I have been getting an itch for years now about owning a trike. A ready built one with a bike engine and chopperish in appearance.
I have never rode one before and know nothing about them, I do have an ancient car driving license so should be able to
drive one legally.
I am about to take the plunge and wanted to know if anyone had any knowledge about them and any pitfalls etc.

Cheers
Andi

Not a motorcyclist and never ridden a 2 or 3 wheel one on the road.

One thing I'd check first is whether a trike should have a reverse gear. If it's a car gearbox then not such an issues, but bike gear boxes tend not to have a reverse gear.

quote:

---

Originally posted by nick205
Not a motorcyclist and never ridden a 2 or 3 wheel one on the road.

One thing I'd check first is whether a trike should have a reverse gear. If it's a car gearbox then not such an issues, but bike gear boxes tend not to have a reverse gear.

---

I think there are probably three different types of trike (based on one front wheel and two rear, not reverse trikes) -

bike with the rear wheel replaced by two using bike engine and chain/shaft drive,
bike front end with spaceframe to take longitudinal car engine and rear axle (often using a rover v8),
bike front end on space frame with VW beetle rear end.

Bit of inspiration:

http://www.westwalestrikeshack.co.uk/

http://boom-trikes.co.uk/

http://www.eurotech-trikes.co.uk/

http://www.rhino-trikes.co.uk/

Ebay trikes

if you want to look at the reverse trikes then MEV/EXO Sports cars with the TR1ke is a good place to start.

http://www.exosportscars.co.uk/sve_tr1ke.html

Otherwise there are a few 1950's morgan style reverse three wheelers - pembleton, blackjack etc.

[Edited on 6/11/17 by Ugg10]

Why not convert a bike into one with a kit
https://www.casarva.co.uk/

Not what you are looking for but I remember seeing the Tri King shortly after it was launched back in the Late 70s/ 80s? over the years we have crossed tracks with the original car which has now lapped the globe in mileage terms. Looks like it is from the 40s but had a Moto GuzzibLe Mans 850 engine up front . A friend who bought a Morgan reckoned he saw one st the Morgan Factory which was the daily driver of one of the workers
Looked at Boom trikes at various shows and they look very very American and rather expensive
HTH!
Mike

some thing to bear in mind when being sucked into bikes -

1) bikes are freezing cold to use, even in summer
2) you will get very very wet in the rain (carry a change of clothes)
4) rain fogs ups your visor so you need it open a bit (rainx works a bit)
5) rain hurts like hell even at 30mph
6) your face/clothes/helmet will be covered with bugs
7) people will pull out in front of you even if you wear a hi viz jacket and have the lights on
8) bike brakes (and grip) is just awful compared to a car
9) their range of fuel is generally poor so always looking for the next filling station
10) big windshields slow you down but make a cruiser so much more pleasant

saying that I love riding them

Thanks all.

Andi