Finally got some work done on my new project, after picking my most recent trike i decided to do something diferent with it. Not the flashest loking trike but almost complete and it came with a trailer setup as a golf cart!

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With one restored trike and one slightly modified I decided on building a suspended beast using a pit bike frame as a starter.

Picked up my new rear axle carrier from a local engineering co, this thing is heavy duty he made it about 9mm thick, never gunna bend that!

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I made a jig for the swingarm as i have a feeling this isn't going to be the only one of these i am going to make and now the swingarms will be a piece of cake. I used the pitbike swinger as a template but can make later ones from scratch. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.

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The front forks that i have at the moment are a very temporary setup just so i can get the bike on it's wheels to get the seat and tank setup. My new triples are being sorted but will be a few weeks away

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I forgot to ask, i need a front axle that is about 330mm long including the thread. Is there an axle off another model that is this size or am i going to have to get something made?

Lookin good mate Always good to see how someone else does it. I got a pit bike frame for mine last week, just waiting for my new welder so I can get on with it. Keep us posted on the progress.

Got some more done today. Mounted the seat and tank. The original bike mountings had to be cut off and new ones made. It is now starting to look the part

Put a chain together but i think i need a half link and the chain tensioner is giving me some grief.

I didn't get any pics before the tank and seat went on then it got dark so i will have to take some tomorrow.

Hopefully i can take this thing for a strap before sundown tomorrow

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Nice! Looks pretty sick. These things are making a come back in a big way!!!!

That's awesome & has an agressive look to it too! Taken it out for some offroading yet, how does it handle?

Looks good so far... Keep us posted on the progress with pictures...

Interesting triple clamp setup you've got there :-) Is that temporary?
What length is your swingarm? - Wheels look slightly out of line with the rear mudguard.
Looking good though.

Haven't got the engine wired up yet so haven't been able to take it for a ride yet.

And yes the triples are definately temporary, I am waiting on my new ones as we speak.

Had it running today and it definately needs spacers on the back, with the longer wheelbase and being taller it seemed to be even more keen to tip over sideways. Wasn't game to really go for it as i still haven't put any brakes on yet

Snapped some pics of the rear frame while i was mucking around getting the engine done

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nice,

I cant decide whether to keep the original wheel base on mine or not. I never thought of it either, but it makes sense you'd need to increase the width proportionately. If you cant get the spacers you could put a 110 axle on it to get the extra width, not sure what bearings you'd use for it though.

do you have dimensions for the axle carrier?

The inside dimensins of the carrier are the same as a standard 70 but the outside is 68.75mm (2.660 in)

The swingarm is 400mm (15.7 in) long from the center of the front pivot to the center of the rear axle.
The overall wheelbase is now 1130mm (44.5 in) compared to standard of 895mm (35.2 in)

I think that the instability is more due to the height increase rather than the length increase.

Still haven't been able to sort out a front axle so at this stage it looks like i will have to get one made

Thanks all for the comments so far

Wow, that is long.
The suspension does push the seat higher - I've heard it called 'the bar stool effect'... If you look at pictures of the A+ or R55 suspension 70's the mono-shock is longer and goes right back to the axle carrier at 45 degrees, and the seat is lower.

I got my brake hub done today as i wanted to go with a disc brake setup. I thought about taking it to the bloke that did my hub then took another look and decided to have a crack myself.
Started by using a 2 1/8in hole saw to cut the center out of the brake drum then just filed the sharp edges off.
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The frame side of the hub fit almost perfectly though a hole cut with a 1 1/2in hole. After marking out the holes for the brake rotor to mount through and the outside edge it was just a matter of on with the earmuffs and grinder to cut the outside and drill a few holes.

The hardest part was getting the newly made mounting plate square with the hub for welding. Got it all fitted up on the bike and it ended up being about 1/2mm off at the outside of the disc, which i don't think is to bad. A bit of gentle 'adjustment' should have that straightened out.

This is the finished product
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Next step is to make up the bracket to hold the caliper and then some wheel spacers, not sure how wide to go though.

Mounted the calliper today. A bit of mucking around as i trashed the original bracket mounting it to one of my other 70s. Stuffed up the hub by having the disc mounted to the wrong side so had to cut the nuts off and re-weld them on the other side.

The fixed bracket welded in place.
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New caliper backet
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Caliper mounted to brackets
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Everything mounted together
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After taking it for a half decent run it turns out the rear shock is toast, no dampening at all. Took it out to have a look and oil went everywhere and the mounting bushes fell apart. Looks like an el-cheapo so have now put a new shock on the long list of bits to replace.

All things considered i'm quite happy with how it's all turning out, won't be long and i will be able to pull it all apart and start making it look all pretty, just need to decide on a theme got some ideas but not sure yet

Bar stool effect eh.... I thought that was more to do with and some causing

LOL, your probably right mate.

At least you'll be able to get yourself a good adjustable rear shocker now, but you might have to spend some money...

What did you do for the front axle in the end? Could always use some stainless threaded bar if nothing else.

What is the rotor and caliper off of? What is the rotor diameter?

I've been lurking and admiring your build. Very nice......

Still haven't sorted it, have got some threaded rod in there but can't find any the right diameter.



The brake setup came off a second hand pit bike i got. The rotor is 190mm

here's a coupla pics

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rear axle carrier <--- Would like ot have one can you hook a brother up on one of these?
Let me know...

I could but i think the postage cost would be a killer as i'm in Australia. If you have an engineering workshop nearby have a chat to them. I just took in my 70 frame and got them to copy it. It was made out of high tensile steel and i got the outside diameter made larger for some extra strength.

If you are keen i can get on it

You should do a seperate write up in the tech section on the disc brake conversion

What's that in the garage?

That is another of my projects.

1980 Holden WB Ute
only a small 253 V8
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Was my daily driver until it met with a brick wall and is now awaiting a full rebuild.
All show with not much go but every time i hear a V8 on the road i miss driving mine

How's the 70 project - any progress?

I was moving it around the house yesterday and when i pulled the clutch in it started making a clunking noise so i think something has come loose inside the engine. Looks like the engine is coming apart

Got the wheel spacers done, not sure if i have made them to wide

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I didn't get any pics before fitting but will try to take some soon

Looking good

Hopefully the clutch problem is something simple.

Interesting to see how much higher the suspension makes it all. Back looks a bit high but of course it'll go down a bit as soon as you sit on it. Maybe a little too wide though, what size did you make the spacers?

Pulled the clutch and striped it down yesterday, found nothing but a bit of friction material built up, bolted it all back in and voila no more noise.

The wheel spacers are about 3in wide. I am thinking about trying some 1 1/2in just have to get round to making them, took me nearly all day to make the first lot.

I'm thinking i may use this as a prototype and start again maybe even from scratch. Would love to have a pk or a+ to look at in person but don't even know if there are any in Australia at all

Couldn't you just cut them in half so you'd have four 1.5 inch spacers? I was thinking of making a bunch of them from 6mm aluminium sheet, so I could stack more on till it was right.

I'm in the same position here in Ireland, I'd love to see an A+ and PK but doubt there's even one in the country. I reckon something as good can be made out of a good SDG pit bike frame. Have you seen the pictures of the R55 frame? LINK

This is my frame and engine so far. Been waiting for the rest of the parts I ordered but they all got held when the Icelandic volcano shut down the airmail. LINK

Just took the spacers off and they are actually 3 1/2in wide. As you can see, not as simple as just cutting in half

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I have looked at the r55 frames and i especialy like the look of the swingarms

I see what you mean, I presumed you'd made them from billet aluminium. You could shorten the central tube but you'd want to know it was the right length first.

I like the r55 swingarm, looks to be made form steering track rods - dont think it would be too strong though. I got a KLX swingarm today, going to use the pivot end for mine, something similar to the way you did yours.

My triples should be ready soon so i need to replace the rear shock. I am looking for some advice on selecting a replacement, i don't want to spend mega bucks but also dont want to buy some cheap junk.

Any advice will be much appreciated

I'd recommend an adjustable, they're more money but that way if you dont like it you can change how it feels without having to buy another.

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I decided on the DNM MT-BAG shock for the rear. Seems to get good reports on quality and it's fully adjustable. With the remote canister it will fit under the seat, the fixed canister was a bit cheaper but didn't look like it would fit. I'm still waiting on my triples as the person making them is giving me some grief. Been working to many hurs at work and being winter here have had no time to do any real work on the trike lately

Great to see your build is still progressing. I'm really glad I spent the money on a fully adjustable - you wont regret it.

I'm preparing to start a suspension build too.
Did you buy your DNM shock from Ebay?
I see one on there for $125 from China.
Looks nice for a China product.

Thanks
R-

I did order it from china, Got a big package today and was excited to put my new shock on and get rid of the pogo stick on the back

Unwrapped 2 envelopes and many layers of buble wrap only to find

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They sent the wrong shock and with the fixed canister it won't fit

They will pay postage for me to return it and send the correct one, just takes time.

Still being stuffed aound with the tripples but have some pics of them partly done

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I hate wating for suff

How many sets are you getting made?

Gettin 5 sets made, and yes i will be looking to sell the leftovers if they ever arrive.

Need to get some $$$ back as they wouldn't do just one set

What size did you have them machine the holes for the forks? Are they to suit up side down forks or normal forks?
And lastly....I hate to ask, any idea on price yet.....?

They have been made to suit USD forks with a 45mm top clamp and 48mm bottom clamp. They come with matching CNC bar clamps, top nut.
The center stem has been made to suit a CRF style headstem

They will look similar to this picture
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I will have 3 sets for sale, The price will be AU$130 per set.

I am looking into the cost of getting axles made to suit the wider forks and also the cost of getting center stems made to suit other headstems.

I didn't expect this amount of interest just from a picture so you will have to excuse me if it takes a while for me to sort out these other details.

Will have better pics and more details when the clamps arrive

Wow! Wish they'd been available a few months ago, would have saved me a lot of grief.

I will take a set for sure! And maybe another set next month when I get my tax return (if you still have a set left)...........
Give me a or a txt on 0414624410 when you are organised.

Any word on those clamps yet bloke?

Hi all,
I got an e-mail saying the triples were in the post on saturday so i should have more info very soon

On a better note my wheels and tyres have arrived thanks to squatcher.

Will have pics soon i hope but have been working crazy hours and have only had time for a quick look in the box

Sweet!

Picked up a couple of parcels today!

My 'new' wheels were in one of the boxes

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and in the other box was.........

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but not just one set ....

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Work is still crazy (1 day off in six weeks) so for those people who have shown interest in these i hope to get some pics of these fitted and work out some postage costs