Trike Photos

This is an evolution of my last trike project. It started in 2002 when I was cruising the Internet. I saw these kits advertised, and they caught my eye. The company was in Athens Alabama (1.256.230.0300). Since I was visiting my cabin in Mississippi soon, I planned to go to their factory (a couple hour drive). I loved the clean look and open frame as opposed to the normal body style trikes. I also liked the fact that you could buy as much or as little of the kit as you wanted, as well as a complete trike. I opted for the NOVA TRIKE basic kit with the optional wiring harness, hydraulics kits, and 5 bolt rear Chevy pattern disc brake setup cause I wanted a real hot rod engine.

The kit arrived as promised with only one minor breakage, which Nova Trikes promptly replaced for me. I spent about two months doing mods to the frame to accommodate and external oil filter/cooler and some other things I wanted. I ordered a 1915 cc VW power plant from Vee Dubs in California. I opted for all new parts including block, and dual Weber 44 IDF carbs. All of the metal (including transaxle) was powder coated pearl white by Affordable Powdercoating in Phoenix for a mere $567! Motorcycle painters wanted $1000 just for the frame! I still need to get the plastic sides painted, and some neat airbrush work done for looks. The transaxle was built by Arizona Transaxle and sports a 3.88 ring & pinion, with a VW bus overdrive 4^th gear. With this 4^th gear the engine turns about 3400 RPM at 75 mph. After sitting on the stock seat provided I dedided to go for the Mustang seat upgrade. Pricey at $800, but very comfortable with backrest for the driver and passenger. Of course, this then called for more parts to be fabricated by Gary Michelson, my fabricator and assistant on the Harley part of construction.

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The day the kit arrived June 3, 2002, lotsa boxes!

Progress was slow, as I had to round up engine and parts from all over. I spent November fishing and finishing my shop in Mississippi. This is December 5 2002! I had found someone (Gary Michelson a great Harley mechanic and fabricator) to come over and assist me. The work went real fast with the two of us working on it.

A lot of progress by December 12, 2002!

December 15, 2002 and its really starting to look like a motorcycle!

December 27, 2002, the transaxle!

December 27, 2002 and the front is really moving along.

January 6, 2003 the engine is done.

Side view finished (except for paint).

Fat Boy front keeps wheel on the ground.

My friends from Boston loved it!

Twiggy from Boston.

Geneva and me.

New headers 12/2003. What the hell, 15 more Hp never hurt anyone!

I won a trophy the first show I entered at the Freedom Beach Party in Buckeye February 2003, even without the paint being finished! I am still working out minor issues with tuning, slight oil filter leak, and stiff switches.

I'm going motorcycle riding! Click your browser BACK button to return to previous page !