Manky Monkey Motors

Ok just a few questions again just to sort my head out as its my first reliant trike I've only done bike ones
1/ I've read about duel / linked brakes question is how and what is needed
2/ when you all did your reliant trikes what clutch did you go with lever or pedal what are the pros and cons on fabrication

Any more tips welcome
Thanks all

duel/linked, waste of time imo, but others will differ,
pedal clutch seems to be the norm,
fabrication will be a lot more involved with a car one as you have only modified in the past, not constructed?
alignment and triple check everything are my tips

Hiya Dave,
I've always used a foot pedal for the clutch -easy, swap the clutch arm from right to left in the gearbox, (a half hour job), then hook it up to the pedal with a rod.
I've got linked brakes on my, (almost finished), trike but I didn't start building it with the MSVA in mind -it's been almost finished for a long, long time. So I'm not sure what the requirements are. Done for purely aesthetic reasons -it meant no levers or cables on the bars for a cleaner look.
Mine simply has 2 brake lines on a double banjo fitting from the master cylinder. One line running to a single disc on the front & the other going to the rear right, then another double banjo & a line across the axle to the rear left, as standard Reliants are plumbed. No balance valves. I used the same set-up on my last trike & it worked fine, though I deliberately chose a single 1970s disc on the front to be less efficient than the rears, (so the rear wheels lock up before the front). I leant my MSVA manual to someone & now I can't remember who! Anyone know if linked brakes are O.K & just what the regs say about them?  

Taken from the 2010 manual, unsure if this has been updated though

3. Check that every motorcycle tricycle or motorcycle quadricycle is equipped with either;
a) two independent service braking devices fitted, one acting on the front axle/one acting on the rear axle which together operate the brakes on all the wheels
or
b) a single line service braking device that operates the brakes on all wheels
and
c) a secondary (emergency) braking device ( that may be the parking brake)
or
d) a dual/tandem service braking device which operates the brakes on all wheels
and in addition to any of the above
e) a parking brake device that operates on the wheels of at least one axle

Acceptable combinations are: a) & e) or b),c) & e) or d) & e)

4. Check that every other tricycle or quadricycle is equipped with;
a) a foot controlled service brake device, that operates on all wheels
b) a secondary (emergency) brake device (that may be the parking
brake), and
c) a parking brake device, that operates on the wheels of at least one axle

5. Check that the service brake system or systems are capable of being operated from the riding or driving position whilst keeping both hands on the steering control.

6. Check (where applicable) that the secondary braking system;
a) operates progressively
b) is able to be applied from the driving position while keeping one hand on the steering control

7. Check (where applicable) that the parking brake system;
a) is able to be applied from the driving position
b) uses a control that is operated independently from any service brake and can be positively locked on
c) is able to be held in the “on” position by purely mechanical means

The same version is current on the VOSA website so it looks good  ;)

ive got left clutch as mm said just swap the clutch arm over, and linked brakes on a heel brake, using two disc up front and disc conversion at the rear, powered by a 3/4 landrover master, maybe a little hard for some a 3/4 but i like mine and locks the front if needed, i dissagree with digger only my opinion and what works for me (as only got use of 1 arm) but my linked brakes have good feel and work brilliantly with rear disc's you can really feel it pull up ;)

One of the joys of triking is there's so many different ways of doing things & no real set styles -so you can build all sorts of weird & wonderful stuff!
So linked brakes are fine & can be either single or dual circuit?

my trike brake,s are linked,single disc front and refurbed reliant drums rear  5/8 master cyl absolutly belting brakes on the test run up the garden / private road  ;) ;)

Ok thanks all I new I could rely on you all
Yep got the clutch thing in my head now I'd heard about the gearbox swap thing
Must admit the duel brake thing sounds good as for the heal operated brake pedal I'm not so sure
So do you have a throttle on your bars or is it foot operated
Can I have some pics please

Also what sort off modifications can be done to the engine to improve the power and reliability
Thanks all again

not much can be done apart from fitting a 2lt ford pinto with twin 40 dcoe webers.. that will be fast

Ok then take that as a no  :D :D

Very easy to get extra power from the Reliant motor .  :)
{ 1 } Fit a 4 branch exhaust manifold { 4 into 1 }
{ 2 } Alternatively retain the standard exhaust manifold and open it out because it is very restrictive .
{ 3 } Modify the inlet manifold
{ 4 } Match all the gaskets , manifolds , carb heated water jacket to the head .
More info at

https://sites.google.com/site/fifersrelianthintsandtips/exhaust-manifold-comparison
and
https://sites.google.com/site/fifersrelianthintsandtips/exhaust
and
https://sites.google.com/site/fifersrelianthintsandtips/manifold/manifolds-inlet-exhaust


.
.

yes got a foot throttle, i tryed to explain to a bloke when out the other day, he said it looks akward to use but really its not and seems natural after 5miniutes , but then when built for your personal needs/prefrances its not strange to use and its effort less ;)(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g381/lukefrancis777/005-7.jpg)

The 850cc motor has, and is still, raced in a number of formula,the 750 Club for example, very quickly, and very successfully, so there is definitely more to be had from the standard motor!The Leige trials type class is another useful example of how versatile this motor is, and the 750 Club cars develop between 65/70 Bhp retracted to only one carburettor! so...................plenty of possibilities ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D  Morrag

As a slightly different issue OAB how did you go on with your handbrake with linked brakes, is it foot operated? Looking at the words posted you have to be able to operate it with one hand on the bars if you have linked brakes or am I reading it wrong?

Of course I do know you dont have to comply with all that if you are making it for a disability but just wondered if you managed to comply or if they just operated it themselves and didnt realise.

Thanks for the pic ,, looks cool

Thanks plenty of reading there

the handbrake is below my left leg under the seat, the pic is before disc conversion but still in the same place, one hand on the bars is true, says nothing about velcro glove to keep it there though, i can steer a bit with my arm,but mainly there for when i change gear so i can still keep the bars still.but my hand doesnt move hence the velco ;)(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g381/lukefrancis777/015.jpg)

i agree , one of the last great pleasures in this law laden land is riding summat individual the cops shy away from cos they know feck all about trikes ;D ;D

Mine has reliant h/brake lever with compensator operating cable brakes to both rear wheels. Footbrake on right, operating 5/8" m/cyl for twin Suzuki front discs and 2 x Golf rear discs. I have a adjustable balance valve in the rear circuit,but if I did it again Id plumb in 2 adjustable valves..one for fronts and one for backs,simply for personal preference to be able to finely adjust the system .Foot clutch,mechanism as Andy describes ,on the left.The only control on the 'bars is the throttle. It stops very well!

what are these compensators like when set up for dry weather, if it rains?

All the most basic engine designs seem ripe for loads of tuning mods. I've heard of high compression pistons from another make of engine being used, but can't remember which. Letting the motor breathe freely seems the first & simplest mod. A Weber carb from a mark 1 Ford Fiesta's a favourite, coupled with a gas flowed 4 into 1 exhaust manifold.

I wonder has anyone fitted a hif44 and a turbo from an MG Metro ?

Might be an easy way to more power

Supercharger.

Erm, like this perhaps, its often said that there's nothing new under the...............so if you can think it, its probably been done!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

 ;D

i nitrouse,d my old 850 robin (converted to a pickup)
20 bhp hit with a wizard of nos kit,
ran well till i used it too much racing a cortina (it was that long ago)
was winning though  ;D till that happened

thats a real mans way of doing things :D :D :D plus isnt destroying you engine durin a race classed as instant win ;D