Not new, not classic, not British, but new to me...

It's a long story, but a fellow CMA member, "George" was giving away his old bike that he "de-triked", an '02 Honda VTX1800R, big V-twin power cruiser. He and his wife were moving away, and as they say "you can't take it (all) with you".

I was the first one to call the number that was posted, so I got the bike. He had bolted the rear end back on (loosely) and left it in his pipe-frame tarp "shed" for over a year since he was using his newer '03 Honda VTX1800 Motor Trike (trike kit came from the '02).

I assembled it as far as I could, in order to determine what was missing; then, I ordered the stuff I needed (foot boards & pedals, seat). Swapped over the best of several items and took a quick shot-



I've since ordered & received exhaust gaskets, battery & cooling hose, and assembled those systems more completely. Seat just came in today, I'll get it on tomorrow.

In the meantime, George decided he'd sell his trike; Sally has lately been getting concerned that her "trick" ankle could give out at any time she puts her balancing foot down. So not only could she drop her bike, but if one of the kids is with her (more than 50% chance), somebody could get hurt. So, I gave him several hundred more than his asking price and the deal was done.



(you might notice, he mixed and matched parts as he saw fit; I'm going to all red on the trike, all orange on the 2-wheeler)

Only one issue - it's still in the shop for a repair that has dragged on, but they finally got to the actual problem, and the FPR should be replaced BY Thursday.

He also gave me this camping rig, and a 2nd trailer that I'm going to convert to a bike hauler-



This is all kinda new for me, but fits into my plan for my dotage...

Well what a score, you done well out of that lot, the bikes aren't my cup of tea but I would have jumped at it if I had the chance, have fun with them all.

Ashley

Some things are so bad that they are good ? That is what a road bike should be - but have you got a beard ?.

acotrel said:

Some things are so bad that they are good ? That is what a road bike should be - but have you got a beard ?.

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"Built for a purpose"

Yes, I have a beard, but it's only a "nominal" one, not down to my chest...

Am I seeing one of those flying gizmos with a seat, an engine, a propeller and a parasail sitting behind the bike?

I was down the street with my 4 year old grand-daughter yesterday. She loves bikes. A guy started a big red and chrome Harley. She put her hands over her ears. She was very impressed. - So they are good for something.

Lineslinger said:

Am I seeing one of those flying gizmos with a seat, an engine, a propeller and a parasail sitting behind the bike?

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Yes, Quicksilver MX Sprint II, (Rotax 503), set up as a single seat so no license required...

Paul you can tow that camp trailer behind the trike be good for those holidays camping trips, my mate use to tow his race Triton behind his old Shovel Head, was a real crowd puller when he parked up.

Ashley

ashman said:

...my mate use to tow his race Triton behind his old Shovel Head, was a real crowd puller when he parked up.

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I'm one step ahead of you...

Pretty narrow wheels on that trailer,... If I was you I would be very careful going around corners while towing a heavy bike on that trailer...

Those wheels would be fine.

I meant to say that the trailer is very narrow, so it's more prone to flip. I can see how my first post was misleading...

Yep, it's not going to see much use, I don't believe.

I can always chop the axle and extend it.

Anyway, got the rail welded on today...


Picked up the trike yesterday and goofed with it for 10 minutes before I figured out that George inverted the shifter arm for reverse shifting! It wouldn't start with the clutch pulled in or I would have figured it out much sooner. Anyway, it had a slight coolant leak from loose fittings, now the shifter needs to be welded up after I align it properly (bodge job). Bike is fast, and L-O-U-D! I feel kinda bad just idling thru the neighborhood. Gonna get me some tailpipes to get to the rear of the trike, then some MUFFLERS!


Also going to remove some of the extra stuff and install normal mirrors...