Hi from the texas border

[eldominico]

Hi guys! I'm starting a XS11 trike project and would like to share my progress with the members and fellow XS lovers of this forum, am I allowed to do so and if so can some one point how and where?

[CatatonicBug]

Welcome to the forum! Are you allowed to do it?? Well, depends on who's permission you are seeking! There have been a couple other trike conversions shared on this forum, though it seems to be less common than making a bobber out of an XS. Considering the fact that one of the nicest features of an XS, the shaft drive, makes a trike conversion a little tricky, you probably won't find a huge amount of guidance from the members here on that part of te project.

However, we do like pictures here, and most folks won't mind following your progress in that way.

[eldominico]

Thank you Catatonic

[QUOTE=CatatonicBug;265684]Welcome to the forum! Are you allowed to do it?? Well, depends on who's permission you are seeking! There have been a couple other trike conversions shared on this forum, though it seems to be less common than making a bobber out of an XS. Considering the fact that one of the nicest features of an XS, the shaft drive, makes a trike conversion a little tricky, you probably won't find a huge amount of guidance from the members here on that part of te project.

However, we do like pictures here, and most folks won't mind following your progress in that way.



Great! I will start a thread about it and post pictures as I go, the drive shaft factor on the XS is what got me into buying it in the first place, I needed a lower $$$$$ alternative considering that the Honda GL's are way more expensive than the XS's since is going to be my first trike conversion ever I don't want to loose so much money if things go south!

[eldominico]

Well first of all Hi to everybody!
here are some pics of the original bike before taking it apart



It runs and drives, I will be rebuilding the carbs this weekend



next step is to strip the whole rear of the bike to measure and plot the attachment points



Everyone is welcome to ask or comment + or - about the project all feedback good or bad is highly appreciated
along my postings please excuse my spelling I can build but I can't spell

[CatatonicBug]

Don't trash the fairing or the luggage rack/saddlebags!! Lots of people would LOVE to have those pieces, especially since they came off a Special!

[tinman905]

Have you decided what you are using for the rear end? Chain drive or are you keeping it shaft driven?

[mro]

Trike

Take a look here

http://www.benefiscal.co.uk/forum/in...p?topic=7190.0

"Tink" is the trike queen... I mean king on the UK site.
If you join there you can do a search to find the thred where he built his.
Seems to be a little more popular across the pond to mod an XS.

mro
BTW, pics are good

[mro]

Here's a link to Tinks site

http://www.trikenest.freeserve.co.uk/


mro

[Yard Dogg]

COOL! We need a trike in our gang! Since your from Texas I trust you will put some Texas Long Horns on the front of it and bring up the rear of the pack. Make sure nobody lags behind, take their colors if they do. Not that it's much of a problem with a bunch of adrenaline junkies

I've always thought a shaft drive bike would be more ideal than a chain drive for a trike especially. I'm sure you know this already, and this is just my opinion, but for safety reasons I hope you decide on a limited slip rear axle. A posi type or rear axle with a locker would make your front tire jump all over the place. Adaption should be easy with the help of a good machinist, you could go a million ways to mount a rear axle. Good luck.

[eldominico]

Don't trash the fairing or the luggage rack/saddlebags!! Lots of people would LOVE to have those pieces, especially since they came off a Special!

I wont they are in a safe place in one piece

[eldominico]

Have you decided what you are using for the rear end? Chain drive or are you keeping it shaft driven?

I going in the direction of shaft, most likely a shortened 1990's mustang with disk brakes

[eldominico]

COOL! We need a trike in our gang! Since your from Texas I trust you will put some Texas Long Horns on the front of it and bring up the rear of the pack. Make sure nobody lags behind, take their colors if they do. Not that it's much of a problem with a bunch of adrenaline junkies

I've always thought a shaft drive bike would be more ideal than a chain drive for a trike especially. I'm sure you know this already, and this is just my opinion, but for safety reasons I hope you decide on a limited slip rear axle. A posi type or rear axle with a locker would make your front tire jump all over the place. Adaption should be easy with the help of a good machinist, you could go a million ways to mount a rear axle. Good luck.

Good idea about the trike theme, have not even think about colors yet, Thank's

[Yard Dogg]

I going in the direction of shaft, most likely a shortened 1990's mustang with disk brakes

I was gonna start mentioning Datsuns and such, but I kind of figured you had a plan so I didn't. I hope you don't mind hearing my 2 cents. If it were me I would look for a real small rear axle to keep the drag on the engine and the friction down, this will be a much lighter application than a car so there's no need for a huge Dana 44 or some junk. The rear disk brakes will be awesome. What year and what sized axle were you looking for? I could keep an eye peeled.

Oh, I was talking about gang colors, but just joking of course.

[eldominico]

I was gonna start mentioning Datsuns and such, but I kind of figured you had a plan so I didn't. I hope you don't mind hearing my 2 cents. If it were me I would look for a real small rear axle to keep the drag on the engine and the friction down, this will be a much lighter application than a car so there's no need for a huge Dana 44 or some junk. The rear disk brakes will be awesome. What year and what sized axle were you looking for? I could keep an eye peeled.

Oh, I was talking about gang colors, but just joking of course.

I know don't worry i will stay with Texas sport teams colors if I use other ones my trike might get trashed

good point on the datsun or smaller car axle, for me is easier and cheaper to shorten a common axle like the one on the Stangs, they cost about 200 including disks and calipers, the other choices will be more expensive to upgrade to disk brakes.
I'm thinking about cutting to 50 inches on the axle, I'm building from scratch so any suggestions are welcome

[Yard Dogg]

Are you thinking of mounting the axle to your existing swing arm pivots, or building an independent type rear suspension system? I think the axle might would put a lot of stress on the swing arm bushings these bikes are equipped with. They're kind of pewny. You could use 4X4 after market adjustable ball joints and build a strong ladder bar box style swing arm with some hefty mounts to the frame. The ball joints are only around $17 to $25 and can be found in stainless steel and even titanium in some cases. You could even switch to a mono shock for a real nice ride.