Drift trikes, who has 'em?

[Destroyer]

Searched and didn't find anything too recent, but I figure someone on here has to have one. Guy I work with built one last year, kinda got me into it. Fast forward to a couple weeks ago, I got a broken pit bike and two 4 wheelers from Colby and threw this together in a few hours. My buddy has done 4 now so we have a decent group when we go out sliding. Been riding at a local kart track a little, lots of fun and everyone that sees/rides it wants one. 8)

 

[Benzbuildr]

i can see you riding that! it probably doesn't even know you are on it!!:mrgreen:

 

[semnmrc]

Action Videos?

 

[Destroyer]

i can see you riding that! it probably doesn't even know you are on it!!:mrgreen:

It's not too bad with the current 110cc, although it gets a little bogged down if it catches traction running uphill. Anyone much bigger than me and it gets unhappy. Planning on building a 125 for it in the spring like Kevin's little black one has; its awesome and much faster than mine.

Action Videos?

My computer hates working with gopro vids so I only have a short clip uploaded from last weekend at the track: Drift Trike at BM


I did have a catastrophic failure of the rear axle yesterday, lost the right tire and axle shaft from the pillow block outward in mid drift which was a fun ride. Already got it torn down, going to graft in a slightly larger 4 wheeler axle this week.

 

[odomandr]

Too cool. I'd be scared to ride them though. Had a family friend paralyzed on a three wheeler when it tipped him

Sent from my SM-N910T

 

[DickyT]

Too cool. I'd be scared to ride them though. Had a family friend paralyzed on a three wheeler when it tipped him

Sent from my SM-N910T

Center of gravity is so low on these you will spin long before you flip. Also the plastic pipe over the rear tires will slide (by design) long before it creates a traction roll situation.

 

[hpiguy]

Those things look like a buttload of fun. Always wanted to try one, just wasn't willing to chop up my pit bike to make one.

 

[JeepinDoug]

Mine

 

[thecrusader]

Makes you wonder how a scooter motor would go? Wouldnt have to worry about gears with the cvt transmission.

Pretty cool little things.

I was going to say probably 13 year olds have them, but
them things look pretty sick. My backs stuffed so i dont
think i'll be building one.

There's actually a mob near me that build them, they must
be successful because they drive pretty flash cars.

If i did have one it would have a dirty big flag on it,cant
imagine many people being able to see you at that height.
Depending on where theyre used of course.

 

[Destroyer]

Center of gravity is so low on these you will spin long before you flip. Also the plastic pipe over the rear tires will slide (by design) long before it creates a traction roll situation.

You'd think that but I've already flipped mine a few times. Once it comes around on you the already mostly worthless front brakes become completely useless and it's gets fun. If you can keep it in a straight line going backwards and stay low on it it's usually ok, unless you run off the road/into something, haha. Seems like most people first instinct when they loop it out is to put their feet down and try to turn...bad plan usually. It is fun watching someone try it for the first time though, I need to start videoing that.

Those things look like a buttload of fun. Always wanted to try one, just wasn't willing to chop up my pit bike to make one.

The beauty is these things cost almost nothing to make if you can do a bit of fab work. A couple Chinese kids toys from the scrap yard and some time and a few parts and youre ready to go. I had no money in mine until I bought a new seat for it. The worst part for us is finding the kart wheels, everything else is easy and cheap.


I'll be rebuilding the back end with a better axle this weekend, I'll try to get some better pics of it then.

 

[charleliso]

i can see you riding that!

 

[jason]

Mine

I'd love to have one like that with an electric motor, it'd be a blast messing around with in the neighborhood where I couldn't get away with a gas motor.

Great looking trike.

 

[redemon]

I would like to see more pictures of the light green one in your group picture OP.
The one with the Predator motor on it.
I want to build one of these really badly and that one looks like a pretty simple design

 

[hpiguy]

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure JeepinDoug's is electric powered, via the front wheel.

 

[JeepinDoug]

You're correct.
Electric hub, 20" wheel and running two 6s LiPos for 45 volts.
I can't remember the wattage but it's supposed to be good for 38mph and just around an hour of drive. Four batteries ride aboard as two separate packs.
I just checked and one of my packs is toast at 9 volts, gotta soak it tonight in salt water.
Obviously it's not finished, just haven't had the time.
All ChroMo Tube, tig welded, swept rear axle with adjustable ride height and fully suspended.

 

[hpiguy]

^^Very slick!

 

[Destroyer]

Finally got the drift trike going again, ended up getting a swingarm off another 4 wheeler, lengthened it and built a new shock mount. Cut the hubs down and redrilled for the kart wheels and mounted up. Also got a lower profile seat for it and lowered the whole thing 1.5-2" with the new shock mount. Now it's gonna need a skidplate for when it goes off track!

I would like to see more pictures of the light green one in your group picture OP.
The one with the Predator motor on it.
I want to build one of these really badly and that one looks like a pretty simple design

I don't have any more pics of his but it is very simple. I'm pretty sure its a 1" angle stock flat frame with a motor mount plate and the front of a bike welded to it.


An electric rwd trike would be sweet for sure. I've seen vids of the hub motor ones and it just seems too easy and not actually drifting.