3 Wheeled Motorcycles

[Kringle]

Have a friend that is bit old (70+) and has bad knees so he's looking for a 3 wheeled motorcycle just to get around town. He's in Bang Bua Thong so traffic isn't really bad. He would like something that is a step-through with a decent size basket on the back for shopping. Can anyone direct me to where I can get more info for him?

Cheers, Kringle

Edited February 21, 2005 by Kringle

[phazey]

I've seen these in Bangkapi Mall quite recently. Have a wander round there...

[Gazza]

I've seen a few 3 wheelers around here and there over the years. They're kind of a scooter and actually lean over when turning a corner, so I don't know if they remain upright when sitting at a standstill or not. I would imagine they do, otherwise what what the purpose of two rear wheels be if they didn't.

Other than that, get an orinary mc and have a side-car set up added to it.

A neighbour across from my house has done that to carry his dogs around. Most village mc shops should be able to build one.

Good Luck

Edited February 21, 2005 by Gazza

[tuky]

orinary mc

??? is that a brand gaz or just a type, I have never come across one before.

is this what your after Kringle?

or something more like this...

However this one looks interesting...

[Kringle]

I was thinking more like the ones you see around that the Thai hadicapped people use with the wider rear end and the larger wheels. Thanks for the info and I'm still looking.

[Doctor John]

That's pretty smart.

[Thetyim]

Kringle,

I know what you mean, but I have never seen a shop selling them.

I am guessing here that it is an after market conversion.

I have tried googling for it but came up with ziltch.

Will get back if I have any better luck.

[SEAtramp]

What about a Tuk Tuk !

[phazey]

However this one looks interesting...

heh, anyone seen the southpark episode with this one in ?

[SeaVisionBurma]

yep - seen it - you mean Mr Garrison's wonderful and (ahem) comfortable cycle??

Edited February 21, 2005 by SeaVisionBurma

[Abandon]

just for fun take a look at:

http://www.3wheelers.com/azlist1.html

3 wheelers are a British art, since there are special lax laws for 3 wheelers in Britain. Some are classed as bikes, some as cars, depending mostly on having a reverse gear or not, and having approved seat belts removing the need for a helmet.

but back to topic. A good garage will be able to put an axle and 2 wheels on the back of most bikes - it's not actually that hard to do. Got to make sure the engine is under the seat (not the scooters with engine next to the wheel) and is chain drive (very few are shaft drive). Personally I would choose the bike, and buy the extra wheel, and then take it around for quotes, but if you are not experienced it might be best to let the garage decide (more costly that way). Personally, I would always have 2 wheels at the front, not the back, as you can et some fantastic stability if done right.

There are also a heck of a lot of conversion kits - from face warping racers, to sensible kits too, that are not hard to assemble if you have some experience. I'll help you find them if you are interested, and will come and make 'helpful' suggestions while you build it. You would need lots of good tools, but is something that I would enjoy personally.

Just a note though, I would definitely have the basket on the front, or have a closing boot cover, otherwise he will get home to find all his groceries have been nicked.

[Thetyim]

Is that large single wheel bike for real ??

How do the brakes work ?

Surely when you apply them at any decent speed the wheel will keep going and you will start spinning round.

Have I missed some ingenious concealed device ?

[Erwin1011]

Honda made them initially. You see them quite a lot in London used by messengers and delivery boys. I saw a couple here Bkk. I remember the owner telling me it was about 35000 Bht. Can't remember the name of the place though...

[Abandon]

I hadn't thought about the brakes - good point, I'd like to see that. My thought was how do they steer. anyone have a brand name or site link?

[tuky]

Is that large single wheel bike for real ??

How do the brakes work ?

Surely when you apply them at any decent speed the wheel will keep going and you will start spinning round.

Have I missed some ingenious concealed device ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was thinking a sensative form of ABS???

Steering would be hard.

[Thetyim]

Yes ABS would work but the max brake force available would be dependant on the weight of the driver and frame.

Maybe with a bird that fat braking is sufficient

[astral]

That's pretty smart.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The problem is that you cannot get it registered or insured!!

So it will be illegal on the road and if you have an accident you

will land up with a very large bill!!

[Gazza]

orinary mc

??? is that a brand gaz or just a type, I have never come across one before.

Sorry. I didn't know the Grammar Gestapo were on duty today. It should read 'ordinary'.

Go easy on me officer. It's my first offence, except for when I got done for speed reading last year that is.

[Jeff Jarvis]

It's been my understanding that 3 wheelers are unstable in turns.

Would an electric golf cart work?

[Abandon]

3 wheelers can be unstable in turns, especially with 2 seaters (side by side) or with bike conversions that do not allow tilting. However, well made 3 wheelers are very good handlers indeed. See a these babes:

http://www.3wheelers.com/carver.html

http://www.grinnallcars.com/content/home/grinnall.html

http://www.indycycle.net/

or the orgasmic - http://www.3wheelers.com/lshark.html

http://www.3wheelers.com/malone.html

http://indycycleonline.com/

or, pant pant pant http://www.go-t-rex.com/anglais.html

Dunno if the OP is interested in such beauts?

[Gazza]

3 wheelers can be unstable in turns, especially with 2 seaters (side by side) or with bike conversions that do not allow tilting. However, well made 3 wheelers are very good handlers indeed.

Good points, pundit.

I used to have a Harley 3 wheeler Servi-car back in the UK in the early 80's.

No rear suspension meant that if a rear wheel hit a bump while cornering, it would result in momentarily riding on 2 wheels. They weren't made for the public to use on raods but mostly for US meter-maid cops and company/shop deliveries.

I would imagine anything made nowadays by a top mc manufacturer for use on a road would be safe to ride.

[bkk_mike]

Honda made them initially. You see them quite a lot in London used by messengers and delivery boys. I saw a couple here Bkk. I remember the owner telling me it was about 35000 Bht. Can't remember the name of the place though...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You're talking about the Honda Gyro Canopy, I think...

I saw one last week, but remember them also as the bikes for the Yo! Sushi delivery in London..

I don't think they're for sale new, but you might be able to find a second hand one...

[Erwin1011]

Honda made them initially. You see them quite a lot in London used by messengers and delivery boys. I saw a couple here Bkk. I remember the owner telling me it was about 35000 Bht. Can't remember the name of the place though...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You're talking about the Honda Gyro Canopy, I think...

I saw one last week, but remember them also as the bikes for the Yo! Sushi delivery in London..

I don't think they're for sale new, but you might be able to find a second hand one...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's exactly what I meant ! I would like to have one for doing some quick shopping. Don't trust myself with other bikes. Have a tendency for speeding and living dangerously.

Can you use them on the road in Thailand. (Registration, drivers licence ?)

[elliss]

try going to a motor bike dealer .

if they can be ordered he is the man ,

who can do it .

i would feel a lot safer driving a three wheeler

than a motor bike .

[Thetyim]

This model may be more convenient for your friend but not sure if it will pass the emission controls. It is of course chain drive.

It must have a powerful engine judging by the skid marks it leaves everywhere.

[Abandon]

sut yort

[Kringle]

Pandit, nice urls but way out of price range for this guy. I'll find em, I'll just ask one of the people I see riding em around and I do think you can get a license for them if it's for a handicapped person but not positive. Would seem so as the ones I've seen had plate and rego stickers.

Thanks for the help,

Kringle

[Jeff Jarvis]

And for those that really have to go...

http://www.captionmachine.com/archives/200...wigns-fesitval/

[Abandon]

And for those that really have to go...

http://www.captionmachine.com/archives/200...wigns-fesitval/

So what had that guy been eating?

Kringle - You are right, can't see many people getting one of those beuts I showed links to. Can't see many people not wanting ne either.

The 3-wheeler.com site does have links to a lot of sites with more standard machines though, that can be bought in kits if anyone is game enough to put them together. But I'd have thought my original idea might be a practical one for you, get a fairly standard motorbike, and a spare wheel for it, and find a work shop to put an axle and the 2 wheels on the back. I have seen a few such machines around, though all up-counrty, and it is actually a pretty easy job for a reasonably well set up garage. They can space the rear wheels a metre or so apart - won't be any good going fast, but will be very stable at town speeds. I wonder about the liscensing though - The BiB need no extra excuses to pull someone over. the UK has very lax laws for custom 3 wheelers, which is probalby why it leads the world in them (though the engines are usually Japanese). Some of the home made jobs I have seen in Thailand, sometimes held together with string, like the barrow bikes with the large barrow at the fromt, these suggest the laws are flexible here too - but then those people are not fine paying Westerners. ahh, TiT.

[Kringle]

Pandit35, Would be fun to make one yourself but don't have the decent garage equipment (welder and such) I'm still waiting for parts for my 900 Eliminator and do have most of the tools to do that so that will be my fun. I'm still looking and will get it sorted. He's having some BS with his Thai misses and so he says there's plenty of time. lol

Thanks,

Kringle