trike

[bookem]

I'll offer any help I can. I have built a trike from a Russian Ural and have plans to turn a 78 xs750 into one as well. It was the parts bike for the one I just got going. Right now I'm turning a 78 DT125 yamaha dirtbike into a street trike for my oldest son when he graduates next spring. Like I said I'll help any I can.

[slow mo]

hi freddy

and thanks to all that posted!you are the sidecar man,,but i have had this notion for a while now the 2500 is the upper limit of my attempt ,,that price gives me a functional trike with good mechanics,,no fiberglass body ,,just fenders so far in my plans ,,so lets see how far this goes ,,thanks again and ride safe ,,slow mo!

[DGXSER]

Hey Mo, Given my recent incident, I certainly understand how it is when your muscles just aint what they used to be. I realize I am fortunate enough to be able to build them back up and lament that you will not.

I commend you for looking to find a way to continue to do what you love. IF I can be any help from this far across the world, be happy to lend any parts I can.

[bikerphil]

Mo, don't know if you saw this one already.....

http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j5...s1100%20trike/

[crazy steve]

One thing I've always been curious about is the near-universal use of automotive wheels in the rear on trikes. Granted, some bike wheels would be difficult to 'convert', but it seems to me the XS rear wheel is nearly tailor-made for trike use. You could mount it like a 'spline drive' wire wheel, or just simply use the six holes for for the spline unit as lug nut holes. It's not like you need the extra traction of the larger wheels, and I see a considerable weight savings in the lighter wheel/tire assembly, as well as savings from smaller fenders, etc. This would reduce unsprung weight and improve ride/handling quite a bit.

Granted, these aren't designed for the side loads a car wheel sees, but given the handling characteristics of trikes, I don't think it would ever be an issue...

[subike]

One thing I've always been curious about is the near-universal use of automotive wheels in the rear on trikes. Granted, some bike wheels would be difficult to 'convert', but it seems to me the XS rear wheel is nearly tailor-made for trike use. You could mount it like a 'spline drive' wire wheel, or just simply use the six holes for for the spline unit as lug nut holes. It's not like you need the extra traction of the larger wheels, and I see a considerable weight savings in the lighter wheel/tire assembly, as well as savings from smaller fenders, etc. This would reduce unsprung weight and improve ride/handling quite a bit.

Granted, these aren't designed for the side loads a car wheel sees, but given the handling characteristics of trikes, I don't think it would ever be an issue...

The reason for the use of wide car tyres on trikes is two fold, oviously the looks might seem to be one. But the more important part is that a car tyre that is wide, becomes a major part of the suspension. When you run the tyres at around 10 -15 psi, just enough to keep them inflated , flat across the tread, they absorb the majority of small bumps in the road giving you a comfortable ride. Also due to the triangle aspect of a trike, its hight, and the g force when cornering, you want very limited rear suspension, or you will find yourself tipping over. Soft wide tyres will flex in the corners giving you max grip with good suspension without the center of gravity moving too far to the outside of the corner where it would cause you to flip.

[cywelchjr]

The reason for the use of wide car tyres on trikes is two fold, oviously the looks might seem to be one. But the more important part is that a car tyre that is wide, becomes a major part of the suspension. When you run the tyres at around 10 -15 psi, just enough to keep them inflated , flat across the tread, they absorb the majority of small bumps in the road giving you a comfortable ride. Also due to the triangle aspect of a trike, its hight, and the g force when cornering, you want very limited rear suspension, or you will find yourself tipping over. Soft wide tyres will flex in the corners giving you max grip with good suspension without the center of gravity moving too far to the outside of the corner where it would cause you to flip.

I think that also car tires are cheaper and last a lot longer (more miles) than bike tires, especially with the amount of load you add with a trike), and also car tires are designed for staying vertical and having side load applied. Bike tires are intended for leaning into the turn, and don't have that flat aspect ratio expected for a tire that doesn't lean into turns.

[slow mo]

Fellow xsers

YOU PROVE TO ME ONCE AGAIN THE GREATNESS OF XS11.CALM!! sorry caps lock was on ,,no matter!i meant that statement,,thank you all ,,i will use each bit of info as i can,keep you informed ,it will be a slow process thanks again and ride safe ,,slow mo!

[rover]

trike

The driveshaft of the XS11 turns the opposite direction of any auto I have ever heard of. There are two ways to overcome this. One is to build a reversing box, which someone here did, and posted pictures and instructions on how to do this. The other way is to turn the rear end up side down, but then the helical gears will try to ride up instead of pulling together in mesh, also making that whine you hear in manual shift cars while in reverse. Sidecar or training wheels are the best options.

[crazy steve]

... But the more important part is that a car tyre that is wide, becomes a major part of the suspension. When you run the tyres at around 10 -15 psi, just enough to keep them inflated , flat across the tread, they absorb the majority of small bumps in the road giving you a comfortable ride. Also due to the triangle aspect of a trike, its height, and the g force when cornering, you want very limited rear suspension, or you will find yourself tipping over. Soft wide tyres will flex in the corners giving you max grip with good suspension without the center of gravity moving too far to the outside of the corner where it would cause you to flip.

While I'll agree that looks (for some people) and ease of use (and as Cy pointed out, tire mileage) make a car tire attractive, I'm still not convinced the above is true. Running a car tire at that inflation may 'improve' the ride, but will put more heat into the tire due to the extra 'flexing' it's doing, and at that pressure may not have any more load-carrying capability than a pair of motorcycle tires. And I don't understand how having 'limited' suspension improves handling; that seems to me to be a throwback to the rigid-framed bikes of old, where the tire is the majority of your 'suspension'. To me, anything that reduces unsprung weight is a good thing, allowing your suspension to work properly...

[cywelchjr]

While I'll agree that looks (for some people) and ease of use (and as Cy pointed out, tire mileage) make a car tire attractive, I'm still not convinced the above is true. Running a car tire at that inflation may 'improve' the ride, but will put more heat into the tire due to the extra 'flexing' it's doing, and at that pressure may not have any more load-carrying capability than a pair of motorcycle tires. And I don't understand how having 'limited' suspension improves handling; that seems to me to be a throwback to the rigid-framed bikes of old, where the tire is the majority of your 'suspension'. To me, anything that reduces unsprung weight is a good thing, allowing your suspension to work properly...

Actually my point was that car tires are more suited to trike use than MC tires because they are being used in the mode they were designed for. MC tires are built to lean into turns, and are not optimized for side forces when vertical and car tires are made to stay vertical and are optimized for that mode. My point is that you should always use the proper tool/item, so for auto style use, an auto tire, and for MC type use a MC tire.

[ManitoulinLad]

That'll be cool!!

Hey Mo: Good Luck with the build. That bike will be great. I imagine that the Tinman will be helping to guide you so all should go well. Glad to hear that your still gonna ride. A trailer bunk at the camp with be ready for ya when you show up with that ride. Hell, you'll be the talk of the town. Keep us informed on the build - it would be great to follow the forum. Adios for now - Dan

[fredintoon]

One thing I've always been curious about is the near-universal use of automotive wheels in the rear on trikes. Granted, some bike wheels would be difficult to 'convert', but it seems to me the XS rear wheel is nearly tailor-made for trike use.

Hi Steve,
it ain't car wheels per se that's the problem on trikes, it's the horkin' great fat-tired chromed rims dictated by stylists.
Ordinary normal-sized car tires and rims will work just fine.
I don't see the XS11 rear wheel as being "tailor-made" for a driven axle by a long chalk.
The one good thing is being able to salvage that unobtainable bearing for resale after you've gutted and overbored the hub
but that won't hardly cover the cost of all the necessary machining.

[natemoen]

Could always just use a small thin automotive tire if your looking to save weight, say from a geo metro or ford festiva. I think they are usually a 145/R12.

[slow mo]

The driveshaft of the XS11 turns the opposite direction of any auto I have ever heard of. There are two ways to overcome this. One is to build a reversing box, which someone here did, and posted pictures and instructions on how to do this. The other way is to turn the rear end up side down, but then the helical gears will try to ride up instead of pulling together in mesh, also making that whine you hear in manual shift cars while in reverse. Sidecar or training wheels are the best options.

is there anything i can do to the rear end to avoid that whine ?? thank you and ride safe ,,slow mo!