Guzzi gearbox conversion

[Manky Monkey]

The styling isn't my thing, but the build quality looks pretty good. I'm curious -how much do they sell for Bobbi?

[TwistedPatience]

Lucky I'm not building a trike then init.

[The pointy helmet]

I'm glad that members are not too shy to say what THEY think is a duffer.

There are those who build, to the very best of their ability, what they feel...
defines a beauty of balance and configuration.
We are lucky to have a tolerant DVLA that allows us to satisfy our imagination in motion.

This is a forum.
A meeting ground for expressing OUR perspective.
Brutally, frank criticism is just that - A critique of how the subject is seen by others.

THE VOYAGER. illustrates this point quite effectively.
The marketplace - Failed to warm to a "two wheeled Bond Bug" - and a number of issues snuffed it out.
It was a bike, car hybrid. A strange driving position meant it had to win people over.
Was it aesthecally beautiful?
Go on. Be brutally frank.

It certainly was a product of it's time. The 60s-70s was The Future's Plastic!
Perhaps it could have carved out a niche market, if it looked sexy. If it looked agressively aerodynamic.
The custom car scene was very much alive and kicking.
The GRP cladding could have been styled in any manner of shape for the same outlay.

The Wildcat trike is styled in an obvious, delta shaped way. It IS a SCOOTER TRIKE.

THE GUZZI CONVERSION IS 100% MOTORCYCLE IN IT'S FORM AND FUNCTION
THIS MEANS YOU CAN SIT OVER THE GEARBOX. NOT BEHIND IT.
AS BROCK FLAGGED UP ....REVERSE?....NEVER NEEDED ONE ON ANY OF MY HARLEYS.
PRODUCT OF A RELIANT CAR. WHERE YOU SIT INSIDE. WITH A STEERING WHEEL.
 

[morrag]

Well, it would seem that generally the point of my posting has been missed! indeed I don't particularly like bodywork myself, and that current 'Wildcat' is definitely not my bag,although it must have appeal to many, however, I posted the pic. in deference to the injured/physically challenged trikers, who seemed to show an interest in the posss. of an 'automatic', is all, would I want one, well no, not really, is it an alternative view, I think so, but then I don't like VW trikes, unless its a "Swedish", so there you go, all part of life's rich tapestry...... Morrag

[The pointy helmet]

 
Hi Morrag. Yes, thanks for posting the Metro auto trike.

I was using PantherShaun's comments as  AN INDIVIDUAL, MAKES THEIR POINT.

It is good to kick around the feasibility (or sourcing existing) auto trikes.
The point was raised - and you came up trumps.

I would think there are many considerations that need to be addressed in a "BwithD" trike build.
That's kool.
One high on the list may be ease of cleaning.
A smooth, panelled surface, that doesn't snag clothing might be a preference.
We're into building our own slants on what has gone before, they are all individual adventures in themselves.

You mention the Swedish VW trikes.
Now the Swedes have carved out an interesting bit of engineering.(Might be German/Danish in origin)

Isn't the trick to use TWO gearboxes. BACK TO BACK!
The MID one as a converter/driveshaft 'tween engine and drive train.

BTW have a Swedish section, don't they?....I'll have a rootle around, I'm a member.
The brother in law is Swedish if I ever need a translator.
This MID box section might be fertile ground for "autoboxing".

DISCUSSION THROWS UP TANGENTS THAT ARE JUST AS WORTHY AS YOUR OWN.
THE TRICK IS TO PURSUE A NUGGET OF AN IDEA.
Is it actually in production?
Is is an old idea that was shelved?
Why?
Can recent technology (and the Internet) produce the background info to finsh the job?

For the number of MMM members. Around 10 - 20  "seem to carry the forum along".

Andy has produced some core blocks of information that are a godsend for trike builders.

All I am doing is to use the Guzzpig gearbox conversion as a springboard for a keystone in a trike building.....

THE GEARBOX.
WHAT DO YOU WANT OF IT, FOLKS!?

We have a certain amount of luxury. In that we can utilise a load of "variables".
Shaft/chain.
Bike/car gearboxes.
Suicide shifts.
Forward controls.
And maybe a torque converter, set up.

As Tazet might say
"Loads of horses for loads of courses."

[morrag]

Cheers for the reply Mr.P, now that does make for a thought provoking rumination!! ciao for now, Morrag

[panthershaun]

didn't really mean to be rude , I just hate body work on bikes or trikes. I think the metro auto is a cracking idea and it is a real challenge to make a car engine look sexy uncovered. I feel pretty much the same about Boom trikes and even the old phoenix style never struck me... but there are people out there who love them and power to them for that, I think there are plenty of people who hate what I build/ride but hey that's life and I really do like to see all the workings.
Interested to see how the Guzzi/pig turns out, as that could be turned into a nice little Reliant engined Bobber 

[The pointy helmet]

Hi Panthershaun.
I wish more people WERE direct. We live in a "faster than you can blink" time.
Fannying around, and not saying as you see it DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE NOT THINKING IT. (!?)
Being FOCUSED, DIRECT,PERCEPTIVE
doesn't mean Rude in my book.
If the MMM lot saw what you are building, they would see you have more than enough credentials to pass comment.
 

(Might have got your BUILD mixed up with Ritchie's...Tying to navigate round loads of sites is a bit mind bending!)
YOUR MOCK UP IN THE GARDEN.
SPEAKS ******' VOLUMES! (sorry to be rude!!!)

Please post.

HERE.

NOW.

"Rockin, man. One cool bit of S***"

[BikerGran]

Cost of  basic Wildcat trike

Price - The customer to supply the donor vehicle.

 A completed standard trike including MSVA test, MOT test, DVLA inspection, Registration fees, Road fund licence and Vat is £7800.00.

I need an automatic because of disability, and need a reverse gear for the same reason - I only have one leg that will push effectively and that one's not too good either!  It prolly depends where you want to go but I do the Round Britain Rally which takes me along some dodgy country lanes and sometimes you need to turn round on a hilly bit of road. 

it is a real challenge to make a car engine look sexy uncovered.

True but it can be done - I like the look of this one.

[panthershaun]

Thats more like it BG  , I guess if you hide the motor you don't have to spend too much time/money making it pretty but this one is defo more to my tastes

It would be cool to have an auto Reliant lump though

[BikerGran]

It would be cool to have an auto Reliant lump though

Oh yessss!


Going right back to the beginning of this thread and the pic of the naked Voyager - I'd love to ride round on one of those, naked - just think of the 'look at me' factor!   

[Manky Monkey]

You want people to look at you nekkid?   

[The pointy helmet]

Hi BG!    (NEKKID..Who, what?!)

That is EXACTLY what I am pushing for this THREAD.

The lowdown on what we are building.
To have to tailor a build for specific requirements just makes it more exciting.

I think the Yank and Rod members could post up some pretty sexy lumps of 4 wheeled engine.

I do feel some air cooled bike engines have a fragility (ally fins etc) that few car lumps worry about.

WE ARE DESIGNING THE WHOLE SET UP , TRIKE WISE.

THE CHALLENGE IS TO "MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL"

[panthershaun]

I do have this car engine sitting in my workshop NSU 1200TT

[The pointy helmet]

 
Funky.

Ain't it pretty.