Manky's new Reliant trike.

[ByzMax]

The sharp edges thing is carried whilst you are sitting on the trike in the riding position with wheel point straight ahead. The dolly that they use is about 1.5
metres high.

So if something above or below it protrudes further out then it will not matter.


If in doubt just cover them with something that has a hardness no greater than a pencil rubber.

[Manky Monkey]

Could really do with an article on what's involved in getting through the MSVA -where to start, which forms you need, how much it costs, a quick run down of the registration process.
So presumably the handlebars would prevent the roller thingy hitting the rad mounts then?

[ByzMax]

Probably? Bu t you must take into account the it's the examiners interpretation of the rules that count

To be on the the safe side cover them.

I will write details that I can give on getting my last trike through the MSVA.


It' pretty easy and ignore the stories you may have heard of kitcars going through. They are tested under a different scheme that is very strict.

Trikes are treated quite gently really.



Will do it this week and you can get Yoda to post it on the site.

[Manky Monkey]

Very much appreciated Byz.
G'night.

[Manky Monkey]

Spent a couple of hours in the garage yesterday but it was like an oven in there- too hot to do much except perspire profusely. Knocked up a little plate to hold the radiator fan. I'm using an electric bike rad fan of unknown origin. This'll be hidden behind the radiator when it's finished. 

[longboarder]

Looking good, love those yokes, nice little fan & mounting plate.

[Manky Monkey]

Thank you 
Everything's cut & shaped by hand. The yokes are the same as Flap's -cost 60 quid a pair from a mate who manages a local engineering firm. No, we can't get any more done! I wanted to make 'em look a little lighter, not so slabby, so hacksawed out the front sections & then filed 'em by hand.
Using an electric fan instead of the original mechanical one on the water pump allegedly saves something like 3bhp. When the Reliants are only 40bhp to start with, that's worth doing. Main reason is cos it looks much tidier though. Might wire it to run continuously, with a cut-out relay to switch it off momentarily when you turn the ignition key. Same with the sidelights.

[longboarder]

 Might wire it to run continuously, with a cut-out relay to switch it off momentarily when you turn the ignition key. Same with the sidelights.

My fan runs as soon as i switch the ign on, but about to change it to either an inline switch so can shut it off when wanted or put a temp control on it. Also got to change the lights feed as its fed permanent live & i keep leaving the lights on 

[Manky Monkey]

Yeah, Flap's got a manual switch on his fan. Just as easy to do I guess. Just means an extra switch in the side of the battery box. Been reading the MSVA trike regs & it sounds like you need to be able to operate the sidelights with the ignition switched off -presumably so you can park the vehicle on unlit roads & leave 'em on. A bit old fashioned -whoever does that these days? Means they'll have to be permanently live-fed though. Also got to have a means of immobilising the trike so I picked up a battery cut-off switch at the Uxbridge show at the weekend.   

[ByzMax]

You filed those yokes by hand  No wonder it's taking you longer than expected tis looking fab though. Get down that garage and get it sorted.


 

[longboarder]

YBeen reading the MSVA trike regs & it sounds like you need to be able to operate the sidelights with the ignition switched off

That now makes sense why my dad wired it that way.

[Manky Monkey]

No real workshop facilities -just a welder & angle grinder. Tried grinding the ally yokes but the wheels just clogged up so resorted to hand files. Strangely therapeutic but s-o-o time consuming.
Fell asleep when I got home from work this lunchtime. Woke up at 5pm & thought it was morning & I was late for work! Takes me an hour to walk to Nige's garage & can only work till 9.00 to avoid upsetting his neighbours, so just did a quick bit of welding this evening, finishing off the rad & fan mounts. Now I've got to file 'em smooth!

[Manky Monkey]

Wiring means absolutely nothing to me. A complete mystery. My brother Steve & his mate wired the last one up for me.

[ByzMax]

YBeen reading the MSVA trike regs & it sounds like you need to be able to operate the sidelights with the ignition switched off

That now makes sense why my dad wired it that way.

There is no requirement to have lights that work with ignition off on a trike (Other Than Hazards). I presume it's because people could switch em on when you leave it in a carpark or by the road.

[Manky Monkey]

The MSVA manual's in the garage but I'll see if I can find the relevant page again next time I'm there. I'm sure it says something about them having to be on a seperate switch.