Three-Wheel Think Tank

[ciderbarrel]

I've always wanted to build a Vortex reverse trike. Instead of a bike engine, I would love to use a VW TDI engine. I haven't sat down to iron out the details but my thought was to basically gut as many totaled 99-04 manual jetta/golf to get undamaged engine/tranny, wiring harness, and air and fuel systems to be able to transplant them into the trike.

Obviously the front end shape of the Vortex would have to change. If I had the skills, I would mount the engine in the back and run a drive shaft to the back tire like on my Valkyrie.

Why diesel? Torque and the option of adding/making bio-diesel.

[Smurf]

Along those lines, I considered a small pickup engine/trans with a shaft drive rear wheel, but from all my research the motorcycle shaft rears are really goofy with their gearing and it turns into a pain.

However, chain drives and jackshafts are another story.

[ciderbarrel]

That is what the Vortex plan calls for, chain drives and jack shafts.

Just thinking out loud: a VW TDI engine in the back of the trike with a chain going from the axle (transaxle?) to a jackshaft with chain to the rear tire.

[Smurf]

Originally Posted by ciderbarrel

Just thinking out loud: a VW TDI engine in the back of the trike with a chain going from the axle (transaxle?) to a jackshaft with chain to the rear tire.

Interesting thought. I think I can see what you mean? Build it basically like most reverse trikes, but with the TDI behind the seats instead of a bike engine. Might take some fancy duct work, and plenty of strength in the middle of the chassis, but I can see that possible.


That's what that dash design looks like in an exo-style frame. Every time I play around designing something, it inevitably ends up looking similar to this, with or without exposed frame. The small stick-outs on the front are the width of a VW beam.

[niky]

Interesting tandem here with exposed trellis design:

[Smurf]

I like that. How tall is it? Looks like a GEM on steroids.

[niky]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...uFc4d3dA#at=40

From this, appears to be around four feet? To be honest, when I copy-pasted the pic, I was looking for a Chinese three-wheeler that's somewhat similar. Tandem, but fully enclosed. Forgot to save the url of that one.

[Smurf]

That Acrimoto link is not bad, but when they say ~35 mile range and $17,500... That's quite unreasonable to expect people to gobble that up. If he priced them as rolling chassis without batteries, I'm sure it would sell more.

[Smurf]

EcoTrike

Any thoughts on that design?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by niky

Interesting tandem here with exposed trellis design:

That's a nice design.