Not using 1st gear

[starrider1946]

Wonder if it would hurt anything to not use first gear and just take off in second? Apparently I have a very low geared trans-axle. I can take off just as well in second as first. No riding the clutch or anything. What do you think?

 

[pcombe]

I don't know what you have for a trike but that's some crazy torque?


Gotta consider the clutch, compensator etc.? if its a Harley

 

[DeathBySnuSnu]

Not uncommon with and early swing.
Put some taller tires on it.
I did not want hugemongus tires on mine so I changed gear ratios inside the trans.
Tall tires are cheaper if your taste or style let's you go that way.

 

[Loner]

Nothing wrong with using second gear for startup. Did it for years with my first swingarm trike.

 

[starrider1946]

not using first gear

Sorry pcombe. It is a vw trike. I am running p265/50r 16's now. I have practically new tires on rims I really like and are easy to wash and dry so I don't want to change that. I'll probably use second some and first some. If I am on flat ground I'll use second and if I am on a grade I'll use first and see how it goes. Like I said I can take off with no problem. Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

Nothing wrong with using second gear for startup. Did it for years with my first swingarm trike.

 

[RSW]

Sorry pcombe. It is a vw trike. I am running p265/50r 16's now. I have practically new tires on rims I really like and are easy to wash and dry so I don't want to change that. I'll probably use second some and first some. If I am on flat ground I'll use second and if I am on a grade I'll use first and see how it goes. Like I said I can take off with no problem. Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

What is your top speed?

 

[starrider1946]

not using 1st gear

Man, I have no idea what my top speed is. I've ran it up to 75 a couple of times and it seemed like it had some left. That's about all I can tell you.

What is your top speed?

 

[vwbug72501]

Not using first gear

Assuming that your trans has never been apart you should be able to get the ratios from the id stamp. It is located on the passenger side of the trans about 5 o'clock (standing at rear facing forward towards the engine). You will have to look up behind the frog leg to see it. Here is a page with the codes: http://www.midsouthvw.com/TechTips/tech_tip_TransaxleCode.htm There are other sites that will give you the original 1,2,3,4 ratios also. Then you can go to Rancho's site:http://ranchotransaxles.com/calculator.html and calculate your theoretical top speed.

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By the way, I rode a vw trike for many years and only used first gear for "showing off" or bird watching and never had any clutch problems. My trike would accommodate 3 across the back plus me and often did.

 

[stinger608]

Buddy of mine had an old swing axle VW trike for many years and he always started off in second. He had a hell of a time keeping the front tire on the ground starting off in first. :laugh: