1977 Other Makes Trike on 2040-motos

 1977 77 "The Trike Shop" Volkswagen powered trike.
The Trike Shop is still in business I believe in there original location in Gem Lake Minnesota now going by the name Roadsmith Trikes / The Trike Shop. If you go to there website homepage and click on "about", you will see some vintage photographs in the margin that look very similar to the trike offered here.
I acquired this bike about 7 years ago from an older couple because they knew I did mechanical work and the exterior car port this was sitting under had completely rotted away and was beginning to collapse. It had very little protection from the elements.
I will try to recall everything I did to it but my recollections have faded.
I was told it had a bad transmission and it does, but I was led to believe the transmission was the reason it was parked in the first place. It turns out one of the rear brake drums had it's splines stripped. I replaced the brake drum. It now moves under it's own power but jumps out of 2nd gear on deceleration. I have also gotten disconnected on the shifter and had to stop and work it back in place. In other words the transaxle is shot and the linkage is sloppy. It has the older "swing" axle. The hubs have an adapter on them and the bolt pattern is 4 3/4" 5 bolt from 55 through 60's chevy. It comes with a pair of unilug Keystone Klassics. I replaced the wheel cylinders and used Super Beetle cylinders. I recall thinking the pedal effort was too hard and the Super Beetle wheel cylinders had a bigger diameter. The bleeder bolts were upside down but I managed to bleed them and the vehicle has good brakes now. Unfortunately there is only one brake system. No parking or emergency brake. Doesn't look like it was ever equipped with any.
I rebuilt the carburetor and got the engine running. It doesn't run great but I have driven it to a couple events. The engine has an AE prefix which is most sources say is an early 70's 1600 dual port. I have done nothing to the engine internally. I have not noticed any blue smoke from the exhaust pipes, but I see it produces significant blow-by out the oil breather tube at hot idle. Newer heavier oil may help this.
It has a gas tank under each fender but I only have one hooked up. There is no oil light but the sending unit is there. Frankly, the motor would have failed by now if it had no oil pressure. The generator or alternator works.
I did some wiring and installed front turn signals.
I bought a new front tire the same size as the old one. The front tire rubs on turns but is OK driving straight.
It did not have a title when I got it, but I had the vehicle inspected by the DMV here in Minnesota and was issued a title in 2010. The vehicle is licensed and insured and has been since the title was  issued.
As I said, I have driven it to a couple events as a "Rat Rod". The rust is so heavy on the plated parts that it would have been pointless to even attempt an SOS pad clean-up.
The reason I am selling it is mainly because this vehicle is not my style and I don't feel safe on it. I didn't choose it, it sort of fell in my lap. I have been paying to store it and my storage fees have far surpassed the vehicle's value. I am not going to pay to store it another winter. It takes up as much room as a car. It's time to de-clutter.
It is a cool, complete and period correct vintage trike for the right person and I have seen some really ugly trikes on here with starting prices way higher.
I also have a trunk that goes with it but I thought it looked cooler without it. (See photos). I will reinstall trunk before new owner takes possession. We took it for a drive the other day and it's idiosyncrasies came back to me. The shift pattern is more of a staggered H pattern. Hunting for fourth gear I often ground second. 3rd and 4th gear require pushing in the gear shift lever. It came back to me after a few shifts. The vehicle jumps out of 2nd on deceleration. Accelerating from a stop through the gears worked. It backfires as you relax the throttle between shifts. The front wheel is not true. This cause an oscillation in the handlebars and makes me very uncomfortable. I had to recruit my ex to help film while the bike was in motion. As you can see she did a lousy job. Must have been at least a 20 mile round trip in stop and go traffic. Made a few stops. Turned alot of heads!
I prefer an in-person cash deal, but if that is not possible, I will hold the vehicle until funds clear. The vehicle does not have to be picked up immediately and I can deliver the vehicle to any shipping service in the twin cities metro area. I will drive it there, if I can get there avoiding the interstate.
Call 651 698 8103 or email with any questions or to arrange a viewing.

I have more photos, a walk around video and a driving video here here

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