Manky Monkey Motors

Well I've been racking my brain, what little I have anyway, regarding the easiest way to make a reverse trike. You know, two wheels in front. I came across this yesterday
http://www.stealth11.com/ (http://www.stealth11.com/)
Just to save you reading it all, though some of you might, I'll give a brief summary.

The bloke bought a damaged ST1100 and fitted the front end from a yamaha 700 Banshee. Looks good to me and the report says that handling is great too. Give good MPG as well.

Any thoughts coz I'm thinking that might be the way to go on the next one. Not necessarily an ST1100 though.
I'm thinking that with a smaller/lighter bike (like an XJ600N)the front end from a smaller quad might be ok. Any thoughts on that coz I know that there's a lot of experienced builders on here, even if you've not built a reverse trike, you may think of something usefull to help me out.

Thanks
Regards
K

the yamaha banshee was a 350cc twin 2stroke so my guess is he  used a yamaha raptor 700 front end, if your gunna go down this road my i sugest you stay well clear of any quad parts from any of the cheap chinese range of quads as there all made from tinfoil,stick with yamaha honda or suzuki as parts will be easy to get and you will be able trust them alot more :)

not sure where your based but if there any good to you for mocking up i have an old set of upper A arms from a raptor 660r you welcome to have..  ;)

Hi Darren, I'm based in torquay in sunny devon. Where are you based?
Regards
K

im in sunny ol basingstoke hampshire

Ok. Might just be someones lucky day (or maybe not, you never can tell you know ;))

Klogan if you want to take Darren up on his offer, and if Darren is going to Monkey World tomorrow, and if Klogan is about next weekend, I will be going to Monkey World and next weekend I will be in Paignton for the bike festival. Sounds like pieces of a puzzle falling into place ::)

Darren won't be at MonkeyWorld, (but I'll PM him about it now), but I can pick up the bits from him during the week & bring them back to Guildford if that helps?

Shouldn't be too much of a problem As I can whip over to yours to pick them up later in the week

Just had a thought, they will go on the back of the bike wont they ???

Hi Darren, I would like the parts that you offered please. Andy says that he'll pick the bits up from you and give them to simon who is coming down to paignton for the bike festival.
If thats ok guys I would appreciate it, be a chance to meet up with someone else from MMM. Me and Mrs K met up with Chevvy Rick and Jayjay a while back.
Thanks for the offer of help Andy and Simon and thanks for the parts Darren.
Regards
K

P.M. Sent K.  ;)

Here I am with yet some more questions...well it's more like confirming or otherwise what I thinkI already know.
The handbrake on a trike has to be mechanical now....Doesn't it? Does it have to work on two wheels? Hydraulic locks are not legal and won't pass an MOT, Will they?
If i'm right it leaves me with a problem as to how to fit a handbrake on the front hubs from a quadbike for the reverse trike.
Can anyone think how I can get a handbrake on the back wheel of an XJ600 which has a hydraulic caliper on the back.
The only way that I can think of, as I have to change the engine anyway is to use a rear wheel with drum brakes and some how make a linkage so that when I put the handbrake on it will operate the brakes in the drum, if you know what I mean!
What do you think? Does anyone have any other ideas?
Thanks
Regards
K
Just had a flash of inspiration :o :o :o :o Could I mount a VW caliper on the swinging arm to operate as a handbrake on the existing disc? If so which of the Vw's is the caliper from that i'd have to use? Is it the golf or Polo???
Thanks
Regards
K

Bung a spot caliper on, along side the service brake calliper.

http://www.rallydesign.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=562_588&products_id=8312&osCsid=ajtih33hj65pco4e0plsqf42v0

I have a couple if you want one, new in the box  ;D

Ha, you beat me to it snafu, I was in the middle of updating my last post, when I posted it you had already put an answer on.
Thanks a million, I know its a long way off as I've not done anything yet but didn't want to store up a load of problems for myself.
I'll have a look now.
Thanks
Regards
K

Keith.
If you used a disc rear wheel, you could always fit two calipers to the wheel. One plumbed into the brakes, and the other a mechanical one.

Here is a link to a site which has been on the net for a long time. Loads of info.

http://unitas.lunarpages.com/~norton2/shrike.htm


Posted over me. I said that as well, haha.

When your ready just give me a shout, I can bung one in the post if won't do what you want you can just end it back.

Thanks guys, I had a look at the shrike, pretty cool. I'm still thinking along the lines of the stealth, but I'm still very open minded.
Thanks for the offer Snafu, are you a parts supplier as well? or do you just have one laying about in the shed? I'll shout as soon as I need it. The XJ600 has got a rear disc and it looks as if a spot caliper will fit on the swinging arm. Hopefully I'd be able to make a bracket.
Thanks  again
Regards
K

most quads run 2 calipers on the rear one for breaks and one for the park break

I didn't know that Darren. Mind you I know bugger all about Quads except that they look a load of fun off road.  ;D ;D

Note to self.

"Must go and try it out at the local uad bike centre."

By the way, Thanks for the A arms Darren, given me something to work to, and thanks to Simon for bringing them to torquay for me.

Regards
K

no worries happy to help

How about fitting rear disc brakes, such as the Golf ones we use for Reliant disc conversions, on the front? That'd give you disc brakes with mechanical handbrake operation on all the wheels on one axle, as required by the MSVA.

Thanks Andy, I did mention that on an earlier post but couldn't remember which of the VW calipers you used.
Would the spot caliper on the back wheel disc be ok as there will only be one wheel on the back? I ask as I'm not sure that I could make the WV calipers fit on the front wheel discs. I've got to get hold of the front hubs from a quad. It's still very much in my head ATM. I won't be able to check untill i'm a bit through the build.
Thanks
Regards
K

I'm not certain but before you get too far into this you may want to check if this will be SVA'd or fall under the BIVA scheme.


I think if it's motorcyle type steering then it'll be SVA but check!

Also if you don't alter the main frame cradle and the changes are reversable with spanners (Ie bolt on) you may not need an SVA

with me!!!!!! :o :o!!!!     lol

Hello guys, thanks for the words of warning, but i'm sure that with the conversion (if I can get the parts at the right price) i'm intending to do I'll have to MSVA it coz the steering will be from a quad.
 I don't think that bolting the front end on is a really good Idea, don't even know if it could be bolted on :-[ Have to think around that one.  The welding will be done by a professional welder, remember ....safety first triking second ;D
I've managed to get hold of a set of A arms from a Honda TRZ400EX its one of those two wheel drive sports quads the quality of the parts is really good. I'm going to need loads of bits.... hubs and spindles, discs, calipers, steering rods etc etc etc, really all of the front end :o So if anyone can point me in the direction of someone who breaks sports quads I'll really appreciate it. I've tried a few quad breakers but they said that they only break farm quads, no good to me. One of the guys suggested that TRX400EX would be good.
I'll keep you posted as and when there's any progress. ( I know that Mr. M would like a write up ;D ;D ;D ;D)
Regards
K

What about this. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/suzuki-king-quad-250-300-full-front-end-arms-shocks-/110683183406?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item19c53b592e (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/suzuki-king-quad-250-300-full-front-end-arms-shocks-/110683183406?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item19c53b592e)

Thanks Byz, I've got it in my watch list.
Regards
K

good luck with the build klogan look for ward to reading as you go along
al

Thanks Al, looking forward to sourcing all the bits and making a start.
Regards
K

Hi Byz, had a look at the front end for the quad, it's a 4x4 and what I needed was the front from a sports quad, I've managed to get some running gear from a Honda TRX400 ex which is a sports quad, well happy. I'll be even happier when it all arrives. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks for looking out though.
Regards
K

Looks pretty awesome!

Here in the USA we can't use the quad front end.. (if it was made for off road use, can't use it.)
So I would have to have the front end copied with better parts..

But might.be worth it!

Hi shriva, the front end that I'm using is for a TRX400ex which is a sports quad, two wheel drive. We can use some quads on the road over here provided they comply with the regs.

You should have a look at stealth 11 reverse trike on the reverse trike pages

http://reversetrike.com/home.html (http://reversetrike.com/home.html) look in the home built section, its a real nice one.

The bloke that built it is in New Prague minnisota (forgive any spelling errors here please  :-[)

He used the parts from the front end from a yamaha raptor quad.
He says in the write up that he's done 12,000 miles with no problems.
Am i right in thinking that the laws can vary from state to state?
Regards
K

"Thanks for the offer Snafu, are you a parts supplier as well?"


No just a bloke susceptible to impulse buys  ::)

Yep, you and me both ( and probably just about everyone else on here to name but a few :o :o)

Guilty as charged.  :P

Found this one too...

http://malamuterun.co.uk/myblog/blog5.php (http://malamuterun.co.uk/myblog/blog5.php)

Doesn;t look good on corners at highish speed though, have a look at the video.

Regards
K

Front end looks good. I would extend the swing arm back a bit.

Hmm, constructiion looks tidy, though I can't make out what's actually connecting the steering column to the wheels -is there a rack & pinion there I haven't spotted?
As you say K, he seems to be wrestling it into corners & lifting one front wheel on every bend. I'm guessing it's built as a bolt-on conversion to a standard bike so he doesn't have to re-register it, so he could also bolt in a longer swing arm to make it more stable, but personally I'd want to lower the centre of gravity too & maybe widen the front end. Nicely done though.

enjoyed them videos, think the first one points out the point i was trying to making on how i see IRS behaving on a trike you can clearly see on cornering how the rider and bike is beein forced to lean away from the turn but may be as byzmax pointed out may be stiffer springs may help this, think i agree with MM would like to see this on something with a lower center of gravity may be a cruiser but a tidy job non the less

It does look very tidy welds look nice and a nice finish. I think that the A arms could be a bit wider and the centre of gravity a bit lower as MM said.  The stealth RT is 61 inches wide on the front end. The builder reckons that it handles really well, he also used GL1500 rear shocks on the front as the rear shocks from an ST1100 were a bit weak. Mind you the ST is a bit heavier than the XJ 600 i would think.
I would think that its got the same steering set up as a quad using rods to pull/push the wheels. It seems to work very well which I'm pleased about coz thats what I'm going to be using on the XJ600. .
I'm looking to start the conversion just before the school hol's that way I can make up brackets and things in school.
I'm thinking about wheel adaptors as the pcd on the hubs is 145mm and don't know of any wheels with a pcd that big! Got to get some dimensions off to TP. Also thinking about having a pair of wheels re-drilled. Adaptors would probably be better as I would have more choice of wheels.
I was looking at the stealth Reverse trike before I found this one and was thinking that the front would have to be welded on now I'm thinking bolt on seems to work. Would it be acceptable to weld on a couple of brackets to the cradle of the bike so that I could also bolt the front frame to those. Maybe that would help to stop things slipping if you know what I mean, a bit of a belt and braces thing. If not then extra brackets could be the way to go. Don't much fancy the front end coming loose.
Any thoughts or suggeations would be helpful.
Regards
K

im sure i read some were on the forum that you were alowed to add brackertry to the bike frame and as the new frame would be bolted to these brackets this frame would not be seen to be welded to the bike frame its self, and could still be put back to a bike.zak

Thanks for the comments Zakboy, I'm sure someone will tell if you happen to be incorrect.

I've done some serious looking at the frame and have found at least 4 places where if I make up MMM axle type brackets but 32 inside diameter I can bolt the front (when I build it ;D) to the frame and a couple of places that i could weld nice discreet brackets for bolting the front on too. Belt and braces job, don't want to take more chances than enough :)

I also noticed that the stem between the upper and lower yokes is hollow...result...... as I'm thinking that if I remove the stem and take off the bearings and with a bit of simple turning on the lathe at school i should be able to make a steering stem that will be central.

I aslo measured the forks and found that they are 38mm. A quick look through my meagre steel box turned up two sections of tube with 4mm wall that are ......wait for it....... 38mm and .........they are long enough to fit in the yokes. Another result. That means that when I take off the forks I can put the tubes between the upper and lower yokes to keep them in line.
So all in all not a bad day.

All i need to do now is find a reasonably priced chop saw or some sort of stand to take the big angle grinder with an adjustable vice so that I can accuratly cut a selection of angles.
So job tomorrow after a bit of decorating, to keep Mrs.K sweet, is to try and find a suitable bit of kit.
Regards
K

Sounds like a plan K. As far as I know, you're allowed to add to the original frame, but not take stuff away, so that it can be returned to it's original form. So extra mounting tabs shouldn't be a problem, but Byzmax would probably be the one to ask.

Not to be a party pooper, but I understood that any extra welding on the frame is seen as major changes, but if you are correct Mr Mankey, it will save me a lot of hassle in the future.

Best check with Mr Byz as he seems pretty clued up on bike conversions. I've only ever built full one-off frames myself.

i thought you weren't allowed the weld any thing to the main frame bolt on only  ???

I seem to have put the cat amongst the pigeons here, most unintentionally. If it comes to it i'll just find another couple of places to put bolt on mmm type brackets.
I have noticed though that everyone is being very civil to each other as usual, that's one of the reasons that I love this forum. No stroppy g1ts on here..BRILLIANT. The other reason is, of course, our mutual love of all things cake-like :D
Regards
K

from uk trike law,  You build your trike using a complete and road registered donor motorcycle complete vith registration doccument (V5) and a bespoke bolt on conversion.
To qualify as a bolt on conversion, the vehicle should be (theoretically) able to be converted back to a solo motorcycle but will still be registered as a tricycle on the V5 and tax disc and therefore can still be driven on a car license without a crash helmet.
Your trike will be insected by the DVLA (not an SVA or MSVA test) to make sure it is legitimate and also that it is in fact bolt on.
You can weld unobtrusive brackets onto your donor bike frame to aide conversion attachment but don't cut anything obvious off, remember, it has to pass a visual inspection and the DVLA inspector is no fool!
Contact your local DVLA office for a built up vehicle pack.

I have noticed though that everyone is being very civil to each other as usual, that's one of the reasons that I love this forum. No stroppy g1ts on here..BRILLIANT.

P*ss off, big nose. Ha Ha. :D

Was wondering if you have included any of your kids in your project? They shown any interest?

If you mention my nose once more....

Blessed are the cheese makers? Is that just cheese makers or any producer of dairy goods?

Has zakboy got a big nose then, Don't mention the warnose, (I did but I think I got away with it)

BIG NOSE,  i only need to breath in once a week  ;D

But I only said, 'Jehovah'.

If you say Jehova once more......oww ouch   ow splat ;D

Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.............

A little know addition to this is

...................After everyone else has buggered it up!

Thanks for that Zakboy, much appreciated.
It went a bit off subject there ;D but not much new there though ;) It's just the way we sometimes play.

no prob klogan  ;D ;D

children will play  ;) ;)

Bloody meek get everything ;D ;D ;D ;D

Did he say "Blessed are the Greek?"
Regards
K

He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy!

Your mother is a hamster and your father smells of onions.

You`ve been messin` around with that Welsh Tart again haven`t you.....................

I've been looking at the possible mounting for a steering column (seriously) Methinks that it will need a bend in it. Now a bend is no good because the steering will be all over the place so I'm thinking put in a steering column UJ. Any thoughts please.
Regards
K

Now go away you naughty Arthur king and your Kkkkknigits or I will taunt you a second time.

is this any good for you ?  ??? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280687243914&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Thanks for the link Darren, very much appreciated, that could be very useful ;D ;D. got it in my watch list. Have to see what it goes up to though.
Thanks again
Regards
K

.

According to the regs to get by without an SVA and to get it classed as a bolt on conversion.

You can add and  remove brackets strengthen the main frame cradle.

You must not lengthen or shorten or alter the basic frame cradle including swing arm mount and headstock.

You can alter the seat rails


You must be able return it to the original vehicle without cutting owt off!

Thanks for ththe info Byz, I'm thinking that what I'll do is a 'belt and braces' job. I'm going to make up some clamps to bolt the front end on to the cradle then weld the half of the clamp which is not connected to the frame on to the cradle, if you see what I mean. That way the clamps can't slip but the front will unbolt leaving 4 or 6 half clamps on the frame. I won't weld untill I'm sure that everything is in the right place. They won't have to be as big as MMM axle clamps so will be on a smaller scale to fit the cradle tubes. I think that by doing that I'll be a lot happier that things won't slip. I know its probably a bit over the top but better safe than sorry.
Thanks again
Regards
K

This was on the diesel.net site. It would look better with a piggy lump in it.

That was at the Surrey Street Rodders' Wheelsday show, at Rushmoor Arena, Hampshire.

Very cute, I like that  retro look. Not for me ................................. yet! Maybe the next one? ;D ;D

Found this one

http://www.valk3.com/ (http://www.valk3.com/) Now I do like that!

Update........
The TRX400EX front end and calipers arrived so I've ordered the steel. It's being delivered on Tuesday...yipeeeeeeeeeeee. I've had to have it delivered coz the lengths won't fit in the car.
I'm getting some 30x30x5 equal angle, some 90x6 and some 100x3 and some 16x3 flat bar and some 33mm x3mm walled tube.
There should be enough of everything to keep me quiet and happy for a good while.
Cut, chop, saw, grind etc etc. Hope to be making a start in the next two weeks, got a few jobs to finish to free up some space in the garage. I've got to finish my little flat backed canoe so that it can 'come out into the world'. That'll make me loads of room.
Regards
K

Steel arrived, too flippin' long to fit in the garage or under the house ::)
A serious question...... I want to move the oil cooler from the front of the bike frame to the front of the new frame. Will it be ok? Will the pump have enough grunt to circulate the oil? What sort of tube/pipe should I use?
Went in the workshop at school today to start on the tubes that will replace the forks and become part of the steering. No pics yet coz they're nowhere near finished. ( Mr. Manky....please note  ;D ;D ;D)
Going in early again tomorrow to hopefully finish the tubes.
Regards
K

Ahh, the tingle of anticipation of a new project!
Curious to see this one underway.

that's right Mr.M my anticipation has never been so tingled...well except when I was 16 and this lass that I really liked a lot, well even more than that a real lot....... ;D ;D ;D
Got to school early and did a bit of turning. Photo's at the weekend when this little job is finished, not too much to see yet but I'll put them on anyway.
Has anyone got any answers about my question about the oil pump and oil cooler. I think I'll post them in the bike tech section.
Regards
K

i think your a brave man to go for a reverse trike project,and i wish you all the best with it, realy looking forward to following this one.  :)

Hi,
Regarding your oil pump/pipe question, The pump should be fine  and I would have braided hose made up. The additional mass of oil should not be a problem but I think the height of it needs to be below the height of the rocker cover to reduce the risk of air lock and reduce the effects of gravity on the pump. It should be perfectly OK fitted at the front of the main frame rails and will get enough air unless you are looking for a cosmetic solution.
Hope this helps.

Thanks for you comments Dslam The oil cooler will be lower than the rocker covers by about 8" in old money. and a couple of feet forward from its present position. Plumbing in the cooler will be one of the last jobs but I needed to find out if it would be ok before I get too far in to the project. It's going in the front with a mesh grill over it, not too fine a mesh I hasten to add as it will still need airflow.
Thanks again
Regards
K

had thoughts about doin one of them,found some info that may be of use ...........

http://www.rqriley.com/3-wheel.htm (http://www.rqriley.com/3-wheel.htm)

a couple that started my ball rollin'..........

(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff441/TLSADE/img_5610.jpg)

(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff441/TLSADE/triazuma3.jpg)

but this realy had me thinkin..........

http://www.sub3wheeler.com/ (http://www.sub3wheeler.com/)

Like the red one!  ;D

Oooooh!!! No!!!!!!

well i liked it..............very well engineered! :)

Looks like he's sitting in a lit spliff  ..   ;D

  ..  Hagar  ..   ;D

bangin' spliff.............got a TL tou motor in there!

Hammerhead 11 trike kit plans for sale

http://www.rorty-design.com/content/hammerhead.htm

see...TLthou again!!!!!

I like the pretty red one.

the grey one is by a french company Lazareth.......they also do quads like that!!!!!

(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff441/TLSADE/quadrazuma.jpg)



theres one wiv a V12 lump in too...............

(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff441/TLSADE/img_6610.jpg)

It's no good - the engineering may be great but they just look wrong!

Why are they no good, looking wrong is a matter of opinion like/dislike. I know plenty of people that think that 'conventional' trikes are 'wrong' doesn't mean that we should stop building and riding them though.
 I liked the pretty red one and the grey one and by the way the nice black one with the V12 lump.
I looked at the hammer head plans too many bends and too precise for my liking a  great design though, also looked at the Xzilerator here    http://reversetrike.com/xzilarator.html (http://reversetrike.com/xzilarator.html) liked the look of this one too. So many to choose from.....

totaly agree......freedom of choice etc........xzilerator looked a bit home built compared to venom.........



(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff441/TLSADE/reverse-trike-trimoto-venomss8.jpg)

I didn't say they were no good, just that they look wrong - should have added they look wrong to me - I know lots of folks think they are better that the single front wheel!

sorry ,didn't mean to cause a big ding dong........i used to feel that they were wrong but i guess my tastes have changed over ths years though i've always liked three wheel morgans...........old skool!!!!!

Hey Busboy, you've not caused a big dingdong, that doesn't happen here, probably why its such a popular site. We voice our opinions and I think that we expect to see other peoples opinions, we don't always agree but then what families always agree.

Love the venom......loads of nice body work to make :( :( Yes xzilerator does look a bit home built but still something nice about it, maybe its simplicity ( and the thought that us garage builders could tackle one!) The hammerhead plans look nice but there are too many bends which, I would think have to be precise or sacrifice handling.

I've always been a fan of the morgan three wheeler don't know why, perhaps because they're form a more 'serene' age? Very old skool, saw one at the garden centre a while back...no flippin' camera..doh. It was really immaculate. Bet it was worth a small fortune too!
I've always liked the messerschmidt (thinks......... have I spelt that right........) when I was a little lad of about 4, yes I know, many moons ago, the district nurse ( remember them?) had one. It looked like the cockpit of a fighter plane (No hagar....it didn't have guns and things ;D ;D ;D or maybe it did I just didn't notice  ;D ;D) A great little car, loads of miles to the gallon I think, though someone may know better, does anyone know coz I'd be really interested. Days gone by eh anyway enough of this reminiscing :-[ :-[
Regards
K

Klogan the Mescherschidt WAS a cockpit of a plane of the very same name!!! At the end of the war all the remain 109`s including spares and partially built ones were all sold to an Austrian (I think) entrepeneur who made cheap affordable two seater cars out of the cockpits. I believe they used scooter engines and rear wheels. The company was a major part of the industrial revival of post war west germany.

Guns   ...  Guns   ....  " Say hello to my little friend! "


  ..  Hagar  ..   ;D

Now here's a funny thing - inspite of what I said earlier, I LOVE Morgans!

But to me, that's a three wheeled car - it's trikes with 2 wheels at the front I'm not keen on.  But then I'm a bit picky about the ones with one wheel at the front too!

Thanks for that Cabman, I had heard that over the years but wasn't sure if it was correct. I'm sure that you're right about the scooter engines too. A proper lovely little car with two dinky little headlights ;D ;D ;D
There was also a hienkel but i think that was more of a bubble car.
I saw a messerschmidt for sale on the interweb net some time ago, well it looked more like a pile of rusty parts, no kidding, it was a real heap the bloke cold it for £12,50 .... what £12,500 I could have sold the buyer a bucket full of rust and thrown in the bucket for a couple of hundred quid, I would have been well happy.
Quite some time back I worked as a tyre fitter at a local garage, this bloke used to come in with some pretty weird cars and bikes that he had found in a number of barns, don't know how he found them but he did.
One of the cars was a three wheeler, two in front and one rear. Now the rear wheel was driven by a scooter engine to start it, as the electric start didn't work, which he later fixed, he opened the rear cover and used the kick start. It looked like a lambretta engine. I don't recall what make it was but hopefully someone can tell me....please.

sounds like a BMW Isetta, steering wheel went out with the door when you opened it I think

was only recently that my father got rid of his LOL

funny ol thing

the heinkel and the mescherschmidt had the kickstart inside a cover at the back. You had to step into the bodywork to kick it over. Don`t think the BMW had a kicker but I may be wrong.

The funniest thing I ever saw was a mescherschmidt sitting at some traffic lights in chiswick, everyone was looking at it and the guy inside was looking straight ahead, he stuck his arm out of the window lifted his arm up and scratched the top of the roof..........................you had to be there I suppose ;D ;D ;D ;D

Hi Klogan thought you might be able to get some inspiration for your reverse trike. From these pictures. Mrs. K could sit up front and navigate you through the leafy lanes of Devon.


(http://i.imgur.com/D1lCV.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/uHiIH.jpg)

Thanks for the pic but what is it? I know its a reverse trike but what?
Let Mrs.K navigate.....not on your nelly ;D She can get lost going to the local shops. I can't remember the number of times I've gone looking for her (usually when I'm hungry)  ;D ;D ;D ;D

I had to have a good sort out in the garage before I could really make a start on the 'Tadpole Trike' as Doc called it, I like that so I think I'll call it 'The Tadpole' (or maybe not, what do you think?) Then a trip over to paignton tip..oooops, sorry, recycling centre, that put pay to most of a day, I was ruthless got rid of loads of junk and only kept what I can use....and some junk that I didn't have the heart to bin. Don't worry the stuff that went really was a load of old tat, really nothing of use. Stuff liike 20 year old half tins of paint, that I'd kept 'just in case'.
Had to rub down all the seams and prime a flat back, stitch and glue construction, canoe that I started a good while back (we're talking a couple of years ago....where does the time go?) I have now got it in the front garden, wonder how long it will be before Mrs.K. starts to 'remind me' that I have to finish it.

Well what have I been up to over the last couple of days? (I'll get some pics tomorrow Andy!) After I got the XJ  propped up on a couple of breeze blocks and some steel square section (very firmly) and level. I stripped the forks, wheel, exhaust pipes, oil cooler and pipes  and the mudguard off the XJ.
I've done some work on the main frames, one for each side. I made up the frame clamps in school a couple of weeks ago. They're like the MMM axle clamps only smaller to fit on the frame tube. I'm thinking that I'll weld nuts on one side and when the frame is on and correct I'll weld that one of each pair of clamps to the frame as well...don't want the front falling off do we!
It's slow but making some progress. I will get some pics tomorrow and post them on here.
I've already made the tubes to replace the forks and the bit that joins the tubes and takes the steering down to the track rods. A pic will explain better than I have.
So the next job is to join the left and right hand sides of the new frame and get it ready to fit on the front of the XJ.
All that will be left is....

Fit the A arms
Sort the steering
Sort the suspension
sort out marker lights and indicators
Wiring all the lights
Make the front look nice with some sheet steel
fir the oil cooler in the front and 'plumb' it in
Change the engine
refit the exhausts
Fit a handbrake
sort the starter solenoid ( it's just clicking and I checked the battery it's good, also tried a fully charged car battery, may just be a corroded connection as its been stood for ages in all weathers)
Get some wheel adaptors made (Doc maybe able to help out there as the PCD on the quad hubs is 114mm)
Fit the adapters
fit some wheels
Change the engine coz the gearbox is knackered (selector forks buggered I think as it will go into gear if I just roll it forward an inch or two while selecting first gear)
And probably a lot more that I'll come across or think about as I progress.
So not very much to do, probably have it done by teatime, don't know which teatime, but it will be done by teatime............lol.
Regards
K

everything stops for tea.................................. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Too right it does, can't beat a nice mug of tea.
There's only one thing better than a nice mug of tea................. yep........ 2 nice mugs of tea and a mate to share with.
Regards
K

Your list's longer than mine K!
Looking forward to watching this one come together. Sounds interesting.

Yep just a few things to sort out and build.
Acouple of the neighbours are always interested in what I'm doing and when I said I was going to stick two wheels on the front they thought it was really unusual. However since Monday three of them have told me, on seperate occasions that they have seen a couple of reverse trikes locally. They said that they thought they were unusual but nice in a quirky unusual sort of way.
I suppose that its like one of those situations where you never really notice a car untill you get one then itseems that the roads are full of them.

Typical. You wait ages then 3 come along at once!

Just like Posties ahem....I mean buses  ;D ;D

As promised (later than promised but here now) some pics of what I've been doing.
The top pics is of the bits I made to replace the forks, the second and thirdneed no explanation i'm sure it's not finished yet.

a couple more

Last one for now. I've welded the lowere A Arm mounts but my flippin' camera went up the swanee :o
The tubes and steering rod were just propped in place to give an idea of what's going on with the steering.
They're not in order either but you get the idea.

never having looked at one of these things, in any detail, I may be being a bit picky here, but, is angle iron the right material to use? I would have thought box section or seamless tube would be more of the right way to go. I do fully accept that I haven`t got a clue about right or wrong , in this case, but for angle iron to have the same relative strength it would have to be bloody heavy.

Id've gone with tube with lots of triangular plate gussets myself, but that's cos I build everything out of ERW toob. I reckon you've welded a car ramp to the front of your bike K!  ;D
The idea looks intriguing though. Nice to see someone thinking outside the box, (section).  ;)

Hello cabman and MM, I have been having a think about things over the last few days and have been thinking about rectangular hollow section. Tube is a no no coz I'm going to enclose the whole front end and have some where to store a few bits and pieces! I also find tube to be hard to mitre. I know that it can be bent but try as I might I can't do compound bends. :'( :'( :'(

I decided to go along with the angle section for two reasons which are both connected.

The angle section is fairly cheap so any cock ups are not so bad. I can just chop things about quite easily. I'm working from my head and how I want it to look. When I'm happy it will be easy to 'knock up' the design that I have. All the angles will be right (for my liking) I tend to have a quick sketch and then change things as I go along.

I can also then get a 'real' welder to weld up any really awkward area's for me, I've found a few already :( I'd as soon pay someone to do a good job on the area's that I can't do so well coz I can't reach them comfortably. There's not many though so that's ok by me. I can weld pretty well if I can get at things comfortably but awkward internal angles I find really hard. Now I know practice makes perfect but it would probably cost me more in knackered steel than getting a 'little man' or 'little lady' ( Politically correct....please note ;D ;D) to do those bits right in the first place.

The angles are to give it a 'stealth' look.

I've already decided that the back end of the frame needs to be about an inch higher. Now is the time to change bits and pieces then re-do the frame in rectangular section.
I'm thinking 50mmx25mmx3mm which has about 2/3 bigger cross sectional area than the 30mmx30mmx5mm equal angle. So it will also be about 2/3 heavier. It won't flex as much either so probably won't need as many braces though.
Thanks for the comments, I appreciate your thoughts,
Regards
K

Sounds great mate. Good to have a plan!

Every man should have a (Zombie) plan  ;D ;D ;D