New member with some questions

[plasma]

Hello everyone,

I'm new here so I wanted to introduce myself and do some brain picking. This past summer in July I had a fairly decent stroke that paralyzed most of my left side, and another one in August that did more damage. I can walk now with a cane, and I've got limited use in my arm, and hand again. As much as I'd love to get back 100% to my old self, I don't think that will happen. I'm just happy to get some use in my arm, and get around some by walking again.

Now that I've given some background you can kinda guess why I'm here looking to get into trikes lol. What I would like to do is build my own around a Harley motor. I kind of need help with stuff to look at since I have no knowledge of anything to use. If this was just a standard motorcycle it would be fairly easy for me to piece things together. I'm not looking to do a bolt on kit to an existing bike.

For strictly a trike frame where would some decent places online be to look? I've tried searching but mainly get directed to Ebay or find sites offering bolt on kits.

What rearends should I be looking at? I'd need something with reverse. I've only found places offering this as an add on. I'm leaning more towards an independent suspension with posi. Gotta still be able to have fun with burnouts right lol?

Clutchless electronic shifter. I've never used one and don't know a thing at all about them. I need to know who I should be looking at for this. I wouldn't know a good one from a junk unit.

Brakes: Considering I'm going to have a ton of hand controls with this, I'm looking to operate both the front and rear brakes off a single brake pedal. I'm looking for ideas of how to do this, or see examples of it.

If I had some real knowledge on this stuff or used any of the things I asked about I wouldn't need to ask. I figured coming to a trike forum would be my best option since some have probably used the things I'm asking about. At this stage for me I really can't tell if what I'm reading or looking at on the net is good or poor information or a quality part to be using for my needs. I really need the help right now so I have a good foundation to piece this together in my head and on paper.

 

[Ed Hobgood]

Welcome to Trike Talk from Missouri. I can't help you with your question but look in the section on Home Built Trikes and you might get some answers there.

 

[Gorilla]

Plasma, welcome aboard. Sounds like you have a lot of determination. Keep up the hard work at recovery.

Now to your questions. I for one do not know of any trike frames that are based on a HD type motor made. There really is not much of a demand because most trikers either do a conversion or purchase all ready built factory or or from some one else that did a conversion. Those that build their own to even the frame from scratch and are mostly based on automotive parts. If thats the route you which to go then hopefully some of our scratch builders can help you.

Rear ends are going to be an issue unless you go down the automotive route. Anything based on a bike will be mostly available from a conversion company. Reverse in MC trikes is either an electric motor that turns a pulley on the diff sprocket or a reverse off the transmission.

Brakes will have to be something that is created based on what your build will be.

I have no info on the shifting.

I know I have not given you much help but you really need to do some more research into what you are looking for. You might be having a hard time because what you are thinking of isn;t really available. Not much demand for a scratch built MC based trike. To many good conversions and factory trikes to choose from. No demand therefor no supply. You will be fabricating everything yourself. Good luck. Read as much as possible on this forum to build your knowledge of trikes.

Good Luck

 

[plasma]

Thanks for the welcome Ed and Gorilla.

Everyday I work to get better. The way I look at it, failure is not an option.

For the frames I've been looking at a lot of the rolling chassis setups out there. I might end up having to go that route if nothing else turns up.

For rear ends so far I've only found two companies with ones that offer electrical or mechanical reverse. I haven't ran into a website yet that goes into detail on how to install reverse on them. Beats me if it's just parts you buy and bolt on or if it's something that has to be fabricated. If it's just something that can bolted on then I'll have a lot of options for the rear ends.

I've been hunting for info on this for two weeks now. Found out VW trikes are really popular on the net lol. Those ones seem to have the most information and personal websites going into detail on the build.

Anything I've seen for a trike that puts ideas in my head really doesn't have any information on the details of the build.

 

[clint44]

If it's ok to ask,what kind of budget do you have in mind?

 

[plasma]

If it's ok to ask,what kind of budget do you have in mind?

I'd really want to keep it around 15 grand or under. I've got 3 EVO's in the garage, and a wide glide front end so I'm probably being generous with that number.

 

[Recall]

Welcome to TT from WV. Sorry I cannot provide any answers, but as previously stated lots of knowledgeable people here. Good luck with your build and keep us posted on your progress.

 

[stinger608]

Welcome to TrikeTalk from windy Wyoming!!!

I actually built a custom Harley trike for a double amputee a couple of years ago.

We used a new frame that we purchased from V-Twins and used a Paughco trike rear end that matched perfectly to the frame and gearing from the Harley transmission.

Here is the Paughco web site:

http://www.paughco.com/

As you can see, they have a picture and link to their trike rear ends right on the main site page.

The ole boy we did the trike for was a die hard Shovel head guy so we purchased a frame that was Evo and Shovel combo. Worked out great! We built it around a FX style frame.
We also purchased a new Wide Glide front end from V-Twins as well.

I'm pretty sure that both J & P and V-Twin's have newer twin cam frames as well.

Everything was new with the exception of the engine and transmission and all said and done with he ended up having about 7K invested which isn't too bad. Of course if you have to purchase engine and tranny it will be much more but still won't be any where near what a new Tri-Glide will cost.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress of getting better and the build!

And of course with the build we will allllllllllll need pictures.

 

[bustedwing]

Hello Plasma and from the U.P.of Michigan welcome to the website. I well understand your plight and a few people on this site are good at figuring out how to do new things. I wish you well, and possibly could even run into you someday! Ride safe ( when you get it going) drop by often.

 

[Trikenuby]

Reverse question

Just bought a Harley conversion trike with no reverse put on it, this is my first trike ( 07 ultra classic conversion ) I was looking at the MMD one because of the 1000$. Most others are 1400 and up .. Trying to get some info and your thoughts. Do ppl ride trikes with no reverse?

 

[Gorilla]

I rode without for several years. Its all about planning your parking. When necessary it pushed easily.

 

[pcombe]

My advice would be to look around for a good used trike that you can ride my friend.

You may very well find yourself in a spot where building from scratch is more costly than starting with a used bike.
You will get an idea what you want and what you don't want and see if a trike is for you anyway?

This coming from a guy who has kept the same bike for 27 yrs. and built his own trike.

Quite often the problems associated with building one piecemeal will turn out to be more expensive than a full conversion and will keep you off the road and out of the wind for a far longer time than you can afford with your present health conditions and Yes I do know of wich I speak ok?
I have a bad heart and crappy lungs and time is of the essence for me.

This is just my suggestion, you can throw it out if you wish?



I did the work myself and had a SAFE functioning trike with an 8- $9000.00 conversion price tag attached.
A decent engine is going to cost you at least $3500.00 and a tranny will run around $2000,00 so you already have about $5500.00 invested and still no frame and your not in the wind yet?
Sell your extra parts and use them to help build your bike?

I used the solid axle kit from Champion trikes and they do offer a reverse, I didn't put one on mine. it's to easy to roll around.( I do pay some attention as to where I park) I used a hog halter 9 degree overall rake on the front end, I didn't need a park brake either. All of this I bought through Bazooka who is this forums owner for a fraction of the retail costs associated with most builds.
You can private message him and you can find him using the community search feature at the top of the page.

For pictures and info on my build google:

pcombe library/photobucket

You will probably never sell a trike for more than you invest in it?
There may be some exceptions?

If I were to sell it today I wouldn't take less than $16,000.00 for it and the only thing mechanically original about it is the tranny, I have been slowly returning it to brand new condition over the last couple years ( Im on a fixed income) and plan to pass it down to my daughter who grew up on it.

Even at that there are so many obsolete parts that I scrub the country finding and rebuilding or just socking away but you know a man that does that for 27 yrs. absolutely LOVES his Harley and doesn't want a new one!

 

[Dave59]

Welcome from another Wisconsinite. Good luck with your build. Sounds like if you really want to get riding, starting with something you can modify would be the way to go. Either way best of luck, stay safe.

 

[Goldwinggene]

Does it have to be a Harley?

I am not familiar with the Harley bike line that much but I do know that the latter model Honda GL1500's had the option of a reverse and the Gl1800's all have reverse. There are a lot of used Goldwing trikes with all models of trike kits and options. The prices vary a lot so do some searching and you might find something that will work for you. From what I have seen, the reverse must be on the motorcycle before the trike conversion is done. There may be some other brands of trikes that have reverse, like the Stallion which use a ford motor and driveline.

As far as an electric shifter, their is a company that makes an electric shifter for the motorcycles. I am not sure if it will work on all motorcycles. The name is a "Pingel" shifter, http://www.pingelonline.com/prodcat/electric-speed-shifters.asp
I have see posts on one of the Goldwing forums by a guy that has no legs, and has that shifter on his bike and some type of brake control that doesn't require a foot peddle. I am sure that would work for you if you are willing or able to to get a Goldwing.