Three Wheel Motorcycle Trike - "justryken" - A Technically Correct 10 Year Build on 2040-motos

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OVERVIEW

I designed and built this vehicle from scratch.  My single focus was on quality - quality in design, fabrication and assembly.  Time didn't mean anything to me.  I'd been a car guy my whole life, received a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering, named as co-inventor on two US patents and designed and assisted in fabrication of machines for various employers.  But when I got into my mid-fifties, I wondered how much I had learned.  Since I studied three-wheeled vehicles my whole life and followed all forms of racing especially NHRA and F1, I felt like I was ready for the challenge.  For me, a technically correct vehicle optimizes safety and performance.  That was the challenge. 

RESULT

Approved for a title and license by Florida DMV in January, 2011, and by Texas DMV in May, 2013.  Wheelbase: 134 inches, Overall width: 76 inches, Total weight: 2280 pounds on DOT scales, Weight distribution with 200 pound driver:  Front 750 pounds, each rear 850 pounds.  I've named it "Justryken" as an extension of what my friends called me in the '90's - "Just Dave." 

RECOGNITION 

The photos on the red carpet were taken at Progressive's Ultimate Bike Builder Show at Ocean Center, Daytona Beach Bike Week, March 14-16, 2012.  This show was the final of twelve across the country to find and award the finest in a variety of categories.  I was invited to enter by the president/founder of the International Master Bike Builders Association based on technical innovation.

One photo shows the trike at the Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show a year earlier during Daytona Beach Bike Week on March 12, 2011.  This was the first show for the trike - two months after getting it on the road - and it was pretty rough. I did place 4th out of 10 trikes which blew me away for such a large international show.  It was the only vehicle at this show that was filmed by the television crew.

Immediately following the Rat's Hole Show, I entered the Panama City, Florida, "Thunder Beach" show in the "Trike Wild" class and was awarded first in class.

Just recently on Saturday, June 15, 2013, I entered the Republic of Texas (ROT) Rally motorcycle show in Austin, TX, and was awarded first in class.

PERFORMANCE

I did not build this vehicle to show nor did I build it to ride.  So, when the time came to get in it and head down the road, I had no expectations.  What do I compare it to?  It's the open air/motorcycle experience, the race car feel with your butt 12 inches off the pavement, 400 horsepower at your right foot, long handlebars providing a sense of being in control and sitting almost midway on a long wheelbase chassis provides a comfortable ride.  The single most scary feeling is that there's no indication as you increase speed to get off the throttle.  The trike cruises at 60mph with the motor turning 1530 rpm at 10% opening of the butterflies on only the middle two-barrel carb!  This is with the transmission in overdrive and the torque converter locked up.

The fastest I've gone is 85mph in a sweeping "S" curve on a 4-lane divided highway.  Although the front tire did not loose traction, I did get some understeer as the rear gummies coupled with the late technology Corvette limited slip rear end overdrove the single front tire. 

FRONT END   

All three-wheelers need a "square" automobile tire up front.  The challenge was to build the hardware to mount it.  After many layouts, I ended up with a low-profile design with single-sided swing arms.  Air Ride Technologies air bags over adjustable shocks were incorporated to allow for raising the front end for additional road clearance whenever necessary.  A complete air system is onboard – Viair compressor, adjustable pressure valve, dryer, PRV and tank.  There is a 1:1 steering relationship between the handlebars and front wheel.  The design and fabrication allows for the mounting of two Wilwood brake calipers but I chose to not mount them in the interest of having steering during upset conditions.  Howe racing pads on the rear calipers provide good braking. 

MOTOR

The motor is a 1972 four-bolt main 400 chevy small block bored to 406 cu. in. with about 800 miles on a complete rebuild. With three Rochester 2GC carbs on an Offy intake and upswept dragsters headers, I needed to go with a front-mounted distributor.  The two main castings are the original vintage 60's parts from Summers Brothers with the inner components purchased new from Summers Brothers.  Motor has a second-stage Melling cam with Summers Brothers gear drive.  Headers are ceramic coated from Dynatech and include internal baffles.  With flat-top pistons and original heads, the motor runs well on 87 octane and gets about 15 mpg.  Motorheads guess 400hp.

TRANSAXLE

Transaxle is GM's popular 4L60E from a '97 Corvette, the first year for the C5 with a rear transmission.  Shifting as well as all performance aspects are handled by an aftermarket Compushift computer with control panel and readout located at one's fingertips when the right hand rests on the 8-ball shifter knob.  Stall speed of the converter is 2100/2300 rpm.  A commercial grade cooler with fan is at the right of the motor.  Temperatures typically remain under 175 degrees F without the fan on.  Rear axle ratio is 2.73.  All C5's have limited-slip differentials.  Rear wheels are aftermarket 18x12.  Front wheel is forged OEM "thin spoke" 17x7.5 with a forged spare.  Tires are Michelin Pilot Sport 335/30ZR18 with 90+% tread (to be mounted.)

ELECTRICAL

Running lights other than headlights are Petersen LED.  In their high intensity mode (turn, brake, hazard), they are driven at 16 volts for safety reasons.  All fuses are the "smart" type with LED's that light when the fuse blows.  All fuses are readily observable behind transparent covers.  Electric system performance since start up has been flawless.  Battery is the yellow top Optima with 900/1125 cranking amps.  Starter is a 3hp reduction.  Alternator is 140 amp with dual rectifiers, putting out approx. 100 amps at idle.  Detailed schematics are available.

FUEL

Two JAZ fuel cells hold a total of nine (9) gallons.  Pump is a Carter electric and runs only when the ignition is on and the motor is running.  A safety switch will open the pump circuit in the event the motor suddenly stops running but the ignition switch is not turned off.  This safety feature is mandatory in many racing series.