Manky Monkey Motors

hi all .
well new to the site and will be reading lots i hope.
iam looking to dump vespa riding lol and take up triking lol.
now my thoughts are do i build ,do i buy a ready made .
i would be riding on a car licence for 1 .
i would like to build something as i am passionate about motorbikes in genral.
but then again not wanting to take the total wrong route and spend lots of money.
and not for it to turn out as wanted.
ive been reading lots on building reliant frames ,then theirs the car option lol
so to a newbie all becomes confusing.
so anyone who has been in my position wondering the best option to begin
i would  love some advice thanks guys  ???

Hello n welcome aboard!
If your fabricating skills are up to it, then there is no reason you cant build your own and having it turn out how you want,
the hardset part is knowing how you want it  ;D.
Yes there is probably more info on building a frame to suit Reliant engine/box and axles but that is only because thats what gets posted,
a quick read through the Trike tech section will throw up several non reliant based builds and although these aren`t in as great a detail as the reliant build threads, there is enough to see how it can be done.
The frame style and how it will eventualy look will be dertermined your choice of power unit, (Bike or Car engine).
The first Trike i did was a bike conversion, a simple thing with an axle grafted onto the existing cradle, i didnt even alter the seat rails, bloody horrible it looked too  ;D. But from that i learnt a bit more, and so i did another and another......until my latest one which is a complete frame build.
Be advised that a complete frame build is probably the hardest route, not just because you have to weld more steel, but because you have to do and think of everything, unlike a bike conversion where you will use more of the bike than you throw away.
Whichever way you go,
                                Have fun with it............................................................It`s suppose to be a hobby
                                Don`t set any deadlines..................................................You won`t meet them
                                When you feel like saying B@%!!&%cks to it all...................Shut the door and walk away
                                Don`t be afraid to ask.....................................................There is always someone that knows

i'm thinking that the prolific use of reliants is an availiability thing. the principals aare surely transfered easily between doners

well many thanks for the replies really intersting.
i like the look of the reliant based, possibly a longer process,and better tried, once i get into trike building more.
also i do like some of the bike conversions also .
now ive seen kits on the no1 shop fleabay ,and someones selling rear kits.
now it states it dosnt require sva testing, now ,thats another stumbling block ,as to what avenue
to take.it states registering the trike, costs nothing,would it cost if i built my own rear end,i understand a complete build would take more registering.
it may be certainly my first option tho to try a bike conversion and move onto,more complex ones once i complete my first ,lol ,providing i set my goal i suppose.and my minds ticking lol decisions decisions  :-\

Any BOLT ON rear end conversion `kit`, whether homemade or `proffessionaly` made will not require a MSVA inspection.
Once fitted though, it will require a DVLA inspection, which is free!
The conversion MUST allow the bike to be returned to its original condition WITHOUT the need for further fabrication.
A new build will require a MSVA unless it is for a disabled riders SOLE use in which case a DVLA inspection will be needed.

Returning to the bolt on option, extra brackets can be added to the original frame to mount the conversion but must not interfere with anything that would stop the bike being returned to original condition.
Any cutting of the frame, to either lengthen or shorten rails, and your looking at a MSVA inspection.

thanks tbone very interesting to know ,and would an inspection be at certain approved places.
ive had a look on the vosa web and notice few and far between.
lol i can see me taking the ready made version lol looks more complicated the more i look.
i know id love to build that i do know anyway .
oh well take pludge i think ,sell scoot an go from their ,thanks for all the advice really appreiciate it ;)

DUMPING VESPA RIDING!!!!!!!! :o Heathen you!!!!! ;D ;D

Clive

lol well that began as well wanted a vespa as a kid lol.
cant say i have ever been a fanatic rally person.
but now iam getting older lol ,getting into projects and well my art.
i do like custom stuff tinkering with stuff and well yes im dumping the vespa lol.
and time to ride up hills with out my head down lol  ;D
and well i love rock and roll me and the son are agreed ,trikes the way to go  ;)

oh and love the airbrushing ,done some myself but not to that standard nice work  ;)