The Trojan Trike

After failing the motorcycle test twice, I opted for the easy way of achieving social transport in the form of a motorcycle combination.
Mine was a BSA 650cc and after 10 years, 12 crankshafts and a similar amount of barrels, pistons and clutches my motoring was somewhat disheartening. Nurturing it through MOT tests and touring holidays, return journeys usually care of the RAC.

The last straw came when the government decreed that I should pass my test or face a year off the road every third year. I took the test and passed - wow! Now I can legally drive a three-wheeler. Although I had admired the various trikes I had seen I was never very impressed by the passenger comfort and with a wife and one year old baby to accommodate I decided to build something slightly unusual.

My favorite sidecar had been a replica of the WW2 German army Zundapp type and so using this as a pattern I formed one with three times the width. It was made up from an electrical conduit space frame with an aluminium skin riveted to and formed round the tubing.

A friend offered me a Cossack motorcycle frame complete with log-book luckily. Then after cutting the back end off behind the front seat I fitted it into my 'wide sidecar' with the front forks sticking over the nose.

CONSTRUCTION

The Cossack trike machine consists of a motorcycle front, complete with front forks, handlebars, frame etc, with an extension coming from the motorcycle main frame to a rear platform and sub frame construction, housing the engine, gearbox, drive units and rear suspension assemblies. The particular units used are a Cossack motorcycle front and a Mini 850 front end fitted into the rear platform construction. The frame extension is made from a strong tubular framework, which is connected directly into the rear platform and to the engine sub-frame assembly.

The chassis and platform construction has been well designed and the construction work carried out is to a very high standard. All welded joints appear to be good and we are reliably informed that an experienced welder carried out all this work. The complete Mini engine and front sub-frame assembly, is located at the rear with the engine unit in a reverse location to what it was originally intended. The steering swivels are held rigidly by adjustable tie bars, with a modified exhaust system with twin silencers being installed.

The rear suspension consists of two telescopic shock absorbers.

The braking system consists of hydraulic operation to the rear wheels, operated by a foot pedal. There are two hand brake systems, one is to the rear wheels, operated on the hydraulic system and this over-rides the foot brake control. A secondary handbrake is operated on the front wheel and is a direct cable operation. A specially adapted gear change system has been devised and the vehicle is fitted with just four forward gears. There is no reverse.

All statutory lighting has been installed on the vehicle and all are in good working order and correct alignment.

The seating accommodation comprises of a single seat for the driver and two seats either side of the main frame, built into the rear platform.

Our only criticism was the lack of seat belts for the rear passengers. Although this is not a legal requirement, we feel that it would be an advantage and far safer with the installation of a lap type seat belt.

The vehicle is fitted with a motorcycle front tyre, the size being 350 x 18, with a tread depth of 4mm. The two rear tyres are 145 x 10, with tread depths of 6mm, these being a Monarch Radial Tyre.

CONCLUSION

As seen from this report, the vehicle has been designed and constructed to a very high standard and with the addition of the lap type seat belts for the two rear passengers, we would have no hesitation in recommending the vehicle for insurance purposes. An M.O.T test certificate has been issued by Vale Brook Motors, Crewe,

Panelling completed and brush painted light aircraft grey.The body shape is a copy of my old Cossack Ural sidecar.The cluch and brake are operated by a foot pedal conected to Austin Mini hydraulic master cylinders.The speedometer is driven by the front wheel.

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The handbrake linkage can be seen just below the front seat and fuel tank.This lever depresses the hydraulic master cylinder which is not a good idea because the brake looses efficiency as the hydraulic fluid leaks past the seals while standing. For this reason I fitted a second handbrake to the front wheel, operated by cable.

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The engine compartment has three opening sections, a lifting top lid, a hinged louvred panel at the rear and removable panels behind the two passenger seats.

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The gear change lever can be seen to the right of the fuel tank. There is a large lever to shift the linkage back and forward, with a small lever attached to it, that operates a cable that will shift the linkage sideways to the left.There is a return spring that pulls the linkage to the right. If I want to engage reverse gear I first have to go to the rear of the trike and pull a small lever to the right, then get back on, depress the cluch pedal and pull the large lever backwards. It's as simple as that!

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The trojan in the arena at the first Leaning Tower rally this was held twice in aid of the Wybunbury Church Tower. The venue was the Queen,s Park at Crewe, Cheshire.

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