I've been getting a few parts together for the trike I'm building. So far I've just about got everything... VW 1200 motor, BorgWarner 35 auto box, '95/'96 Subaru diff & rear suspension unit, Hyundai 14x5.5 rear rims (round holes like Holden pursuit rims), fat rear tyres, Vauxhall Wyvern (as far as I can tell) 17 inch front wheel and motorbike tyre, Harley Davidson carby, Ford front hub and knuckle with ventilated disc...
There are other bits too of course. Now I've started modifying components like the Ford spindle, where I've trimmed off sections that aren't needed from the cast iron shape and I'm using the caliper mounting holes to also mount the spindle to the suspension arm. The front arm is a similar design to an aircraft nose wheel.
The back end is getting a transverse leaf spring under the folding bench seat with upright Mini shocks mounted inside the guards.
I was going to do the panels in fibreglass, but I think I've decided to do it all in steel now. I'll have to check back with me on that one... LOL
I'm configuring the seats so that you lift the driver/pillion seat to fold out the bench seat for 2 extra people (my kids) and when the main seat is lowered again it locks the other seat in place. The rear passengers sit partly under the pillion seat to keep everyone together and cosy.
Oh, and the trike will have a heater, courtesy of the VW motor which sits right in front of the driver's feet, with a small panel that either deflects hot air downwards, or over the drivers legs on a cold day. And yes, the VW tinware and fan housing are gone, with a horizontal belt drive fan like a Corvair motor has.
My kids picked out the colour I'm painting it. Plum purple. But of course I had to modify that too, now it's going to be plum purple with red/yellow flames.
I'll post some pics pretty soon.
last celtic warrior Wolfsburg Wizard
402 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·