Tri-star RT

[srx660]

I had previously shown the front suspension of the tri-star trike in another thread. I should have shown the whole trike, so i now do so here.

The front suspension


Front view


Side view


and the chassis


Did you notice that the builder has moved the seats to where you straddle the front suspension. It's a good way to balance the weight center better. What i do not like, as stated in the other thread, the looks of the front susp. I think the front end would be very twichy as built. Any Thought's?

SRX660

[Deleted]

I don't think there would be a problem with it. Should be as stable as any VW front end. The bottom leaves would be plenty to hold something this light up. I ran just the bottom leaves on a Karman Ghia before with no ill handling. If the top arms are just shocks, he should have cut off the stock shock towers to clean it up. An aluminum beam from a sandrail would look better. They make them wider than stock also for more stablility.

[glassman]

I agree, that front suspension should be fine. However, it seem a little low-tech old school for such a cool trike.

Where is this person located. Aren't these pics old? What state is it in now?

Glassman

[srx660]

I have not found much information on this guy. His name is Steven Brewer. He has a my space site here.

www.myspace.com/tristarmark1

It looks like he is building another trike but this time with double a-arm suspension and a bit wider.





SRX660

[Steven Brewer]

Hello I am Steve the builder of this trike .the upper beam was cut and suspension load was transferred to coil over shocks and the lower beam became the sway bar. I later removed the original bar as it was not necessary

[DaveJ98092]

Hey, welcome Steve. We all like to drool over nice body pictures. Please, when you get time, post some of the finished work. I too an thinking a VW front beam chopped up and done like that would work for me. So some close up's of the inner part of the beam is what I would like to see.

Also, if you could, please join as a member and a location in the world you call home. We don't need exact city and street but region and state would be nice.

[captainamerica]

My only thought on the suspension here is how angled the steer tie rods are from the plan view, that must create an interesting steering wheel input to wheel motion output curve. It might generate some very interesting ackermann steering as well which for the direction its going it could be a big help. I dig the front rims as well, I find it exceedingly difficult to find good rims to match the bike rear wheels. Without the body and with that big red fuel take it looks like it could be easily mistaken for a good rocket powered sled.

-Andrew

[dain]

For such beautiful bodywork and craftsmanship, why cheap out on the $39 Summit Racing seat that has been spray painted red? Grab a suede Sparco or equivelant and do that thing some justice!!

[Liteway]

Nov 13, 2015 11:15:48 GMT -5 dain said:

For such beautiful bodywork and craftsmanship, why cheap out on the $39 Summit Racing seat that has been spray painted red? Grab a suede Sparco or equivelant and do that thing some justice!!

Ha! I believe the color is molded in. Sparco seats are cool but budget busters. What happens to the suede in a rain storm? Something by Corbeau Maybe? Don't get the "clubman" however, a torture bucket I had to send back. Don't believe the fixed back Sparco seats have enough rake for a low single seater. Adjustable backs bring weight and bulk. Its not easy to come up with an appropriate seat for a little single seater. I could not find something that fit the requirements of my build and so made my own.



Quite comfortable, 55 degree rake,12 lbs. and quickly removeable. Head restraint is built into the bulkhead.
Not much lateral support but with 4 pt belts snugged up, its little problem.

[2rike]

Finding the right seat is hard because they tend to be bulky and there is so much wasted space between them especially if you have two and they can tend to look to big in a small RT. In my 2rike I had a go at making my own out of fiberglass they are light and compact I will be using 10mm thick foam pads secured with velcro as a nod to comfort that can be taken out if the 2rike is left out in the rain. I will have to report back on how comfortable this set up is on a long drive when I get on the road !