3 wheel drive....

[atczack]

I was reading a thread about the old Rokon's in bikersville and had an idea: Do you think, just to be different, you could adapt the front wheel drive hardware off of a Rokon onto a trike to make it 3 wheel drive?! I know it probably sounds stupid to some of you guy's, but I would actually be interested in trying to do it if I could find a Rokon for part's. What do you guys think? Stupid idea? Neat idea?

[threewheelin-feelin]

cool idea...id love to have a 3WD bigred

[atczack]

I might have to research this a little further. I've got a 200x auto I would be willing to sacrifice for a project like this. Hmmmmmm......

[Lots_Of_Nothing]

If you were serious about wanting to make a 3 wheel drive setup... Your best bet would be to go after a KTM setup on ebay, Probably pricey as hell. Its a hydralic setup deal that runs off the motor, through lines, up to the front axle. I dont know the specifics about it, But they just came out with it not too long ago. I'm not sure how the rokons are setup, maybe its simpler..

Personally I think a 3wd ATC would handle like crap. Test riders for the 2wd dirtbikes said it made it handle worse (had to take turns wider,, etc) But, it'd probably be usefull in those sticky situations. If you made a switch type deal to turn it off and on, that'd be best.

[atczack]

Thank's for the feedback. It would for sure have to be for utility models (opinion). I just could'nt picture a 250r or something with a contraption like that on the front. As far as the KTMs, I must hace read the same article as you, I bet your right, that would be pricey. Like threewheelinfeelin said, it would be cool on a Bigred or maybe a 200m or something big and bulky.

[atczack]

I'm sure your right, it probably would handle like crap, but it would be neat crap

[atczack]

I just went back to bikersville to look up some stuff on the rokon and I looked at the 2wd KTM. It looks like people have already touched a little on this subject back in August. Oh well, I thought it was an original idea of mine, but I was wrong. But I would still like to maybe try and do it. I think it would be the center of attention at any mudhole!

[threewheelin-feelin]

Personally I think a 3wd ATC would handle like crap. Test riders for the 2wd dirtbikes said it made it handle worse (had to take turns wider,, etc) But, it'd probably be usefull in those sticky situations. If you made a switch type deal to turn it off and on, that'd be best.


yes sir ..thats the why i would do it. cruise in 2wd then flip it in 3wd in the mud.

[trikerider2oo7]

it would have its good points and bad.
good: harder to get stuck
bad: no power because of the power it takes to run the hydralics to the front wheel and terrible handling

[MTS]

screw hydrolics if ya wana really do sumin neat get a transfer case and what not off a new 4x4 quad with teh shaft, or make one, im sure it could be done with a chain drive system some how, but trikes do so good in mud alredy lol

[Lots_Of_Nothing]

screw hydrolics if ya wana really do sumin neat get a transfer case and what not off a new 4x4 quad with teh shaft, or make one, im sure it could be done with a chain drive system some how, but trikes do so good in mud alredy lol

Please, Explain to me. A chain driving the front axle, How are you going to turn, what will be driving this chain?

[MTS]

oh yea i forgot about turning lol, meh what ever

[hondaATCman]

Personally, I think this is a terrible idea. Here are the reasons:

1. It would look goofy as hell.
2. It would take way too much time and money.
3. It would have an effect on handling.
4. Lower gas milage.
5. Loose power.
6. And finally, it really wouldn't do anything because trikes are light in the first place, especially the front end, so the tire wouldn't grab traction enough to help or notice that much anyway.

Now if Honda actually made a 3wd trike it would be a little different. You know they would go through the whole research and development process, make a unit and design it for a specific application...that might work. But when you try to take KTM or Rokon parts and fit them on a Honda it would be like mixing water and oil. And...when you're finished hacking, grinding, welding, duct taping, and zip tying a "3wd" unit on you're trike, then you'll realize what a terrible looking deffective hunk of junk you just wasted money on and ruint the looks of a nice 3-wheeler.

[atcpunk107]

perssonally i think it would handle better, you figure with the solid rear end when you turn the fron end tends to slid in gravel or snow, well with a live front end, when you turn the tire will grab and pull the front end, i think it would be perfect on like a big red or utility trike

[threewheelin-feelin]

perssonally i think it would handle better, you figure with the solid rear end when you turn the fron end tends to slid in gravel or snow, well with a live front end, when you turn the tire will grab and pull the front end, i think it would be perfect on like a big red or utility trike

thats a good point