Manky Monkey Motors

Emailed to me by Brock as a possible idea for my Pop. I'd planned something a little more vintage looking, but Taz says she'd like something similar on her trike.

now i like that alot, not so hot on the coins though, hmm how big are those round back lights u got on yer trike Manky?

Yeah, I thought the coins were a bit tacky, but I like the overall idea.
I bought mine from Vehicle Wiring Products, but can't see them in their online catalogue. These guys do the same lights. I paid twice that much for them though.  >:(

ROUND REAR LIGHT 4.5" DIA
Stop/Tail + Indicator
"Small Hamburger" design

£36 pair + £5 P&P

Stafford Vehicle Components (http://www.s-v-c.co.uk/lights_rear.html)

hmm think i need to start looking for lorry pistons then to accomodate there size? i think :) hmm they could even be made to clamp on the back axle!! ;D

I've seen pistons used as speedo mounts on trikes before, but not as lights. Would be easy to go over the top with stuff like that & have it everywhere, but one or two clever little ideas tucked away is good. That's one of the things I like with trikes -no real design limits. They don't have to conform to recognised styles or trends so you can do more or less what you like.

Somewhere tucked away I've got a couple of ashtrays my brother made from pistons - one from and Austin 7 and one from an Austin lorry.

   Small Block Chevy mains are 2.100", so fifty thou off of each mating face would make the rod a tight fit to a Reliant axle tube. Rods are commonly 5.7" centre to centre, steel rods could be heated and stretched or bent. Standard 350ci pistons are 4" dia, SVC have Hella LCD "mix and Match" sets for rear lamps listed at 95mm or 98mm dia (must get these eyes fixed) and I've got boxes of broken Chevrolet, should have said while you were here, you can never hoard too much junk.

Bugger, we always think of things afterwards.


 ;D Thats what I keep telling him but he doesn't believe me.

very true Brock ;D but try telling my missus that ::) ::)

Unless you've got some very tall rear tyres, combined stop/tail/indicator lights mounted directly to the axle will be too low to comply with the MSVA regs. That sounds very informative doesn't it -would sound a lot better if I could remember the relevant measurement.
I don't know who's got our MSVA manual at the moment so can't check. I do know though that my trike's rear running lights are right on the lower limit. Unfortunately they're combined stop/tail & indicator units & the indicators have to be 100mm higher than the red 'uns. Solution- fit some temporary plates behind the light units to raise them for the duration of the test, then drop 'em down again afterwards. The annual MOT doesn't check for measurements, just that whatever's fitted works. Of course, if your rear lights are just red, you can mount the flashy orange ones somewhere else.
Oh, by the way, in case you missed ByzMax's post a while ago, don't forget a freshly MSVA'd trike's treated as a new vehicle -you don't need an MOT for 3 years.  :) 

Id be interested in some of them pistons/rods Brock :) "how much?" and just another dreamer thought for Manky...wot about mounting the rods vertical with the pistons at a 90 deg the length of the rod should more than compensate the hieght limits to satisfy the mvsa thingy ?

Yeah, that'd work. Good idea VB.

:) hehe i got summut halve right :) could always lower them to horizontal after the test?

 ;D

I think I have four pairs, possibly less pins, anyone other than Gareth interested ?

go on then, you twisted my arm  ::) but these will not be going on a trike ;)

A pair for us please for Taz's trike, plus an odd conrod if you've got one as a steering column hanging bracket for the Pop. Split a pair with you for that Shaun?

Okey dokey

While Manky and I were at Brock's place this evening, we picked up the pistons, I will have Valleysboy's ones in Guildford and Shaun, we will bring yours with us tomorrow when we come over.
They measure roughly 4 inches across the piston crown & 5 3/4 inches from hole centre to hole centre on the con rod.

Guildford ? is that where u live Tazet? thats the cottage or Manky flat?

You've got a worse sense of direction than me mate!
Guildford's the nearest town to Tazet's country cottage. We'll leave your pistons there in the shed until you next visit -or post them to you if your trike project's being held up by the lack of lights.  ;)           

hehe i cant see over the mountains see :)