2003-4-5-6 Model 03/SA VW / Subaru frame. (Page 1)
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VW TRIKE FRAME Motorcycle trikes here |
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2003-4-5-6 Model 03/SA VW / Subaru frame. (Page 1) |
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Updates: We started work on
this frame in April 2002 - We finished it April 2003.
PS: Note: We made a few alterations in December 03 and the
frame is now lighter BUT stronger.
It's now 2006 and we haven't had to make any changes since.
The aim was simple.
To build a better trike frame than those currently available in the marketplace for our Turnkey Trikes and to also make it available to everyone who just wanted to buy a frame on it's own.
We think we have done it. Follow the story through.
CONFUSION over VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) for licencing requirements INFORMATION
9 Pics below.
| We decided to give the way out front wheel theory another go because of The Bloody Paraplegic story. John reckons if the front wheel is far enough away and you hit something you still have time to get off before YOU hit it. Makes sense to us. Mind you, he still likes Abba ! |
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Bill - Ding Bob and Mike with the 03/SA frame. [Harley front end shown]
AUST COST. (includes GST)
Go to Price list page and add up the bits: (Link is on the main home page)
Frame (Neck - Coil Over Suspension - Disc Brakes) Total Aus $4,488 (includes
engineers report)
Fuel Tank - 50 Litre Aluminium (with receiver/sender) Total Aus $723.80
Ding Bob PROLINK front end.
Leading link - top and bottom clamps polished - legs and bottom swing arm chromed - Total Aus $2,805.44
| So what is hard about building a frame that looks like it has a chopper style front bit - with the wheel way out there. Nothing really. You can just angle the frame head/neck out and pull the frame bottom bit back until you get that chop look. |
| However there is no guarantee the f****ng thing will steer or that your arms will stay on your wrists. |
| While trying to get the desired look you have to keep the rake and trail within certain constraints so that the trike will still handle well. It's important to keep that in mind. |
 BUT ON
SAYING THAT. |
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Frame number |
| We are having a serious attempt at putting a frame and front end together so that while the front wheel looks way out there (Chopper Style) the whole package will still work the way we want it to. |
Photo shows a Harley front end with the standard rake on the frame head but 5 degree rake on the tree. |
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Right: Note the heavy torsion arm system of the standard VW. We got rid of that with this frame. Less weight means more horsepower to the road.
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IF you are thinking of building wait a few weeks. We will do the testing for you. If it doesn't work we will let you know. [Probably from Hospital]. *A year later and we didn't finish up in casualty but that was because we took each part of the testing slowly. It's very important that the Trike works well at both ends of the scale - very slow and very fast. When a Trike is set up properly you should be able to apply power into corners and not be scared of them. AND the arse end should not sway of feel soggy no matter what you are told.
Read on.
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Below: Springer front end. They certainly look the part. |
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We don't recommend that you run over a large pot hole with a SPRINGER front bit but if you want it we've got it and they do look nice. PS. Be careful when buying a second hand unit because it may be bent or twisted. {Like most of us }.. More on front ends here |
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 Our
PROLINK leading link front end on the raked frame head works really well
which was a welcome surprise as we hadn't counted on that. We knew
it would work but just how well is the part that surprised us. It is
easy to turn and we didn't have to rake the tree. All we had to do was
adjust the length of the legs to suit the frame BUT we did say we were a
little biased albeit for good reason. |
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Following pictures show our PROLINK leading link front end with the 03/SA frame and kit bodies. More info on this front end is [here] but follow these pages through for more on this swing arm frame. |
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| Overlander body (single rear seat version) |
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| Roadster body. | Weekender body. |
| BRAKES:
We wanted to have rear Disc Brakes. We can now offer FORD stud pattern disc brakes. |
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 ANYWAY.
ON TO THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY |
NEW
AUSSIE WEEKENDER BODY Back
to Workshop Home I Top |
Left
and below: Harley front end is well priced for what it does. Although
telescopic front ends have never been our favorite choice on our trikes
[as we are obviously biased towards our leading link which we know works] there are a number
of different type front ends you can use with this frame [depending on
what you want out of a trike] as you will read further along.