, the driveline / suspension is probably the cleanest you can get. I'm using the C5 A-arms for my mid-engine VW trike and using a steel frame duplicating the C5 geometry. I found a complete C5 upper frame section, suspension, and transaxle on eBay for $500.00. It only took about a year of looking before it showed up. If you're in the planning stage, I'd think it's a good place to start. It is an electronic trans but there is a lot of info on how to control it on the Internet just takes some surf time. I'll be starting a build thread on VW trike forum soon. Good luck on your build!

 

[drumdoctor]

Future V8 Builfd

Shameless,

I have built 1 V8 trike and modified another.

I have spent many hours searching the web, talking with professional trike builders and talking to other V8 trike owners
to learn about these beasts.

Here are the things that I found out:
1--Air Ride suspension is the best ride.
Whether it is air shocks or air bags.

2--The standard type of hydraulic forks from the bigger bikes-Harley, Honda, Yamaha,etc...
Cannot handle the weight of a V8 trike.
All that weight on the front end will blow out the fork seals.

There are some heavy duty springer type front ends out there with a large center spring.
Some of these also have an air bag instead of the spring.
A leading link front end is also a great ride- if it is heavy enough.
You can also switch out the coil -over shocks for air shocks.

I have a monster front end for sale.
It has an air bag for suspension.
It is built from 2 inch DOM and is wider than normal.
Contact me at drumdoctor@live.com if you are interested.
Mike

 

[irmagoo]

hi shameless
I am using a 180x65x16 for front tire on 5 inch wide wheel on my trike build, you may want to consider a leading link front end. you can use coil over adjustable shocks that are for front end of car/street rod. build your trike then weigh it on all three corners and come up with springs you need for shocks. I am considering QA1 shocks for my front end...
just food for thought.
magoo

 

[rasmataz]

v8 trike

Does anyone know if the boyz from v8trikes are still around? They had adecent frame. Originally they where from oregon, but they moved to texas after awhile. They always advertised on btw... Thanx

 

[Papa-J]

I'm planning on building a V-8 trike, but I have a few questions. I'd like to stay with a rigid frame with a suspended seat, keep is short, (preferably with no driveshaft, just trans. to axle) I've considered using suspension but I'm not sure how to go about it, and not get negative body roll. ( trike leaning left/outside, or a right hand turn.) If usig suspension, I've consisdered both solid rear axle with springs, and Independant rear suspensions.

Also, I'm not sure of a good front end to use, I'm trying not to break the bank, but don't want to hit a pothole and wind up pole vaulte into a guardrail either. Are Goldwing or Silverwing front ends stong enough, or am I going to have to buy a custom front? Can I go with a wider front wheel, or will it completely change the handling and steering of the trike?

Sorry I'm so long winded, just trying to get a decent start.

I'm starting a build as well and putting a 460 BB in it. I have talked with folks and have come up with buying a Mustang GT 8.8" rear end and subframe then building off of that. That way I get the independent rear suspension and a sturdy frame work. I haven't made it to the front end yet.