The Trike Project

[wildbro 14]

It has been ages since I have posted anything. My new job has me traveling constantly so I don't have much time at home.

While I have a break I thought I would share my latest project. I wanted to build a trike but after looking at a several, most used a chain and sprocket set up. I thought was a bit too complicated.

If you had a tractor using a drag link for stearing it was much easier. I had the remains of a 1277 and to keep the wife happy I needed to keep cost to a minimum.

 

So began my quest to build a trike with a simple steering set up using what I had laying around the shop.

 

 

 

 

I removed the rear plate holding the front axle.

 

 

I wielded two plates to the underside of the frame and mounted a 2.5 inch bearing plate that I purchased.

 

Next I set up the frame and leveled it.

 

 

I then mounted a pipe and wielded a tab to the top and drilled holes at the bottom and used all thread for my axle. I used some 4 inch wheels I had laying around.

 

I played around for a few days with several configurations for the steering before I settled on one to use. I wielded a bolt to the end of the steering shaft.

 

 

 

I then wielded a piece of flat bar parallel with the frame on the end. This minimised the arc of the plate as the steering wheel is turned.

 

 

I then used a piece of flat bar to tie the steering plate with the front tab on the upright tube using rubber gromets and poly insert nuts to allow the bar to flex.

I cut a notch in the frame at the front for clearance. It stears just fine with this set up.

 All of the wielding was done with a MIG which dosent get hot enough to be perminant. After disassembly the pieces were taken to my Uncle for final wielding and cutting.

 

The only engine I had laying around was an Onan 140 Elete so that will be my power.

I did a final mock up before disassembly.

 

 

 

At this point the project is back from sand blast and I am waiting for warmer weather to begin fiinal paint and assembly. I hope to have it ready for the Wheel Horse Collectors Club Show in June.

 

Time permitting I will post some of the build picts here.

 

Wildbro

Edited March 12, 2013 by wildbro

[VinsRJ 721]

Looks like a great project! Looking forward to seeing it in June!

[Kelly 1,029]

I would like to build a trike someday, but I have a question? you say MIG welding is not hot enough to be permanent why do you say that?? I have been welding for near 30 years with a mig welder building my race cars and all the cars I repair at the bodyshop I work at.

[Terry M-(Moderator) 2,175]

I like your idea for the steering set-up.  can't wait to see more!!

[groundhog47 347]

Wildbro, You know what, it may have been ages but you gotta good post. I've admired and wondered how the steering and fab up was done on the row splitter front, that looks so neat. Does the big pillow block bearing bolt up without "squeezing in" the frame??

Lookin' forward to progress pics, Thanks

[wildbro 14]

It is hard to see the metal thickness in the pictures. Since I was using what was laying around the plate and bar stock was thicker than I would have liked. Wielding these pieces to the frame with the MIG did not give enough penetration. So they needed touched up with a stick wielder.

 

The bearing plate is just the right size no squeezing required.

 

I'll do my best to get some of the build pictures posted  

 

 

Wildbro

[Jake Kuhn 1,554]

Looking great!

[Gene_S 93]

Wildbro do you have a small 120vac mig welder? I also have a 120vac 140 amp mig and I build trailers with it. The biggest key to using these welders is a good power source. You'll lose a lot of amp draw using light extension cords. Also are you using gas or flux core wire? But as for your project it's looking good!

Edited March 10, 2013 by Gene_S

[JimD 3,345]

Wildbro, I'm liking this project a lot. Can you post bigger pics? They don't enlarge when you click on them. I real would like to get a good look at your Fab work. Very nice.

[wildbro 14]

I have a very old 120 VAC wire flux core MIG.

 

Sorry I didn't try to open the images.

 

Here are larger images

 

Tomorrow Im on the road again.

 

So it may be a few weeks till I can post.

I'll try to look in from the road on my laptop.

 

Wildbro

Edited March 12, 2013 by wildbro

[welderman85 53]

great work

[wildbro 14]

I have been working on the trike for about 6 weeks so as promised here is an update.

 

After the pieces were returned from sand blasting it was obvious that after sitting outside for who knows how many years the main pieces have large areas of pitting.

 

Normally I would use glazing putty for the small stuff and bondo for the larger but in this case it would take 4 tubes of glazing putty and then some.

 

So I decided to take care of the worst areas and leave the remaining as is. Because of the condition of the metal automotive paint was out of the question since it would amplify all the flaws.

 

I decided to go with Tractor Supply IH Red since I have half a gallon left over from another project. This left my budget with some money to add some frills I have been wanting to try for some time.

 

When I was younger I restored/modified cars (God I wish I had that $$$ back) sooooo I thought why not add some custom stuff

 

Under body neon lighting is neat so why not?

 

 

I found a small kit  with six lights that can product three colors Red, Green and Blue. I will set it for Red.  Installation is best done before attaching the sub frame to the transmission.

 

I decided to install the steering tower so I can finish my wiring without other parts getting in the way.

 

 

I added a gauge cluster that has Volt Meter, Oil Pressure and Oil Temp.

 

I found a motorcycle AM/FM Radio so what the heck might as well have some tunes.   

 

A few lighted toggle switches complete the package.

 

When the wiring is complete I will Install the engine, add the dash so I can complete the wiring process.

 

 

The trike is being built to pull our "Hauler"

 

 

Since  the umbrellas did not work well I am taking some time off this week to fabricate a "surry"  top complete with fringe.

 

Hopefully my idea for the frame works 

 

Thats it for now. Will post more later.

 

Wildbro

Edited April 21, 2013 by wildbro

[Coadster32 793]

Really good fab work. The last trike I remember, the pics used roller chain. I like the under-frame lighting and gage setup. Very nice indded.

[wildbro 14]

Here are a few more pictures of the build.

I mounted my engine and it proved to be a real tight fit. I modified the battery box to just the size of my battery so that everything would fit.

I had to put a small notch in the battery box to clear the steering shaft but we did get everything to fit with the exception of the air box.

For now it will do I'll fab something at a later date. I connected the gauges and ran and dressed my wiring and mounted the tires.

 All my pieces are painted so now it is just a matter of assembly but there is still a lot to do.

 

 

 

My Dad said the trike should have a canopy since our "Hauler" now has one

So I looked around and found a sheet of aluminum plate and some plastic sheets.

Some paint and a few pop rivets later I had a canopy. It gave me a good place to put some lights and I needed a place to put the radio antenna

 

 

I"m hoping to finish the project over the Memorial Day weekend.

 

Later

 

 

Wildbro

[Don1977 604]

What kind of engine is that?

[rdmanone 29]

Wow that looks really good.  

[wildbro 14]

The engine is an Onan 140 

14 hp. 

[fabricator2009 48]

I like it. Nice work.

[JC 1965 1,530]

Wow !!  That looks great. What size are the rear tires ?   

[Wishin4a416 2,191]

That is really going to look nice!!

[wildbro 14]

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend

 

Mine was a disaster !!!

 

I thought I had a good chance of completing the trike but NO!!

 

First my engine had carburetor issues. After tearing it apart it was obvious that a rebuild or new carburetor was my only hope. Since it is an Onan/Cummins parts are VERY expensive and take time to get.

So that left me with plan B . I picked up a 14 HP China clone from a surplus site. The box looked like it fell down Mt Everest but the engine in it looked OK and the price was right.

I did not want to use this engine since the design would mean cutting the hood BUT it was my only option.

 

I gassed it up crossed my fingers and gave it a try. It started up no problem. It idles a bit rough but otherwise it runs just fine.

 

So now I had to remove the bad engine and wiring and mount the new engine and rewire it. I fit the hood and cut a notch to clear the carburetor.

 

So at this point I am basically back where I started.   

 

My Dad is really looking forward to this tractor and the show in June. He is 85 and every year he goes with me is a gift so come hell or high water I'm going to finish this thing.

 

I'm loading the tractor and taking it  home where I have more resources namely my uncle who has the torches, welder and brake to fabricate what I need to finish.

 

We need to fab something to cover the carburetor, make a frame for the canopy and while we are at it fab something better out of plate for the canopy.

 

I will then need to sand and touch up the hood and fender pan, run and hook up the remaining wiring .

 

So here is where we stand at the moment.

 

 

 

 

If I have time I will try to put up the finished pictures.

 

Wildbro

[AMC RULES 37,125]

Looks awesome so far.    

[horsesaver98 18]

That is very cool

[Jake Kuhn 1,554]

That is turning out awesome!

[Zeek 2,286]

Nice job getting that together.  I tell my wife EVERY project seems to take twice as long as planned

 

Can't wait to see it in person!