Hey guys,
Well figured i should start a thread for my new trike project. Going to be a long one as im working to a budget so will need to hunt our bargains for parts etc. Background to this project is that i have built a few custom bikes now, i say built but what i mean is modified as my skills are not yet up to a full ground up build. My dad and I have always talked about building a trike together and i found a trike 'project' locally for affordable money ( managed to juggle a few bits i had laying about so effectively its cost me nothing ) so thought i would snap it up so we could stop talking about it and start doing it!
So these are the pictures from the advert:
So it was delivered and tucked up in the garage next to my MZ
Bike was a 1984 Yamaha XJ750 which someone had started to convert into a trike using a cut down (600mm) mk2 escort axle. Turns out the project is more like a collection of parts and once i started to strip it down in my garage i found some new techniques for bike building that i didnt know existed! The person had used liquid metal to mount a few of the panels which was interesting but having seen the state of some of the welds im guessing they decided the liquid metal was stronger! The previous owner said that the frame had been built as a bolt on ( i was always planning full hard tail and SVA so this didnt really matter ) but once i was able to see what they had done it turns out it was bolted on, then welded! Also doesnt look like they had a spirit level as some of the pieces dont even line up properly. Anyway I will let the pictures do the talking but be warned these are not pretty. PARENTAL DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Still with me or have you been sick yet? Well i have decided that im not happy to risk my neck on this frankenstein of a frame so now its a case of finding someone to build me a hardtail frame to take the engine, axle and front end from this. I know the final look im going for and have seen something similar
A few people have mention about the width of the rear end but i am planning to use VERY wide wheels ( minimum of 12" ) which should hopefully address the short axle. The reason i want to keep it narrow is that i would like it to fit into the back of a van. This is for 2 reason, firstly should i need to get it somewhere if it breaks down then i have access to a van and secondly, i plan to revist the isle of man at some point ( lived there for 7 years ) and if i can put this in a van its cheaper to get across on the boat and i can then throw a matress on the flor of the van and instant hotel!
With all this in mind i have drawn up a crude design for the frame and now just need to find someone who can build it for me, oh and probably sell my MZ to pay for it
So thats where i am at the minute, i will update as i go along but this certainly isnt a short project but once done this puppy will be staying with me for life.