10-year old Honda CG 150 converted into a tricycle and beaten the hell out of

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Spotted this one after a walk on the beach with a friend. One thing I'm sure is this was not babied. Resale value is not so much of a matter of concern for such motorcycle-based tricycle conversions anyway, basically because much of the payback is inherent to the lower TCO compared to a small econobox used for the same job.

[Stubby79]

If only I could find one of those axles around here for cheap...

[Daschicken]

Looks like that exhaust is pointed at the underside of the boards. Also, am I alone in thinking that brake caliper on the rear axle isn't hooked up?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

That caliper might be hooked up to the parking brake. Notice the handle. And the exhaust is stock from the original motorcycle.

Originally Posted by Stubby79

If only I could find one of those axles around here for cheap...

Wouldn't an axle repurposed from some ATV serve?

[Stubby79]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Wouldn't an axle repurposed from some ATV serve?

No self-respecting ATV would have both a differential and a solid axle. It would either be solid and without a diff, or be independent suspension with CV axles.

Too narrow, besides.

That thing has a diff specifically designed for a chain input, rather than a drive shaft at 90*. You might see such a thing on a trike conversion axle, but those things aren't cheap/mass produced around here.

You could probably rob one from a tuk-tuk or the like, but we don't have those. Annoying regulations.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Stubby79

No self-respecting ATV would have both a differential and a solid axle. It would either be solid and without a diff, or be independent suspension with CV axles.

Too narrow, besides.

I didn't consider that. But anyway, what would you do with that axle? Some attempt of a makeshift 4WD conversion for an early Yaris or a Metro?

That thing has a diff specifically designed for a chain input, rather than a drive shaft at 90*. You might see such a thing on a trike conversion axle, but those things aren't cheap/mass produced around here.

It's not the only option for a chain-input differential that I'm aware. Quaife makes one in England, catering to performance-oriented motorcycle engine conversions into cars, but I wouldn't quote it neither as cheap or mass-produced.

You could probably rob one from a tuk-tuk or the like, but we don't have those. Annoying regulations.

A cousin of my father has once converted a Chevette differential to chain input. And the owner of an older trike still fitted with the 125cc pushrod engine once told me a repurposed Chevrolet Opala (similar in size to the Nova) differential was used in some chain-driven trike conversions.

[Stubby79]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

A cousin of my father has once converted a Chevette differential to chain input. And the owner of an older trike still fitted with the 125cc pushrod engine once told me a repurposed Chevrolet Opala (similar in size to the Nova) differential was used in some chain-driven trike conversions.

Not sure how you'd hook a sprocket up to the ring gear inside, but if it was reasonable, I'd give it a try.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Stubby79

Not sure how you'd hook a sprocket up to the ring gear inside

I haven't seen how it was done, but it remained the ring gear remained sealed inside the stock differential pumpkin. However, some of those trikes leave the differential unsealed.

but if it was reasonable, I'd give it a try.

I wouldn't deem it unreasonable at all.

[woodsrat]

As a point of information some of the Kawasaki KLT-200/250's from the early 80's have a rear end with a differential that can be locked like a 4WD at the hub for off-road use. They were popular for golf course maintenance crews because they wouldn't tear up the sod like an ATV with a straight axle.

I bought one of these rear ends awhile back to use in the construction of a three wheeler for the next time I wang myself and end up on crutches unable to ride. It's out in the barn waiting for me to get off my duff and do something with it.

Supposedly someone locally was using these rear ends to convert 250 Honda Rebels into trikes.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by woodsrat

As a point of information some of the Kawasaki KLT-200/250's from the early 80's have a rear end with a differential that can be locked like a 4WD at the hub for off-road use.

Interesting, but you might remember that lock at the hubs on a 4WD is not a differential lock, it's a free-wheel device to avoid the drag from the differential. BTW is the Kawasaki KLT fitted with a differential or does it resort to a free-wheel simply to disengage one wheel while keeping the other driven normally (in a way similar to those Ural motorcycles with a drive-wheeled sidecar)?