Hiya,

Just thought I'd de-lurk, say hi, and send out a quick request for Trike contacts.

I'm sure you heard the story before, biker rides, bikes bounces (Diesel on the road + inexperienced rider = tankslapper & splat), biker can't ride anymore, biker dicides to build trike 'cause she can't shake the bug!

Pain in the butt really, the only problem I have is that my right knee never regained it's strength after the accident, so I've no problems day to day, but the leg can't hold the weight of a bike. *mutter, mutter*

Anyway, I've decided to build a trike but I'm on a budget, so I'm going down the "more fabrication, more time, less cost" route (well, it's probably more accurate to say less cost in one go, I'm sure that by the time I'm finished, it'll have cost the same as just buying one, but at least it'll be in dribbs and drabs rather than in one go).

But the good news is, I have a MIG welder and a pipe bender and I'm not afraid to use them! (well alright, my partner has them as she used to build CNC routers, but hey the enthusiasm is there!)

I'm looking to build a bike engine based trike (Can't be doing with gear sticks, give me a sequential any day) with a "chopper" style feel, but other than that, my idea's are flexible.

So, I could do with some contacts or advice about where to start, I'm open to all suggestions and advice.

Thanks,


Jen. (Gotta sort out a sig... )

Hi ex lurker mines a pint of Malibu and milk!
I can't help I'm afraid, but Biker gran will be along soon.

If you haven't already contact this lot http://www.nabd.org.uk/. They will be happy to advise and give contacts.

Welcome Jenni, Bikergran got her GT550 converted to a trike about a year ago, I think. The bloke made a great job of it but I think he's in the Dorset area.

Have you already got an engine at all? Bikergran's is based on her GT550 - good for trikes because of the shaft drive. there ends the sum total of my trike knowledge Hi and welcome BTW


my three wheels is going to be lop sided with a dog bed attached

Hi jen

mmmmmmm trikes

dodgy things them I wouldn't go there

Dodgy legs mmmmmmmmm don't want to go there

lurkers mmmmmmmmmm don't want to go there.

Wales mmmmmmmmm been there many times

Hi Jen, and welcome! Yippee, another potential triker on the forum! I'm the only one triking atm but womble will be joining me soon!

there's a phot of me and my trike (or maybe just the trike) in the gallery section somewhere. I've only been triking since may but I love it! Much more than I thought I would, even if I get back on 2 wheels eventually I shall keep the trike for touring and rallies cos its such fun!

By the way -

Yup, been there, done that - no bouncing tho, not with 440lb of bike plus luggage on top of me leg!

So whaddya want to know? I can recommend a good trike builder, but he is in Dorset! What part of wales are you in? Do you have a bike that you want to convert? To get one built by Bruce wouldn't cost a fraction od what they rush at places like .... well, praps I shouldn't mention names but if you're in Wales you'll be able to think of one or two!
And my trike has recieved a lot of favourable comments from other trike builders - nice bit of engineering cos its so simple, etc.

Whatever you trike I would recommend that you do it with suspension - a friend of mine has a hardtail Guxxi California trike but he says he would use it a lot more if it were more comfortable!

Here ya go..

ooooh ain't she lovely? Just fell in love with Gertie all over again!

She doesn't look like that atm tho - still covered in mud and muck from my trip to Bicester a couple of weeks ago!

Hiya Jenni

Affraid i don't know much about trikes, but i do know i'd jump at the chance of having a go one one, they look like good fun

Just out of interest BG, how is the kwaker for cornering? My dad's mate had a trike years ago and nearly had to come to a stand still to get round bends!!!

Take no notice of what i posted above just in a silly mood at the time

My lads are building me a trike at the moment hope to have it on the road by xmas/ early next year.

Dodgy legs yep got one off them & several other dodgy bones metal plates pins screws ect as well.




Bobbi this will be my 9th trike so im not really all that new to being a triker lol


I found a pic of a lovely trike tonight whilst surfing

Womble I did say !!

Nah, that one doesn't do anything for me - is it a real dragster or just looks like one?

isn't it one of the hayabusa trikes.... i've heard of them drag racing them

personally i think they're orrible!!!!!!!

there were a couple of nice ones from Wackys Trikes down at the pub we were at at the weekend....... a rather nice XJR1200 one + another one (can't remember what engine used)

Messy i think you will find it was a Yamaha XJ900.

Welcome to the board JenniH, i dont know to much about trikes either but i know that the Kawasaki GT550/750, XJ900, Kawasaki Z1000 St, Suzuki GS1000G and of corse the Vmax are all popular bikes for use with trikes as they are all shaft drive.

Messy i think you will find it was a Yamaha XJ900.

Welcome to the board JenniH, i dont know to much about trikes either but i know that the Kawasaki GT550/750, XJ900, Kawasaki Z1000 St, Suzuki GS1000G and of corse the Vmax are all popular bikes for use with trikes as they are all shaft drive.

I do know that the geometry of building a trike is a tricky business and you will need to get some quality advice before you start. Try these links.

http://bikesource.co.uk/index.php?viewCat=12

http://www.users.bigpond.com/a.r.holloway/au2002trike.html (VW i know but it may help)

http://www.trikers.org/pages/build.html

http://members.tripod.com/Slacker_g/

Hope this helps.

Ace

yeah the first one that i mentioned was the xjr1200


and the 2nd one that i'd forgotten what it was, was indeed a xj900, cheers ace



Wackey's trikes

+ the name of the pub was the Bottleneck Inn

Wow! Didn't think my post would stir up so much interest!

Anyway, to answer A couple of your questions.

I've not got a doner bike as yet as I sold my little chopper not long after getting him fixed from the accident. I don't think his engine would have been up to it anyway.

I'm looking to scratch build (for several reasons, but one of them being cashflow, I can spend whatever it takes to build the trike, but only in £600ish installments in one go). Also, my partner used to build CNC routers, so is no slouch with mechanics or welding.

I'm currently toying with making a car based conversion (sacrilege, I know, but my research seams to indicate they are less prone to tipping) using a smart car engine (we already own a smart, gorgeous little cars). Main reason being as it's got a sequential gear box (Can't be doing with those stick things) and the engine, gearbox & axle come out as one assembly on them (engine is at the back like a bug).

I wouldn't say no to being put in touch with a good builder, but I'd probably be after advice and getting specific things done that were out of my skill range, rather than having a whole trike built unless they're good to be paid in installments! <lol> (see cashflow above)

Love the pics of the trikes btw. I must admit, I'm v. tempted to go down the bike route and build a "chopper" trike. We'll see how the smart enquiries go, then maybe I'll switch ideas.

Oh, did any of you guys do Hogging the bridge this year. If you did, I was the buildings security officer drooling over the bikes! <lol>

Oh, I forgot to say for BikerGran....

I live in Chepstow, literally the other side of the old Severn Bridge.