Posts: 460
Threads: 68
Registered: February 26th, 2011
Member Is Offline
Location: Strathbogie Vic
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
posted on March 5th, 2011 at 08:53 PM
Well around $32,000 base model manual then add the options like
top box, ladder bars, spot lights, wide wheels, auto box, large sump, twin carbs etc. Often you end up with around 7-8,000 $ extra. then you trailer
it to your state and register it, a simple procedure as they have compliance plates.
Not cheap- agreed, but I compare it to a Harley at $30,000 minimum and likely $45,000 for the model you want.
I've recently been to hot rod gatherings. Boy they spend money. So I suppose if it is your passion it doesnt matter what it costs.
Bike trikes are no cheaper. If you have a Gold wing and want to convert it to a trike it will cost about $25,000. A reverse trike like a Spyder Cam
am wills et you back $35,000 plus extras. Not a bad machine but you can tow much, a tiny trailer.
Resale value of VW trikes are good because of ordering times. You'll wait 8 months for a panther, the best VW trike in my view. It has airbags, high
instruments and girder forks and is a little heavier on the front wheel.
I already have a Tiguan and i30 so a passion machine was wanted for fun. Its the only one with this custom roof. the engineer wont do another.
I think I am responsible for many neck injuries. Such is the attraction. One thing you must get used to with this trike is the magnet effect. People
come from everywhere with their cameras. Next time I come across busses of Jap tourists I am charging $50 a ride and $10 a photo. They insist I get
in the pic.
Posts: 67
Threads: 0
Registered: December 13th, 2009
Member Is Offline
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
posted on March 6th, 2011 at 10:11 AM
Is the standard vw bottom end very strong? I thought German steel was up there with the best in the world. I have a basically stock engine,
decompressed to about 6.9CR with a crankcase breather can and a IHI rb5 turbo controlled by EDIS/MEGAJOLT ignition. It produces a very safe 75hp@ 8lbs
boost at the rear wheels with an extremely flat 180nm of torque. You can do all this for under $1000 if your butt is as tight as mine. The best thing
is if you get a gut full of bad fuel it takes about 2 minutes to plug in the computer and take out a couple of degrees of advance to stop detonation
until your back on the goodness.
PS fuel consumption is as good as stock if you can limit the joy foot.
Imac
Commited Dubber
Posts: 67
Threads: 0
Registered: December 13th, 2009
Member Is Offline
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
posted on March 6th, 2011 at 10:35 AM
Oh yeh I forgot, I want I guru to correct me if I'm wrong but from my understanding of octane, compression ratios and combustion chamber design. Twin
spark plugs have got nothing to do with performance but because people are running CR's that are way higher than the octane of the fuel allows for,
in an imperfect combustion chamber which the VW is not even close to perfect. I thought it was about getting the flame front from the top to the
bottom before the front caused by detonation gets carried away. It is the meeting of these separate flame fronts that cause the destruction of
engines. So twin plugs in theory work! It's not about bang for the buck but stopping your bucks going bang. I can see justification in there use.
PS I don't run twin plugs. Megajolt eliminates the problem.
PSS higher octane, higher resistance to compression ignition, faster burn, lower combustion temps. (fact)
Please don't correct me if you think I'm wrong but feel free if you KNOW!! I'm wrong.
Joel
Scirocco Rare
Now containing 100% E-Wang
Posts: 9368
Threads: 211
Registered: February 14th, 2006
Member Is Offline
Originally
posted by Imac
Is the standard vw bottom end very strong? I thought German steel was up there with the best in the world.
Stock bottom end will take a small amount of abuse but not really that strong, magnesium is one of the most weakest engine block materials, VW got it
right it right with type4 going aluminum.
I've turboed and supercharged stock bottom ends, they'll take a reasonable amount of boost but trouble is force-fed motors like to rev and unless
you balance the bottom end and run a c/w crank the case is on borrowed time.
Anyway back on topic, they're holding there value well.
What people like Ian are missing is these things only weigh half what a bug does so even with a stock 1600 they get cranking, just run out of
topend.
I Know what mean though Tweety, to get the same attention and fun these do you would have to go and drop $300k on a second hand Murcielago.
Dads had everything from 6 year old kids to 90 year old women on his plus santas and channel nines big dog who literally lost his head during a
wheelie
They're a great money spinner doing trike rides.
When dads mate still had one the two of them running people up to Byron bay lighthouse made $800 in a day.
But I should point out before any pipes up about legalities they were registered as chauffeur vehicles so it was perfectly legal.
tweety
Wolfsburg Wizard
Posts: 460
Threads: 68
Registered: February 26th, 2011
Member Is Offline
Location: Strathbogie Vic
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
posted on March 7th, 2011 at 01:25 AM
Agrees Joel.
Buying a safety yellow trike and addign a roof you'd think I enjoy the attention but - well it wasnt intended. The cameras come out everytime we
take it out. You have to accept it and it took me a long time. I dont mind now excpet for the wankers, those that spin you crap, time wasters but
most are ok.
I have been surfing the net. Vw to Harley adapter kits are available in the states and a few contacts here in oz might have them too. Reaosn I'm
thinking this way is that there are several other engine makes that are the same crankcase pattern as the Harley- Revtech, S&S (expensive), harley
of course, Ultima. Soem of these engines ar 113ci, heaps of low down torque and peak at 5500 rpm- just right for my type three slushy.
It would need a thermo fan, some ducting of air thru the driveline to the donk etc. some places sell these new motors for arouns $4200 aus. Plus
adapter, exhaust. seems reasonable to me. But I'd still prefer the Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 water cooled. But it would required a custom adapter.
I took tweety for a run today and I realise that if I have another 20-30 hp I'd probably be very happy with the 1916 I have.
