1985 dohc trike build

carpface

carpface

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Hi All
I am a new member and while looking at all the information on site noticed not much on any one converting to a trike.:bike:Here in the UK most trikes if using a yamaha xs are 650cc or above so i thought i would be different as i had the chance of a 400cc.So i thought i would send some pictures and info on trike build i am doing at the moment.Trike is based on a 1985 xs400 dohc i have used a reliant robin rear axle converted to chain drive which is connected to a new swingarm i have built the wheels are 17 inch diameter .I Had to get new petrol tank as original tank was totally past repair as full of hole's .Have fitted wider and longer handle bar's ,i have built the mudguards,electric box,headlight bracket.Rear brakes are connected to a suzuki 600 rear brake master cylinder connected to stainless brake hose's then split to go to both rear brake cylinders,have used original reliant rear brake drums with new fittings.I am going to fit bullet lights for brakes,indiacators and marker lights.Headlight is a 7 inch round chrome lamp.Will be adding more pictures as build goes along.I am waiting for some parts to come back from powder coating.
 
ok I finally found it under xs400 1985 seca trike

What type of read axle and differential did you use?

does the differential work so the wheels turn slow on one side so it doesn't flip?

What type of rims did you use for the tires?

I like your setup do you have video or written instructions for converting the read end?

what size if the sprockets and chain did you use?

How fast can you go and does the 400 handle it fairly well.

I have a mono shock swing arm design for the one I want to make. Do you feel it is best to convert it to dual shocks?
 
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The rear axle is from a 3 wheeled reliant robin car the differential is the one with axle from reliant.It will be run with grease in side differential instead of oil as having to cut entry and exit hole's in differential casing for chain from bike to run sprocket fixed to differential.the half shafts from differential work as for standard axle if you lock one wheel other will still turn.The wheels are 17inch's diameter by 8 inch's wide.there will be new pictures soon as i have just picked up frame and other parts from powdercoating:thumbsup: so i can start to begin putting trike back together and hopefully get it on the road.:bike:
 
:doh:Sorry missed latter half of message .The chain is a DID 530 x 120.the axle set up was from information collected from different articles in magazines.Have not had trike on roads yet as i am still building it but have been up and down drive way,pulls well.don't know to speed yet.i have got twin shocks just to be different i have seen mono shock trike xs400 on e-bay about 6 weeks ago that looked OK.you will have to put pictures on forum when you have some.:thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the info Carpface I have not started yet I am still gathering info, parts and shipping pieces back home. One reason I ask is while I am in the States I will get some parts and some stuff. I can get a small suzuki multicab rear end not much different but I will have to check on how it lines up with the motor for the chain. your chain looks heavy duty that was for sure.

I am hoping to make it an instuctable video or step by step so it can be shared for all to use.
 
I would look into axle's as reliant axle is not the best one for a chain drive conversion you are limited to size of sprocket you can fit mine is a 31 tooth which is about as large as you can get in a reliant differential case.i have seen somewhere of a suzuki axle used.you can get parts in america better than uk for the xs.:thumbsup:
 
I was wondering how you mounted the sprocket in the axle? Can you get a close up picture of it for me, that is the inner workings of the gears and the sprocket?
 
Hi AMeathead
Have just put axle back together:doh: but have a diagram of reliant axle hopefully it will appear with this you take the crown wheel off inner differential marked with blue shading and a new sprocket is bolted onto differential marked with blue arrow this then turns differential which turn drive shafts and wheel hubs.hope this helps i will see tommorow if i can get picture taken through chain cut out in differential outside casing:shrug:.
 

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The sprocket is a harderned steel jtr850 X 31 tooth made by www.jtsprockets.com based in uk and america who are very helpfull with info,i purchased from wemoto as they are stockists of this i think i payed about £22.00 with postage.This sprocket was the most amount of teeth able to fit in reliant axle unless you can get a rare regal 3 piece one.what is it like for getting spares for the xs dohc in the states been trying to get carb float vavles and needles over here.
 
Hi Ameathead
I will be taking diff apart later today i am going to try something different with inner diff to make easier for greasing and not filling differential case full of grease.so i will take pictures:thumbsup:and post on here later,also will put some pic's of powdercoated frame and parts might even have forks back on + front wheel depends on time :shrug:
 
picture of differential with sprocket fixed,plus a few other pictures of update
 

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