My new toy and hopefully after all the work I've done over the last few weeks it will pass the mot

Very interesting. A nice change from cafe-racer pics.  

It looks really good. I had this feeling too it was like a roman chariot, stand on the back holding the reins.

Seriously it looks the business and yes its nice to see something different.

That is a very clean conversion. Well flippin' done.
I'd love to see a storyboard montage of how you pulled this off. Incredibly professional looking.  

It looks like your've tried to fit later model side covers to the early ducktail , then had to teck screw them on. That's one way to keep them in place.

Thank you for all the kind comments guys, much appreciated!

realllllly clean!

Very nicely done.
Top paint job.

Just wondering what the gearing is like?
Being able to fit a diff with alternate gear ratios (from the standard K) would be a bit of fun. Trying out a bunch till you find something that works.

 Well now... that súre is something different than the obligatoire Harley or Honda ! Congrats on a job well done !
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, passing the mot ! Good luck and thank's for the post.
Cheers

Jos

rossko wrote:Very nicely done.
Top paint job.

Just wondering what the gearing is like?
Being able to fit a diff with alternate gear ratios (from the standard K) would be a bit of fun. Trying out a bunch till you find something that works.

Those choices are already there Rossko. i cant quote the ratios from memory, but the highest revving/lowest top speed is the K75 range, lowest revving/highest topspeed is K1, with around 5 steps in between.

Al

Great work!

I too would like to see more detailed photos,

I like this idea better than adding a chair, will keep in mind as both the K and I get older.

I must be honest and admit that I am not normally a fan of trike conversions, but this looks really attractive.  A lot of attention to detail has been paid, for instance the BMW car alloys on the back.  I hope that it goes as well as it looks.  Good luck with the MOT test.

We do need more pictures, by the way, especially of the rear suspension and final drive arrangements.

Shortly as soon as I get some time I will post some photos showing more details

very cool...I would also like to see the details.  How did you decide the width of the rear?

Today while I had the panniers off to align them, I took the opportunity to take some more photographs hopefully showing a few more details.  I have to be totally honest I did not build this trike from scratch and purchased it at the beginning of February as a project.  The diff is a Reliant 'A' version which I believe has an axle ratio of 3.23/1, the rear tires are 195 65 R14 which equates to a diameter of 24 inches and when matched with the K100's transmission ratio in 5th gear of 1.61 at 70 mph the engine speed would be 5100 rpm, I'm sure someone out there will correct me if I'm wrong

Interesting.

And it could have gone so very WRONG

Rossko , possibly the only positive with the ebay trike is the independent susp.
every thing else just looks awkward. the sideboxes leave very little room to swing a leg, but do make good arm rests.
nice looking trike Symbolizm , enjoy your K ride.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231159675506?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

This K75 trike also looks quite nice; it has an independently suspended Jaguar rear end.  Not going to be many of those lying around now, as most have been snapped up by hot rodders.

Yellow cable ties???????

It is a very interesting project but yellow cable ties? ???

There were a lot of threads about white cable ties. . . .

Love to see this project though, there is hope for all of us. I have a friend locally here who had a choice of give up bikes or get a trike and they are awesome. There is also a magnificent Honda CBX trike being ridden by a guy who had an accident. But they are great fun in their own right.

Now where did I put the black cable ties?

92KK K100LT 193214 wrote:Yellow cable ties???????

It is a very interesting project but yellow cable ties? ???

There were a lot of threads about white cable ties. . . .

  Something about .... real men use black.

Ok just for you guys I'll be a real man and change the cable ties to black, well maybe   Anyway for the good news it passed the mot today, so I'm nearly road legal, just need insurance and road tax and I'll be cruising baby!

Great looking Trike enjoy the miles

Pat

So that's a s-s-solid r-r-rear end?
Seems it might be a tad skitterish.

Yes your correct the trike features a hard tail and so far once you get used to the ride and have the correct rear tyre pressures the ride is relatively smooth.

I have only one concern and that is a strange noise when first starting the engine from cold (clanking & erratic) after not starting for a few days, but if you restart the same day it's fine.  Many say this can be the 6 rivet output shaft, cam tensioner or alternator bushes.  It is pretty noisy and quite embarrassing, but disappears after a few minutes.  The engine has only done 69k miles and was left sitting for a few years.  I will investigate this further, if I remember correctly using the clutch or selecting a gear makes no difference but will check again to be certain.  when changing the oil I did use Castrol GTX 10w 40 semi synth oil and a Champion C301 filter, not sure if that would make a difference?

Glad it got through the MOT. Now you can enjoy it to. Best of luck with it.

Don't be offended about the cable ties, we had some fun on those a while back and it just reminded me of it. However I do have a bag of black cable ties hanging in my shed beside a bag of white ones.  The style police do come round to inspect at coffee meet ups..!

Symbolizm wrote:Yes your correct the trike features a hard tail and so far once you get used to the ride and have the correct rear tyre pressures the ride is relatively smooth.

I have only one concern and that is a strange noise when first starting the engine from cold (clanking & erratic) after not starting for a few days, but if you restart the same day it's fine.  Many say this can be the 6 rivet output shaft, cam tensioner or alternator bushes.  It is pretty noisy and quite embarrassing, but disappears after a few minutes.  The engine has only done 69k miles and was left sitting for a few years.  I will investigate this further, if I remember correctly using the clutch or selecting a gear makes no difference but will check again to be certain.  when changing the oil I did use Castrol GTX 10w 40 semi synth oil and a Champion C301 filter, not sure if that would make a difference?

Your rivets are probably sound. Likely its the output shaft tensioner spring. Sounds vaguely like diesel clatter?
This was the case with mine. Heluva chore getting to it but once you've got the output shaft in hand it's an easy repair, and worth the effort as your engine will astonish you with how smooth and 'right' it sounds.

Check here about halfway down the page for a great visual: http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/bvogel/K100/K100.htm

The only reason I would see an oil filter being the cause is if it took a while for the oil warning light to go out. If that goes out immediately then you have oil pressure so it shouldn't be a problem.

If its cam tensioner it should be looked at, especially if you are doubtful, it can wreck the engine. Would be a shame at this point. But those engines make noises and go on forever too.

Thank you for the suggestions and yes it does sound like diesel chatter, will take a look at the link.

Kyle 10 that is a great link with some amazing information and photos!  If the problem is the spring and it's not replaced for a while what is likely to happen, can the noise be lived with safely for a while?  How many hours do you estimate it will take for a novice to make this repair?

Symbolizm wrote:Kyle 10 that is a great link with some amazing information and photos!  If the problem is the spring and it's not replaced for a while what is likely to happen, can the noise be lived with safely for a while?  How many hours do you estimate it will take for a novice to make this repair?

A Great Mystery...

I don't know how long, as I don't know when it began and probably neither do you. Eventually the 'gnashing of teeth' will cause some major problems, but you could conceivably ride for many, many moons without anything more than the annoying rattle.

As for hours, it looks like you have experience dropping the engine? Factor in removal of trans/driveline, dropping the engine (or is it lifting the frame?). Once you've got the engine on a bench what will take you time is pulling the bearing that allows you access to the gears and that tensioner spring.

Oh, and order the spring well in advance and have it on hand - you can always return it if the spring is sound. You don't want to be staring at a gutted bike waiting for the post to arrive (voice of experience...). Have some decent locktite handy, too. And RVT. Oy, this brings back memories, not all of 'em good. But the result - if this is what ails her - will have you very glad you did the chore.

If the output shaft tensioner spring is the problem, would there be noise all the time, as I only have noise when the engine is stone cold and not started for a few days?


Also from what I can understand many of these engines can go on happily for many years with these symptoms and even if all the rivets or spring fail you will just loose all drive, so therefore I will live with it for now and make sure I have a good roadside assist company to help just in case.

9 months have gone by...so how is the K now? And the rivets? Any interesting trips/photos over the summer?

Those K s really do go on forever so hopefully all is well with you.

92KK 84WW K100RT 022575 wrote:9 months have gone by...so how is the K now?

Has not posted since April. Hopefully he's been too busy riding to be here posting

Be made wrote:

92KK 84WW K100RT 022575 wrote:9 months have gone by...so how is the K now?

Has not posted since April. Hopefully he's been too busy riding to be here posting

Hey guys, what a Summer and the K has performed flawlessly, my love affair has grown with this machine on a monthly basis and the friends I have made are priceless!


Here's a few pics for anyone interested and I hope you all had an equally great Summer! 

Nice ones there and great to see all is well.

Hope you might make it over here some time too.

92KK 84WW K100RT 022575 wrote:Nice ones there and great to see all is well.

Hope you might make it over here some time too.

Now that would be a great adventure and I'm partial to a lovely drop of Guinness!

Symbolizm wrote:

92KK 84WW K100RT 022575 wrote:Nice ones there and great to see all is well.

Hope you might make it over here some time too.

Now that would be a great adventure and I'm partial to a lovely drop of Guinness!

Herein lie the seeds of another adventure......we have that Guinness stuff coming out of the taps all over the place here. Now if we could get Ks to grown on trees...

That is one very nice trike  a credit to you enjoy and take care.

BIG D

Symbolizm wrote:

92KK 84WW K100RT 022575 wrote:Nice ones there and great to see all is well.

Hope you might make it over here some time too.

Now that would be a great adventure and I'm partial to a lovely drop of Guinness!

You got a great summer with the K.

Well, if you fancy a trip over some of us will be camping 1-10 August and we have a brunch and outing on Saturday 8 August at Stradbally in Laois, about an hour from the Holyhead to Dublin ferry port. If you like some more scenic routes its about hour and a half from Pembroke/Fishguard to Rosslare ferry port. You won't be the only one coming over, we already have 3 takers....

I am sure we will find a tap somewhere anywhere on the island that delivers Guinness.....

Very impressive.

Can I show you mine... Not as nice and clean as yours, but its mine.

I wont post pics and mess up your page, so I will just put the links here instead so you only need to look if you want to!

http://www.fatrakoon.co.uk/bmw/trike1.jpg
http://www.fatrakoon.co.uk/bmw/trike2.jpg
http://www.fatrakoon.co.uk/bmw/trike3.jpg
http://www.fatrakoon.co.uk/bmw/trike4.jpg
http://www.fatrakoon.co.uk/bmw/trike5.jpg
http://www.fatrakoon.co.uk/bmw/trike6.jpg
http://www.fatrakoon.co.uk/bmw/trike7.jpg
http://www.fatrakoon.co.uk/bmw/trike8.jpg

Very nice conversion FatRakoon, mine is having a rear end re-build at the moment very similar to yours, it will no longer be a hardtail, which has to be better for my back!

Well done!
That's the nicest Trike I've seen.

It is hard to make a trike look good without a fibreglass body but you have done well by keeping it simple and not getting the harsh naked look that many get

Nice work guys . Basic designs are what allows others to be inspired to create the lavish . keep it up .
how about adding a Konversion section for Trikes and others in that Kategory. some great koncepts of the K bike to be seen out there .

You popped into the PowerHub biker cafe about a month ago, in Maidstone. 

Symbolizm wrote:Very nice conversion FatRakoon, mine is having a rear end re-build at the moment very similar to yours, it will no longer be a hardtail, which has to be better for my back!

Thank you.

Yes, the ride is very smooth.

My only issue, is just how hard it is to turn the thing.

That is what I will be doing sometime this year, or during the winter anyway. At the very least, I will be bringing the bars higher and further back, and wider. to get just a little more comfort, and allow a better and easier turn.

I also want to put forward footrests on, but I am pretty much stuck as to how, and not make it look ugly.
I was seriously considering forward controls, but I have decided its not worth the effort.

One final option, is one that I am seriously considering is a two part job and thats the braking system.
Conversion from drum to Disc and linked brakes so that both the front lever and the back pedal, brake all 3 wheels. This thing has the most god awful brakes that I have ever seen and they seriously need upgrading.

It does brake adequetely, but I would feel a whole lot better if it stopped quicker than it does.

I think I might know the answer to your brake problem. Assuming that your drum brakes are hydraulically operated and everything is okay, then the problem is in the brake leverage ratio (movement of the brake lever vs. movement of the piston in the master cylinder). A car has a 6:1 leverage ratio whereas a bike is 4:1. I'll bet the rear brakes are a car master cylinder driven by a motorcycle brake lever.

FatRakoon wrote:

Symbolizm wrote:Very nice conversion FatRakoon, mine is having a rear end re-build at the moment very similar to yours, it will no longer be a hardtail, which has to be better for my back!

Thank you.

Yes, the ride is very smooth.

My only issue, is just how hard it is to turn the thing.

That's why many sidecars have leading links, a trike has the same issue of too much trail in the front suspension.  You need to push the front axle further forward (not by raking the steering head, this will make it worse by increasing the trail further).  Custom triple clamps that offset the forks further or rake just the forks forward will achieve this.

Al

Al

Dai wrote:I think I might know the answer to your brake problem. Assuming that your drum brakes are hydraulically operated and everything is okay, then the problem is in the brake leverage ratio (movement of the brake lever vs. movement of the piston in the master cylinder). A car has a 6:1 leverage ratio whereas a bike is 4:1. I'll bet the rear brakes are a car master cylinder driven by a motorcycle brake lever.

Bingo!
It is yes. its using the car cylinder!
Ok, thats great... I know the path to the solution. Thank you.

AL-58 wrote:

FatRakoon wrote:

Symbolizm wrote:Very nice conversion FatRakoon, mine is having a rear end re-build at the moment very similar to yours, it will no longer be a hardtail, which has to be better for my back!

Thank you.

Yes, the ride is very smooth.

My only issue, is just how hard it is to turn the thing.

That's why many sidecars have leading links, a trike has the same issue of too much trail in the front suspension.  You need to push the front axle further forward (not by raking the steering head, this will make it worse by increasing the trail further).  Custom triple clamps that offset the forks further or rake just the forks forward will achieve this.

Al

Al

Im now very confused.

I was told to first increase the rake by getting yokes that allow me to push the frotn out a little.

I was then told to get Leading forks as this will be a better option.

I was then told that leading links are old tech and no one does this anymore because it does not work and will make it harder to ride.

And then I was told that I would be better off simply getting lober forkes, and this will raisew the front a few inches, therefore, pushing the front end out a little in the process, and this wil be the best way!!!

Sheesh!

And now its back to the leading links idea?

So, leading links WILL help the steering yes?

I am definitely getting wider bars, that are a little higher, and further back towards me, for both comfort and better leverage , but this will onlt help so-much.

The suspension in the rear is using a combination of the stock bike shocks, plus extra support from 2 more shocks, and I have been tols that independant rear suspension will also make life easier.... Not cheap though.

All options, but the trike is a 1984 model and so not a young vehicle by any standards, and its cost me a few grand already...  I dont want to keep spending money on it that I dont have, only to get minimal benefit from the work done.

Id rather have huge arms to be honest. LOL.