Manky Monkey Motors

The time has finally come, I can avoid the task no longer, gonna have to do SWMBO`s Trike. It`s been 4 years now (I think) and the bloody thing has sat here, sat there, been towed to Wales (then trailered back again a month later!!!!) and has sat in a friends garage for the past 18 months (I think!!). Technically it doesn`t need a lot just niggly little bits and bobs and a good tidy up. It`s always been a case of time and money never being in equal quantities.
First up is to trailer it back home next weekend. Then engine out and change cylinder head onto another engine. Got three of `em, one with a knackered starter gear and a good head, one with a good starter gear and a knackered head, and one for spares. Then clean up engine and a dose of painty stuff on it ready to go back in.
main bits to do (apart from paint and tidying up) are:-
1,Brake hose for rear brakes and fit the Suzuki Vitara mastercylinder I`ve acquired. The brakes themselves are all brand new in the drums and never seen fluid!!!
2,Change rear lights (silly pressed tin trailer ones) for some Rubbolite ones with proper bulb holders in them.
3,Fit a lock to the natty little back box and tidy up the metalwork on it and paintify it. Then bolt the bloody thing back on!!!!
4,Get extended cables made up.
5, Extend wiring for higher handlebars and finish fitting risers.
6, loads of other bits I can`t remember at the moment

Watch this space.

wheres the photos then. we like photos ;D

Being trailered over to Wales

Patience Terry, I only found out how to post pics the other day, that`s why I`ve decided to start this now.  ;D ;D ;D ;D

Close up of the swing arm rose joints

Cuddles is the one in the white t shirt  ;D ;D ;D ;D

Is that a kawasaki kz spectre 750

no it`s an ordinary GT750. Got the tank on E-bay, it`s off a kwak 750 custom. Welded brackets on to tank (standard ones had been cut off) and frame, mounts on at rear to the standard mounting via another plate. The seat is off a custom something or other too, not the standard one but has been made to fit in the same way.

is this your good ladys trike cabman

Another build to watch  ;D  I love following people's progress like this & from the feedback we get from readers, so do they.
With my own projects, I find just writing it all down helps to keep me focused & enthusiastic. I'm often told that your build diaries inspire others to have a go & maybe go a few steps further than they would've on their own & that we're creating a library of invaluable information for prospective builders. I think that's something to be proud of.
So my question is ...what's the dog called?  

The dog is the ever delightful Minnie. She is a rescued Staffie. When we got her she was 18 months old and the vet reckoned she may have had up to 5 litters. The poor little cow had her teats almost touching the floor and her back end was almost hanging out. She is now one of the most delightful attention seekers you could wish to meet. Her boyfriend is also a rescue dog, a mastiff/lab cross called Frankie, a cantankerous ignorant lazy git (and they say animals become like their owners?????) who will be 9 this year. They`re Cuddles` little babies.

Can`t remember th last time she was good Zakboy but yes it is  ;D ;D ;D ;D

When it`s back here at the weekend I`ll run round it taking some pics so you can see what I`ve been avoiding doing for all this time lol

It was nice of you to send the trike on holiday to Wales - not every trike gets holidays.....

Oh and do you know where I can get a trike towing device like that?

yes will look forward to the pics cabman,and now you have committed your self to starting what you have been avoiding all this time, will be watching and folowing with intrest how the trike develops over the coming weeks. ;D ;D ;)

Hi bikergran. you what to try to get one with a ramp if you can. have a look at these ebay or trike doctor. voodoo and trikerpete. were selling theres dont know if they still have them

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170584499030&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150578365037&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
http://www.trikedoctor.co.uk/shopc801787093

before purchasing one of these style towing devices check out the  licence requirements,  as these  become double articulated   when the trike turns  and it pivots on the tow ball  sure this means a class1 licence is reqd  just a thought as they are quite expensive

 remember you are also not allowed to tow a vehicle that is unlicensed with a towing device of this kind,i did ask the question about how i was allowed to transport my trike to its dvla insection when i visited my local office recently they advised me that because dvla was requesting me to take it to there office for inspection,they would not take any action on a unlicensed vehicle what ever method i used to get it there and would not refuse to carry out the inspection, but if stoped on my journey to or from the office by the police they may take action if they wished,i believe that vosa will refused to carry out a msva test on a vehicle thats is taken to there test center if the vehicle is unlicensed and any of the wheels are on the ground, so it  has to be on a trailer, can not confirm this vosa rule as i read this on another forum but dont forget a vehicle can be impounded for not being licenced if on the public highway, be it being driven, towed or just parked

Don`t quite understand that one. You can tow ANY vehicle taxed or not mot`d or not insured or not and if you are towing it with a rope or rigid towbar then the person steering it doesn`t even need to have a licence.
No extra class needed on licence to be able to tow these, if you were concerned you only have to starp the frame to the dolly and you eliminate the second swivel point.

a friend of mine was making these a while ago and selling them for £250. He did sell a few, but only a few, and they do come with a short ramp as well. Although they seem pricey you have to remember that the suspension units (and you really do need them, we did try without !!!!!!!!!) don`t come cheap, I think , not certain though, that the wheels and suspension cost about £180.

WTF have I started for myself now ??????????????????????? ;D ;D ;D ;D

Look out! here comes the spanner....With regards to insurance, MOT and tax all are needed if any part of the vehicle touches the road. If the vehicle is on it's way to a pre-arranged MOT testing station or bringing it away from one, then there is an exemption for tax and MOT but not insurance. If the car to be towed does not have any of these all four wheels must be off the road. The person steering the towed vehicle must hold a valid licence and insurance as they are techichally in control of a vehicle on the highway.  :)

sorry T Bone I have actually retrieved cars from Police stations and towed them away with an unlicenced driver in the towed car and with no tax mot or insurance on it. All with the ok of the police involved. Have also seen many salvage yard lorries towing a wrecker behind them on many occasions.

I see a number of illegal things on an almost daily basis, just because its illegal, doesn`t stop it happening  ;)

WTF have I started for myself now ??    any photos yet Cabman

I was going to put up a pic of the empty space in the back where it should be standing at the moment!!!!!!! can never get hold of someone when you want them and couldn`t pick it up on sunday ??? ??? ??? ???

Her Baby`s home at last.

when you making a start,tomorrow ;D ;D ;D

At least I know I can get a trike on my bike trailer...............just!!!!!!!!!!

If I get home from work early enough then I`ll start tomorrow........honest

As usual, when you leave something somewhere for a while, a few bits n bobs on the missing list. Got to get the engine mounts off the old engine first and fit them to the engine that`s in it now. Then heads off both engines and swap them over. That`s the priority work for now so watch this space. ;D ;D ;D ;D

go for it cabman.wear all waiting and watching for more info in this space ;D ;D
and at the end of the day Cuddles will be happy

Now thats a good way to tow a trike..I like it..very clever of you Cab...I am thinking of getting a bike trailer and adapting it so I can stick a couple of extra channels on it when I need to tow a Trike...Voodoo....

Axle to swingarm mounting

Swing arm rose joint

Neatly designed box

new rear lights. Rubbolite ones, I much prefer these as they have real bulb holders not silly tin plate things and no cheap n nasty screws to rust in and never come out without breaking something (and they only cost me £15 for TWO pairs)

Neat little marker lights tucked out of the way

.......and the rear ones

slightly better view showing the curved front of the box............and Frankies back end too!!!!!!!!

Bought the two front engine mounts of a Fleabayer today along with a new ignition switch all for £20 inc P&P. Have decided to attempt a repair on the broken stud holes for the exhaust studs. There`s three or four to do, will use epoxy putty then drill and helicoil them. I`ve had some success with this in the past and if it works it will save changing the heads over for now. If it doesn`t work then I`ve only lost a few hours work and may get it going a bit quicker. Can always change the heads at a later date.

...................and I`ve found the missing keys !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Full steam ahead then Cabby!
Gonna have it roadworthy in time for the Basingstoke transport show in May?

 doubt it :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[ :-[
I`ll be happy if it`s done in my lifetime  ;D ;D ;D ;D

LOL I know that feeling...Ive had my GS trike sitting at 80% done in the workshop for about a year now, its only been in the last few weeks ive managed to do a couple more jobs on it......If I got stuck into it I could have it finished in a couple of days but there is always something else that comes in that needs doing first....Plus once its done I then have to make the decision to keep or sell it......Holding off that decision as long as I can as Ive grown attatched to it and Ive fallen over it or into it so many times I would miss the challenge of trying to avoid it....Voodoo.....

hi cabman just checked out your pic of frame to axle mounting point looks diffrent and very practical,may use this type of mounting point for my swing arm version rear frame hope you don't mind matey. ;)  ;D ;D

not my design so knock yourself out. I do feel that it sits the back end up a bit high and have wondered what it would be like slung underneath the axle.

Just a short update coz i`ve been busy doing all sorts. I`ve just become an area co ordinator for the charity Afghan Heroes, and I`m on the committee for the East Anglia D DayMemorial Run, I`ve just started organising a charity bike show on southend pier for july 2012 (yes you do have to start these things that far in advance) and saturday I was up at Rodeo`s turning him into a polishing addict (lol). In between times I`ve finally wired in the indicators on my Viagra and blown the flasher unit in the proccess. This week I WILL sit down and prep the exhaust stud holes ready for the rebuilding of said holes, I may do just one to see if it works and if it doesn`t then it`s heads off and changeover time.

Busy guy.
How/why did the indicator relay blow?

I`ve actually been working on the trike this weekend. Got the front end looking like a front end now, handlebars & risers all fitted, headlamps fitted front brakelines all in place. Still need a new tyre and the calipers will need stripping but just want to get it all in place and comfortable then go over the individual items from front to back. I`ve decided that the repair for the exhaust studs isn`t working so the engine has to come out and then swap the heads over. While the engine`s out the wiring will be sorted, just gives me a bit more room to manouver. Also been thinking about possibly lowering the bottom shock mount to lower the rear end. It all just looks a little too high for my liking, may even swap the ducati front end onto it to lower the front as well. Just wish I could focus and stop getting ideas for change in my head. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Keep at it mate,it will gradually come together!

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

cabby,,,  what size front tyre do you need???

only thers a brand new one on the ,,,road legal,, trike i,m choppin up   the tyre,s never seen tarmac..

it`s 3.50x19. got a sidecar tyre on at the moment and will want to go that direction again but anything for now to cross another job off the list. If it is the right size how much do you want for it? PM me. Many thanks for thinking of me Spanners  ;D ;D ;D ;D

hi, ive just checked the size its ===  100/90 x 19 

its on a 1.85 x 19  honda  dream rim  i think (alloy rim with the black spokes that look like there clamped in) if you know what i meen.

might make it to basingstoke on sunday  not 100% shure yet

That`ll do lovely same size rim  as ours. How much do you want for it? I can`t make Basingstoke now and I don`t know if anyone from over here in Essex will be there either. Whereabouts are you based? Might be able to arrange a trip to collect it if not too far. Failing that find out cost by parcelforce, they collect from you, and I`ll pay the costs. Many many thanks.  ;D ;D ;D ;D

hi, cabby, p.m  me youre post code so i can work out wherabouts you are  ,essex, is a big area

i,ll be coming down from north east lincolnshire if/when i go to basingstoke  but i,m also watchin some stuff on evil bay ;) ;)

I think that wheel is a comstar.

Reverse comstar - they were on Superdreams and CXs.

yep,,,, comstar  thats the name i couldnt remember =====0ld age  lol

any progress on this trike ,,re-furb,,    yet    ;D

Been having a lousy time healthwise lately plus I`ve been tied up for a long time (ooer missus) organising the D day Memorial Ride that took place last saturday. I have changed the rear lights recently and will be changing the front tyre in a day or two (thanks to you my friend) and still waiting for someone to have the time to help me get the engine back out to change the cylinder head. Once that`s done it really is a matter of paint and final tidying.  ;D ;D ;D ;D