dont take the mickey

[scraglet]

i am new to this world. i gave up my bike as i would of killed myself. so i told everyone i know that i am going to build a trike. the mechanical side of which i do not worry about. i have however no idea where to start. i am contemplating scratch building a chassis using a 1800cc zetec engine coupled to a sierra auto box and custom back axle or is this a hopeless cause. hopefully someone can help guide me in the right path or shoot me, whichever is kinder. thanks. :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[Bosun]

Hello
and welcome to the forum

1st thought, i am not a trike rider, but have you tried one?
i know you say you are dangerous on a bike, trikes are different
might be worth trying one, then looking for a style
unless you already habve parts ready

i believe almost anything can be triked

and no doubt one of our more knowledgable trikers will set record straight

[Yoda]

as Fayji said try a trike out first (find you local bike club and i am sure someone there would oblige)
riding a trike is totally different to a bike (its a bit like have all the disadvantages of a car (being stuck in traffic etc) with all the disadvantages of a bike (open to bad weather etc..)
remember however fast your trike will be in a straight line (with very few exeptions) TRIKES DONT DO CORNERS well and a totally different riding manner is required
trikes are expensive compared to bikes and depending on your location MOTs may have to be 'Travelled' to.
but dont let all the above put you, just take it into account when deciding on one

and as for your plans it may be worth considering a less complex engine (dont forget it is going to be open to all the elements and the abuse that brings) but basically you can trike prety much anything

the style of trike you like is what is going to dictate the type of engine you use
and if you front mount a big engine, dont forget that you will likely to be using tiller bars (and the are an aquired taste you either like em or you dont)

HTH
Yoda

[Sir Ewok]

I believe the Zetec is front wheel drive, so either mount it at the back with a remote auto lever, or if you mount it lengthways, then you will need to lock one of the driveshafts, otherwise the free one will just spin due to the diff action.
P.S. don't forget to make sure the engine is the right way round, otherwise you will have to turn the axle upsidedown.....

[manky monkey]

Hope I don't sound too big headed, (I AM, I just try not to SOUND it), but have a look at my Club's site. I ride a small, bike-like Reliant trike, which I've just taken off the road for a Winter rebuild. Got a couple of others on the go as well. Go to "New Stuff" for the first two instalments of a write up on building a frame for one of my mates, or "New Stuff 2004" for video clips of mine, or Forums, Messages or Forums, Gallery for piccies & info on mine & the other two I'm doing.
Trikes ARE definitely totally different to 2 wheelers, but, in my humble opinion, a lot more fun. Like driving a classic car compared to a modern family saloon, you put a little more effort in, but get a lot more enjoyment out. :)

[Gypsy]

yeah like its been said before , trikes dont do corners ... been a few brown trouser moments even at low speeds :D

[manky monkey]

Can't say I've had any probs. Just have to lean on the bars a bit to corner at speed. -Maybe you lot are just riding the wrong trikes! :cool:

[Jonnyfp]

I believe the Zetec is front wheel drive, so either mount it at the back with a remote auto lever, or if you mount it lengthways, then you will need to lock one of the driveshafts, otherwise the free one will just spin due to the diff action.
P.S. don't forget to make sure the engine is the right way round, otherwise you will have to turn the axle upsidedown.....

Or have the two drive wheels at the front..Reverse trike like catfish did.

[titusni]

Can't say I've had any probs. Just have to lean on the bars a bit to corner at speed. -Maybe you lot are just riding the wrong trikes! :cool:

I find cornering issues are more to do with the "sharpness" of the corner, rather than the speed.

Is your trike IRS or solid rear axle? IRS doesn't corner as well...

I guess also the type of frontend (leading link or bike forks) and the front tyre size/type are important factors.

[manky monkey]

Yeah, I'd agree with that. I'm running standard Reliant axles in hardtail frames. Can't imagine cornering on 3 wheels with suspension. Imagine it'd wallow a lot? I use standard telescopic forks but use engine oil rather than fork oil to stiffen the damping action. With a rake of something like 45 degrees they don't have as much travel as a standard bike anyway but enough to soak up the bumps. That amount of rake, plus a low headstock & overall centre of gravity seem to make them pretty stable. My own trike uses Suzuki Savage forks with Harley springs & the other two I'm building have 600 GPZ & 900SS Ducati forks. I've tried narrowed Reliant axles but they feel like they're going to fall over on sharp bends so I prefer to stick to full width ones now.

[scraglet]

thank you all but i really need information as to how to obtain manuals and information on legislation not how to implant a zetec as the power scource. i would like to know how everyone else goes about designing the framework and suspension systems. if i use a zetec i will use an auto box mounting the engine in line and a prop alongside a rear axle with floating diff. like i say the mechanical side i have little or no problem with. i throw spanners for 12 hours a day. the problem i have consists of designing the trike and then getting it through the relevent tests to place it on the road. would i possibly be better off buying a part finished project and then working towards getting it on the road modified the way i would like. i can envisage a front engined machine with gearbox under seat with at least 45 % rake and "easy rider" bars. performance bears little consiquence to me. the main use for my trike would be pleasure riding only therefor the traffic and poor weather would little affect me.

[Yoda]

what style of trike are you looking at

i dont think you will find specific details as most trikes are individual
(and i think that a frame can be any shape as long as it is straight)

i thing it would be best to decide on the type of trike you want first then sort out the logistics after the decision is made

for example i am in the process of having one built and have found a similar style that i like to (very roughly) base the frame design on see pic below

then i sourced the parts (well still am as i have only just got the engine)
but i know how i want it to look and once the parts are here the frame can be started on
Yoda

http://www.bikerlifestyle.co.uk/Image/Gremlin/1/images/gremlin%20025.jpg