Quad rear swingarm for trike build

ogh11756

ogh11756

Project Hound
Messages
128
Reaction score
2
Points
16
Location
Girard, Pa.
Ok guy's, Just brainstorming with my creative imagination for my next build.
Don't beat me up, i am looking for ingenuity!!
Currently working on a 77 David Bird hardtail (Army theme) but thinking ahead to the next project build with a 75 standard i have leaning against the shed out back.
I would like to turn it into a trike without spending a fortune on a "out of the box kit".
Is there a quad rear end that would handle the cruising speed of a xs650?
I can modify the front to fit the existing frame pivot point and modify the suspension but not sure they are designed to handle the constant speed of street cruising.
Any constructive thoughts will be appreciated.
:umm:
 
I don't remember many/any threads on this site about this but a yahoo search turned up several hits for the XS650chopper site and this youtube.
 
Are there quads with a differential? Doesn't matter much in the dirt but.....

As far as speed I doubt it's an issue. You will probably run a bigger OD tire than the quad did also. Used quad parts can be severely thrashed.
 
gggGary said:
Are there quads with a differential? Doesn't matter much in the dirt but.....

As far as speed I doubt it's an issue. You will probably run a bigger OD tire than the quad did also. Used quad parts can be severely thrashed.
Click to expand...

The shaft drive quads have a differential rear end but not the chain drive ones.
The swing arms i have seen during my preliminary search have had a solid 1 pc axle passing through a tube with bearings. The sprocket is on one side and the brake rotor on the other, or a rear axle assembly that bolts to rear swing arm tabs.
I would also be running xs650 16" rear mags, would have to make adapter's to bolt the quad hubs to the rotor mounting holes or something.
Thanks for the input Gary.
 
Now i know why Gary mentioned the rear differential! with a solid rear axle both rear wheels will be turning at the same speed, And will have the tendency to push the front wheel when making a turn. I didn't think of that !! :doh:
I would have to add a right angle 1:1 gearbox with sprocket input & spline shaft output going to a rear end with differential.
Crap!! $$$ signs are starting to add up.
Not giving up, but need to think on it some more.
Going to look at some trike kit axles on the web and see how they are made.
 
A guy here in Tucson, AZ, made a trike with the XS650 using a Harley servie-car axle. That's the three wheeled delivery Harley made early on. It made a very cool trike. I will try to get a picture up of it.
 
Wouldn't any trike rear end tend to push you in the corners? Tending to lift the inside?
Thinking of the old Honda 3 wheelers and how they rode.
 
weekendrider said:
Wouldn't any trike rear end tend to push you in the corners? Tending to lift the inside?
Thinking of the old Honda 3 wheelers and how they rode.
Click to expand...

Yes, but the limited slip differential handles it better by allowing both wheels to rotate at different speeds while turning.
They also recommend a wide stance in the rear to limit the tendency to lift.
If i remember right, this is why they stopped making 3 wheelers, too much insurance liability for the manufacturers.
Going to check Feebay tonight for Harley servicar rear ends, bet they are getting expensive by now.
I may have to settle for a side car, but really want to build a trike.
 
Some guys are using rears out of mini trucks and flipping them upside down.With no real weight on them it won't hurt them.There's a thread on it @ www.chopperunderground.com.When I was thinking about doing one,I was going to use a Mazda Miata rearend.Or the likes.
 
ogh11756 said:
Ok guy's, Just brainstorming with my creative imagination for my next build.
Don't beat me up, i am looking for ingenuity!!
Currently working on a 77 David Bird hardtail (Army theme) but thinking ahead to the next project build with a 75 standard i have leaning against the shed out back.
I would like to turn it into a trike without spending a fortune on a "out of the box kit".
Is there a quad rear end that would handle the cruising speed of a xs650?
I can modify the front to fit the existing frame pivot point and modify the suspension but not sure they are designed to handle the constant speed of street cruising.
Any constructive thoughts will be appreciated.
:umm:
Click to expand...

Hey do a search in third wheel build forum because DADDYGCYCLES has done 3 wheeler's, he's done them before using a quad swingarm if i remember correctly.
 
RockingThePartyDJ said:
Hey do a search in third wheel build forum because DADDYGCYCLES has done 3 wheeler's, he's done them before using a quad swingarm if i remember correctly.
Click to expand...

Yeah, i looked there already. Didn't find much.
Mostly a green one someone built and gave no details.
And side cars. Maybe i missed something??
 
ogh11756 said:
Yes, but the limited slip differential handles it better by allowing both wheels to rotate at different speeds while turning.
Click to expand...


Any axle diff will let wheels rotate at different speeds. A limited slip diff stops one wheel from spinning so the power is spread over both wheels, eg, racing or sprint cars when taking off or cornering so the power is not lost when one wheel loses traction.

Have heard of small car rear ends with cut down axles used for trikes. Instead of a tail-shaft and pinion a Sprocket is added to the crown wheel for the chain drive to activate the rear axle.

Come across this Link
 
I used a small car rear end on mine, dumped the pinion, replaced the ring gear with a sprocket. Put in sealed bearings, transferred the engine to the rear via jackshaft. Works very well and the jackshaft gives me all the gearing possibilities one could ever want.
 
650Skull said:
Any axle diff will let wheels rotate at different speeds. A limited slip diff stops one wheel from spinning so the power is spread over both wheels, eg, racing or sprint cars when taking off or cornering so the power is not lost when one wheel loses traction.

Have heard of small car rear ends with cut down axles used for trikes. Instead of a tail-shaft and pinion a Sprocket is added to the crown wheel for the chain drive to activate the rear axle.

Come across this Link
Click to expand...

Finally someone who actually knows how differentials work
 

Similar threads

I
some hardtails
2 3
Replies
48
Views
65K
BobbedSled
BobbedSled
Back
Top