What's so great about VW Trikes?

[Tritek]

I am curious. I see some pretty interesting VW trikes. To me they are like the cool, strange uncle (that is kinda weird and maybe drinks too much occasionally). They also remind me of the 70s, since most of them appear to be from then. And I did love the 70s.

Tell me why you chose a VW trike over a Harley or Gold Wing or whatever.

What is it like maintaining a VW motor and keeping it running / tuned?

What is it like having a one-of-a-kind trike and not having anybody else know what the hell bolt you need to tighten?

And please feel free to SHOW me why you decided on a VW trike with a pic of your ride. And maybe its' history and even what it cost you (if you don't mind).

Thanks

 

[irondad01]

I originally built my VW because I ended up with an extra Beetle and Big Daddy Roth was a huge influence. It was also the least expensive way to go. That was 1984. I sold it and then years later bought it back.

I've had to do very little as far as maintenance. I ran a points ignition for a long time then went electronic with no problems with either. A pivot pin worked it's way out on the fuel pump and I put new gaskets in the engine after 15 years of use. That's about it. My engine is basically stock so not much strain on it.

A one of a kind trike is a lot like owning a Ural. There is a thing called UDF, Ural delay facter. Anytime you stop someone is going to talk to you but that is part of the fun of owning one. Also if you built it you can then fix anything that breaks.

If you scroll down to "4th generation of my trike" in this thread I give a little history of it towards the end.

 

[Tritek]

One guy has a VW trike?

 

[Gorilla]

One guy has a VW trike?

Chris, there is less interest in VW trikes these days. It has been a long time since VW factory parts were readily available. Also, it can be challenging to find a knowledgeable mechanic unless you are mechanically inclined.

With the introduction of various conversions and factory-built options, most people find it easier to go that route.

I’ve had VWs in the past, and they are pretty easy to maintain. The old stock engine didn't even have an oil filter; it relied on a screen trap. The spark plugs and points are easily accessible as well.

The factory motors are reliable, but they can wear out the bore fairly quickly. It's not unusual to have to replace the cylinders and pistons at around 40,000 to 50,000 miles. While aftermarket engines and transmissions are available, they can be expensive compared to the stock options, which are increasingly hard to find.

Because the trike is so light, the factory motors provide adequate power. Mr. Porsche designed a simple machine in the "People's Car," making for a nice trike. Just be aware that working on it will be primarily your responsibility. It's not difficult, and there were once books titled "VW for Dummies" or something similar.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask, and someone will respond.
It's been a long while since the VW factory parts were easily available. Also unless your very mechanically inclined finding a knowledgeable mechanic is hard.

With the introduction of all the conversions and factory builds most people find it easier just go that route.

That all being said I've had VW's in the past and they are very easy to maintain. The old stock engine didn't even have an oil filter. It was a screen trap. The spark plugs are easy to get at, and the points are right there, also easy.

The factory motors are solid but can wear the bore out fairly quickly. Changing jugs and pistons at 40 to 50k miles is not unusual. Aftermarket engines and transmissions are available, but can get expensive compared to stock, which are hard to find.

Because the trike is so light the factory motors provide adequate power. Mr. Porsche designed a straightforward machine in the "PEOPLES CAR" It does make for a nice trike. You just need to know that working on it will be your job. It's not difficult and at one time there were books called "VW FOR DUMMIES" or something like that.

 

[Tritek]

Thanks for the replies. I did think there were more active VW guys but I can see how they are fading away. Sometimes I feel that way myself...

 

[kerryb]

We are fading away...

Mostly due to age, cost, & parts availability. I wanted one for fifty years, finally pulled the trigger 4 years ago, not selling anytime soon, just too much fun! The fact that I can fix it is a big plus.

 

[Woody]

That's way cool man

 

[Tritek]

That looks like fun!

 

[DeathBySnuSnu]

Ok.

So back in the day vws were all over the place, dirt cheep, plenty of parts availability and simple to modify and/or use for other purposes.

There were several kit or body makers, but the styres style was by far the most common.

They were wider, longer and more of a reclined with back support than a motorcycle based trike. So they handled the bumps and were generally more comfortable....... and cheap.

Now a days they are more of a nostalgia thing and you have want one and put the work into it as parts and service are hard to get. There is still hot rod aftermarket parts available.... but they ain't cheap anymore.

Then there are the oddballs like me who just like to make stuff..... so my handmade trike is a bit different than normal. So if you like custom you can make anything you can dream up

 

[Tritek]

...my handmade trike is a bit different than normal..... [video=youtube_share;bw3kAjt7iUQ]https://youtu.be/bw3kAjt7iUQ?si=n4mHssp8s3_oPG4d[/video]

Wow. That's one of the nicest VW trikes I have ever seen. Incredible.

 

[Brian Duprey]

I just bought this VW trike. Haven't taken it out, rear brakes seem to be worn or not working properly. Took 30 feet to stop from 10 miles per hour. Going to the shop on Friday for a rear brake job.

 

[Gorilla]

Very Nice worth the effort

 

[Papa Zook]

Ok.

So back in the day vws were all over the place, dirt cheep, plenty of parts availability and simple to modify and/or use for other purposes.

There were several kit or body makers, but the styres style was by far the most common.

They were wider, longer and more of a reclined with back support than a motorcycle based trike. So they handled the bumps and were generally more comfortable....... and cheap.

Now a days they are more of a nostalgia thing and you have want one and put the work into it as parts and service are hard to get. There is still hot rod aftermarket parts available.... but they ain't cheap anymore.

Then there are the oddballs like me who just like to make stuff..... so my handmade trike is a bit different than normal. So if you like custom you can make anything you can dream up

Man I do love this trike Rex!

 

[Papa Zook]

I just bought this VW trike. Haven't taken it out, rear brakes seem to be worn or not working properly. Took 30 feet to stop from 10 miles per hour. Going to the shop on Friday for a rear brake job.

View attachment 133393

Clean looking trike Brian!

 

[geol]

I had an old VW bug back in the 80s. That was the last cage where I worked on the engine. I had a timing light, feeler gauges and it was no harder than working on a vintage motorcycle. You had to get down on your back to adjust the valves but could sit in a lawn chair behind the engine to do a tune up. I had it when we lived up in Maryland (worked for the Fed back then) and it was great in snow with the engine over the drive wheels. Only negative was the defrost relied on HVAC hoses to get warm air up the the windshield and mine leaked so couldn't use the heat or defrost to well... I think it gave me brain damage. Someone had painted the thing with a roller dark blue and I bought a case of yellow spray paint. That did NOT go well... didn't need to lock it out on the street though. Twas UGLY.

 

[Fowler]

My first Trike was a V6. Don't remember all the specks on it. My farther and I would work on it every time I came home on leave.
I got in to much trouble with it so when I got married I got rid of it.
My 2nd Trike is a VW trike. Its about 15 years old now and has about 70K miles.
I Mainly built a VW trike because of the budget I had when I started it and I could find more info on building a VW then I could any other trike.
I just got through a refresh on this trike.

View: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dZhnFBe1ppMVJdX0AaxX6I5Tq1-GIZtW/view?usp=sharing


I'm building a V6 trike again. Its taking me many years to do it (life gets in the way sometimes)

 

[Fowler]

I just bought this VW trike. Haven't taken it out, rear brakes seem to be worn or not working properly. Took 30 feet to stop from 10 miles per hour. Going to the shop on Friday for a rear brake job.

View attachment 133393

I just rebuilt my rear brakes. They are drums also. Once done the brake were hard to push. I replace the brake cylinders again but this time I used brake cylinders that were meant for the front. The brake cylinders have to be "matched" to the master cylinder.
See the different sizes of the front and the rear. The Front cylinders are bigger.
My brakes work great now.