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converting a bike to a trike?

anyone have info on converting a bike to a trike? My disabled son has balance issues but wants to ride with the family, however we can't afford a new adult tricycle or one of the expensive conversion kits. He's much too large for training wheels to work. I'm hoping to find a way to convert an old bike with minimal expense and no welding.

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callmecyril says: Jan 4, 2013. 10:18 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No8P_tnuFSs
TomaN says: Jul 17, 2008. 6:17 AM
Valr, have you find out a cheaper solution ?. I'm in a similar condition !!!
valr (author) in reply to TomaNJan 5, 2009. 1:35 AM
I still haven't found a solution, but we were talking the other day and he said he'd like a bike with a side car, so we might try to do something like that. He now would need an adult size bike as he is a large 11 year old. (5'5" and about 170 lbs)
upnsmokes in reply to valrMay 7, 2012. 2:56 AM
As a hobby I build bikes and a kit you can buy on ebay is the easist solution
102_0699.JPG102_0703.JPGIMAG0164.jpg
desya says: Mar 10, 2011. 7:31 PM
ebay has the a conversion kit...
http://cgi.ebay.com/24-Adult-Bicycle-Bike-Tricycle-Trike-Conversion-6BK-/170613810443?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27b960250b#ht_1603wt_944

is just one I have seen
Hubiewan says: Jul 16, 2010. 6:36 PM
Please contact me. I may be of some help.
ghostrider1 says: Mar 23, 2009. 7:15 PM
check internet theres always plan there you must have scrap bics around and somebody with welder
aguanile says: Aug 9, 2008. 6:45 PM
The system bump me out after i wrote a lot of helpful info,but if you serious above it send me a message.I got a lot of info to share,because i am working on similar project and took some research to do. Parts, diagrams etc.
valr (author) in reply to aguanileJan 5, 2009. 1:34 AM
I still haven't found a solution, but we were talking the other day and he said he'd like a bike with a side car, so we might try to do something like that. He now would need an adult size bike as he is a large 11 year old. (5'5" and about 170 lbs)
5
Rishnai says: Jul 5, 2008. 3:25 AM
Have you seen dirt bike "training wheels"? They're the most rediculous thing I've ever seen for learning to ride a motorcycle the right way, but they'd be beefy enough to work on your son's bicycle. And it would ba a bolt-on deal, but I'm not sure about how much they cost. I wouldn't be suprised if parents of little budding dirtbikers want to get rid of some cheap, though.
1
kishida says: Jul 3, 2008. 12:28 PM
Adding a 2nd wheel to the front will cause steering difficulties, unless the 2 wheels articulate like a car's front wheels (each steering independently and in parallel). Training wheels or training wheels that are beefed up might be an easier and safer solution.
2
coatesy900 says: May 12, 2008. 1:17 PM
The sensible person would buy some STABILISERS. They are hardly expensive, and easy to fit so you don't have to do any hard work. Seems pretty obvious to me...
107
killerjackalope in reply to coatesy900May 12, 2008. 1:18 PM
Most stabilisers are very flimsy and also not very well made, one corner too quick and they snap...
valr (author) says: Mar 29, 2008. 12:09 AM
Thanks everyone! The 2nd wheel in front idea sounds interesting, then I wouldn't have to mess with the chain setup. I'll let you know if I can make it work.
107
killerjackalope in reply to valrMay 2, 2008. 5:24 PM
If you need a hand figuring out give me a shout, depending on his balance problems you could have wheels twinned directly together in widened forks, obivously just spitballing but I'd say a trike that's closer to a bike would help with his balance issues a great deal...
107
killerjackalope says: Mar 29, 2008. 12:16 AM
Either way it wouldn't be too hard, the front one would probably be better all round it would give insane steering capabilities and alot of fun, especially if you have suspension forks, if not back suspension, one or the other, because I'd say the trike might be a bit bumpier than a bike.
41
Weissensteinburg says: Mar 28, 2008. 8:00 PM
Seems like you should be able to bolt on a piece of bent steel with a wheel on the edge to the existing wheel.
2
jtobako says: Mar 28, 2008. 7:58 PM
The 'no welding' makes it difficult, but it depends on what you are up to. You might want to think about two wheels in the front with a single driving wheel in the back. Two additional forks in the front with a steering link to the original fork could work, finding forks that have the bolt-hole for a front brake would make the steering link easier to create. Do you just need an idea or something closer to step-by-step instructions?
38
Goodhart says: Mar 28, 2008. 5:22 PM
would something like this work, if you put in a seat rather then a bucket ?
1
sugg22 says: Mar 27, 2008. 8:07 AM
try one of the easy recumbent bike mods on this site, and then add a 3rd and 4th wheel in the back for stability.
valr (author) says: Mar 27, 2008. 6:09 AM
Homemade pedal go cart plans would work too.
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