Ebay trike - opinions?

[BikerGran]

Saw this on Ebay Auto Trike

Any opinions about it please?

[Manky Monkey]

Chequer plate, skulls & purple paint -sheez!
Not my taste at all, but I'd love to know what auto box they've used as that'd solve all sorts of problems. How's it mated to the Reliant motor & how does it affect the gearing compared to the manual box etc?
A standard 750 is good for about 70mph, but might struggle to maintain that for any length of time, (motorway riding for example), whereas the later 850s will hit 90 ish if you push 'em hard & sit at 70 - 75 all day, so much more practical for everyday use. Good news is a lot of the mechanical parts are interchangeable & you should be able to hoik out the 750 lump & fit the more commonly found 850 with no problems. Depends on the gearing of the auto box compared to the standard manual one of course.
Seller says you can ride it on a car licence -being pedantic I know, but unless you've got an older bike licence with the B1, 3 wheeler, catagory on it, you now have to ride it on a car licence.
As I said, the overall shape's not my taste at all, but if they've managed to find an auto set-up that works it would make a good basis for something much tidier. I'd like to see some close-up piccies of that gearbox & it's fitment to the engine.
Is it properly registered? If it were me, I'd strip it down, save the mechanical bits & wrap one of our little hardtail frames around it, then MSVA it as a new vehicle. I see he wants 2 1/2 grand for it. The price I paid would obviously reflect the fact that I'd tbe throwing half of it away. So if I knew what gearbox it had & how it was fitted, personally, I'd be better off scrounging an 850 motor & axle from someone here & building a new trike from scratch.
But that's just me. If you're looking for something to just jump on & ride & maybe alter cosmetically as & when, & it's within your budget, then why not. You interested then Bobbi?

[Simon.S]

Only problem with going over 75 on a reliant trike is - that without a skid lid I find my eye balls start rattling!!         Or is that just me?

[tbone]

HMMM, doesnt state that its reliant engine or box, registered on an old p plate,`76ish, got me wondering if the builder didnt pull the old trick of getin hold of a reliant log book and using the plate.??

[Manky Monkey]

Simon, that's what goggles are for!
Hey, you're right TB. Hadn't really looked at the motor, but I can't see a distributor, (not very clear on my monitor with the whole engine being matt black). Should be on the right hand side, above the fuel pump. The top radiator hose also exits the thermostat housing from the side, whereas the Reliants are from the front. Is that the alternator on the right, rather than the left like a Reliant?
Curious. 

[tbone]

The more i look at it the more i`m thinking BMC engine. Wish it was a better angle

[tbone]

i just asked the seller to identify the engine, If it was rebuilt last year he must have an idea what it is.
And slightly off topic.... i thought seat belts were required on seats that dont alow you to straddle the vehicle?

He replied "Its the engine that came with it when i bought it. The engine wasnt part of the rebuild.
I`ve been told by the person that rebuilt it that it could either be a marina or allegro. Nethertheless, when changing sparks, ect, you just get like for like.Its really reliable and in great condition."

[Simon.S]

The distributor looks way too low to be a reliant engine!! I've just blown the pic up and compared it to mine.

[andbolt0]

i am sure this trike has been for sale afew times over the last months or so  it started of in my area  ond is now in yorkshire  if it is it makes you wonder why

[Manky Monkey]

Just clicked on the link again & it won't connect. Not sure if that's all of Ebay or just this particular sale. Maybe the seller's pulled the ad? It was listed as a Reliant wasn't it? So where's the Reliant parts then? Apart from on the dodgy logbook? I thought the ad also gave the impression the engine had been rebuilt. Maybe that's just the way I read it. Yep, the bench seat would require seat belts, but the front saddle wouldn't.
Don't like to smear anyone's reputation online, but I think I'd steer clear of this one unless buying it to strip down & rebuild, then re-register.

[BikerGran]

Thanks peeps - you confirmed all my thoughts!

Sounded too good to be true and it was - auto trike on the road I mean, not the skulls n stuff!  Purple is fine.

It was just a thought, I was P'd off today and thinking about selling my mini trike on and buying something else. But after I posted I downloaded the phots and zoomed in and went right off the whole idea!

[tbone]

Extracts from the ad:
ROBIN RELIANT 1976 CUSTOM TRIKE
748 CC AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FULL REBUILD SUMMER 07 INCLUDING,
NEW FRONT END
NEW FRAMEWORK
ENGINE REBUILD
FULL SERVICE
NEW BATTERY FITTED LAST WEEK
M.O.T DUE SEPTEMBER 08
HAS BEEN GARAGED OVER WINTER.
NO SEAT BELTS ARE FITTED - IT IS NOT A LEGAL REQUIREMENT.



It wont be a 748cc
will have a dodgy v5
engine may or may not be rebuilt
will need seat belts on the bench seat

Seems to me that the seller aint got a clue what it is really!!!!
I hope its just a lack of understanding.

[tbone]

Hey Bobbi, if it meets your needs then go for it. I`n not ripping it apart, just trying to make out EXACTLY what it is.