Built 2007 to 2008, first test drive 4 October 2008
The Trike Build
Drag the slider to go from day one to finished
Once the hovercraft was done and operational I needed a new project. The goal was to design and build a 3 wheeled trike (like the one Billy Connolly rides around on) using the motor out of an old wrecked car sitting in my paddock.
Everything from the frame to the fibreglass body panels was made at home, and it was my first go at making moulds.
These days it's out on the NZ roads, registered not as a Honda or a Harley but as an LDS Special.
Start from the beginning →- 2.5L
- Honda 5 cylinder, fuel injected (started out as a 2.0)
- 1991
- Honda Inspire donor car
- 45°
- steering neck angle
- LDS Special
- the make and model on the rego papers, LDS being my initials
The build, chapter by chapter
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Chapter 1
Donor Car and Engine
A 1991 Honda Inspire gets pulled apart for its motor, gearbox and front end. Later on the 2.5 litre motor goes in.
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Chapter 2
Frame
Mocked up in exhaust tube first, then the real frame built on a jig, with the steering neck set at 45 degrees.
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Chapter 3
Wiring
Trimming the Honda loom down to what the trike actually needs and finding a home for the computers.
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Chapter 4
Rear Steering and Suspension
The whole Honda front end becomes the back of the trike, so the steering rack had to be locked up.
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Chapter 5
Front End
Rake, trail and offset worked out, then a leading link front end built around the CBX750 forks.
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Chapter 6
Exhaust and Brakes
Squeezing a muffler into a tight spot, plus the handbrake and rear brakes needed for certification.
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Chapter 7
Controls
Forward mounted gear selector and brake pedal, Harley switches and a handbrake lever.
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Chapter 8
Fuel System
A fuel tank made from panel steel, TIG welded and pressure tested, plus fitting the Harley tank.
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Chapter 9
Body Panels
My first go at fibreglass moulds. Plugs, bog, sanding, more sanding, then real panels out of the moulds.
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Chapter 10
Certification and Finished
Fat tyres on and ready for the certifier, then painted Voodoo Blue and finished.
