Non-Tip 1F-2R Trik Idea

[Angel And The Wolf]

This is a rough and dirty idea of the front geometry that would swing the front wheel out to support the outer front tip point of a traditional trike in a fast turn.
Of course, shrouding would make it prettier, and some kind of springing would be necessary at the wheel hub. *Trike" idea*

[Stubby79]

2f 1r would putthe wheels where they need to be. Not very likely to tip a trike that wide over anyway, though you would be limited on how hard you could steer before it started skidding.

Making it tilt would do it too, though there’s not a lot of point to 3 wheels then.

[Angel And The Wolf]

Originally Posted by Stubby79

2f 1r would put the wheels where they need to be.

Yes, that's the best design, (and my prefered design) though Harley purests insist on the 1F design. This is one way to keep the 1F-2R and prevent the roll over problem.

Originally Posted by Stubby79

Making it tilt would do it too, though there’s not a lot of point to 3 wheels then.

A tilting 1F-2R can be designed with each rear wheel on it's own swing arm, linked to the front wheel's position, and with it's own chain from a forward differential. Too much modification, though, would probably take it out of the Harley fan's interest.

I'm more concerned about Ackermann steering geometry, with the one front wheel swinging from one side to the other.

There are other ways, more compact and less unattractive, to move the front wheel from center to the outside of a turn than this caster design.

[Angel And The Wolf]

I have been thinking about a better front end. I know reverse trikes are inherently more stable, but by swinging the front wheel to the outside of the turn, and pushing the bottom of the tire further out than the top, I believe it can corner like a four wheeler. Harley riders probably won't like the new look, but VW trikers could use it.

[Frank Lee]

I don't think reverse trikes are inherently more stable.

[Angel And The Wolf]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I don't think reverse trikes are inherently more stable.

?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Sure the weight bias, placement of the rider and the overall dimensions might also play an important role for the stability of a trike.

[Angel And The Wolf]

This is a better geometry. As the front wheel moves to the outside of the turn, supporting the imaginary point where the weight would be thrown, it also turns the front into the turn. This is preliminary. I don't have CAD, but a few more modifications should allow the front tire to swing past where it is shown here, as the imaginary weight shift point is actually well outside the body line. This is the upper arms. The lower arms would be slightly different causing the bottom of the tire to lean out farther than the top of the tire, as it would on a motorcycle in a turn.

[Angel And The Wolf]

Have you seen those stunt cars that run up a ramp and drive with one side up in the air? they have special rims to keep the tires on their beads. If this trike had that kind of rim on the front, side tilting would not be necessary. Alternatively, leaning the body corner pivot pins inward toward each other ( / \ ) at the tops might give the desired lean to the front tire in turns, and raise the front outer corner while diving the front inner corner.. Again, without CAD, I have to do all this in my head, or use straight pins and plastic straws, which I haven't yet. This steering may need hydraulic or electric assist. An electric hub-motor in the front wheel could help on very tight turns where the angle is too severe for the rear wheels to do more than push straight ahead on the front tire. I'm begining to see more and more how VW trikers, or trikes made with front drive car engines at the rear could use this.

[Angel And The Wolf]

This one is more aesthetically pleasing. two solidly mounted booms, one from each side of the front of the trike, support a canted swivel plate, whereon are mounted a reverse rake set of springer forks. As the trike handle bars are turned, a chain turns the swivel mounted springer forks to the side, supporting the outer front corner of the trike in a turn. The canted plate will displace the bottom of the front tire further out than the top, helping to keep cornering forces from trying to push the tire off it's bead.