Universal Trike Conversion Kit

[Richie Rich]

A few months ago, my wife underwent a total knee replacement surgery. As part of her rehabilitation, she's been riding a stationary recumbent bike to build up strength in her leg.

With the good weather finally here, I wanted her to join me in my bike trail rides, but riding a 2-wheeler might be difficult since she can't maintain the speed required to keep her balance.

So, I'm currently building a 'Universal Trike Conversion Kit'. This kit will allow me to easily convert any 2-wheeler into a trike.

I'll post pictures here as the project moves along.

Attached is a shot of the basic frame as of today.

Stay tuned for progress updates....

.....Richie Rich >>

[SirJoey]

Looks like you may be on to something, Richie. Can't wait to see more!

[TheKid]

I copied one of those from pic of a Sun trike rear. It's buried in my garage with the DW rear. I forgot all about it. Thanks for reminding me. I was going to use it for a quad, but the DW plans came along, so I scrapped it for the lower DW design. If I find it, maybe I'll use it for a hauling trike. I made it from 1 1/4" EMT so I could use 5/8" flange bearings, and 1" EMT for connecting the two sides.
I hope your wife is recovering quickly.

[Richie Rich]

I made it from 1 1/4" EMT so I could use 5/8" flange bearings, and 1" EMT for connecting the two sides.I'm also using flange bearings with a 5/8" axle. A 6-speed freewheel will drive the right side axle.

I hope your wife is recovering quickly.Thanks...she's off the cane and is doing well. A nice advantage to this whole ordeal is that she has a 6-month 'Handicap Placard' for her car which allows her to park close to stores, restaurants etc.
On second thought, maybe parking too close to stores isn't such a good thing after all...!! :confused:

.....Richie >>

[TheKid]

Okay. You got me. What's the theory for using the right side axle?
That's good news about your wife being off the cane. I still need a cane after breaking my leg last April, so I would assume your wife's doctors are happy with her progress.

[stormbird]

Richie

You need to be real careful , whilst your idea is sound a upwrong bike made into a trike is a tricky beast to ride and they don't like going around corners at all.

You have to sit out over the inside wheel like on a motorbike sidecar , not some thing someone with a injured leg wants to do ?

regards Paul

[Richie Rich]

Okay. You got me. What's the theory for using the right side axle? The freewheel will be on the right in order to line up with the chainring. This leaves the left axle free to accept a band brake if needed.

The photo below shows where we are today.....

---{RR}--

[Richie Rich]

Richie

You need to be real careful , whilst your idea is sound a upwrong bike made into a trike is a tricky beast to ride and they don't like going around corners at all.Fortunately, the trail which we ride is a smooth, well paved access road which runs along a scenic canal. It's quite straight and level for several miles. There's just one turn and that's the one to turn back. Plus, she'll be going very slow at first which is why we need the trike - she'd fall off a 2-wheeler at such slow speed.

Thank you for your concern, Paul.

......Richie >>

[TheKid]

I see, said the blind man. When I showed my original plan to a self professed expert, he said you can't put the chain on the right wheel, because the crown in roads will wreak havoc if you power on the right side. However, when I rode my quad against traffic, ( There's a certain point in my travels that requires this for a few hundred feet.) I didn't notice any difference, so I assume that theory is unproven.

[Richie Rich]

UPDATE...

The trike conversion module is coming along nicely. Attached is a shot of a conventional 2-wheeler with the module attached. I took it for a short test ride and nothing broke or fell off, so it looks like it's a 'keeper'.

Next comes a nice, big trike seat for comfy rides and then some paint.

Stay tuned....

.......Richie >

[TheKid]

Now all you need is a non suspension tadpole.

[SirJoey]

Congratulations, Richie. You've invented the "EZ Granny" trike! :D

[Pagan Wizard]

I know it is a bit late, but I thought you could use the pics on this eBay page for some tips or other ideas.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rear-frame-overdrive-disc-brake-recumbent-trike-BIKE_W0QQitemZ160226141412QQihZ006QQcategoryZ10694 9QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Richie Rich]

I know it is a bit late, but I thought you could use the pics on this eBay page for some tips or other ideas.Thanks, P-Dub....On the next one I build, I may use the integral disc brake he shows.

The kit is now complete and the sun came out long enough for me to take a thorough test ride. Now I just need a couple of warm days to slap some paint on it.

.........Richie Rich >>

[Richie Rich]

My Grandson paid me a visit so we took advantage of the great weather and did some cruisin'.

Both the "Quad Mod" and the newly build "Trike Mod Kit" performed as designed.

The trike gets some paint this week and then pix get sent to the "Gallery".

Stay tuned.......

......Richie Rich >>

[AtomicZombie]

Great rides!

That quad looks like fun indeed. How is the pivoting front over bumps?

Brad

[Richie Rich]

Great rides!

That quad looks like fun indeed. How is the pivoting front over bumps?

Brad

Thanks for the comment, Brad. The 'Rock 'n' Roll' front end works perfectly. As I was riding on some uneven terrain, I watched as the crossarm moved up and down while the main frame stayed level. Simple, yet effective.

....Richie >>

[Richie Rich]

I put the finishing touches on the "Universal Trike Conversion Kit" today.

I designed it to fit nearly any 2-wheeler which will convert it to a trike.

All parts are readily available from most major hardware stores and your backyard "Junque Boxx".
To keep cost to a minimum, the wheels are the same design as the 'Delta Wolf'.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2244/2424489722_cf4c673737.jpg


Next, I'll post pix of a 2-wheeler with the kit attached.
Stay tuned....

.......Richie Rich >>

[TheKid]

Nice job Rich. I ran into a couple of hubs that are designed as a mid drive for this application:

http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=5522

http://www.niagaracycle.com/product_info.php?products_id=5524

[trikeman]

Super job Rich. Very professional looking. I can't wait to see how it attaches.

[SirJoey]

Pretty trick, Richie! Keep the pics coming, I wanna see MORE!

Now you've got me keeping an eye open for a junk granny trike, just for the kool salvageable parts!

[Richie Rich]

Now you've got me keeping an eye open for a junk granny trike, just for the kool salvageable parts!They're hard to come by, Joey. I got lucky when I found the one I used for my 'CHOPPER' trike. And as you can see in the pix on my blog, there wasn't much I could salvage from the rusted out hulk.

That's why I decided to try my hand at building a trike rear that would fit on nearly any 2-wheeler. As you can see in the picture on the previous page, it's all locally acquired material. The entire project cost around 50 bucks (USD). That's about 1/4 what you'll pay for the kits you can buy on the Internet.

...Richie >>

[Richie Rich]

Super job Rich. Very professional looking. I can't wait to see how it attaches.OK, T-Man....here are some pix showing the trike rear attached to a 2-wheeler.....

+++++[RR]+++++
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[SirJoey]

'bout time you cranked out something halfway decent looking, Richie. ;)

[Richie Rich]

'bout time you cranked out something halfway decent looking, Richie. ;)With the good weather and longer days finally here, I have to divide my time between buildin' and ridin'......

:confused: Decisions....decisions.... :rolleyes:

----->RR<----

[Richie Rich]

Updated construction pictures of my home-brewed Universal Trike Adaptor are now on line.
Click here....

www.trikekit.blogspot.com (http://www.trikekit.blogspot.com)

Enjoy.....Richie >>
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