anyone have any info on doing a trike conversion kit?

[heartlandcruisers]

well I decided I am going to build my wife a trike out of her amf built western flyer
and I have a lot of questions and figured this would be the perfect place to get info on what I will need and who sells them.
first off the kit I need. I see them all over fleabay for around $159.00.
they have some without wheels that are calling for hollow hub wheels ( I think I said that right)
so the question on that is can I use regular wheels on these kits.
I have not had any luck whatsoever on lacing wheels. so building my own would be out.
Also they say I need a 4 inch rear fork on the bike which I understand but they say the space is adjustable so if I do not have 4-5 inches of space will it still work?
I know why with all the questions but I have never done a trike conversion kit and want to do it right.
all I need is a single speed coaster brake kit nothing fancy is needed but I prefer a rather durable kit so it will hold up and my wife can enjoy it without me having to constantly fix it.
and last question is where can I buy these kits and does anyone have a good used one their willing to part with.
thanks
Sean

 

[Fv2]

Never used a kit before, I built Artemus using an existing tricycle. I've seen some of the lowrider bicycle websites sell the conversion kits and wheels.
Also if you know anyone that can lace wheels for you,old spoke rim wheelchair hubs might work.

 

[Bicycle808]

Link us to the auction you're considering, so i can see what specs the rear hubs need. There are a few different "standard" axle sizes....

 

[heartlandcruisers]

1. Link us to the auction you're considering, so i can see what specs the rear hubs need. There are a few different "standard" axle sizes....

this is the one was considering but there are a few more on there but this is the cheper one kind of need to go cheap if possible.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bicycle-Bik...268?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4d275a785c

 

[Bicycle808]

That kit has a 5/8" axle, so you'll need hollow hubs with a 5/8" ID... Bicycle designer has some for about $30 each http://www.bicycledesigner.com/trike-parts/36-spoke-hollow-hub-set.html
5/8" is about 15.8mm; 15mm ID hollow hubs are commonly available, but i'm not sure whether they'll fit or not, as i've never tried....However, bearings need to fit flush, and being .8mm out of spec seems like it'd be a problem, to me. If it were my project, i'd go with hubs with an actual 5/8" label...

HTH

 

[Bicycle808]

PS- Husky sells cheap hubs without bearings that take a 35mm OD bearing; you could easily source bearings with a 35mm OD and a 5/8" ID.... That'd be cheapish. And of course there's no telling what you may find used...

 

[Bicycle808]

Also PS your bike probably has 110mm rear spacing, which is the same as 4 1/3"

 

[Dr. Tankenstein]

Maybe also contact ind-chuckz, he may have some Worksman trike bits...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Jay Moore]

i have built a couple of trikes over the years and i have always just bought a nice used trike and took the rear end off and put it on what ever frame i'm using. any trike that does not have a welded on rear end will bolt right up to yours. i found doing it that way saves me money. if you can find some thing like this but cheaper its not a bad deal.
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/bik/5121677107.html

 

[Fv2]

i have built a couple of trikes over the years and i have always just bought a nice used trike and took the rear end off and put it on what ever frame i'm using. any trike that does not have a welded on rear end will bolt right up to yours. i found doing it that way saves me money. if you can find some thing like this but cheaper its not a bad deal.
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/bik/5121677107.html

That's definitely the easiest way, Artemus is all bolt together using a trike I got for next to nothing and a swap meet cwc frame.

 

[heartlandcruisers]

Also PS your bike probably has 110mm rear spacing, which is the same as 4 1/3"

right on the money I measured the bikes rear fork area and it measures just under 5 inches form outside to outside so I think I got plenty of space there

 

[heartlandcruisers]

Maybe also contact ind-chuckz, he may have some Worksman trike bits...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

that actually might be a good idea I will check in with him and see if he has anything

 

[heartlandcruisers]

i have built a couple of trikes over the years and i have always just bought a nice used trike and took the rear end off and put it on what ever frame i'm using. any trike that does not have a welded on rear end will bolt right up to yours. i found doing it that way saves me money. if you can find some thing like this but cheaper its not a bad deal.
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/bik/5121677107.html

that has been an option I am considering but even the wrecked trikes are pricey there is a pawn shop in town that has one with a bent fork for 125 bucks