Manky Monkey Motors

I've been browsing a few other forums recently, just to keep myself up to date with what's going on in our scene.
There's a guy on the Rods n Sods forum building a trike using a Jaguar IRS, (independant rear suspension). The R n S forum's mainly hotrodders, as you'd expect, & Jag back ends have been a common fitment to all kinds of rods for decades, so nothing unusual there. But I was suprised to see it hooked up to the unmistakable form of a humble little 40 horsepower Reliant lump, with standard Reliant gearbox, (he's not mentioned the powerplant. & no-one's asked him about it yet).
Not criticising the chap's work in any way & I know nothing about Jag axle ratios, but Id've thought the sheer weight of the thing would mean the Reliant would struggle to tow it along?
Is this a viable option for soft tail trikes?
Being put together by "Stinkey" of Christchurch in Dorset by the way, who I assume is the same guy who used to run Stinkey's Customs in Barracks Road.

.

Looks braw  :);
The wee Reliant beastie will manage no problem . :)
If I can tour the mountains of Scotland with the wife , 2 kids and the Robin loaded above the brim and a full trailer load of camping and fishing tackle then it will pull that lump at the back no problem  ;D ;D
.
.

I wonder what he's going to use to move those massive callipers? also not much space for an exhaust left and personally too much weird looking frame to bolt that axle too.. But very interesting, perhaps he just using what he's got around god bless his clutch lol

reliant lump, ural box, jag rear?
that would be cool

there used to be a jag axle,d reliant round here, but it had the matching engine, an awesome beasty at york dragway

If its a soft tail trike we're after surely there are still a few triumph herald and spitfire parts kicking about

looks like its some seriously thin walled tube hes using? but im all for seeing different designed trikes on the road so good luck to the lad ;)

Fair enough. As we always say, variety is the spice of life. Always good to see someone trying something different. I'll pinch some more photos when he posts them!

Stinkey is a member here  :)

Steve,
Stinkey emailed me photos a couple of days ago and said he was just using up various parts that were cluttering up the workshop. Not sure where he is going to put the pair of blowers he has stashed under the bench though. He is also looking for a skinny front wheel, wire spoke type i would think to match the rear wire spoke wheels. :)

I hope it works out it very interesting if not a challenge :)

I like that, its interesting and a pleasant change from " Is it an A or B axle? and how to I get the half shafts apart?" type of build!! ;D ;D ???, like the wire wheels too.....................

:D :D :D 

ssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhh he might ask a question about the IRS then we'll all feel stupid :D

I is stooopid.  :P

is that a qualification ?  do you go to college / night school to get it .....if you do, can you get a  goverment grant for going  ::) ::) ::)

We know that Mr M but, we let you stay because................well, because....its your site ::) ::) ::) ::)

And anyway I know what IRS stands for..............it's, 'Isit Really Suspension!' of course, everyone knows that,tsch, tsch,but what about PSSO and TBL eh? now that's sumat else...................... ;) ;) ;) ;)

I think I'm only allowed to stay here cos I pay the bills.
I only pretend to be an idiot & ask the stupid questions that you lot are afraid to, to make you guys look good.
Another couple of pics stolen from the Rods n Sods forum, where Mr Spanners appears to be a member.  :)

I hope there are some nice big gussets planned for the bottom of those front rails

ooo  eerrrrrr , gussets,, again ::) ::)

i had the same thought :) :)

Errr, I have IRS ;)

one he built earlier  :)

 :)

Nice gussets!
So if Jag axles are compatible with Reliants, that opens up a variety of wheel choices -they're the same stud pattern as most Chevys aren't they?
Anyone know how the axle gear ratios compare? What diameter wheels would you need?
Jag back ends are probably easier to find now than Reliant axles too!

Last one I buildt from my 4.2 xjs cost me a fortune the discs were a bugger n expensive and the needle rollers a right pain plus the calipers are exposed n seize up and bolts are lock wired other than that frigging heavy..but a great axle .. Lol

Yeah, it was the heavy bit that concerned me. Back to the Reliant axles then.

I think this is that yellow primered one.

Unusual leg warmer.

Wow love the front end

yep, that's the one. belongs to martin :)

Jag axle tie rods, courtesy of Rods n Sods again.

.

Hey guys please note it's all just tacked and in mock up stage more to come though, I'm more than glad to answer any questions regarding this trike..Steve.(stinkey)...I did try and reply earlier to some of your questions?..here goes again...why concern over the weight of the jag axle ? Look how much weight iv taken off the robin the engine came from ?..big discs means it will stop..thin wall tubing,yes in some places..iv been using it for years,makes a change from ash and canvas..(WW2,)..most bike frames are over engineered anyway ?..but if anybody has any doubts just watch this space..

Hi Steve.
Interesting build mate. As I said, if it works, it'll open up a lot more building options. Still think the Jag axle's a heavy ol' unit for the little Reliant motor to pull along, but if it works out, it'll make a cool change from Reliant axles.  :)

This is a reliant 850 on to a VW beetle transaxle Andy, there are many more options than reliant axle :)

(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q122/nabsim/Others/Candybox6.jpg)

I don't see what all the fuss about axles is about ?..it's only a bike/trike/hotrod ?

No fuss Steve, just curious.
We do tend to stick with the tried n tested route, me as much as anyone else.
I posted the pics to maybe stimulate some fresh ideas.  ;)

Iv got plenty of ideas kind sir..I cannot stand the mundane type of trike one sees all the time? If the gods allow me more time on this planet.i will keep building em !

What a great looking machine! even shorter than mine I think :)

I was going to make this trike short, but hey."if it ain't long,it's wrong "

It's all the different ideas. That make them so interesting to me :)

Update from Stinkey Steve.

There will be a judicious amount of gusset/bracket thingys,I do like a gusset !..I didn't get much done yesterday ,I was trying to get my hotrod Y started,after redoing the timing, but the battery ran low,so tinkered on the trike..notice the skilful placing of the spirit level in my photos,looks like I know what I'm doing?

Your builds looking good Steve it's a bit farther on than mine

Well scan,this will make you sick,iv only been doing it for a week ?..if I wasn't ill,I'd have more done..he,he..

thats a good start Steve i'm envious,I only get to work at mine on the weekends

Latest update pics from Mr Stinkey.

Well I only used to get weekends,but now I'm able to tinker most days,health permitting ?..making the most of it ..cutting discs are getting a workout..it's so strange but rewarding to see my work up on this site..hope it inspires you guys too ?

oooo! like the holes. have an idea to put some in my trike. i like holes so much i put some of them in myself ;D

Ha,ha, I think we have all done that ?..I buy mine by the bucketful ,so if you want some let me know which sizes ? And I will post em to you..

Can I have a bagful of grinding sparks please.

The only trouble is when posting grinding sparks,by the time they arrive,they have turned into a long weight ?

Wanted..an old reliant radiator..for mock up ?

arrhhhhhhhhhhh i scraped two on monday sorry mate :-[

Ain't it always the way ?..this the Missus and I ,oh I miss my bike riding ?

Hooray I can upload my pics !

I got one here you can borrow  :)

Well done Pete, it's just for mock up,I will come pick up maybe Sunday ?

Sorry dude, not in sunday or saturday afternoon. Best give me a bell  :)

Ok old chap..

Stinkey says:

Had a busy day. Got a bit done. Started on the other side ..enjoying the creative flow.

.

.

What's the sticky up bit with a rosé joint for? on the u bendy bit..

I'm guessing a remote gear linkage Steve.

Well I was half expecting a smutty comment,he,he..well seeing as its got the jag IRS and its only very light it's bound to be a harsh ride ? We will be changing those shocks eventually ..it's the pivot point for our sprung seat pan..a good friend of mine is bashing out one for me ?..it's only tacked on,may have to adjust height/angle/position ?..

What,no puns ?

maybe they are just gonna sit this one out :)

I think iv scared everybody away Pete ?.. :o..

Must be the frightening thought of sitting on your seat pivot post.. Lol

Ha,ha..I knew they would start?..it's Maria's trike, so that's why I expected the humour. .

An update from Mr S:

Still can't upload photos direct from my Ipad, but here's the latest.
I've managed to get in the workshop for an hour today, the trike is on 3 wheels, ( only tacked n rolling ). I've had to re-do the radius rods and fit them in the correct plane. I was hoping I could get away with it, but not enough movement. So that means I will have to raise the rear of the chassis to compensate.

.

.

.

Once again a big thanks to Mr Mankey for uploading my photos,..as you can gather I'm no GEEK..?..iv tried photo bucket ? Etc..it lets me do it now and then ?..anyway,with a bit of luck I can get into the workshop today and play with the trike ?.. ;D a bit more tubing and gussetting ? Maybe raise the chassis at the rear..oh for some money to buy adjustable shocks ?..typical I gave some away a few months ago..(they were old ?)
Catch you guys and gals later..stinkey..

Stinky you thinking off drilling the top tube out and putting tubes in so there's holes in to look through

Hello dave, no is the answer..they were already there..iv just been using old tubing iv had lying about,but my stock is running low now..like all my frames I will run the wires through the frame as much as possible ? So no tubes to get in the way, but if you have any ideas for me by all means let me know them..I'm open to suggestions from anybody ? :o

i asked my mate to bash one out for me but he refused.

I just noticed the markings on the tube and wondered its looking bloody good so far stinky

That tube looks suspiciously like the tube that you find on the large, outdoor, trampolines that are so popular with the kids right now!! because just the other day I salvaged something similar to that type of tube from a neighbors house as a "come-in-handy"!!!!, he was scrapping one, so...........................recycling and all that... :D :D

Trampoline tubing ,as if ? ;D..as for a smutty comment that that was a goodun ?..thanks for the comment dave,I try my best and iv gota get my finger out to get it ready for the show in February ..? :-[

Well, It would save the need for any other form of suspension!!!! ::) ::) :'( :'( :D...Morrag, aka Zebedee............

Just noticed the carpet. Comfy garage or very understanding partner . :D  My missus wont let me build the trike in the lounge or even the kitchen where its nice and warm.
Don't know why.

BTW looking good.

Ooh morag,that sounds dam painfull ?..and old newbie..if I could upload my pics you'd see why the carpet ?

Stinkey says:

A mate came round and gave me hand to move stuff around, so I took a few pics.

.

Thanks monkey..when I try to upload my pics on here,it keeps telling me the pics are too big ?

with all the steel work and different o/d's that frame will look incredibly sexy when its in paint.  i was just thinking to myself are you going for an under backbone type tank,before  the pic came up with the board, i shyed away from rear suspension on my build for simplicty and i prefur the hard tail look, but i think you doing a grand job with this,and im liking the rear veiw with the big jag axel certanly brings alot more focal points in to the trike and we all spend as much time looking as we do riding ;)

is that the templet for the bottom off the tank it would look bloody good

No guys that's just a template for a long gusset,which will give me extra strength too..thanks for the nice comments guys,I do like to try and endeavour to build my stuff with a few different features..and I'd just like to say to mr Mankey about his concerns regarding that tiny engine pulling that IRS, I can move the trike by turning the diff flange with one hand , this baby is so dam light.. :o

My od we have flange and a long gusset now  :P ::) ;D

Nothing wrong with a long gusset ?

Stinkey says:

I found these in my shed today. Hee, hee, but doubt I'll use them.

.

.

Sheesh, you gotta get this photo posting thing sorted mate!  :)

.

That spine under the top tube looks class why not hide a tank somewhere and make that spine a feature? I think it would look really different. keep up the good work

I just need to get somebody to show me what to do with this Ipad , as for the backbone gusset and tank area ? I'm using what iv got,if I put the tank elsewhere it's going to cost money ?

Must admit I like very much your attitude in using what you have, and/or what's readily available!, as opposed to "how much money can I spend!",style of building. I find that a refreshing attitude to "shed manufacture", mmm.........., I watch with interest...... ;) ;) ;)

I agree with Morrag -& Scannerzer.
Creating metal sculpture from what you've got to hand is what it's all about for me -but I've always fancied building a really radical single seater Reliant using a curved backbone, just like that, but with a plate either side of the top spine & tubes through the holes to form a solid looking "girder". Then I'd suspend the motor under it with no bottom frame rails. I'd make it shorter, lower & squatter, with maybe a cylindrical spun ali fuel tank at the back.
Lookin' good matey.

Well guys,I was going to make it shorter,but often I find my bikes tend to flow the way they want to go,so rather fight it I go with the organic flow...and guess what iv got one of those petrol tanks Mr Monkey..and if you want to co-build that type of trike give me a shout ..

No more projects!  :P

That's right,no more dam projects, what with the trike,the Y and the Fordson ? Jeez !

Found this in my shed,chrome is flaking,may use it on the trike ?

A beauty! Looks kinda flimsy though but I'm sure it an illusion

Curved spines, suspended motors, tubed holes, gussets and more holes.
Stop it you lot for f###k sake STOP
You keep giving me ideas for a new trike and I havn't finished the first one yet.

know what you mean,was talking to my brother earlier and within half an hour we had a rough sketch for a curved  holey spined BMC engined trike

Looks like iv awoken the demons in you guys ?..hooray..bring on the ideas and the outrageous ?..but keep em useable ?

cant do much with my ideas at moment as the council have condemned my garage/workshop aparrently they dont like the asbestos >:(

Well if they leave alone it will be fine ? May be paint it a nice pink colour ?

I did a little bit on the trike today,made some temporary tank mounts,and a few more gussets.and also moved the engine half inch further forward ..

Sorry if the picture quality isn't to good?

Can you please put some pics off the tank mounts stinky I'm a bit stuck on mine I've never done them

love the springer front end

.if I get the chance tomorrow ,but they are simple..but it's a custom made tank..I can send some of the brackets to you if you like,..?

cheers rob62.. I love em ?

Thanks stinky I got the pm ill ring Sunday when I've got time I'm on stupid shifts this week

Come on stinky how's the trike coming on ??????????

very nice wheels mate very nice indeed  8) 8)

.hi guys only done small bits on it,went off to holland for bike show, took loads of pics,a few trikes..lost the memory card..bummer ?  Been doing a few more gussets,redone the rear shock mounts,and been making a seat,but not sure about it ?..been poorly,so not done much.

Hi guys,stinkey here, iv been away from the site..poor health..so not done anything on the trike for ages..but the good weather we had yesterday allowed me back into my workshop ..big tidy up..hoping to restart the trike this year ? (2014 )

'Ello matey! Nice to see you back -they all come back eventually!
Yeah, let's see some progress!  ;D

Cheers Mr Mankey ..will post new pics ASAP

good to have you back

its good to be back,and just to confuse things back in the summer I started on another project using some bits I had lying about,but of course I don't know how to use this new laptop to load pics ?

And my iPad says pics are too big ?..Ggrrr !

use the photobucket app on your i pad,that's what i use on my i phone. does it all for you

I tried all that before ? blooming ipad wont load photobucket app ?

wow I managed a pic from my new laptop ?

Well done!
New project or old pic?

Photobucket App is particularly crap on the iPad!

My iPad won't even allow me to upload photobucket ?..it's new project..while iv been waiting on parts for the trike, plus being poorly..the photo was taken in the summer on my iPad so not good quality .. Purchased the frame from Baz..and modified it .its running a gsxr 600 fuel injection engine,harley rear wheel and sprocket ,ktm front wheel and caliper, old secondhand springer,bantam petrol tank...plus iv been revamping my harley in the hope I'm well enough to ride it this year ?