Trike

How about we quit tearing stuff up and build something fun. Could be like a contest, maybe something suitable for the Isle of Mann. Down hill coasters would be fun too. Anything to improve humanity as opposed to annihilating it, as many people are more than happy to do these days.

It has been reported that the income of 96% of the people in the U.S. is less than $21,000 per year and the living wage is $58,000 per year. It has also been reported that nearly 50% of the people world wide, do not have access to clean water. For these things alone, we should be ashamed of ourselves. Good news is that the solutions are all around us. First, we outlaw greed and lying worldwide. This must be done to rebuild trust. Second, everyone would be required to take part in making things to improve humanity. Local sourced energy to power well water pumps, small and efficient transportation vehicles barely big enough for the task at hand, would be a good start. I have worked hard all of my life learning how to build things so I know the second part is easy to do. As for the first thing, I do not know how this should be done, but it is blatantly obvious the financials need to be re-leveled.

So we are presenting what our focus has been on for many years. Since I was a kid, I have wanted a vehicle that drives like a car but functions like a sport bike. Never thought about how long the project would take to accomplish. After 12,000 miles of testing and tweaking, I have developed an understanding of the functionality. The patent text, drawings and the website, https://tampatrike.com provide all the layout data for this design. We are providing two new photos with reference points. Different people understand things in different ways. We have tried to accommodate.

Photo Reference Points and Description

Actuator Output / Chassis Pivot Shaft
- The rotation of this shaft provides the sport bike functionally.
Actuator Dual Input Shaft
- This shaft rotates the output shaft.
Two Electric Motors Mounted Opposed
- These motors control the chassis lean and provide symmetry.
Front Beam Tubing
- At the end of the two tubes, the bend radius starts, heading to the shock tubes.
Motor Auxiliary Shafts
- One for manual rotation, second drives a diaphragm oil pump for bearing lubrication.
Clamshell Bracket
- Keyed connection for the pivot to the chassis.

Beam Tubes Stiffener
- This ties the beam tubes and motor together as a beam stiffener.
Adaptor Yokes
- Mounting feature for the beam tubes to the actuator.
Adaptor Yokes
- Adjustable suspension caster with different yoke sets. +/- 5 Deg.
Dolly locates Chassis Pivot Angle
- This angle controls the under/oversteer conditions, and is symmetrical.
Indicates Actuator Casting Position
- Yokes mount to this casting.
Upright Shock Tube Channel
- Dual shock mounting and spindle mounting.
Caliper and Steering Bracket Mount
- Adjustable steering caster pivot mount.

We hope these photos provide a different perspective of this patented design. We feel a reasonable level of efficiency has been achieved. Taking a corner feels like you are climbing straight up a hill. Higher corner speed is just a steeper hill. It is the most fun you can have with your clothes on, or off.

Tampa Trike has developed an exciting new way to make three wheel motor vehicles safer, comfortable, and more accessible for everyone.

Their innovative vehicle chassis design allows for the vehicle to autonomously lean when cornering. This three wheel vehicle is driven like a normal vehicle and requires nothing from the driver to lean at the proper angle. The various videos on the website capture the chassis in action.

Storyboard 5 shows the chassis function old school style.

The Chassis In Action

The main reason for vehicle lean is to shift the majority of the vehicle weight to the inside of the corner. This has been the great advantage of a motorcycle over a traditional four wheel vehicle, but the big leans take a lot of skill, nerve, and can be physically demanding for some riders. With this patent chassis setup, the driver will forget to notice the big leans or feel the centrifugal force.

With this patent chassis setup, the driver will never notice the big leans or feel the centrifugal force

The suspension needed for our patented design is different from designs used on other three and four wheel vehicles. If traditional “A” arms were employed, the chassis leaning would force the front wheels to lean. Some “A” arm pivot locations can cause the front wheels to lean more than the chassis. Front wheel patches would become very small, reducing their grip and wear life.

A second detrimental effect of using “A” arms with a leaning vehicle is the front wheel alignment would vary during the lean movement. Depending on which wheel has the most grip will determine the new vehicle travel direction on its own. We choose to keep the maximum rubber engagement and allow the driver to be solely in control of the steering.

Our Unique Patented Design

Unlike traditional trikes, our three-wheel chassis design allows for various power sources, including electric, gasoline, and diesel. This unique patented design provides improved stability, handling, and cornering, making it a safer and more comfortable drive. We did a lot of testing to make sure the trike was predictable time after time. An arbitrarily squirrely vehicle is not fun to drive. I am sure we enlarged some potholes, scared people running through off-camber corner dips, and mowed some grass. A fair amount of tweaking took place to get this chassis design to settle down. We are pleased with the results and are ready for other people to enjoy this new patented motor vehicle chassis design.

We believe that our patented chassis design is the future of three wheel vehicles. It has been a lot of work to get it right and we are excited to share it with the world. We also believe there are some innovative people that can take this design up a notch. We are offering our product Patent License Single Vehicle Only so that one can use the patent design as they see fit. Bring your best game. Hoo ah! That is a Double Dog Dare!

In 2023, what you’re paying at the pump for gas is around $0.60 more than the six-year average. To say that recent gas prices have been fickle and high would be an understatement.

This has led many people to look for more fuel-efficient options to get around town. One possibility for this is purchasing a custom trike.

Not only do trikes provide a fun experience, but you can use them to ride around town and get things done.

But, when looking at custom trikes for sale, what factors should you consider? Keep reading to find out.

Do You Want a Ready to Ride Trike or Pieces to Build Your Own Trike?

When it comes to buying a custom trike, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want a ready-to-ride trike or if you’d like to build your own. There are pros and cons to both options.

If you’re not particularly mechanically inclined or just don’t have the time to devote to building your own trike from scratch, then a ready-to-ride option might be best for you. With these types of trikes, all the hard work has been done for you by professionals who know what they’re doing.

On the other hand, building your own trike can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It allows you complete creative control over every aspect of your ride and gives you a sense of pride that can only come from creating something yourself.

Of course, there’s also the cost factor to consider. Building your own trike will likely require more time and money than simply purchasing one that’s already been assembled.

Purchases you want to consider when building your own include the following:

Beam Assembly

The beam assembly doesn’t include the chassis. When you purchase it from us, you get the parts unpainted and unassembled. The beam assembly is ideal for a retrofit or starting point when building your own.

Chassis and Beam Parts

Do you have a gas engine or electric drive system you want to use? This assembly also comes unpainted and unassembled. You’ll be able to add your power source, body panels, and other parts to suit your needs.

What to Look for When Purchasing a Ready-to-Drive Trike

So, what should you look for when buying a trike? There are many factors to consider.

The first thing you want to consider is the intended use of your trike. Do you want a trike that fulfills your need for speed? Or do you simply want something you can enjoy driving around town?

Once you decide that, you can begin to dig into the other considerations.

Material Quality

Consider the quality of the materials. Your trike needs to be durable and sturdy enough to support your weight and withstand wear and tear.

Handling

A good custom trike will offer smooth handling that is easy to control even at high speeds. Consider features such as disc brakes and suspension systems which can greatly affect how your ride feels.

Consider what type of suspension will be best suited to your needs. If you plan on taking your trike off-road often, then a more robust suspension system might be necessary to keep the bumps and jolts away. On the other hand, if speed is more important to you than comfort, then a stiffer suspension might be best.

Power Source

Depending on the type of trike you’re looking for, you may have a few power source options. Electric motors are usually quieter and more efficient than gasoline engines, but they can be more expensive.

Fuel Efficiency

If you’re purchasing a trike with a gasoline engine, consider its fuel efficiency. The more efficient the engine, the less money you’ll have to spend on gas in the long run.

Safety Features

When it comes to safety, make sure your custom trike has essential features like turn signals, brake lights, and bright lighting. Also, look for features such as roll bars and helmets that can help in the event of an accident.

Speed

If you’re looking for a fast ride, consider the maximum speed of your custom trike. Make sure it can reach the speeds you’re looking for without putting too much strain on the engine. However, keep in mind as well, a trike with more speed will likely be less fuel efficient.

Body Panels

The body panels of a custom trike are important for both looks and aerodynamics. When designing your ideal custom trike, consider what type of body panels you want.

Our trikes include front body panels for wind and grit shielding. However, other panels are optional. You can also add an enclosed or partially enclosed canopy.

Brakes

The braking system is one of the most important parts when it comes to safety and performance when riding a custom trike. Make sure that your brakes are capable enough for the speeds and terrain that you plan on riding before designing your custom trike. You’ll also want to make sure that they are easy to use and maintain so that any problems can be quickly identified and fixed.

Two of our models come with front brake pads and rotors intended for street use. However, our third model comes with front brake pads and rotors for track use.

Street Legal

Finally, make sure the trike is street-legal with all the necessary paperwork. You should also inquire about any additional fees or taxes you may need to pay for registration and insurance.

Not every state requires you to register powered trikes, but some do. So make sure you’re aware of the laws where you live.

Our Custom Trikes for Sale

Now that you’ve thought about all of that, it’s time to look at some of your options from our patented model. What’s the right trike for you?

Model One

Our first model is a fully assembled leaning trike. It’s powered by a 250 cc, 5-speed gas engine.

This engine doesn’t provide the same speed as some other models. Instead, this model is a great choice if you’re looking for a fun cornering experience without being overpowered.

It comes with front body panels for wind and grit shielding. Additional panels are optional. The front brakes and rotors are for street use.

Model Two

Model two is also fully assembled and ready-to-rumble Leaning Trike. It’s powered by a 600 to 750 cc, five or 6-speed gas engine.

It gives more straightaway speed than model one. The engine weight may increase rear wheel traction while cornering.

Like model one, it provides a fun coning experience without excessive power. Front brake pads and rotors are for street use.

Keep in mind: this model is less fuel efficient than model one.

Model Three

Our third model is powered by a 1400+ cc, 5, 6, 7, or 8-speed gas engine. This model is the least fuel-efficient of the three.

However, in exchange, it has ample pep and more straightaway speed. While you can take this model on city streets, the city street usage is limited.

The goal of this model is to provide a euphoric experience because of the excessive power. This model is fully paneled for wind, grit, and aerodynamics.

Load cells on the wheels control the appropriate pitch angle for the front wings and the rear wing. The wheel motors also provide regenerative braking that’s controlled by the brake pedal.

The front brake pads and rotors on this model are smaller and intended for track use.

Buy a Custom Trike for Your Adventures

Are you ready to get rolling? Finding the right custom trike is just a few clicks away.

Our patented trikes will take your enjoyment to the next level. Take a closer look at the options we provide and fill out our contact form for more details.

Motor trikes and motorcycles are two popular modes of transportation for people who enjoy the thrill of the open road without the constraints of a car. While both offer a unique riding experience, there is often a debate about which is safer.

Understanding the Differences Between Motor Trikes and Motorcycles

First, it’s important to understand the differences between a trike and a motorcycle. A trike, also known as a trike motorcycle, three-wheeled motorcycle, or three-wheeler, has three wheels and a motorcycle-like design. A motorcycle, on the other hand, has two wheels and a more streamlined design. Both have motors.

Types of Trikes Available on the Market

There are several types of trikes available on the market, including gas powered trikes, electric trike motorcycles, and drift trikes. Gas powered trikes, as the name suggests, use gasoline as their primary fuel source. They are often larger and more powerful than electric trikes, with some engines ranging from 50cc trikes to 1400cc trikes. Gas powered trikes are generally faster and more powerful than electric trikes. This makes them a good choice for people who want a more traditional motorcycle-like experience.

Electric trikes, on the other hand, use an electric motor and battery pack to power the vehicle. They are typically smaller and less powerful than gas powered trikes, with motors ranging from 500W and 1500W. Electric trikes are sometimes more affordable and easier to maintain. They are also more environmentally friendly since they produce little noise.

Drift trikes are designed for drifting and sliding around corners. They typically have a large front wheel and smaller rear wheels, and they are often ridden on downhill slopes or in specially designed drift parks. There can be both electric drift trikes or gas powered drift trikes.

When it comes to motor trikes, there are even choices when it comes to seating. A Ride On motor trike entails occupying the seat or saddle directly, where the rider experiences the elements and a heightened sense of speed and motion, similar to a motorcycle. In contrast, a Ride In motor trike involves being seated within a chassis, more like automotive seating. These distinctions highlight the choice between an immersive, open-air ride and a more sheltered, controlled experience within a motor trike.

The Customization of Motor Trikes

For enthusiasts who enjoy the customizing aspect of riding, there is also the option of a trike low rider. These have a low, stretched-out trike frame and are designed to sit very low to the ground. They are often customized with elaborate paint jobs and chrome accents.

Trike kits and trike conversion kits are another option for people who want a customized riding experience. A motorcycle trike conversion kit allows you to convert a traditional two-wheeled motorcycle into a three-wheeled trike, often using a bolt-on conversion process. Trike kits can be purchased from a variety of manufacturers to make custom trikes that fit your specific needs and preferences.

Motor Trike parked on the road with lights around it

Stability and Safety: The Case for Trikes

One of the main arguments in favor of motor trikes is that they are more stable than motorcycles. Because they have three wheels instead of two, they offer more balance and stability, especially when going around corners or taking turns. This can make them a good choice for people who are new to riding or who have physical limitations that make it difficult to balance on a two-wheeled motorcycle.

Do you need a motorcycle license for a trike though? Depends on the state you’re in. A few states only require a regular driver’s license, but most others, including Florida, may require a specific three-wheel motorcycle license.

Motor trikes have a lower center of gravity than motorcycles, which can make them more stable at low speeds. This can be especially helpful when navigating tight spaces or when maneuvering in heavy traffic. In addition, some trikes are designed with extra safety features, such as roll cages, seat belts, and airbags. These can all provide additional protection in the event of an accident.

Making the Choice: Trikes vs. Motorcycles

However, it’s important to note that trikes are not immune to accidents. They are still vulnerable to collisions with other vehicles or obstacles, and riders can still be injured in a crash. They are especially dangerous in wet or slippery conditions.

While trikes do offer some advantages in terms of stability and safety, they are not necessarily safer than motorcycles. Both types of vehicles come with risks and require careful attention to safety and proper training. It’s up to each individual rider to weigh the pros and cons and make the choice that’s right for you.

Tampa Trike

Tampa Trike is a business that is passionate about creating high-quality trikes. We are focused on building and selling a unique tilting trike design. Our three-wheel chassis design allows for various power sources. This unique design also provides improved stability, handling, and cornering, making it safer and more comfortable to drive. We believe that our tilting trike is the future of trikes, and we are excited to share it with the world.

Transportation is always evolving. While three wheeled bicycles have been around since 1680 motorized trikes have come to the forefront of vehicle innovation more recently. Three wheeled vehicles are commonly known as trikes. But what makes a trike a trike? When it comes to these three wheeled machines there are some differences to note regarding style, components and rideability. In this article, we’ll give you the rundown on everything you need to know about three wheeled motorcycles.

History of the Trike

The first mass produced adult motorized trike comes from the De Dion-Bouton company in France. The De Dion-Bouton Tricycle went into production in 1897 and sold around 15,000 units during its five years of production. These trikes sold for an average price of 1000 – 1500 gold marks which is equivalent to around 11,000 USD today. The last model that was produced in 1904 boasted a 955 cc engine that produced 8 HP at 1,800 RPM.

Types of Three-Wheeled Motorcycles

Three-wheeled vehicles are not all built the same. There are different variations on this design that all center around three wheels. Most trikes are gasoline powered but some electric options are available as well. The four most common types of three wheeled motorcycles are: regular trikes, reverse trikes, sidecar motorcycles, and outrigger trikes.

Regular Trikes

Regular trikes are the most common style of trike to see in the US. Regular trikes consist of two wheels in back and one in the front. These are often factory built trikes but there are now trike conversion kits that allow you to build a custom trike from a two wheeled motorcycle.

Reverse Trikes

Reverse trikes have two wheels in the front and one wheel in the back. They can also be referred to as “wheels front” trikes and are becoming a more popular option for people looking for a trike that drives like a motorcycle. Wheels front trikes are leaning, meaning they can lean into turns like a regular motorcycle. Other options are rigid and offer less grip when going around corners or making sharp turns.

Sidecar Motorcycles

Sidecars are an older style of trike that are rare to find these days. Sidecar trikes consist of a regular motorcycle with a 1-wheeled sidecar that can store a passenger or gear. These are not traditionally what we think of when we think of a trike motorcycle and were more prevalent in the 1950s. Movies contributed to their growth but faded out of popularity because of readily available cheap automobiles.

Outrigger Trikes

You might do a double take when first looking at an outrigger trike because technically they use four wheels instead of three. Outrigger trikes have converted a regular motorcycle into a trike without removing the back wheel. They utilize a two wheel assembly surrounding the original rear wheel of the motorcycle. This essentially works like training wheels on a regular bicycle.

Trikes can also be categorized further between adult trike scooters and adult trike motorcycles. Trike motorcycles tend to have bigger engines like a 600-1,400 cc producing around 50-120 HP. While trike scooters typically run smaller engines like 50-500 cc with automatic transmissions. There are also styles like foldable electric trikes, trike mopeds, and motorized drift trikes.

Whatever custom trike you want to buy, or build there are plenty of options to choose from. The hard part is going to be deciding on just one. If you need inspiration on where to start check out Tampa Trike for reverse trike design ideas as well as trikes for sale.

Making a smooth autonomous lean transition

This video shows the trike making a smooth autonomous lean transition from right to left. Like a two wheel vehicle, when this three wheel vehicle leans, the rear wheel becomes an active steering component.

Very little steering input is all that is required to drive through these two corners. Looks like the right hand goes from 2 o’clock to 12. Chassis pivot angle setting determines how much steering input is needed for the type of corner at the current vehicle speed. Drawings for the chassis pivot angle setting are Fig. 7A through 9B in the Booklet. The front wheels do not show any noticeable lean so they remain fully engaged with the road surface. The first four production custom trikes will have adjustable steering caster. See Drawing Booklet Fig, 12. Once the sweet spot is located, all future 250 cc and 750 cc trikes will have a fixed steering caster angle. The 1400 cc will retain the adjustable steering caster setup.

Suspension caster can be changed with reversing or different mounting blocks at the chassis pivot housing. See Drawing Booklet Fig 6 (item 125). We do not expect the chassis to be distortion free from the welding process. Some adjustability will be good. The toe-in alignment will be adjustable. No other wheel alignment is required. Ackerman Steering will be set by design. The steering rod brackets can be changed if needed. See Drawing Booklet Fig 11 (item 166).

The driver has an up close view of the front suspension and wheels doing their job. This has always been a treat to see and feel the connectivity. The production models will need minimalistic splash guards. Spookie, the graphic artist, will help with this. This work product has taken a lot of time, money and patience to get what we felt was right. The three-wheeled bikes have always been a pleasure to drive through corners. We believe we have a clean and manufacturable product for people to enjoy.