Benefield, nice job on your trike. Here's a thought for you: is the rear swingarm adjustable, or just welded rigid? Maybe a 1" drop would help keep the shiny side up and the dirty side down ...
Doc, nice work on that RT! What kind of wheels are you using on the front? Brakes? Looks like a scrub brake, not sure ....
In researching reverse trikes, I've discovered that, yes, stance is important - for the most part, low is the way to go. Another factor is, where is the center of gravity? While not knocking the work you did on your RT, Doc, the reason why you're having such trouble turning is because the front end is simply too long, and your weight is distributed more towards the back of the bike, rather than the front. For it to be more effective, either it needs to be wider, or you need to figure out a way to put more weight on the front wheels. Reverse trikes handle better with over half the weight on the front end (actually, I read it was something like 70% of the weight for a good-handling RT).
If I were to use your design (which I might, thank you for the good picture), I would see about mounting brake and throttle directly to the wheel, or simply use a set of handlebars. The steering wheel would be set up closer to the front end, such as putting the mount right between the A-arms. The tie-rods for steering would be relocated to the front, instead of trailing the wheels, and footrests / bumpers added for protection of the front end. The rear end of the bike would be shortened appropriately, moving the seat forward to place more weight on the front wheels. (This is all of course "in the future" planning, but stuff I've picked up along the way that may help with a furutre revision of your project ...)
no its not adjustable i thought about doing that but it just makes the chain hard to keep on track . its rigid . yes the lower the better but im not sure how much 1 in would help. im 6ft tall i think if i shrunk about 1ft it would handle better haha . but dont get me wrong its not to the point that its not fun its actualy not that bad its no worse than the quad .i realy dig how everyone has kinda got into these custom projects . i cant wait to see what spy is going to do next.i did the quad then spy did the micro bike (a real pocket bike) then i did the trike . i do believe its your turn spy
as is in the pic i didnt do any of the design or welding. its currently without the rear end or seat. i want to put a bicycle rear end and more gokart like slicks in the front. if you lean hard enough it will maneuver pretty awesome but its not safe without a helmet and full gear. it one of my lesser favorite toys i kinda just wanna make something out of it and get rid of it
i realy dig how everyone has kinda got into these custom projects . i cant wait to see what spy is going to do next.i did the quad then spy did the micro bike (a real pocket bike) then i did the trike . i do believe its your turn spy
Custom sidecar in planning stages for the Re-Cycle, also out of spare parts and pieces ... and I'm keeping my NEXT project a secret for now, because y'all wouldn't believe me if I told you what I'm doing. (Not to mention you'd think I was ready for the nuthouse .... well, I AM, but that's beside the point...)
Custom sidecar in planning stages for the Re-Cycle, also out of spare parts and pieces ... and I'm keeping my NEXT project a secret for now, because y'all wouldn't believe me if I told you what I'm doing. (Not to mention you'd think I was ready for the nuthouse .... well, I AM, but that's beside the point...)
this is gona be good . you can tell me in a pm i wont tell
No, trust me, y'all would think I REALLY went off the deep end ... Slowly piecing it together, but it's gonna be WAY different ....
I DID pull a major boo-boo on the Re-Cycle .... was painting the rims, so I pulled the 2-piece wheels apart, shot 'em over in red, then went to assemble them again. Unfortunately, I got the front axle and rear axle mixed up - the axles are stepped differently - and shattered the hub on the rear rim when I went to put them back together. *** insert choice of colorful curse words here *** Now I have to see about ordering a new rim for it, BUT .... I'm not quite sure what these wheels came off. I'm thinking maybe a Kragen Zooma or a Super Razorback. Only thing is, the rear rim I have has the three-bolt pattern on BOTH sides, whereas the Zooma and most other wheels I've found have threads on one side. Otherwise, the bike is all together and painted FFB with dark red rims. (I may just hafta break down and order one of the threaded rims, but I'd rather get the right one for it if I can first.)
got the welds clean and painted. fabricated a second motor mount made the fillers out of flat bar aluminum to mount the kill switch and fuell shut off.found a plastic set for ten bucks . sent the motor out for machine work . and hopefully i will be getting a real ada reed cage with bw 3 stage reeds . im realy excited about this project .this one will be more about performance than the quad project was . you can see about how low the plastic will be to the ground i think this will be a mean looking little machine i will have to retake pics later too big of a file
Last edited by benefield : 11-18-2009 at 08:00 PM.
Glad to hear everything's going well on the build, can't waiti to see it when it's finished. You've done a great job so far, benefield ... not too many people would take on building a trike.
thanks spy for the positive encouragement here is the recent pics the motor is a boosted306 product this motor was speced specificaly for this project . and yes that is a thumb throttle fitted with stainless hardware haha now that is realy something different. this one will be complete shortly after christmas .i took close pics of the rear . my welding work isnt good but i am sculptor with a grinder haha .stay tuned for something different part III.
Last edited by benefield : 12-02-2009 at 07:21 PM.
No, trust me, y'all would think I REALLY went off the deep end ... Slowly piecing it together, but it's gonna be WAY different ....
I DID pull a major boo-boo on the Re-Cycle .... was painting the rims, so I pulled the 2-piece wheels apart, shot 'em over in red, then went to assemble them again. Unfortunately, I got the front axle and rear axle mixed up - the axles are stepped differently - and shattered the hub on the rear rim when I went to put them back together. *** insert choice of colorful curse words here *** Now I have to see about ordering a new rim for it, BUT .... I'm not quite sure what these wheels came off. I'm thinking maybe a Kragen Zooma or a Super Razorback. Only thing is, the rear rim I have has the three-bolt pattern on BOTH sides, whereas the Zooma and most other wheels I've found have threads on one side. Otherwise, the bike is all together and painted FFB with dark red rims. (I may just hafta break down and order one of the threaded rims, but I'd rather get the right one for it if I can first.)
hey spy did you ever find the wheel that broke let me know im 95 % sure i can get you one for cheap
Actually already ordered in and got the new one shot, but send me a PM. I may be interested in a few kart parts, too, as I'm thinking of doing something else unusual .....
Re: something different part II 3 wheel cag 
