Wow Paul! I can only imagine how amazing it must feel to be able to finally drive the vehicle you dreamt of since your youth. The series and this video in particular is very inspiring and makes me want to have a workshop of my own. She drives really well and you can see how much you enjoy to drive her around, the smile on your face througout this video says enough!
I'm pleased to be able to follow this project. I was a fan of Doug Malewicki's California Commuter too but don't have the skills to build something like this. Looking great! Thanks for making the video!
Super cool project! My 2001 Honda CBR600F4i has been in the garage for the last 15 year but I don’t really want to ride in that position. I’m going to start dreaming about a trike conversion like this!
Great build. I was so sad when I saw you sell your first trike. Now you are building one again and there is much rejoicing here. I just got a bike to start building one myself. Honda CX. 500. Got a old Porsche rack and pinion. A Opel gt front suspension. And a great interest in coroplast.
Well done! It’s beautiful! Ever since I saw a Morgan and a Messerschmitt as a kid, I always wanted to make a trike but in the same config you chose using a cycle frame and drive train but maybe a vw bug front end with lightened torsion bars to make it softer.
With that open cockpit it must be something to drive! Impressing how you were going after potholes to see how it reacted. I can see your a test pilot at heart.
In the 1950's My Grandfather built a 3 Wheeled Go-Kart for my dad....Later it became mine.... The frame was made from Car Drive Shafts in "T" configuration...U-Joints for Steering Knuckles... It only had rear brakes, and used 10" wheel in rear for BMW Isetta and Pulleys for front wheels and Aircraft tires in front... Started with 3.5 Clinton, it had a 372 JLO snowmobile engine at one time...I had a 6HP Tecumseh on it the most... I had CVT style belt drive to Jackshaft and Chain final drive... The 6HP would take it 40mph...the 372 was something like 18HP and 70 was attainable...never had enough brakes for that... But it was heavy as heck as it had full roll cage with forward protection. My dad told me, originally they had used spoke cycle-wheels like yours has, but they don't take well to "side loads" and folded over...
I don't know why this was in my recommendeds but I'm glad it was. Watching this answered two questions: will it drive out nicely? Yes. What am I going to do for the next hour or two? Watch the whole build series. Liked and subbed.
Hi Paul, I'm building a motorized bike with rear suspension, a similar trailing arm to yours and spring welded on a similar angle to the top of rear seat post bar. My problem is when the arm squats down the top chain tightens up and lose the travel. When I pedal the same thing happens, the top chain tightens and lose travel. This means The chain is holding up the bike, and I believe the same is true with your design and have lost the small travel you had without the chain and are putting strain on the drive gear and shaft. I did not know dirt bikes have a chain guide and slack to compensate for the travel. I'm scratching my head about this as the frame is awesome and don't want to give up on a full suspension dirtbike style motorized bike. Looking forward to your next ride that bike is sick and you are an inspiration to all builders of manly things.
My rear swing arm pivot was placed too far back. This, like you mentioned, has created a bit of a jerk on big rear wheel bumps. The pivot should be closer to the drive sprocket. At this point it would entail major remods to achieve that, so I'll keep it as is and avoid rear wheel pot holes at speed.
@@paulwelkinsdiy Thank you so much Paul. I was looking more for advice and got it than see you dismantle your trike. Pivot close as I can to the cranks and engine gear. Thanks again for help.
Now we need to see a leaning version. Check out what Norman Hossack did way back with his wishbone suspended bike front ends. A version of that with rocking arms gave a tadpole trike that leaned.
We complain about the environment going to hell with all the carbon... We might not have the next product in place to solve cars completely. Yet alot of us could reduce the load by diving weight reduced vehicles Yet we do not... However good work Paul. More people need to do this...
I’ve attempted to run those “briggs” style mufflers on 150cc scooters and found them very restrictive. A good quiet alternative would be a genuine buddy 150 or 170 exhaust. Could probably find a free one or nearly free from someone swapping to a performance exhaust.
My admiration... I have put a lot of thought into making one of my own. But, never had the funds to make it real. Nice design and fabrication. The only thing I would have done differently is a slightly larger engine. Maybe a Honda 450 or similar.
I might hunt down the next size bigger Exciter, which is a 250cc. that way the motor mounts should still work. It's still meant for high mileage remember.
At first when you were "testing" the steering of your trike, I said to myself, so this is the guy that is always ahead of me and all over the road. Just kidding Sir. LOL !!! Nice trike.
Lots of lights. Noisy exhaust and the beauty of curiosity: When people seeing something strange coming at them in the corner of their eye they usually rubberneck.
The Wright brother's "flyer" had sticks like that for turning left and right. A lot of early pilots became confused and crashed, it's not very egonomic, or at least not what drivers are used to. Anyway great build and fun video. Sounds good too.
Great road test paul it going to be one sweet ride, and it turns head's job done lol. Can't wait to see the body on it its going to look way cool. Have a great day. Choppersrule1
hello paul, have you thought about making a mini motorhome for a scooter, for traveling in the summer at sea, it would be very interesting, and unusual, I would be grateful to you.
A very interesting project. I may have missed it but what is the caster angle on the front axle. Also, have you thought about the best gearing. Dropping a tooth or 2 on the engine sprocket would give you more take off power and it seems that the top speed would not be adversely affected. Getting the engine rpm up at each speed would take some of the load off the engine. Lugging the engine may affect your gas mileage. Running a little more rpm may use less fuel. Still a great project. Billk
I'm thinking of that same idea. Playing with my Honda CRX with a high geared HF transmission, I waisted the motor in no time due (probably) to the low compression engine, unlike the true HF car which ad a high compression engine to handle the lugging. Once the teardrop body is on it should reduce the load on the engine at speed. I have thought of creating a rear wheel with a electric hub motor for 1st gear and reverse, then make a smaller rear sprocket for speeds.
@@paulwelkinsdiy I apologize. I did not need to say that. Your work is quite creative, & you had fun doing it. Its light, fun, & gets good mileage. Sincerely, David.
awesome build ! once the aero is on and its slippery 60 mph all day long no problem ! id be willing to bet speeds in excess of 70 plus but that's kind of scary lol!
Just found this project. Gives me an idea of what to do with my yamaha 250 learners bike instead of selling it. One thing I have been planning for one of my projects is using 1" pink foam core with a fiberglass sandwich for side paneling for side impact protection. Should be able to take a good hit and improve rigidity at the same time without adding much weight. Bond it right to the steel frame. Might work for you tool. Let me know if that's something you considered.
Nice build! My recumbent trike build is electric. has a 17 x 6" rear rim and two front 12 x 3" mag rims , Harley Davidson progressive shocks, a 100 Farad ultra capacitor bank and goes 100 kmph.
It's already one of your best "temporary obsession" projects thus far, and it's not even finished yet.
Seeing this build come to life and drive made my day.
Wow Paul! I can only imagine how amazing it must feel to be able to finally drive the vehicle you dreamt of since your youth. The series and this video in particular is very inspiring and makes me want to have a workshop of my own. She drives really well and you can see how much you enjoy to drive her around, the smile on your face througout this video says enough!
I'm pleased to be able to follow this project. I was a fan of Doug Malewicki's California Commuter too but don't have the skills to build something like this. Looking great! Thanks for making the video!
Looks like a fun ride ! Looking forward to seeing the body.
Got inspired to build one myself!
Ive been following this project since the VW fromt end trike! Glad to see it running!
Fantastic!! I can’t wait to see it with skin and some fuel mileage numbers. Great build!
I'm kinda curious about the numbers too, I like the idea of out of the rain and fell weather.
Super cool project! My 2001 Honda CBR600F4i has been in the garage for the last 15 year but I don’t really want to ride in that position. I’m going to start dreaming about a trike conversion like this!
Great build. I was so sad when I saw you sell your first trike. Now you are building one again and there is much rejoicing here.
I just got a bike to start building one myself. Honda CX. 500. Got a old Porsche rack and pinion. A Opel gt front suspension. And a great interest in coroplast.
The BAT cave!!!! Love the progress, looks like it rides smooth!
Well done! It’s beautiful! Ever since I saw a Morgan and a Messerschmitt as a kid, I always wanted to make a trike but in the same config you chose using a cycle frame and drive train but maybe a vw bug front end with lightened torsion bars to make it softer.
..outstanding Paul. It sounds good too. Bravo.
With that open cockpit it must be something to drive!
Impressing how you were going after potholes to see how it reacted. I can see your a test pilot at heart.
The true test will be when I go faster! Not that it's a Speed Demon but would like to know if it can handle freeway speeds.
In the 1950's My Grandfather built a 3 Wheeled Go-Kart for my dad....Later it became mine.... The frame was made from Car Drive Shafts in "T" configuration...U-Joints for Steering Knuckles... It only had rear brakes, and used 10" wheel in rear for BMW Isetta and Pulleys for front wheels and Aircraft tires in front... Started with 3.5 Clinton, it had a 372 JLO snowmobile engine at one time...I had a 6HP Tecumseh on it the most... I had CVT style belt drive to Jackshaft and Chain final drive... The 6HP would take it 40mph...the 372 was something like 18HP and 70 was attainable...never had enough brakes for that... But it was heavy as heck as it had full roll cage with forward protection. My dad told me, originally they had used spoke cycle-wheels like yours has, but they don't take well to "side loads" and folded over...
Fantastic as always. Makes me want to build my own trike.
I don't know why this was in my recommendeds but I'm glad it was.
Watching this answered two questions: will it drive out nicely? Yes.
What am I going to do for the next hour or two? Watch the whole build series.
Liked and subbed.
Thank you!
Aw it's absolutely beautiful!, well done, it's like a little Morgan three wheeler!, many thanks Paul!, enjoy it!. Le gra mor! Gérard lacey in Ireland.
At first I thought it was slow, but then when you jumped on the throttle I thought it was too fast haha. Looks super fun
Nice! Just about the perfect sound aswell!👍
That looks fun! Nice work.
Congrats Paul! Are you going to enclose it with something for winter riding?
Indeed!
Hi Paul, I'm building a motorized bike with rear suspension, a similar trailing arm to yours and spring welded on a similar angle to the top of rear seat post bar.
My problem is when the arm squats down the top chain tightens up and lose the travel. When I pedal the same thing happens, the top chain tightens and lose travel.
This means The chain is holding up the bike, and I believe the same is true with your design and have lost the small travel you had without the chain and are putting strain on the drive gear and shaft.
I did not know dirt bikes have a chain guide and slack to compensate for the travel. I'm scratching my head about this as the frame is awesome and don't want to give up on a full suspension dirtbike style motorized bike. Looking forward to your next ride that bike is sick and you are an inspiration to all builders of manly things.
My rear swing arm pivot was placed too far back. This, like you mentioned, has created a bit of a jerk on big rear wheel bumps. The pivot should be closer to the drive sprocket.
At this point it would entail major remods to achieve that, so I'll keep it as is and avoid rear wheel pot holes at speed.
@@paulwelkinsdiy Thank you so much Paul.
I was looking more for advice and got it than see you dismantle your trike. Pivot close as I can to the cranks and engine gear. Thanks again for help.
Spectacular progress. The beast is coming together nicely. Well done!
Thanks Olivier. Slowly but surely.
Wow that’s awesome. Can’t wait to see it skin on! You’re an inspiration. Great work! 😎
This video is beyond epic sir!! How amazing that first ride must have been! Congratulations 👏👏
Thanks Boathead! Good to hear from you! Gotten any boating in yet!
Now we need to see a leaning version. Check out what Norman Hossack did way back with his wishbone suspended bike front ends. A version of that with rocking arms gave a tadpole trike that leaned.
You only have one first road test. I am pleased it went well.
Awesome. Great build that was an amazing ride
That’s the coolest thing ever but everything you make is always pretty neat 😃
Remember to turn on the "orientation lock" (or whatever they call it on your phone) so it doesn't turn upside-down while you're driving. ;)
Yamaha XS 650 rider here. Great build! Have fun!
super project, A+++ build and many thanks for the detailed build videos along the way.
Very cool, Paul!
Really interesting and impressive build.
We complain about the environment going to hell with all the carbon...
We might not have the next product in place to solve cars completely.
Yet alot of us could reduce the load by diving weight reduced vehicles
Yet we do not...
However good work Paul.
More people need to do this...
That looks like a blast to ride around in
I’ve attempted to run those “briggs” style mufflers on 150cc scooters and found them very restrictive. A good quiet alternative would be a genuine buddy 150 or 170 exhaust. Could probably find a free one or nearly free from someone swapping to a performance exhaust.
This Thing Is Killer great job
Amazing. Runs beautifully.
Well done Paul. She a beautiful ride and has a nice note to it.looking forward to seeing her all dressed up. Regards, Mario.
Me too Mario!
Your neighbors will love it.
My admiration... I have put a lot of thought into making one of my own. But, never had the funds to make it real. Nice design and fabrication. The only thing I would have done differently is a slightly larger engine. Maybe a Honda 450 or similar.
I might hunt down the next size bigger Exciter, which is a 250cc. that way the motor mounts should still work. It's still meant for high mileage remember.
I would suggest putting car door edge trim on the slots that your front brake hoses go through. Wouldn’t want that to rub through a line
Congrats Paul. Nice design and it runs nice too.
Thanks!
With all the fuss about electric vehicles its actually quite nice to see and hear this build going along nicely.
Very cool.
I love how he mentions "you never know when something is going to fail." And then immediately drifts it into his driveway 🤣🤣👍👌
Best to do extreme maneuvers at your driveway. If something breaks, drag it into the shop and fix it.
Love it Paul aline the front end with a t square and ruler's on your floor
Luv it, u have to make it with a convertible top, that would be awesome.
Great project & your workshop is awesome
Thank you!
Looked like the clutch was stuck, great progress, well done
Give her all she's got , captain...
At first when you were "testing" the steering of your trike, I said to myself, so this is the guy that is always ahead of me and all over the road. Just kidding Sir. LOL !!! Nice trike.
It looks awesome!
Its looking great.
Well done, that puppy sounded great wide open !!!!
Very cool Paul 👌🏼😎
Fantastic project and inspiration
I get early indy car vibes from this...I love it.
Congratulations amigo 👏👏👏👍👍👍🙂
Love the naked trike
looks like a fun project, also looks like an accident waiting in the wings. good luck
Lots of lights. Noisy exhaust and the beauty of curiosity: When people seeing something strange coming at them in the corner of their eye they usually rubberneck.
I like how your allowed to ride this on the road.
So cool getting to see it run!
Hate to say it. But your end will be in one of those machines. Your dangerous man
I love your cart
Fantastic... What about a longer wheel base a' la Morgan?
Beautiful, When are they going into production (!?!)
That's pretty damned slick.
Great work Paul. Man you rock. I hope Tesla doesn’t come along and buy you out.
Would love to have a similar vehicle... A cyclecar.
Very cool Paul indeed.
Fantastico amigo, me encanto tu trabajo😱👏👏👏👏👏👏 saludos desde chile
The Wright brother's "flyer" had sticks like that for turning left and right. A lot of early pilots became confused and crashed, it's not very egonomic, or at least not what drivers are used to. Anyway great build and fun video. Sounds good too.
Adore you Paul! My husband admires your patience. Beautiful work! ✌🏼☺❤
Belle machine au doux son du mono.
Merci.
Very cool 😎 love the build 👍
Great road test paul it going to be one sweet ride, and it turns head's job done lol. Can't wait to see the body on it its going to look way cool.
Have a great day.
Choppersrule1
Id like to have one of those. Easy on gas and still somewhat a motorcycle
That things just cool
hello paul, have you thought about making a mini motorhome for a scooter, for traveling in the summer at sea, it would be very interesting, and unusual, I would be grateful to you.
That ride had to feel real good👍
It was much different than coasting 25 mph. It handles well at speed too, much to my relief!
good gawd. effort. max, wow
Very cool Paul!!
A very interesting project. I may have missed it but what is the caster angle on the front axle. Also, have you thought about the best gearing. Dropping a tooth or 2 on the engine sprocket would give you more take off power and it seems that the top speed would not be adversely affected. Getting the engine rpm up at each speed would take some of the load off the engine. Lugging the engine may affect your gas mileage. Running a little more rpm may use less fuel. Still a great project. Billk
I'm thinking of that same idea. Playing with my Honda CRX with a high geared HF transmission, I waisted the motor in no time due (probably) to the low compression engine, unlike the true HF car which ad a high compression engine to handle the lugging.
Once the teardrop body is on it should reduce the load on the engine at speed. I have thought of creating a rear wheel with a electric hub motor for 1st gear and reverse, then make a smaller rear sprocket for speeds.
Very cool indeed!!
Awsome! Only concern is the front tires may be too narrow. Looks a little squirrelly.
It handles like a bag of corn!
meaning?
@@paulwelkinsdiy I apologize. I did not need to say that. Your work is quite creative, & you had fun doing it. Its light, fun, & gets good mileage. Sincerely, David.
Very cool!🤙
Very cool!
57 in a 25? Cool ride!!
35. Still.. It's not licensed yet. I'm a fool.
Honestly I would have put the new roll bar just an inch higher, but I don't think you'll wanna put yourself through that bar bending process again lol
It looks stable and fun to drive! Well built too :D
With such a bike, the girls stared at you ;-)
Awesome!!
Yeah Congratulations,(the boy done good) but those brackets holding the front calipers look abit flimsy ...
Jako obvykle, perfektní..
awesome build ! once the aero is on and its slippery 60 mph all day long no problem ! id be willing to bet speeds in excess of 70 plus but that's kind of scary lol!
At 72" wheel base, indeed! Still, it felt good at 57+ mph
Just found this project. Gives me an idea of what to do with my yamaha 250 learners bike instead of selling it. One thing I have been planning for one of my projects is using 1" pink foam core with a fiberglass sandwich for side paneling for side impact protection. Should be able to take a good hit and improve rigidity at the same time without adding much weight. Bond it right to the steel frame. Might work for you tool. Let me know if that's something you considered.
Check out my website or other projects on this channel. You'll see I'm a HUGE fan of fluted plastic. It's ghetto looking but sturdy and light
You need a muffler on that cool thing. The ones from the Honda grom or honda PCX are quite effective. Can't wait for the next video.
Nice build! My recumbent trike build is electric. has a 17 x 6" rear rim and two front 12 x 3" mag rims , Harley Davidson progressive shocks, a 100 Farad ultra capacitor bank and goes 100 kmph.