Manufacturing my own RT kit

[nightviper19]

Hello fellow Reverse Trike enthusiasts,

I am seriously looking into manufacturing a trike kit. The goal is to design a frame that would universally accept most sport and standard bikes, and be simple enough that the average customer could safely and confidently assemble it, while still being affordable. The design is based off of my current trike, with necessary modifications to make the entire layout more simple and universal.

Please take a look at the build page to get a better idea of what I am referring to. Copy this link, or Google search "VFR Reverse Trike" and its the first one.

www.facebook.com/pages/VFR-Reverse-Trike/122176574496627

I have opportunities for development in several areas, such as final design, 3D rendering, market analysis, etc. As I have helped many RT enthusiasts work their way through the build process, I hope that there are other like minded individuals out there that will lend their knowledge and skills to further the cause.

I will be upfront with you and say that I cannot promise any compensation until the business plan is fully developed and a successful campaign for funding is completed. I already have recruited some motivated individuals that believe in the project, and I would like to enlist more for specific needs.

If you are interested in being a part of this and would like more information, please contact me at [e-mail].

This is a dream that I know many other RT enthusiasts have, and I have received too many offers to build more trikes to let this slip through the cracks. I look forward to hearing from you, and seeing the dream come alive.

Thank you,

Kevin Pitts
[e-mail]

[captainamerica]

I give you props for finishing. Don't know if your still around but if you are I have a couple questions for you?

What engine packages are you shooting to make your kit idea useful with?
How much do you think you can produce it for?
How does what you built handle?
Whats your unladen weight?
Is the gsxr600 enough power for the weight?


-Andrew, Sacramento CA

[Deleted]

I looked into this after building my 2nd AT (Adventure Trike)
Insurance would have cost me about 1 million so I tabled the idea.

Current build is complete - www.adventure-trikes.com

[nightviper19]

I apologize for not getting back with you sooner. For some reason, it doesnt update me when people post.

As for your questions:

What engine packages are you shooting to make your kit idea useful with?

I was planning on making the kit have different brackets for use with different styles and sizes. There would be 3 different bracket types, each one is adjustable to deal with the different sizes of bikes. Basically, I have a bracket that will accept most twin spar sportbike frames, one that will accept most cruiser frames, and another for standard bikes with various pitch in head bearings. More possibilties of accepted bikes means more market.

How much do you think you can produce it for?

As in, how much it would cost to manufacture?
Frame and hookup bracketry would be around $4k.
The rest is optional, depending on how much the customer wants to put work into it. It does not inherently come with a steering rack, shocks, wheels, etc. Those would all be separate, depending on what package the customer wants. As Valk3 said, insurance is quite a bit on finished products, but since this would require the customer to at least do assembly, if not purchase core components, we were able to lessen the overbearing cost of liability.

How does what you built handle?

It handles very well. I have several offers from my network to take it on some tracks and see how it pits against actual race cars. I wish I had a skidpad available to check G force before flip over. That said, the one I have is the first, and still a prototype, constantly getting modified. I plan on building another, and will be able to trim quite a bit of fat and ultimately build it better.

Whats your unladen weight?

I dont know if that is the same as unsprung weight, but even that I would have to go back through my drawings to find. I found that when I did the spring rate and pushrod suspension. The overall weight is 1320 with me in it, and full of fluids. Again, this was a prototype, and my next will be leaner.

Is the gsxr600 enough power for the weight?

For the weight of the existing one, No. But the ones Im designing will be able to achieve the driveability I want easily with a 600.

[mtntech]

Apr 4, 2013 12:03:55 GMT -5 nightviper19 said:

I apologize for not getting back with you sooner. For some reason, it doesnt update me when people post.

As for your questions:

What engine packages are you shooting to make your kit idea useful with?

I was planning on making the kit have different brackets for use with different styles and sizes. There would be 3 different bracket types, each one is adjustable to deal with the different sizes of bikes. Basically, I have a bracket that will accept most twin spar sportbike frames, one that will accept most cruiser frames, and another for standard bikes with various pitch in head bearings. More possibilties of accepted bikes means more market.

How much do you think you can produce it for?

As in, how much it would cost to manufacture?
Frame and hookup bracketry would be around $4k.
The rest is optional, depending on how much the customer wants to put work into it. It does not inherently come with a steering rack, shocks, wheels, etc. Those would all be separate, depending on what package the customer wants. As Valk3 said, insurance is quite a bit on finished products, but since this would require the customer to at least do assembly, if not purchase core components, we were able to lessen the overbearing cost of liability.

How does what you built handle?

It handles very well. I have several offers from my network to take it on some tracks and see how it pits against actual race cars. I wish I had a skidpad available to check G force before flip over. That said, the one I have is the first, and still a prototype, constantly getting modified. I plan on building another, and will be able to trim quite a bit of fat and ultimately build it better.

Whats your unladen weight?

I dont know if that is the same as unsprung weight, but even that I would have to go back through my drawings to find. I found that when I did the spring rate and pushrod suspension. The overall weight is 1320 with me in it, and full of fluids. Again, this was a prototype, and my next will be leaner.

Is the gsxr600 enough power for the weight?

For the weight of the existing one, No. But the ones Im designing will be able to achieve the driveability I want easily with a 600.

If you click on "bookmark" at the top left or bottom left of page you'll be notified if someone posts.

[mtntech]

So, what's the latest?

[stretchmobileski]

Apr 4, 2013 12:03:55 GMT -5 nightviper19 said:

Whats your unladen weight?

I dont know if that is the same as unsprung weight, but even that I would have to go back through my drawings to find. I found that when I did the spring rate and pushrod suspension. The overall weight is 1320 with me in it, and full of fluids. Again, this was a prototype, and my next will be leaner.

quote]

Unsprung weight is the weight of the suspension parts not being held up by the springs ie: tire, wheel, spindle and control arms. Unladen weight is without driver, passenger and luggage.

[endeavor]

Apr 1, 2013 19:13:01 GMT -5 @valk3 said:

I looked into this after building my 2nd AT (Adventure Trike)
Insurance would have cost me about 1 million so I tabled the idea.

Current build is complete - www.adventure-trikes.com

To qoute myself as Valk3

Liability insurance is a killer to almost all attempts to build any type of street use vehicle. A much better but potentially less profitable route is to simply design and perfect a unique and beneficial vehicle then patent the design and from there convince some manufacture or firm to invest their time and money to take it to market and pay you license fees.

I have done this with the RT universal conversion kit as I am the first to file a US patent on this rather wide encompassing design. any manufacture who partners will be first to market and that is a very attractive position to be in.

For example Can-Am was the first to market with the RT motorcycle and no matter who come up with a RT now Cam-Am will still be first to market and credited with the #1 spot.

[mtntech]

First to market may be memorable to some but if patents allow better versions to emerge, the pioneers will quickly fade, unless they improve.

[king]

can you pls give me a call, I need one man 416-728-7574