OAB's 58 matchless trike project

[one arm bandit]

thought better if i make a thread now as the important sorcing the bits part might get missed, right have a 58 g3ls the 500cc single that currently in it is from a 51 m18 ajs, plans are to make it in to a single seater hard tail bolt on trike, trying at best to keep it looking old, i plan to use a bevel box reliant or pos moggie axel and standard width moggie steels. as many of you know im a bit crippled up from a bracial plexus injury from flying 27meters only being stopped by a high curb in the right shoulder
so as my reliant trike this will also be addapted for my use, left hand throttle and twin lever on the left bar both cable for clutch and front brake. the bike itself is a runner as i did some work on it a few now years ago needs exhaust carb sorting wiring but then theres only about 5 wires to these. took a few pics bit dusty but dry stored for nigh on 19 years

OAB's 58 matchless trike project

OAB's 58 matchless trike project

OAB's 58 matchless trike project

[spanners]

seems a shame to trike it 

[Manky Monkey]

Yeah, but also a shame for it to be sat in a shed when Mr B could be out enjoying it.
Even when these classic bikes were new, owners were modifying 'em. Just evolution Mike. 
Lots of pulling power from a big ol' single. Ideal for a trike. I'll be interested to see how this one turns out.

[zakboy]

Going to love this one, do a bolton you can always switch back to a bike if need be....do it justice matey 

[one arm bandit]

 it does mike and thats why ive thought of putting a side car on it at first,, note the 2 chassis behind the bike? but i want to get it out and use it but wouldnt feel safe on just as a bike,  so i thought a bolt on was the best idea, im keeping ALL old bits that come off. the task is not triking it but keeping the vintage look, i dont want a show look either im after a ive been used since i left the factory and still plodding along look. i know alot will frown up on the idea but it has massive setimental value to me and me mum and i hate to see it sat there going nowhere. it may look s**te when finished but four bolts can change that so there nothing lost. id appeciate any imput on this,already considering mankys pop mudgaurds

[spanners]

it does mike and thats why ive thought of putting a side car on it at first,, note the 2 chassis behind the bike? but i want to get it out and use it but wouldnt feel safe on just as a bike,  so i thought a bolt on was the best idea, im keeping ALL old bits that come off. the task is not triking it but keeping the vintage look, i dont want a show look either im after a ive been used since i left the factory and still plodding along look. i know alot will frown up on the idea but it has massive setimental value to me and me mum and i hate to see it sat there going nowhere. it may look s**te when finished but four bolts can change that so there nothing lost. id appeciate any imput on this,already considering mankys pop mudgaurds

i know the feeling of not feeling safe on a bike ,, i used the be one of the hottest daring kids out on a bike but i,m just about useless these days i had the old bantam around the block a few time,s the other week  didnt feel right at all , , even took it to  barton bike night last week  but never got it out of the back of the landy,,,
i was looking at building a chop out of a modern -ish, enfield this winter  but i think i,ll be doing a bike trike and the  duttons instead ..

[merv]

I know the bike is an old classic and some would frown on the ideal of triking it but you have my backing.At least it would be in use and the youngster's would see what bikes used to be like and if done right have us older ones talking about it in the right light.
I wish you all the best with it, by the way is there any news on your arm.
while you are doing the new trike don't forget PICTURES  

[terry t]

seems a shame to trike it 

thats what i thought. or sell it to fund more modern bike with electric start.
but still it would look nice triked. like sumo's panther trike
keep the photos coming anyway OAB

have a look at this set up on ebay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150852217574?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

i would lose the prop and bolt the bevel box straight onto the axle

[one arm bandit]

i would lose the prop and bolt the bevel box straight onto the axle
[/quote]    now thats a good idea

im affraid thats far far out of my price range. i brought a whole rialto for less than half that for the ninja pig

[terry t]

i would lose the prop and bolt the bevel box straight onto the axle

    now thats a good idea

im affraid thats far far out of my price range. i brought a whole rialto for less than half that for the ninja pig
[/quote]
its more for the set up than buying.

[Manky Monkey]

Are there any Reliant axles left that haven't got our disc brake conversion now?!
Tidy set-up.
I'm beginning to lean more & more away from full on customs & towards "modified" old stuff. I think a hardtail made to look like a vintage frame -maybe add a couple of fake sidecar type lugs or double skin the joints between tubes & beef up the axle clamps, so they look like factory castings?
Could look very cool.

[one arm bandit]

another good idea mm, the frame has casting where joins are ile be using 25mm x3mm cds. i bet i could get some 25ishmm o/d 1.5mmish wall and make joins look like castings and even to brake up the straights. keep um coming its all going on paper

[Manky Monkey]

  Stamp the VIN number from the headstock onto one of the hardtail frame tubes to make it look like a "matching numbers" factory build.
Bolt back on as many original parts as you can -footpegs, lights etc.
My truck mudguards are rolled aluminium with the raised beads hand punched. Made by a guy in Oxford for 50 quid each. You could achieve the same look with a steel front bike guard of the right diameter, with a semi circular profile steel bar welded along it's length, (drill the guard & weld through to the underside of the bead for a cleaner finish).
I'd actually like to build something like this myself. 

[one arm bandit]

Stamp the VIN number from the headstock onto one of the hardtail frame tubes to make it look like a "matching numbers" factory build.
Bolt back on as many original parts as you can -footpegs, lights etc.
My truck mudguards are rolled aluminium with the raised beads hand punched. Made by a guy in Oxford for 50 quid each. You could achieve the same look with a steel front bike guard of the right diameter, with a semi circular profile steel bar welded along it's length, (drill the guard & weld through to the underside of the bead for a cleaner finish).
I'd actually like to build something like this myself. 

i can soon make a spare bed up
ive 5/6 front and rear mud gaurds in the same shed(at mothers) them 5 coconut box's in the pick full of engine gearbox old brit bike parts theres a complete ajs in bits a box with 6/7 amal carbs(sadly not the proper one i need 389/01) got a optional factory luggage rack aswell to try incorparating in...its def taking up my spare thinking time hopfully get the bike down here in the week, theres alot i can get on with while i save for axel/wheels/bevel etc ive more interest in old stuff always have, most 30yr olds never herd of matchless ajs francis barnett vincent. 

[Manky Monkey]

Learn from the past to create the future.
A couple of Harley Servicar trikes. Note the leaf spring suspension. Interesting.