Reliant trike with sierra diff

[Big Uli]

Hello all

I'm totally new to building trikes and need a lot of guidance 

I'm hoping to build a trike next year, wanted one since i saw one as a kid
I'm hoping to use a reliant 850 engine and gearbox but i don't want a hardtail
I'm planning on building a frame similar to the one used by you guys but i want a IRS with a sierra diff.

My first of many question is if the engine and gearbox are suited to that diff. will it work and run well?

My second question would be how much of an angle I could set my front end at.
I don't want to go silly but a little further out to the front as usual.

Third i'm wondering if i should use a conventional bike front end or make something myself with a little help of someone who knows how
what bike front end would be suited

that's it for now

[tbone]

oooh i`m interested cos i was gonna look at this next year.
Hello n welcome. Loads of very clever people around here somewhere, but i`ll give you something to think about till they show up and answer your questions.
Reliant diff ratio is 3.23:1 and from memory the sierra has 3 options 3.13:1, 3.38:1 or 3.68:1? so not to far off the reliant gearing. I`d go with the middle one and 14 or 15 inch wheels, should give a nice balance between acceleration and top end speed.
How much rake you set is entirely up to you, just look at some of the 80`s chops  . I think the general opinion is to set it where it looks right, which for most of the builds here so far has been (i think) around 45deg.
No need to stick to hydraulic forks, they were after all developed for machines with only 2 wheels. I personaly am not a big fan of the leading link set up but some swear by them, but a nice set of girders ahh now your talking  . In fact we are all waiting for ByzMax to do the write up on how he makes his 

[Big Uli]

Thanx for the welcome Tbone

I'm sure i get all the info i need but lets hope it leads to the so far illusive trike
I'm watching this topic like a hawk 

i'm also considering getting an old sierra and using the engine gearbox and diff to build a trike along the lines of the big V8's but obviously with a smaller engine.

I do like the reliant based idea because i think it be easier to garage in the winter and probably a lot cheaper to run.

Sadly i got other commitments like rent, coucil tax etc etc.
what a nuisance that is

Then i have another hobby as well
i breed Exhibition Budgies and thought the noise of a trike starting in the morning may stop the neighbours moaning about the noise coming from the shed

[tbone]

Hey you got a picture now  .
Again a personal thing but i`m not a fan of large car engined trikes, 4 or 5 years ago i used to say i wasnt a fan of car engined trikes full stop, then i saw  one of Mr M`s masterpieces, but don`t tell him he swayed me  .
Sierra engine with an auto box would work well, obviously longer than the reliant set up but you wouldn`t need to worry about gearlever location.
Exhibition Budgies eh, are you taking orders for christmas? not sure i can run to a turkey this year  . I had cockatiels for years, the last one, i raised from an egg but one night i lost him and 2 siblings plus the parent birds to rats! Swore then that i`d never have any again.
Do they issue you with tiny roseettes to pin on them when you win 

[VALLEYSBOY]

welcome to the monkey house

[trikerpete]

Hi BU. welcome to the mad house

[voodoo]

I had a Sierra Diff on my last trike and it was a good allround trike,plenty of power both low and top end...heres a Pic of it not a great picture but best I had on my pc..Voodoo...

[Big Uli]

Hey you got a picture now  .
Again a personal thing but i`m not a fan of large car engined trikes, 4 or 5 years ago i used to say i wasnt a fan of car engined trikes full stop, then i saw  one of Mr M`s masterpieces, but don`t tell him he swayed me  .
Sierra engine with an auto box would work well, obviously longer than the reliant set up but you wouldn`t need to worry about gearlever location.
Exhibition Budgies eh, are you taking orders for christmas? not sure i can run to a turkey this year  . I had cockatiels for years, the last one, i raised from an egg but one night i lost him and 2 siblings plus the parent birds to rats! Swore then that i`d never have any again.
Do they issue you with tiny roseettes to pin on them when you win 

wouldn't a auto box need re-valving, whatever that is but is was mentioned to me

any rats showing up in my birdroom i get the heavy artillery in
gotta keep it neat and tidy

welcome to the monkey house

Hi BU. welcome to the mad house

Thanx 

I had a Sierra Diff on my last trike and it was a good allround trike,plenty of power both low and top end...heres a Pic of it not a great picture but best I had on my pc..Voodoo...

thats exactly what i'm after
what make was the shock you used?
looking good m8
i take it it was a reliant trike

[tbone]

Quick post to correct myself. (well i did say from memory, but now i`ve checked my list)
Sierra Diff Ratios (non LSD)

3,97... ID = DC ... fitted to 1,6/1,8 CVH 2,0 DOHC

3,62... ID = BC ... fitted to 1,6/1,8 CVH 2,0 DOHC 4x4

3,38... ID =  AC... fitted to  1,8 CVH 2,0 OHC 2,3 Diesel

3,36... ID =  FB... fitted to  2,9

3,14... ID =  GB... fitted to  2,0 OHC / DOHC 2,3 Diesel