reliant trike project

[BIG JAY VTR]

last year i received this part started project,,,,,

a mock up made it look like this

rear axle after sorting and a coat of paint from what i had laying round

and here it is bout half way done

 

[avandriver]

Wow . Can I have a go when its done



Steve

 

[simon718]

i love it

 

[zzr1200]

You couldn't ride that in London, to many damm speed humps, lift the frame by about 4 inches and it might clear the road...

 

[bawjaws]

the paint transforms it, car engine?

 

[andypocock]

I know it's almost traditional to put a Reliant in these devices but have you not been tempted to up the motive power?

A BMW K100 lump is about the same size and weight but 90BHP as opposed to 30BHP. It looks like it is going to be nice and low and I'm sure you could use the extra power.

Keep the pictures coming as it develops.

Andy

 

[bigbadbugga]

What front forks are you using?

I have a VW beetle chassis down the side of the workshop which I'm saving for a trike build in the future.

are you familliar with the trike forums?

http://www.uktriker.co.uk/forums/index.php

 

[BIG JAY VTR]

i had thought of a "bigger" lump but this is my budget trike, stands me at £87 so far maybe when i have a job again ill look at a different lump,, the forks are 650 transalp with a 600 diversion front wheel set in slab ally yokes, the bars, risers and controlls are 650 dragstar, as for ground clearance i am having some 3" extensions made for the forks and putting bigger "balloon tyres on the rear and a bigger tyre on the front, should lift it enough to go over the odd speed hump just been out in the garage doing a bit and came to tack the rear seat mount in place only to find i have no gas,,,,, have to wait till i get hold of a bottle now,, the only trike forum i tend to go on is lancashire trikers as i know a good few of

 

[andypocock]

Given those choices I'd have the Reliant lump and the break from work!

 

[Blackjack]

Usually at this point it's conventional to say something like, "If you don't mind me saying..." but you probably will mind me saying, so that's a bit pointless.

However, chances are the frame is going to break.

Starting at the front, the headstock is inadequately braced, and the top tube is going to start cracking sooner or later, probably sooner.

Round about the middle, you've got that flat bit of material butted to the end of the top tube and the seat rails butted onto that. The vertical members don't appear to have been mitred either. Frankly, it's rubbish.

Back axle mounts, well bolts in shear. Not a big concern as the rest of it probably won't last that long. What's the plate? 1/4"? That's not a lot of metal for the forces involved, so even if the bolts survive, the holes in the plate will elongate.

Take a look at this...

http://www.mankymonkeymotors.co.uk/Tech/Frame/frame1.htm

You'll see there's a bit of a difference.

And, I suppose it's worth mentioning that I'm not just making this up. Frames for bikes and trikes is what I do.

 

[Wedg1e]

You sure it'll turn corners with that fork rake angle?

Might not be so bad on a chop, at least you could lean it...

For an engine, how about Honda's 1261cc V4 from the ST1300... 117bhp, injection, torque curve like a Scania...

 

[BIG JAY VTR]

all of the fore mentioned items are going to be addressed as time goes on,, like i said in my photos the project is only about half way through and there are a lot of bits that the original builder has done that i will be ither re-doing or rectifying, strenthening all the joints was one of the main objectives and the rear axle is to be welded on at least 2 sides of the joint the bolts are just a temporary hold it together item,,,, but i like a bit of constructive commentry as you may see something that i overlook,, thankyou

 

[Normsthename]

I know it's almost traditional to put a Reliant in these devices but have you not been tempted to up the motive power?

A BMW K100 lump is about the same size and weight but 90BHP as opposed to 30BHP

The Reliant 850 engines are rated at 40 BHP
There are a few simple tweaks you can do to make some easy power
There is a simple Inlet manifold mod that will give it 25% more power
A 4 branch manifold will release another 4-5 BHP and a change of Carb to a Weber 34 ICH for example will give a little more
If you go further and change the Cams etc 60+ BHP is within easy reach

Andy

 

[andypocock]

My apollogies to all owners of plastic pigs and members of the 750MC

 

[scarecrow]

I wouldn't mind a go on that myself looks like a fun project and you can always hitch up the gas bottle roller to it and do a bit of gardening

 

[davenport]

i like it!!! its got that mad max vibe...

 

[BIG JAY VTR]

hi all jay here,, lost all my log in details and got all confused.com on the restore/recover stuff so iv had to re-register,, trike ground to a hault due to lack of funds,, then i got a full time job and didnt have any time,, now i have a little time and funds i find my welder is going belly up, grrrrr

 

[the snooper]

nice little project

ive done some work for a couple of lads with boom trikes they are quite nice, with the vw engines in.
his missus also had a cx500 trike with the reliant axle but the steering wasnt upto much on that even with a damper

 

[pedrobedro]

The forks are going to do nothing apart from bend in the middle, cut the rake and lift the front at the same time. That much rake needs springer forks not telescopic. Also can you turn the steering without letting go with one hand, it looks a stretch from the seat to the bars. To go through MSVA you may need to address a few bits.

 

[BIG JAY VTR]

headstock cut off new one sorted froma proper bike not one made from bits of tube with bearings from god knows where in there,, so i can just pop into a local bike spares place and get new bearings, re-raking is happening soon got a mate gunna fabticate a jig for me as he has a true flat table and all the gear so ill get it in the right spot first time had a bit of a mock up with the original at different angles and not only does it look better but it feels better to steer even with no bearings at all, ill get some more recent fotos posted up once i find them on this new computer thingy-mi-bob