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My nephew built a 3-wheeler
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 6:41 pm
by Deleted User 287
He low-sided his GSXR-750 into a curb, cracking the aluminum frame. He decided to do something with it.
It has a front end from a Mustang (year?), and he fab'd the rest.
He is still perfecting a cooling fan big enough for the radiator. I told him about how Ducati (?) placed two radiators on either side of the engine.
This was his first real welding project. He has yet to get it licensed, and mostly drives it around the neighborhood. He has taken it across the street to the gas station once, though.
Once it is all sorted out he will tear it down and paint the frame.
These pictures are from the very first day. He has a taillight on it, now, and is working on headlights.
Re: My nephew built a 3-wheeler
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 7:17 pm
by dwerbil
Very cool, Rob. Let's hope his welds are strong. How does it track on the road? Probably easy to loose rear tire traction.
It reminded me of the Tri-Magnum, a similar design. It was a Pop Mechanics cover story. Think they used a Kaw 900 4 cylinder motorcycle. With removing the triple tree front end, it was coupled to a VW Beetle front end.
Then a cool looking foam board and fiberglass body was shaped over it.
This youtube one looks like the PM story project....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in7Sww1ltCE
Re: My nephew built a 3-wheeler
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:00 pm
by Deleted User 287
Well, they sure didn't give us a lot! I wanted to see how they got in/out.
Re: My nephew built a 3-wheeler
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 8:18 pm
by gspd
justoneoftheguys wrote: He has a taillight on it, now, and is working on headlights.
Safety first!
Is he planning on doing any crash (pre-crash?) testing.
It looks like a deathtrap to me.
No worries, to some people all motorcycles are deathtraps.
Re: My nephew built a 3-wheeler
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 10:00 pm
by dwerbil
justoneoftheguys wrote:Well, they sure didn't give us a lot! I wanted to see how they got in/out.
Here's a site on the Tri Magnum....
http://www.rqriley.com/tri-mag.html
Re: My nephew built a 3-wheeler
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 11:48 pm
by Chuey
That's a cool project. Of course, I'd have used a VW front end.
Chuey
Re: My nephew built a 3-wheeler
Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2010 11:59 pm
by Deleted User 287
Chuey wrote:That's a cool project. Of course, I'd have used a VW front end.
Chuey
He's a "Mustang Guy". What can you say, he is young and likes to go fast.
Re: My nephew built a 3-wheeler
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 12:13 am
by dwerbil
Rob, what a blast to see him be creative like this. But, as you, I hope he can keep his creation on the road and ride it within its design limits. Maybe he'll ride it easily, and slowly push it to explore its boundaries.
Re: My nephew built a 3-wheeler
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 1:38 am
by Major Softie
He he, ghastly.
And totally cool.

Re: My nephew built a 3-wheeler
Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2010 2:36 am
by Deleted User 287
dwerbil wrote:Rob, what a blast to see him be creative like this. But, as you, I hope he can keep his creation on the road and ride it within its design limits. Maybe he'll ride it easily, and slowly push it to explore its boundaries.
His main plans are to take it to his buddy's house. He has a bit of land out back, and clearance aside, they hope to have their big fun in the dirt. Then he figures he'll sell it.
I was really worried about Mitch when he got his first motorcycle, but I've crashed more often and with more damage than he in that time period. He is a pretty intelligent kid.