Spyder-like Reverse Trike

Intro: Spyder-like Reverse Trike

This is my first instructable so i`m gonna try to just keep it short and sweet .
 it all began when my bro got the idea to build a bike that was like a can am spyder and thus the project began.
  The whole thing took me maybe a month and half , which i think isn`t bad considering all the distractions I have ..

WARNING.......working with power tools and metal is dangerous ....don`t even try to blame me if you hurt yourself!!!

STEP 1: Tools & Material

Tools.
 hammer
 welder
 hack saw
 grinder (bench and angle)also safety goggles ,fragments of hot metal in the eyes is no fun at all !!!!
 metal file
 drill (hand and press)
  wrenches (both metric and American)
 screwdrivers
 and anything i left out get it ..the more the better!!!

Material.
Bikes ,bikes ,and more bikes.. most towns have a crazy old bike guy. (I might be that guy in my town). that`s the best place to find bikes to chop up.
free scrap metal wherever you find it helps...i found a snowblower on craigslist free!!! with running motor!!! sweet
or if you wanna go all fancy big budget build ..go to most any hardware store and get tubes stuff there

STEP 2: The Core&Arms

step1. the core of this build is a rectangular cube made of squared tubing . this is the base of what all will be built onto so try to get it as squared as you can.
step2. lower A arms ..pretty easy to make . just chopped up bike tubing smashed flat on one end at an angle.weld together to make a V then add your - for the A
step3. more tube cut at short lengths ..weld to end. simple enough right !! let`s move on then!!

STEP 3: Upper Arms &and Steering

step4 .two forks cut to proper length smaller tubes welded to ends ..easy peazzzy
step5. steering tubes with metal plates welded to them in a parallel fashion , the height of the plate must match that of the cube
we made before.you will notice the mistake i made when comparing the pic below to future pics

STEP 4: Mounting Brakets ,nuts,bolts,nylon Spacers

step6. mounting brackets are simple to make ...i just cut up some small rectangles ,cut two slits the width of the tube ,bend the middle to a right angle .drill some holes for the arms to swing on...put your nylon spacers in hinge type tube, bolt it all together , weld it on and be done with it already!!!

STEP 5: Weld Stuff Together

step7. I my have gotten lucky on this one,I found some tubage the same diameter  as the neck tube and welded that stuff together. then get some forks ,chop the inner-neck-tubes off , weld maybe two or three together to make  long  one with thread at both ends ...boom there`s your steering solved 
step8. not really much to explain here just weld it!

STEP 6: Wheels ,shocks

step9. for the wheels i just cut the arms off some forks  ,drilled out the hole where the brakes would be bolted on ,grind the nut to fit inside ,then bolt the axle where the brakes would be.
step10. for shocks i visited my local motorcycle boneyard ,also found my tie rods there off an atv . all cost 45 ...real easy to put on,cut,drill,weld.boom your done!!!

STEP 7: Steering

step11 .alright this is the hard part. well not really all i had to do was lengthen the tie rods ,cut some handlebars up ,and weld a chunk of metal to a handlebar end then dill some holes .

STEP 8: The Near Future

Paint ..this is a must just not sure on what color .
Motorization.. this is for sure just gotta get the money !!!
Skis...oh yeah this will be turned into a makeshift snow machine come winter time!!!!

Comments

[ideaproart]

cool idea, bravoo

[GeorgeP70]

Adding a motor means getting it licensed and insurance and much better brakes, Where I live it would need full lighting,ie headlight with hi-lo beam,signal lights, brake light

[GeorgeP70]

How much does this weigh? It looks like it weighs at least 250 lbs. Would like to have a reverse trike bike that is light enough to pedal up even the steepest hills on the street as i do not want it motorized.

[PKM]

I believe the "nylon doughnut like things" you talk about that go between the A arms and the frame are called bushes or bushings. I love this whole thing, it's a great mixture of clever design and "just weld it, it'll be fine".

Also if you want ideas for cramming tiny gas engines into bikes, check out iron pooma customs, it's a source of inspiration for me.

[FrankenPC.]

This is brilliant. Great work.

[Gregg E.]

Do you get any front tire scrub when turning? The inside wheel has to turn more than the outside wheel to match the difference in radius. Look up Ackermann steering geometry.

[jmrock]

I love that you used forks for the upper 'A' arms. I've build many things and never once have I looked at a fork as a possible a-arm. Kuddo's to the entire build!! Thanks for sharing too.

[h0race]

MacGyver would be proud....

[The nerdling]

suspension! wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cjbikenut]

This looks like a great project! I agree with "iminthebathroom" about the balance, if you use a smaller wheeled bike for the back and shift the seat so your weight is over that wheel you'll have better traction and slightly less weight to carry around. A shorter wheelbase would move the steering more towards sports car than limo if that matters to you. I guess that depends on the type of riding you would do with it.

[TSC]

Good job!

[TSC]

Cool!

[iminthebathroom]

Think we all want video!

[iminthebathroom]

Totally amazing. Bet the tippy part is just from the high center of balance. Chop the rear bike frame and drop it real low, real real low. Advance the pedal forward almost like a recumbant, witht he rear wheel behind the seat almost. Basically the seat could be skimming the ground at the same height as the underside of your front end cube frame. With the addition of a motor on the rear you'd have quite the machine. Aside from my two cents great job, your front end is sweet

[l8nite]

thats an impresive front suspension system, my 1st thought was you had "borrowed" the front end of a quad ! Looks like it would work really well for a recumbent

[Kiteman]

Clever job, but it looks heavy - how does it ride?

[kong79]

it is heavy in the front ,but i think when i put a motor on it ,that might balance it a bit. plus the motor will be good push the added weight. as for how it rides,its`s a little tippy ,but that could be said for other trikes i guess..hopefully the motor will help hold it down a little..

[rimar2000]

Good work!