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Charlie's VW Cruiser Trike
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This is my Trike as of March 13, 2004. I've painted and added a mud flap to the front fender. I painted and mounted the rear fenders. Installed arm rests for my wife. I put some freeway blasters on for louder horns. Finally I updated my back bumper and trailer hitch. Hopefully I'll get alot of riding done on it this summer!
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I started my VW trike project in April 2002 and had it on the road in June 2002.I looked at a lot of pictures of VW trikes on the Internet and liked the styles that kept the motorcycle cruiser - chopper look. I wanted to use a transverse leaf suspension on the rear swing axle for cost savings and styling. The following is an overview of how I built my trike. It is not meant to be a detailed plan for constructing a trike. It is to give a builder ideas on the use of materials and parts that are readily available from various sources. Most of the pipe & steel used for construction I got at Lowe's Home Improvement and hardware stores. I used a small 100amp welder, hand tools and power tools common to a home garage. To bend the pipe for the frame I used electrical conduit benders (I am an electrician). Hopefully this information will be useful as you have fun building your very own trike!
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This shows the back view of my trike. Right now it has a 1641cc dual port type 1 engine with a Holley Bug Spray carb. electric fuel pump & regulator, Bosh 009 distributor with Pertronix Ignitor Ignition & coil. Working on 1914cc to install later. I'm able to pull this trailer with no problems at all. Top box is an older Vetter Trunk with the tail & turn signal lights mounted in it.
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The best site to get information on building a trike is Brothers of the Third Wheel. Check out the links for very good technical information. Make sure to read up on Rake & Trail front end geometry designs to save yourself from alot of problems. Pedal leverage is another area to be concerned about for a good braking system. I recommend using only disc brakes in the rear. They brake better in wet weather and are self adjusting.You can buy a kit for under $200.00 from various mail order places. Look in Dunebuggies & Hot VW's magazine for suppliers ads for alot of the components I used to build my trike.
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