Has anyone built a trike without the prop?

[DIZZY]

Hi all just starting to put the bits together to build a Manky trike and while I was spacing the engine n gearbox out with the axle ,I was wondering if it was possible to fit the directly together with out the prop.I like the idea of a very short trike with the seat over the rear diff.Does any one have any views? or am I just bein a bit Dizzy? lol.

[voodoo]

I built a Ford V6 auto with only a couple of UJ's between gearbox and prop, shortest I could get prop was approx 10"...It drove great with no worries and kept the length down....Voodoo....

Has anyone built a trike without the prop?

[DIZZY]

Thats interesting VD,what would happen if you coupled up the Reliant gearbox to the axle? any idea? cheers!

[terry t]

Hi dizzy i think you will need a prop of some sort.other wise you might keep knocking out the bearing and oil seals. i was thinking of doing this on a project trying to keep it narrow and short .came up with this idear join the two ends of the prop together.witch will allow for some movement

[dobber]

what about a rubber spacer type set up, could put bolts through with lock nuts on so the solid rubber could still absorb some vibration. bit like we used to do on old mk 2 engine mounts when couldnt aford a new one cos we had to buy a bird  a half a larger n lime....

[voodoo]

Thats how my prop started out but I ended up making the small prop instead after advice that it would do exactly as you have said if i had only the UJ's....Voodoo...

[zakboy]

there are quite a few trikes out there with direct drive

[DIZZY]

Cheers guys,I like the pics Terry T thats nice and short think I will look at doin the same .Did you shorten the axle? and how did you do it?

[cunningplan]

I know its slightly diffrent as its a race car with quite a solid frame holding the whole lot together, but I am going that way and not having a prop.

Has anyone built a trike without the prop?

[terry t]

Cheers guys,I like the pics Terry T thats nice and short think I will look at doin the same .Did you shorten the axle? and how did you do it?

Yes i did shorten it.and reduced it down to 32" between plates.to alter you will need a press. heavy duty blow lamp and bottle.take out the half shafts split the axle in half.grind of the rivets. set the axle up in the press and pump up the pressure ad heat to the diff housing to get hot and more pressure it will start to move keep pumping until it drops out. repeat for the next part .cut tubes to length clean up making sure the tube end are round reassemble.or you could email haggis and ask him .
i was also thinking of putting these mg wire wheels on with disc brakes

[trev]

i,ve seen direct drives,don,t they call the rubber bit a doughnut?

[morrag]

The only reason for a prop. shaft is where the driven wheel or wheels are far enough away from the motor final drive output shaft, to require one! If this is not the case, then some form of anti-vibration/torque reaction coupling will suffice, e.g the ubiquitous "rubber doughnut"! ....Morrag

[Cabman77]

we put together a diesel forklift lump trike on the quick. One gear forwards and one gear backwards. Bolted the axle through a grannie donut onto the final drive. Lasted all of half an hour of riding around the yard!!!! vibration ripped the inserts in the donut right out. Was a laugh while it lasted.