LarryA
500+ Posts
lots of progress made...like the looks of that new wheel and tire!
Having a live engine gives a project a big boost also!
Having a live engine gives a project a big boost also!
Neck height?
- Thread starter Eggman
- Start date
i bet you yelled "its alive" like dr Frankenstein when it lit
- Thread starter
- #93
Sure did. Finished the fuel tank/pump on Friday. Will start adding fuel to it this weekend. Started taking the front end apart to fine tune it and clean it up for the last time. the new rear rims came in on Thursday, tires were supposed to be on Friday. Thanks to UPS not being able to read, I got one tire on Friday and one on Saturday. Then we got shitty weather on Sunday and local tire shops were closed. Getting closer to what I'm thinking I want the body to look like.
It has been interesting to watch you get things together and done. It does seem to be rolling along and soon the trike should roll around for you, so much work of love goes into these projects. Thank you for sharing, oh and love how beefy all is looking.
- Thread starter
- #95
Currently awaiting front shock springs and disc brake spacers for the front end. Will be making the new brake pedal and shift pattern this evening on the plasma table. Should be able to ride it two blocks to the grain elevator to get it weighed (maybe around the block once, or twice 
). Going to weigh the front wheel, all three wheels, then just the back wheels. There is about 4 gallons of fuel in the new tank, works great.
Made the handle bars yesterday and wired them with harley style switches. Picked up a 2 channel momentary relay board for the turn signals and a couple of terminal boards from Amazon yesterday. It's looking like a busy night tonight.
). Going to weigh the front wheel, all three wheels, then just the back wheels. There is about 4 gallons of fuel in the new tank, works great. Made the handle bars yesterday and wired them with harley style switches. Picked up a 2 channel momentary relay board for the turn signals and a couple of terminal boards from Amazon yesterday. It's looking like a busy night tonight.
- Thread starter
- #96
Damn, it is a fun ride!! Rode it down the street on 1 Jan for the first time. Had to re-bleed the brakes, much better for the second ride on the 3rd to the grain scale.
Steering is still harder than I'm thinking it should be. So I measured the trail and I'm around 5/8-3/4". Not what I was expecting. Since I now have the front coil-over springs it may make a difference. Up till now all I've had is 2 pieces of 1" square tube welded to the back of the links for the front suspension.
Questions:
1. Will the steering get any easier with the coil-over shocks in place?
2. I know the steering will be more difficult due to the tire I have on it by nature, would adjusting the trail make it easier as well?
I'll post up pics/video either later today or this evening.
Thanks.
Steering is still harder than I'm thinking it should be. So I measured the trail and I'm around 5/8-3/4". Not what I was expecting. Since I now have the front coil-over springs it may make a difference. Up till now all I've had is 2 pieces of 1" square tube welded to the back of the links for the front suspension.
Questions:
1. Will the steering get any easier with the coil-over shocks in place?
2. I know the steering will be more difficult due to the tire I have on it by nature, would adjusting the trail make it easier as well?
I'll post up pics/video either later today or this evening.
Thanks.
LarryA
500+ Posts
I doubt the coil overs will make any difference regarding steering effort. when you post the pictures, also post the frt/rear axle weights. If that front is heavy, that much trail could make for heavy steering. Then again, people pay good money for gym memberships just to build upper body strength!
- Thread starter
- #98
Front axle is 500#, rear axle is 1620#, and both axles are 2120#. Those were taken with me on the trike going across the scale. I'm about 210#.
- Thread starter
- #99
LarryA
500+ Posts
The only experience I have is with my own trike, which may not be enough to be giving advice. But I have 370# on the front wheel, with me on the seat. 2 inches of trail. I would not want the steering much lighter, but surely
would not want it any heavier. That said, I have never ridden another trike, so at this point do not know what is normal.
With your #'s I would be looking at ways to reduce trail.
Hopefully others will chime in with possible solutions....make sure to post a side view to show front frame/neck/trees and rockers, for those thinking of raked trees, rocker lengths etc.
would not want it any heavier. That said, I have never ridden another trike, so at this point do not know what is normal.
With your #'s I would be looking at ways to reduce trail.
Hopefully others will chime in with possible solutions....make sure to post a side view to show front frame/neck/trees and rockers, for those thinking of raked trees, rocker lengths etc.
- Thread starter
- #101
LarryA, thanks for the info. I'll make sure to post pics with some measurements after I get it all back together.
From what I've been reading, more suggest 2-4" of trail is a good thing. A few say to keep it closer to 1". I did move the trail closer to 2". Here are a few videos of the first ride. Feel free to leave any comments/suggestions.
Thanks.
From what I've been reading, more suggest 2-4" of trail is a good thing. A few say to keep it closer to 1". I did move the trail closer to 2". Here are a few videos of the first ride. Feel free to leave any comments/suggestions.
Thanks.
28,469
- Thread starter
- #102
Part 3 & 4.
LarryA
500+ Posts
I'm thinking I misread your trail figures! it was 5/8 to 3/4" according to your post....for some reason I thought it was 5 inches! I wouldn't change that until more testing is done. If I recall correctly, ,Rex over in the VW forums, has said turning the handlebars from lock to lock while observing the top neck area...if it moves a lot, lots of trail, it very little movement smaller trail. Looking at the videos , maybe the relatively flat faced front tire, has to lift the front of the trike when you turn, whereas a more rounded tire face would not?? Overall looking good, and nothing more fun than a new machine brought to life!
If I recall correctly, ,Rex over in the VW forums, has said turning the handlebars from lock to lock while observing the top neck area...if it moves a lot, lots of trail, it very little movement smaller trail. 6r
some truth to that i have no idea where the numbers change...
but if u have, lets go extreme, zero rake there will be very little rise of the frame no matter what the trail is
but you could have a lot of rake and zero trail like this one and there will be a bit of rise ... not sure but i think the wide square tire doesnt help...
some truth to that i have no idea where the numbers change...
but if u have, lets go extreme, zero rake there will be very little rise of the frame no matter what the trail is
but you could have a lot of rake and zero trail like this one and there will be a bit of rise ... not sure but i think the wide square tire doesnt help...
That is a beast, but got to love it!
I went thru this on the front wheel. The narrow the tread on the center line of the tire the better it is to handle cornering ( when installed on a motorcycle) On a trike we want the front tire to trake and follow our turning of the wheel, so more tire tread on the road surface the better when on a trike, but what amount of tread on the road is to much ?
That I think is on the rider and how much ease they want in the steering. The wider the tire tread the more arm strength would be needed. What a beast.
Speed, if you want fast cornering the narrower centerline of tread on the tire is desired, (again on a motorcycle ) and some of this does apply to the trike, but how fast do you want to turn the corners and all that ?
With to much speed the trike push's the front tire thru the turn and the slower the speed the more tracking of the tire occurs, better controlled turn you get.
Large motor and the weight back there, I think I would stick with a big heavy front end. Remember with faster speed down the road the front end could float more if it is to lite, and that is not what I want happening. Again just love how it looks. Got to run, house is up.
I went thru this on the front wheel. The narrow the tread on the center line of the tire the better it is to handle cornering ( when installed on a motorcycle) On a trike we want the front tire to trake and follow our turning of the wheel, so more tire tread on the road surface the better when on a trike, but what amount of tread on the road is to much ?
That I think is on the rider and how much ease they want in the steering. The wider the tire tread the more arm strength would be needed. What a beast.
Speed, if you want fast cornering the narrower centerline of tread on the tire is desired, (again on a motorcycle ) and some of this does apply to the trike, but how fast do you want to turn the corners and all that ?
With to much speed the trike push's the front tire thru the turn and the slower the speed the more tracking of the tire occurs, better controlled turn you get.
Large motor and the weight back there, I think I would stick with a big heavy front end. Remember with faster speed down the road the front end could float more if it is to lite, and that is not what I want happening. Again just love how it looks. Got to run, house is up.
I was watching the video clips again, noticed when you where on the grass backing up with a turn tha there was some of this pull and drag, this could be because of being on the soft grass.
How did it feel going down the road ? Did you feel like the trike turn the corner and the rear follow the front, or did it feel chattery as is pushed over the asphalt ? From what I could see it seemed to be smooth, not a super tight turning radius ( or is it ?) going off video, or is it the overall trike length that limits tight turning radius ?? I think both could affect it some.
Here's to bugs in your teeth!
How did it feel going down the road ? Did you feel like the trike turn the corner and the rear follow the front, or did it feel chattery as is pushed over the asphalt ? From what I could see it seemed to be smooth, not a super tight turning radius ( or is it ?) going off video, or is it the overall trike length that limits tight turning radius ?? I think both could affect it some.
Here's to bugs in your teeth!
- Thread starter
- #108
Stacebg...I'm sure the wide square tire will make it a bit more difficult to steer. Kinda was expecting that to a certain degree, just not that much. I did change the trail to about 2", we'll see how that does. I'd like to keep the wider front tire, but may have to go to an MC tire to make it easier to steer.
grandpanystrom61...don't know if there was any pull and drag, was trying to get it to back over the ruts in the backyard. The wheel/tire seemed to function just fine on the asphalt. Don't know for sure, I was busy dodging rocks that the front tire was tossing at me, lol. As far as the turning radius, I'll check that out when I get the front end put back together on it. Going to try to keep the front end as I have it now. Time will tell. I'm not wanting to have the front end so labor intensive that it takes the fun away from the ride.
Currently looking at 18 ga sheet steel for the body, 4140HT for some of the smaller english wheels, will be borrowing the english wheel and a shrinker/stretcher from my brother-in-law this weekend.
Thanks for everyone's input.
grandpanystrom61...don't know if there was any pull and drag, was trying to get it to back over the ruts in the backyard. The wheel/tire seemed to function just fine on the asphalt. Don't know for sure, I was busy dodging rocks that the front tire was tossing at me, lol. As far as the turning radius, I'll check that out when I get the front end put back together on it. Going to try to keep the front end as I have it now. Time will tell. I'm not wanting to have the front end so labor intensive that it takes the fun away from the ride.
Currently looking at 18 ga sheet steel for the body, 4140HT for some of the smaller english wheels, will be borrowing the english wheel and a shrinker/stretcher from my brother-in-law this weekend.
Thanks for everyone's input.
LarryA
500+ Posts
Regarding, the push/pull that Grandpanystrom61 was speaking of... When backing up I have to hold a stiff arm to keep the bars from whipping to the right or left, especially when making a turn when backing up.
I'm thinking this a normal condition, but does it get better or worse with more or less rake?
Or with more or less trail?
I'm thinking this a normal condition, but does it get better or worse with more or less rake?
Or with more or less trail?
Regarding, the push/pull that Grandpanystrom61 was speaking of... When backing up I have to hold a stiff arm to keep the bars from whipping to the right or left, especially when making a turn when backing up.
I'm thinking this a normal condition, but does it get better or worse with more or less rake?
Or with more or less trail?
this is absolutely normal... the more trail the worse it gets think of it as going forward w negative trail... or a caster on an office chair ,,, when u go the other way that wheel on the chair just whips around.. if there was 0 offset / trail it would not want to spin...but more offset/ trail / caster the more it wants to whip.... concept is exactly the same
- Thread starter
- #111
Ok, I understand now. I don't know if there was any. Could've been that I was trying to not run over the hound so I wasn't paying attention.
When I get it back together, I'll look into it.
When I get it back together, I'll look into it.
- Thread starter
- #112
Mounted the headlights to check for clearance and to lay out the inboard holes for the brackets.
Tried these on a 12vdc battery on the back porch, lit up the bar 2 blocks down the road. I like!
Of course they'll always be on dim unless I am out in the country on a dark, desolate road by myself.
30942
Tried these on a 12vdc battery on the back porch, lit up the bar 2 blocks down the road. I like!
Of course they'll always be on dim unless I am out in the country on a dark, desolate road by myself.
30942
I too like to see the road and all around it if possible. I like the thin porfile of those lites, can I ask where you got them ?
I am still looking for new lites for my trike, at least head lights and very visible running light up front.
Nice work you've done, and it has been a joy watching this come together with all your work, you have to be feeling good about it.
I am still looking for new lites for my trike, at least head lights and very visible running light up front.
Nice work you've done, and it has been a joy watching this come together with all your work, you have to be feeling good about it.
- Thread starter
- #114
Here is a link to the head lights. Several to choose from, mine are the 105 watts pair.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JPXJD87/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This is the light bar that is under the head lights.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071S61K3G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
One night this week, I'll have them hooked into the wiring and align them best I can in the yard on the garage door. I'll know then how much the placement of the light bar works with the top of the front tire.
31785
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JPXJD87/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This is the light bar that is under the head lights.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071S61K3G/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
One night this week, I'll have them hooked into the wiring and align them best I can in the yard on the garage door. I'll know then how much the placement of the light bar works with the top of the front tire.
31785
- Thread starter
- #115
The mounting of the front lights doesn't seem to interfere with the top of the front tire. Will check it again when I get the front fender made and mounted.
Had a fairly productive weekend. Re-did some of the frame work behind the rear seat to support the sides of the body. Added a bit of structure for the rear body panel for the tail lights and back up light.
When I added the rear seat framework, it really started to come together.
The shop hound isn't much help. No, she doesn't have led eyes.
Thought I had it all laid out right. Forgot to move the pattern on the screen down to where the metal actually was on the table. Had a miscalculation by about 2 1/2". Oh well. Guess I'll be doing some grinding.
34169
Had a fairly productive weekend. Re-did some of the frame work behind the rear seat to support the sides of the body. Added a bit of structure for the rear body panel for the tail lights and back up light.
When I added the rear seat framework, it really started to come together.
The shop hound isn't much help. No, she doesn't have led eyes.
Thought I had it all laid out right. Forgot to move the pattern on the screen down to where the metal actually was on the table. Had a miscalculation by about 2 1/2". Oh well. Guess I'll be doing some grinding.
34169
LarryA
500+ Posts
A beast indeed! Coming along nicely.
What are the plans for the rear frame extensions, and the panel laying on top of the motor box?
What are the plans for the rear frame extensions, and the panel laying on top of the motor box?
- Thread starter
- #117
The panel on top is the right side. I ran out of time yesterday.
The frame extensions will probably get cut off about 6" past the rear sheet metal with a hitch installed and a small platform/step. Gf is a bit on the verticaly challenged side so there needs to be a step.
The frame extensions will probably get cut off about 6" past the rear sheet metal with a hitch installed and a small platform/step. Gf is a bit on the verticaly challenged side so there needs to be a step.
- Thread starter
- #118
Worked on a pos Harbor Freight English wheel for most of the day Friday. They SUCK!
Anyways, between Mardigras and family, I finally got one fender on. It needs a bit more attention with some shrinker treatment. Right now its just being held on with three pop rivets, but I'm feeling its going in the right direction.
Wasn't thinking about how metal reacts with heat...until it was too late. About 15 minutes with a shrinker, it'll be fine.
35191
Anyways, between Mardigras and family, I finally got one fender on. It needs a bit more attention with some shrinker treatment. Right now its just being held on with three pop rivets, but I'm feeling its going in the right direction.
Wasn't thinking about how metal reacts with heat...until it was too late. About 15 minutes with a shrinker, it'll be fine.
35191
- Thread starter
- #119
Looking at changing the front tire back to an mc tire. Is a 200/60-16 the tallest rear tire? Would I run it reversed mounted on the front rim?
LarryA
500+ Posts
It seems logical that the flat faced front tire would lift the front end when turning making for heavy steering.
But, before changing to an M/C tire, run the original tire up on a board with a round faced bottom to simulate the M/C tire when turning. Maybe there is not that much difference??
But, before changing to an M/C tire, run the original tire up on a board with a round faced bottom to simulate the M/C tire when turning. Maybe there is not that much difference??
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