Ok here goes, My first trike build

[2Trikez]

I have a Tour Tank under my MotorTrike body (my other trike) mounted to my homemade sub-frame work. It really is a "Coyote Oil Tank" from Tour Tank which they sell as well. Just suited my needs better. Good tanks, seals good, has pipe thread "bongs" for attachment of electric fuel pump. Just add a toggle switch to handlebar or fairing pocket. Learn how much "time" is need to drain aux. tank by either having a dash clock or wrist watch.

The other tanks they have are more for gravity feed for motorcycle use (1-3.5 gals) and one needs to put a "T" and a on/off fuel petcock in the fuel line. In this set-up, one uses the aux. tank 1st (most are mounted to rear seat/rear rack) THEN uses the stock gas tank fuel last. As this gives YOU a way to know "when" to re-fuel as it's just like a normal turn on the reserve for operator.

Some guys have been using Harbor Freight/Pep Boys/Walmart air pump tanks which cost about $25.00 for re-airing your car tires. They dis-assemble the unit... and add bongs for fuel outlet and add a gas cap. Their mostly steel units but some aluminum...check with a magnet. Don't throw the pump away...you can still use it.

2TZ

 

[dcryder]

Thanks for the info, I am trying to get it on the road by next week. so I can shake it down and deal with anything that may pop up. then take my wife out on it to a big parking lot to start getting use to it.

 

[butchvoss]

wow that is nice, great job

 

[dcryder]

thank you will try to get more pics up when wife is riding it.

 

[dcryder]

well had it running again and tried to sync the carbs, but no matter what I do they won't sycn up. So I am going to pull the carbs and clean them again to see what happens, also exhaust pipes started to turn blue which means it was too lean.

 

[LuckyThirteen08]

nice work on the body panels

 

[LuckyThirteen08]

This is an amazing step by step build and exactly the type of thread i have been searching for.

 

[dcryder]

thanks for the kind words on the body panels, they are not perfect but will do the job. Pulled the carbs and the float levels were off, so I reset them and tried again ran better but not great. I found 2 vacuum lines that go from the intake to the petcocks colasping, so I replaced them and what a difference, now maybe I can sync the carbs. And take it for a ride.

 

[dcryder]

got the carbs done today and boy what a difference. I took the trike out for her maiden ride and it was fantastic, handled well and rode well. Just have to make a couple of small adjustments and ride her again.

 

[cooltech]

Nice Work. The time, the effort...Kudo's to you and your skill!
cooltech

 

[2Trikez]

Finally answered your PM... was away for the Labor Day weekend. So got a few carb issues, ok. But how does it handle for ya??? Gotta get on a smooth road to get a good idea.

2TZ

 

[dcryder]

I took a 80 yamaha special front forks and brake setup and put on the trike which is a 81 yamaha venturer. the difference was the front wheel is bolted on the front the fork tubes instead of at the bottom and the special forks were 2inches longer. I measured the distance from the frame to the forks and the special forks moved the front wheel out a 1 1/2 inches. Which gave me more rake. Had it out on a smooth road and it handled very good also I put a avon side car tire on the front as well it is flatter than the motorcycle tire and more tread.

 

[dcryder]

Ok another run with the trike so far so good. Had to replace front brake pads as the old ones weren't working very well. Now the trike runs real smooth but after a long run it wants to idle higher than normal, gonna have to try and figure that one out. Also the starter quit working glad I didn't shut it off before I got home. All in all it was a good day.

 

[2Trikez]

Great to hear it's doing well. How's the handlebar effort with your "new" set-up for the front wheel. Much easier I would think.
Starter issues on a Yammy...mmmm, where have I heard that before!!!:gah:

Hope to see some pics soon.

2TZ

 

[dcryder]

Great to hear it's doing well. How's the handlebar effort with your "new" set-up for the front wheel. Much easier I would think.
Starter issues on a Yammy...mmmm, where have I heard that before!!!:gah:

Hope to see some pics soon.

2TZ

The handlebar setup is very easy, doesn't take much effort to steer it through the corners, works quite well. Better than I had hoped for.

 

[dcryder]

Ok figured out the starter problem, it was a rusted cable end. Now it starts again. Now to figure out the high idle when it warms up.

 

[pcombe]

:10:hey, what you are doing trips my trigger old son and i wish i could be in on the build.
I enjoyed converting my old tour glide last winter and have worked on other trikes for folks because there is no one around here other than the harley dealer that has anything to do with trikes!

Bro, I hate to throw a rock through your window but you may have a heck of a time trying to insure it?:Shrug:
:gah:Most insurance company won't touch a home built trike unless it's a recognized, name brand approved kit.

Years ago a guy could get away with it but my friend has an old kawasaki 1100 trike sitting in the shed that runs but can't put it on the road anymore.

 

[dcryder]

:10:hey, what you are doing trips my trigger old son and i wish i could be in on the build.
I enjoyed converting my old tour glide last winter and have worked on other trikes for folks because there is no one around here other than the harley dealer that has anything to do with trikes!

Bro, I hate to throw a rock through your window but you may have a heck of a time trying to insure it?:Shrug:
:gah:Most insurance company won't touch a home built trike unless it's a recognized, name brand approved kit.

Years ago a guy could get away with it but my friend has an old kawasaki 1100 trike sitting in the shed that runs but can't put it on the road anymore.

I had no problem getting the bike insured on the road right now. In fact I have full coverage. Too bad you to far away or I would make an offer on that trike.

 

[pcombe]

Im glad you had no problems.
Enjoy your build.

He has another he built with a small v-8 also

 

[Leathel]

Well done on your build

A couple of months and I hope to be building my first

 

[dcryder]

OK haven't been on for awhile. So here goes found an vacuum leak fixed it, now it runs good. Took it down to get it inspected and it passed with flying colors. They were surprised to see an e brake on it. Took it for a long ride today and everything is working good and i am surprised that it handles real good and the ride is smooth. I plan on building another out of a gl1500 i just bought this winter for myself as this one is for the wife.

 

[god910]

Beautiful work... I'm getting ready to start a trike build and was going to use a bike I already had. After seeing this I quickly checked my locals and there's an 80 XS1100 for a fair price that I may switch to.

I appreciate all the pics!

 

[Tommy Curtiss]

Nice Job!

I think you did a heck of a great job! I have a GL 1200 that I would love to turn into a trike, so if you decide to go with the Honda build, you have my full attention . Keep taking pictures, made it really nice to follow along.

Tommy

 

[2Trikez]

Glad to hear you got her done as well. Been awhile since I've been on as well. Too many projects I guess.

Bike looks good!!

I replied to your "want ad" for another trike body....remember I had 1 or2??? Get back to me.

2TZ

- - - Updated - - -

Tommy Curtiss,

Check my avatar...GL1200 with 1990's something GL1500 MotorTrike body. Took about 40/50 or so hours to build but had plenty of help.


2TZ