I have recently collected some components in order to build a VW based trike as I had planned to do for some years now. So far, I have a 1500 single port motor, early type1 swing transaxle complete with brakes, springs and bits, 15x8 smoothy steel rear wheels...
What I want to do is build a road going trike to seat 3 people, 1 over the front of the gearbox and 2 people side by side over the axle. I'll be using angled arms with coil over shocks to support the swing axles and a single coil over shock up front laying on top of the front wheel operated by belcranks and pull rods. Handlebars to come directly off the gooseneck.
Now, here's the fun part, I want to make it reflect the styling and features of the early Beetles. So it needs an early headlight fitted into the front guard with indicators on top of the guard. Stand alone rear guards, but very Volkswagenish with VW tail lights. The section behind the seats is to be filled in over the motor as much like a convertible Beetle as possible, and the fuel tank hopefully will look a lot like the front hood although obviously it will have to be turned around to fit the shape. So what I want to end up with is a hot looking trike that screams to anyone that sees it "I'm a Vee Dub"...
I don't care how neat or rough your drawings are, what I'd like to see are ideas for where to fit the VW features into the overall design of a trike. So, whatever you think it needs to borrow from the Beetle in styling to make it look like an old VW concept, put it into your drawing. Obscure ideas are more than welcome, as I won't be working with original sheet metal and I can shape whatever I need using fibreglass over foam formers. I'll probably use bits from everyones drawings in the final design and I'll draw something up showing what I reckon works for me from everyones ideas and present it here to be judged and modified by all before it's commenced.
Remember, I don't care if you can't draw, or even if you're an experienced artist, as it's mainly ideas I would like, and I'd appreciate any effort anyone makes in giving me their suggestions and drawings on here.
Thanks guys (and gals). Have fun...
pete wood ·
Sorry steve but I feel I have to say something,
couldn't you just build another cool buggy instead?
or alternatively, build a custom chopper (fat rear tyre thing) with a VW motor. Give the harley guys a good scare. Just imagine it with type4 motor...yeah! :thumb
seagull ·
seagull ·
my other vw based unit
[Edited on 7-9-2004 by seagull]
last celtic warrior ·
Well actually Pete, It's getting the fat wheels off the back of my buggy, as I'm replacing the hubs, brakes and rims with remachined Volvo and ford components. The buggy is copping major modifications over how it already was and will go back on the road (off-road) with lots of hidden bells and whistles...
The trike is meant to be a semi-chopper style with a hot/tough look and heaps of get up and go...
Something along the lines of this
[Edited on 7-9-2004 by The CAR VET]
last celtic warrior ·
Or this...
seagull ·
this has bettle gards rear cut back ( green machine )
Parts need to be tested ( $$$ )
your front end set up is not a good idea .I show you the best one
The leading link set up is the best way to go very smooth , no bumps .
big wheels mean more time off the road than on , seen guys try to 50ks with big wheels in the rain ( no ) go
more photos
seagull ·
The fist one I doing one out of this * photo *
the v rod , I have seen
last celtic warrior ·
This is just a rough sketch (done after midnight) of the sort of thing I'm getting at... Any ideas or drawings, throw them my way...
seagull ·
hey I have that in the shed !
seagull ·
you need to keep the vw based trike under 450 kg if you go over 450 kg there are lots of things need to changed .
above 450
late model motor > fuel injection cat converter , seats * saddle * type , hight stop light , seat belts at the rear , handle bar height , and read the rest of the 60 adr listings .
you will need an enginer to / test > metal testing reports , brake certs , welding reports * this welding au/ nz 1554 part 1, motor testing * how load the mufflers are , tilt test the trike .
there is more
koolkarmakombi ·
The CAR VET wrote:This is just a rough sketch (done after midnight) of the sort of thing I'm getting at... Any ideas or drawings, throw them my way...
Volks-Ness
I know there are some here who will get that 😉
Car vet, I really think it is worthy of that moniker!
kkk
pete wood ·
Are you gonna mid mount the motor?
go on, they just don't look right with it at the back of the car.:duh
last celtic warrior ·
Bumpety bump...
Anyone having some fun doing sketches and thinking what really makes a Beetle look like a Beetle???
nbturbo ·
Do a search under " Swedish Trike Gallery" and you will find some of the best looking VW Trikes you will ever lay your eyes on.They all have the motor up front and I am waiting on some drawings for frame dimentions and mechanical mods from a bloke in Sweden.