Thinking about building a trike

I'm thinking about building a trike. I've already got a chain drive transaxle and a frame from a KZ900 that are destined to be joined.
Looking toward mocking up the build, I need some wheels. Do any of you have any experience/knowledge toward locating a pair of lightweight, attractive wheels that might be a good fit for a trike?
TIA
Bill

bill,
won't the bolt pattern of the hubs help you narrow down what will fit???

leon

KZQ wrote: I'm thinking about building a trike. I've already got a chain drive transaxle and a frame from a KZ900 that are destined to be joined.
Looking toward mocking up the build, I need some wheels. Do any of you have any experience/knowledge toward locating a pair of lightweight, attractive wheels that might be a good fit for a trike?
TIA
Bill

Did you check out zukdave's Pit Bike in the racing thread ?
Pete

Pete I think my trike is a little too light weight for what Bills got in mind
but heres some bare frame pics if it'll help.

Too Light? I don't think so. That's a very nice project. I'll read the thread.

I tried to measure the hubs but there are two bolt patterns that are too close to measure with a caliper. 5X4.50 and 5X4.53. I suppose I'll have to go to a tire shop to identify the pattern.
Thanks for the responses.
Bill

How many lugs?
Steve

Bill not realy sure what you have in mind you said a KZ900 frame so I assumed a KZ motor
based trike. Could you post a pic of your axle that would help get an idea of what you want to build.
Heres a pic of me on mine I'm 5'11" with a 32" inseam to give you an idea of the size of it.
My rear wheels are 8x12 four lug and the hubs are the same as they run on the jr. dragster's
front forks and the 24" wheel can be source'd by googling low rider bicycle's

Hi Dave,
Now I understand "pit bike". I'm a bit slow this evening. Did you use a differential or a straight axle?

Yes I have a 76 900 frame and engine I'll be using. (Not the one in the picture). I don't have any thing to go by. I suppose I'll start by welding the swing arm to some sort of carrier that bolts to the transaxle. I'll need to add some bracing and move the shocks outboard to minimize the twisting forces.
The Transaxle:


Close up of the hub:



I'm looking for a pair of wheels and tires that pretty much match the diameter of the stock KZ rear wheel and are as light as possible.

Bill

Bill that looks to be an old HD servicar axle used in the police trikes from the late 40's early 50's.
with a disk brake swap.
For the rear susp. maybe a control arm setup like used on the 60's early 70's chevy truck's
would be worth looking at. Two arms with the correct bend use the axle blocks that are on it now
with heim joints at the swing arm pivot bolt.

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationI found a similar set up on ebay
They say "8. Add $200.00 for Black or Chrome Wheels or chose your own. The Universal Axle allows for most 5 lugs wheel patterns."
But I can't find anything on stock wheels yet.

I had a little trike in the 80's. It had a 350 Honda frame but I put in a Rupp motor. The trans-axle was a Monkey Wards if I remember right. The Honda motor was too big for it. Lots of fun until Clippenger killed it.
Steve

just my .02 but i would build a custom swing arm with the tubes stacked to match the through holes in the mounting blocks of the rear end you have.those blacks clamp to the stacked tube of the arm.
it could also be done to a modified stock arm.

exhibit a-

exhibit b-

hth,
leon